THE LUTHERAN (HELSINKI) CATHEDRAL (Tuomiokirkko)
Address: Unioninkatu 29, FI-00170 Helsinki; Tel: +358-(0)9-709 2455 Open: Mon-Sat 09:00-18:00, Sun 12:00-18:00, in summer daily 09:00-24:00 Admission: Free

The Lutheran Cathedral has dominated Helsinki’s skyline since the mid 19th century. Designed by Carl Ludvig Engel in spectacular Neoclassical style, the cathedral and its green dome has become somewhat of a symbol of the city.

USPENSKI (RUSSIAN ORTHODOX) CATHEDRAL
Address: Kanavakatu 1, FI-00160 Helsinki; Tel: +358-(0)9-634 267
Open: October-April Mon closed Tue-Fri 09:30-16:00, Sat 09:30-14:00, Sun 12:00-15:00. May-September Mon-Fri 09:30-16:00, Sat 09:30-14:00, Sun 12:00-15:00. Admission: Free

Built between 1862 and 1868, the Uspenski cathedral is the biggest Orthodox church in Western Europe. Designed by Aleksei Gornostajev in Russian Byzantine style, the cathedral boasts 13 golden onion-shaped cupolas representing the Christ and the Apostles. The redbrick façade was constructed with bricks that once made up Bomarsund fortress in Aland. The interior décor is equally as stunning with striking ornate details.

Seurasaari island is a national park and an open air museum with a large collection of historic buildings, ranging from churches to farmsteads, brought to the island from different parts of Finland. The collection reflects the history of Finnish architecture from the 17th century to present day. During the summer season, a guided tour of the park and its buildings is included in the price of the museum ticket. The buildings are closed in winter but visitors can nonetheless stroll around the park and admire the exterior of the buildings.

TEMPPELIAUKIO CHURCH (THE ROCK CHURCH)
Address: Lutherinkatu 3 (entrance is at the end of Fredikinkatu) Tel: (09) 494 698; Transport: Tram 3T Open: Mon and Wed-Fri 10:00-20:00, Tue 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-20:00, Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 12:00-13:45 and 15:00-17:45. Admission: Free

The unique Temppeliaukio Church designed by Suomalainen brothers in 1969 has become one of Helsinki’s top attractions. Its interior walls carved out of solid granite are covered with a giant copper plate. This remarkable building has great acoustics and is therefore a popular concert venue.

FINLANDIA HALL
Address: Mannerheimintie 13 Tel: (09) 40241 Website: www.finlandia.hel.fi Transport: Tram 4, 7B, 7A or 10 Open: Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00, Sat 11:00-17:00 Admission: €6

Finlandia Hall is Helsinki’s main concert and congress venue. The modern exterior and the interior furnishings were designed by Alvar Aalto in 1970s.

ATENEUM ART MUSEUM
Address: Kaivokatu 2 Tel: (0)9-1733 6401 Open: Tue & Fri 09:00-18:00, Wed & Thu 09:00-20:00, Sat & Sun 11:00-17:00 Admission: €5.50 adults, €4 concessions.

The museum houses an extensive collection of Finnish art dating from the 18th century to the 1960s. The collection also features many works by international artists from the late 19th to the mid 20th century, including works by Cézanne, Degas, van Gogh, Munch and Rodin.

THE KIASMA MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Address: Mannerheiminaukio 2. Tel: (09) 1733 6500. Website: www.kiasma.fi Transport: Tram 3B, 3T, 4, 7A or 7B. Open: Tue 09:00-17:00, Wed-Sun 10:00-20:30. Admission: €5.50, students and pensioners €4, children under 18 free of charge. Free for all on Fri 17:00-20:30.

Set in a spacious modern building, the museum boasts an impressive collection of contemporary art dating from the 1960s to the present day. It features contemporary paintings, sculptures, video and media art as well as photographic and graphic art. The museum also houses a built-in theatre with regular drama, dance and music performances.

SENATE SQUARE
Addresss: Senaatintori (at the corner of Unioninkatu and Aleksanterinkatu streets) Transport: Tram 1, 3B, 3T, 4 or 7B.

The Senate Square has been the focal point of the city since the early 19th century. It is bordered by the Cathedral, the Government Palace and the University – the three buildings designed by the renowned C.L. Engel. Sederholm House, the oldest stone building in Helsinki, can be found on the southwestern corner of the square. Over the centuries, the square has played host to many important gatherings and celebrations.

SUOMENLINNA
Address: Suomenlinna, FI-00190 Helsinki Tel: (0)9 684 1850, (0)9 684 1880 Open: Suomenlinna island is open all year round. Some services are open also during winter. Admission: No entrance fee for the island. Ferry: single ticket €2(adult), €1(child 7-16yrs). Waterbus (in summer): return ticket €5.50(adult), €2.20(child).

Built on an archipelago off the coast of Helsinki by Augustin Ehrensvärd in 1748, Suomenlinna sea fortress was one of the most ambitious construction projects of the time. Today, the magnificent fortress is a popular tourist attraction with seven museums, charming restaurants and cafés as well as a home to 850 residents. The best place to start exploring is at the Visitor Centre located in the middle of the fortress at Tykistölahti bay.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FINLAND
Address: Mannerheimintie 34 Tel:(09) 40501. Website: www.nba.fi
Transport: Tram 4, 7B, 7A or 10. Open: Tue-Wed 11:00-20:00, Thu-Sun 11:00-18:00. Admission: €5.50 adults, students and pensioners €4, children under 18 free of charge. Free entrance for all on Tuesdays 17:30-20:00.

The museum traces the history of Finland from prehistoric times to the present day. Visitors can explore the development of Finnish culture through various archaeological exhibits and historic artefacts. The extensive collection is split into five sections ranging from rare Stone Age finds to folk costumes and furniture displays.