BUG - Backpackers Guide to Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki's Natural History Museum covers 4 billion years of natural history with interesting displays; including a skeleton of a Steller's sea cow, which became extinct in 1768 just 20 years after the species was identified.

Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13, 0014 University of Helsinki

Tram 3B, 3T

Tel (09) 191 28804

Website www.fmnh.helsinki.fi

Admission €4.20

Open Tue-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm; closed for renovation from 1 Sep 05

Helsinki City Museum

This museum features a number of changing exhibits relating to the city.

Sofiankatu 4, Helsinki

Tram 1, 3T, 3B

Tel (09) 169 3933

Website www.hel.fi/kaumuseo/

Admission €3, free on Thursdays

Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm

Jean Sibelius Monument

This monument to Finland's most famous composer is shaped like a string of organ pipes. The sculpture is located in a park and it is a popular spot with visitors to the city.

Mechelininkatu, Sibelius puisto, Taka-Töölö

Bus 24

Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art

Kiasma houses an excellent collection of modern art, including a pop-art collection on the second and third floors.

Mannerheiminaukio 2, FIN-00100 Helsinki

Tel (09) 1733 6501

Website www.kiasma.fi

Admission €5.50, students €4

Open Tue 9am-5pm, Wed 10am-10.30pm, Thu 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm

Linnanmäki

The Linnanmäki amusement park is the place to head when you've had enough of museums. The park includes a big ferris wheel, water slides, a roller coaster and a number of other rides and attractions.

Tivolikuja

Website www.linnanmaki.fi

Admission free; unlimited rides €26, unlimited rides 3 hours before close €20

Open 9-29 May Mon-Fri noon-9pm, Sat 1pm-9pm, Sun 1pm-8pm; 30 May-5 Jun Mon-Tue noon-9pm, Wed-Sat 1pm-9pm, Sun 1pm-8pm; 6-19 Jun Mon-Sat 1pm-9pm, Sun 1pm-8pm; 20-26 Jun Mon-Thu 1pm-9pm, Fri-Sun noon-10pm; 27 Jun-14 Aug noon-10pm daily; 15 Aug-4 Sep Mon-Fri 4pm-9pm, Sat 1pm-9pm, Sun 1pm-8pm; 5-11 Sep Fri 4pm-9pm, Sat-Sun 1pm-10pm

Mannerheim Museum

This museum presents Marshall Mannerheim's home as it was at the end of the 1940s. The museum also features exhibits on aspects of Mannerheim's life.

Kalliolinnantie 14, Kaivopuisto FIN-00140 Helsinki

Tram 3B, 3T

Website www.mannerheim-museo.fi

Admission €7

Open Fri-Sun 11am-4pm

Museum of Art and Design

This museum's collection highlights cutting-edge Finnish and international design from 1870 to the present day.

Korkeavuorenkatu 23, 00130 Helsinki

Bus 17 Tram 10

Tel (09) 622 0540

Website www.designmuseum.fi

Admission €7, €3 students

Open Tue 11am-8pm, Wed-Sun 11am-6pm

Museum of Cultures

This museum has displays that provide an insight into the everyday life and festivities of various cultures.

Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8 / Salomonkatu 15, 1st and 2nd floor, Helsinki

Tel (09) 4050 9806

Website www.nba.fi/en/museum_of_cultures

Admission €5, free Tue 5pm-8pm

Open Tue-Thu 11am-8pm, Fri-Sun 11am-6pm

Museum of Finnish Architecture

Finland is noted for its architecture the Museum of Finnish Architecture showcases some of the country's best modern architecture including that of Finland's most renowned architect - Alvar Aalto.

Kasarmikatu 24, 00130 Helsinki

Tel (09) 8567 5100

Website www.mfa.fi

Open Tue 10am-4pm, Wed 10am-8pm, Thu-Sun 10am-4pm

National Museum of Finland (Suomen Kansallismuseo)

This museum exhibits objects depicting Finnish culture from prehistoric times to the present day.

Mannersheimintie 34, 00100 Helsinki

Tram 4, 7A, 7B, 10

Tel (09) 4050 9544

Website www.nba.fi/en/nmf

Admission €5.50

Open Tue-Wed 11am-8pm, Thu-Sun 11am-6pm

Post Museum

The Post Museum is housed within Helsinki's main post office and features displays related to the post office's 360-year history.

Helsinki Main Post Office, Asema-aukio 5, Helsinki

Metro Rautatientori Tram 3B, 3T, 3, 7A, 7B, 10

Tel 204 51 4908

Website www.posti.fi/postimuseo

Admission free

Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm

Power Station Museum

This museum, housed in a former power station, has exhibits on the industrial history of Helsinki.

Hämeentie 163, Helsinki

Bus 71, 71V, 73B

Tel (09) 3108 7064

Website www.hel.fi/kaumuseo/english/voimalamuseo.html

Admission €3, free Thu

Open Jun-Aug Mon-Thu, Sun 11am-4pm

Senaatin Tori (Senate Square)

Senate Square in the heart of Helsinki is home to the main building of the University of Helsinki, the Senate building and is dominated by Tuomiokirkko, the lutheran cathedral that is probably Finland's most photographed building.

Corner Aleksanterinkatu & Unioninkatu, Helsinki

Tram 1, 2, 3B, 3T, 4

Cathedral open Jun-Aug 9am-midnight, Sep-May 9am-6pm

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum

The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum is located on an island just a few kilometres from the centre of Helsinki. The museum features 85 buildings from different provinces in Finland that have been relocated to the island.

Seurasaari Island, FIN-00250 Helsinki

Bus 24

Tel (09) 484 712

Website www.nba.fi/en/seurasaari_openairmuseum

Admission €5

Open 15-31 May Mon-Fri 9am-3pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm; 1 Jun-31 Aug Mon-Tue 11am-5pm, Wed 11am-7pm, Thu-Sun 11am-5pm; 1-15 Sep Mon-Fri 9am-3pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm

Suomenlinna Fortress

Classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, this fortress dates from the 18th century and is situated on a group of interconnected islands. The island is home to several museums. Museums include the Suomenlinna Museum (which is housed in the same building as the information centre); a Doll and Toy Museum; Customs Museum and a Military Museum (which features a restored 250 tonne submarine).

Suomenlinna Island

Ferry from Market Square

Tel (09) 4050 9691

Website www.suomenlinna.fi

Admission €5

Museum open Jan-Apr 10am-4pm; May-Sep 10am-6pm; Oct-Dec 10am-4pm

Uspenski Cathedral

Western Europe's largest Orthodox cathedral was designed by St Petersburg architect A. M. Gornostayev and built while Finland was under Russian rule. It's spires dominate the skyline and it boasts an ornate interior.

Kanavakatu 1, Helsinki

Tram 2, 4

Admission free

Open Wed-Fri 9.30am-4pm, Sat 9.30am-2pm, Sun noon-3pm

Ferry Tickets