A taste of culture and the scent of the sea

Architectural jewels, international top design, hot fashion names and grand outdoor events and festivals in the heart of the city. Within the past few years Helsinki has emerged as an internationally significant trendsetter, while still retaining its soft nature typical of a small town.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma is the jewel in Helsinki's crown. The museum displays schools of art that have emerged since the 1960s and all imaginable art forms from words, images and motion to new media. The building itself is also a significant addition to Helsinki's urban streetscape. Steven Holl, the architect, visualised Kiasma as the crossroads of nature and the built environment. He was particularly inspired by arctic light, whose movement on the interior surfaces follows the alternation of day and night.

Helsinki is a lively, green city. One-fourth of its area consists of parks. The city centre is characterised by the Parisian ambience of the Esplanade Park. A walk under the trees also allows you to view the specialist boutiques and shops aligning the park. Visitors to the Finlandia Hall or Opera may take a stroll along Töölönlahti Bay, the lifeline of the city’s inhabitants. The Winter Garden stands guard at the north end of the park surrounding the bay, with tropical blooms and goldfish sporting in their fountain under its glass roofing.