What to Do in Helsinki, Finland

Tour the city's striking architecture, visit contemporary art spaces, and soak in a super-slinky, design-forward spa – there's plenty of things to do in Finland's capital of cool.

Read the full story in Volume 37: Craft. Discover more stories from the Craft issue here.

The exterior white curve of contemporary art space Amos Rex in Helsinki, Finland

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Amos Rex

Protean contemporary art space Amos Rex is one of the Finnish capital’s newer museums, having opened in 2018 after the complete reconstruction of a 30s cinema, which included the addition of a spaceship-like subterranean annexe. More than just an exhibition space, the museum’s courtyard also moonlights as a skatepark, drinking terrace and meeting place for the city’s sun-seeking cool crowd.

Address

Mannerheimintie 22-24, 00100

Outdoors at the design-forward spa, Löyly, in Helsinki, Finland

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Löyly

Owned by Finnish actor Jasper Pääkkönen, this super-slinky, design-forward spa, which occupies a prime stretch on the southern tip of Helsinki’s peninsula, provides a sustainable wellness experience and top-notch waterfront views. Sweat your socks off in the sauna, take a refreshing dip in the sea (if you dare), then settle in for a long lunch of fresh seafood on the terrace. Jasper’s salmon soup is the don’t-miss dish.

Address

Hernesaarenranta 4, 00150

Helsinki’s Central Library, Oodi

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Oodi Helsinki

One of the city’s most striking architectural feats, Helsinki’s Central Library opened in 2018 as a living room for its citizens. Replete with over 10,000 books to borrow (a system that’s managed and co-ordinated by robots), as well as an urban workshop space offering free-to-use 3D printers, sewing machines and a music studio, Oodi is an ode to Helsinki’s mission of being a city that uses design as a force for social good.

Address

Töölönlahdenkatu 4, 00100

An exhibition of Alfredo Häberli's work at the Helsinki Design Centre.

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Iittala and Arabia Design Centre

The nerve centre of the city’s dynamic art and design scene, Helsinki’s Design Centre is a window into the history, present and future of Finland’s two biggest design and lifestyle brands: Iittala and Arabia. Beyond internationally acclaimed exhibitions, the futuristic space also offers a vintage service, allowing visitors to swap pre-loved ceramics, as well as offering a jam-packed calendar of workshops, events and talks.

Address

Hämeentie 135 A, 00560