Best Museums in Helsinki

I visited 24 museums in Helsinki, Finland in 2024 — every one is rated below, best first, on my 0–3 scale (how I rate). 5 of them are free.

  1. 1.2

    Amos Rex

    Worth a stop · ~€20 ($22.00) · Visited 2024 · I’d revisit
    Probably best museum in Helsinki

    20th-century & contemporary art collections & exhibitions in businessman/collector's former home.

  2. 2.2

    Art Museum Ateneum

    Worth a stop · ~€20 ($22.00) · Visited 2024

    Grand 19th-century art museum with Finnish works from the 1700s onwards, plus international pieces.

  3. 3.2

    Didrichsen Art Museum

    Worth a stop · ~€16 ($17.60) · Visited 2024

    Small Finnish & international art & sculpture gallery in a converted family villa open since 1965.

  4. 4.2

    Finnish Museum of Natural History

    Worth a stop · ~€20 ($22.00) · Visited 2024

    Botanical/zoological/geological/paleontological specimens from round the world, including minerals.

  5. 5.2

    Kirpilä Art Collection

    Worth a stop · Free · Visited 2024

    Helsinki collection of Finnish art displayed in the preserved apartment of physician Juhani Kirpilä.

  6. 6.2

    Sinebrychoff Art Museum

    Worth a stop · ~€20 ($22.00) · Visited 2024

    Mansion left to the nation in 1921 containing an important collection of Old Masters & furniture.

  7. 7.1

    Design Museum

    Interesting · ~€20 ($22.00) · Visited 2024

    Long-standing design museum with an extensive permanent collection, plus a cafe & gift shop.

  8. 8.1

    Finnish Museum of Theater

    Interesting · ~€16 ($17.60) · Visited 2024
    Almost no english

    Museum on Finnish theatrical history, costumes, sets, and stagecraft.

  9. 9.1

    HAM Helsinki Art Museum

    Interesting · ~€18 ($19.80) · Visited 2024

    Functionalist space, built as a tennis venue, hosting temporary art exhibitions of varying styles.

  10. 10.1

    Helsinki Tram Museum

    Interesting · Free · Visited 2024

    Museum on Helsinki's tram and public transit history, with restored vintage cars.

  11. 11.1

    Helsinki University Museum - Exhibition Centre

    Interesting · ~€10 ($11.00) · Visited 2024

    University of Helsinki exhibition center on the history of academic disciplines and student life.

  12. 12.1

    Helsinki University Museum - Observatory

    Interesting · ~€10 ($11.00) · Visited 2024

    19th-century Helsinki observatory, now a museum on astronomy and the history of science.

  13. 13.1

    Military Museum of Finland

    Interesting · ~€7 ($7.70) · Visited 2024
    Not a single mention of Nazis

    Finnish military history museum (Sotamuseo) on Suomenlinna island, with weapons, uniforms, and exhibits on Finland's wars.

  14. 14.1

    Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma

    Interesting · ~€20 ($22.00) · Visited 2024

    Contemporary art museum & cultural center with thematic annual exhibitions, a theater & events.

  15. 15.1

    Museum of Finnish Architecture

    Interesting · ~€20 ($22.00) · Visited 2024

    Multidisciplinary exhibits on Finland's architecture of the 1900s & a temporary exhibitions program.

  16. 16.1

    Museum of Photography K1

    Interesting · ~€16 ($17.60) · Visited 2024

    Helsinki gallery for contemporary photography and visual culture.

  17. 17.1

    Sports Culture Center TAHTO

    Interesting · ~€16 ($17.60) · Visited 2024

    Collection of Finnish sporting items & photos, multimedia shows & regular temporary exhibits.

  18. 18.1

    Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

    Interesting · Free · Visited 2024
    Really do not understnad why this is a UNESCO site

    UNESCO-listed 18th-century sea fortress on islands at the entrance to Helsinki harbor.

  19. 19.1

    The Bank of Finland Museum

    Interesting · Free · Visited 2024

    Museum on Finnish currency, monetary policy, and the history of the Bank of Finland.

  20. 20.1

    The Finnish Museum of Photography

    Interesting · ~€16 ($17.60) · Visited 2024

    National photography museum tracing Finnish photographic history and contemporary practice.

  21. 21.0

    Helsinki City Museum

    Skip · Free · Visited 2024

    Museum exploring Helsinki's history & culture, with art & photography, plus changing exhibitions.

  22. 22.0

    Hotel and Restaurant Museum

    Skip · ~€16 ($17.60) · Visited 2024
    Missing a lot of english

    Helsinki museum on the history of Finnish hotels, restaurants, and hospitality.

  23. 23.0

    Military Museum's Manege

    Skip · ~€7 ($7.70) · Visited 2024

    A former Russian armory, this building now houses Finnish military history exhibits & weaponry.

  24. 24.0

    Temppeliaukio Church

    Skip · ~€8 ($8.80) · Visited 2024

    Unique church popular as a concert venue, with a copper-lined dome & rock/rubble interior walls.

More museums in Finland

See also: all cities · every museum in NYC, ranked · the full map