Discover the Top 7 Noteworthy Museums in Helsinki Region
Discover the culture and history of Helsinki region with a visit to the top 8 museums.
Some museums on this list are in the neighboring cities of Espoo and Vantaa. Some are a bit farther from the city center but are easily accessible by public transportation.
You can wander around Seurasaari Island and the Open-Air Museum. Or you can make a half-day trip to Didrichsen, Villa Gyllenberg, Espoo Museum of Modern Art, and Heureka!
Key Takeaways
- Helsinki Region (Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa) offers a wide range of museums to cater to different interests.
- Some notable museums in the region include Ateneum, Kiasma, Amos Rex, and Espoo Museum of Modern Art.
- These museums feature various forms of art, including Finnish art, contemporary art, and design history.
- Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum is a popular outdoor destination with a free public park and a separate museum section.
We start this museum tour in the center of Helsinki, and then after a couple of locations a short bus ride away, we proceed to Espoo and Vantaa.
If you’re interested in visiting all the top museums in the heart of Helsinki within a short walking distance, check out our other article on the topic.
1. Ateneum
Ateneum Museum in the heart of Helsinki has been home to Finnish art since 1888 with Finland’s largest art collection. You can explore the works of renowned Finnish artists, as well as international artists, in the beautiful building.
There’s also a café, restaurant, bookshop, and reading room. It’s worth a visit even if art isn’t your cup of tea. Take the tram to the main railway station and you’re there.
Website: https://ateneum.fi/en
Address: Kaivokatu 2, Helsinki
Location: Google Maps
How to get there: The museum is right in the city center close to the main railway station
2. Kiasma
Also located in the heart of Helsinki, Kiasma is a crown jewel of contemporary art in Finland. Designed by architect Steven Holl and opened in May 1998, the curvy, metallic building is a major architectural landmark.
It’s a significant part of Finnish cultural heritage, hosting exhibitions, performances, and events. Kiasma has something for everyone.
Enjoy the unique architecture, visit the museum shop, and relax in the popular cafe and terrace. You can find locals sitting and relaxing on the terrace on a sunny summer day, as well as on the lawn terraces between Kiasma and Helsinki Music Center (Musiikkitalo).
Website: https://kiasma.fi/en
Address: Mannerheiminaukio 2, Helsinki
Location: Google Maps
How to get there: The museum is right in the city center close to the main railway station
3. Amos Rex
Amos Rex is the newest addition to Helsinki’s art museum scene. Named after a Swedish-speaking Finnish businessman, it’s tucked away underground in the heart of Helsinki.
The museum features a unique underground exhibition space with curved domes at Lasipalatsi Square, a popular local meeting spot (and a place to take Instagram shots).
Opened in August 2018, Amos Rex welcomed over 10,000 visitors in its first weeks. The museum’s inaugural exhibitions were opened by the Japanese art collective TeamLab.
In addition to its exhibitions, Amos Rex offers a shop and several restaurants and cafes adjacent to the museum. This makes it a great place for visitors to relax and enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee after exploring the museum’s unique underground space.
Website: https://amosrex.fi/en
Address: Mannerheimintie 22–24, Helsinki
Location: Google Maps
How to get there: The museum is right in the city center close to the main railway station
4. Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum
Continuing your exploration of museums in Helsinki region, another great place to visit is Seurasaari Island and Seurasaari Open-Air Museum.
Located just off the coast of Helsinki, Seurasaari is a public outdoor park that’s free to enter.
The island is a popular picnic destination for locals, and is a great place to take a walk, relax on the cliffs, or enjoy the beaches in the summertime.
You can walk freely on the public paths around the museum area. Still, you can only visit the buildings inside with an admission ticket (there are over 80 buildings from different regions of rural Finland).
So you can actually get a lot out of your visit to the island even without buying a ticket!
The museum itself is open during the summer season from 15th May until 15th September, but you can visit the island year-round.
There’s also a café with the same opening hours as the museum, and public toilets.
Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum is a great place to get a taste of Finnish culture and history.
Website: https://www.kansallismuseo.fi/en/seurasaarenulkomuseo
Address: Seurasaaren ulkomuseo, Seurasaari, Helsinki
Location: Google Maps
How to get there: The bus 24 from the city center stops at Seurasaari.
5. Didrichsen Art Museum and Villa Gyllenberg
Continuing your exploration of museums in Helsinki region, two other great places to visit are Didrichsen Art Museum and Villa Gyllenberg.
The Didrichsen Art Museum was once the private home of a Danish-Finnish family. It is a beautiful house by the sea, designed by architect Viljo Revell in 1957.
On your visit, you can get a glimpse into the wealthy family’s modernist lifestyle.
This lesser-known gallery is a local favorite and a hidden gem.
The Villa Gyllenberg art museum is nearby (400 m walk). It is easy to visit both at the same time.
These two private art museums on Kuusisaari Island, on the outskirts of Helsinki, create a unique atmosphere.
The visit would be a pleasant half-day outing, especially on a sunny day.
Getting there involves a bus ride, but the journey is relatively easy.
Website: https://www.didrichsenmuseum.fi/en
Address: Kuusilahdenkuja 1, Helsinki
Location: Google Maps
Website: https://www.villagyllenberg.fi/en
Address: Kuusisaarenpolku 11, Helsinki
Location: Google Maps
How to get there: Bus from Aalto-university Metro Station to Kuusisaari: 510 (platform 14) and 52 (platform 14)
6. Espoo Museum of Modern Art – EMMA
EMMA is Finland’s largest art museum, located in Espoo’s Tapiola district. It houses a vast collection of Finnish and Nordic art, including design, experimental, modern, and contemporary pieces.
Themed exhibitions are available, plus fun activities for families and a visit to Futuro House.
The whole building is called Exhibition Center WeeGee, and it houses a museum, exhibition space, and event hub. It is a former Weilin & Göös publishing house.
EMMA is also an excellent destination for a family trip. The Museum of Play (Museum Leikki) and the Finnish Museum of Horology, next to the Exhibition Centre WeeGee, are dedicated to play, toys, and childhood.
Futuro House
The Futuro House, a futuristic flying saucer-like building, was created in the late 1960s by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen.
This space-age structure was intended to be a versatile, mobile living space made of plastic.
Only around 100 of these structures were ever built. Today, they are considered iconic examples of 1960s futuristic architecture and are sometimes sought after as collector’s items.
The Futuro House is in the backyard of the WeeGee building. It is open to the public from mid-May to mid-September during regular museum hours.
Website: https://emmamuseum.fi/en
Address: Ahertajantie 5, Tapiola, Espoo
Location: Google Maps
Website: https://museoleikki.fi/en
Address: Ahertajantie 3, Tapiola, Espoo
Location: Google Maps
How to get there: From Tapiola metro station there is approximately 10 min walk to the museum.
7. Heureka
Head to Heureka in Vantaa for an interactive and engaging experience of Finnish science. Located in the Tikkurila district, Heureka is the Finnish Science Centre, offering themed exhibitions, planetarium films, educational programs, and unique experiences. Its vast collection of interactive and engaging exhibits allow visitors to explore and learn about the world around them in a fun and exciting way.
Perfect for families, the planetarium and activities provide a great day out for kids of all ages. Easily accessible by public transport, Heureka is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore Finland’s science and technology.
Website: https://www.heureka.fi/en
Address: Tiedepuisto 1, Vantaa, Tikkurila
Location: Google Maps
How to get there: Local train to Tikkurila. There are signs to Heureka at the Tikkurila station and the walking distance is only 500 metres.
National Museum of Finland
Note that the National Museum of Finland is currently closed for renovation until 2027.
When it reopens, visitors can explore Finnish history and folk culture, featuring art, artifacts, and interactive exhibits.
Website: https://www.kansallismuseo.fi/en
Address: Mannerheimintie 34, Helsinki
Location: Google Maps
Final Thoughts
Ready to explore Helsinki’s rich culture and history? Then you won’t want to miss out on any of the top 8 museums in the region!
From the oldest and largest art collection at Ateneum, to the world of contemporary art at Kiasma, there’s something for everyone.
Don’t worry if museums aren’t your thing – these museums offer unique experiences and architecture, and Seurasaari Island is outdoors, so you can enjoy the fresh air while you explore!
