Best Art Galleries in Helsinki to Explore & Discover

Grab a cup of coffee and join us in Helsinki for an afternoon of blissful strolling and browsing at the best art galleries Helsinki has to offer.

 

“The best way to check out the contemporary art scene in Helsinki is simply to visit all its lovely galleries. Admission is always free of charge, and everyone is more than welcome to view their current exhibitions. The galleries also present the latest creations by a fantastic range of artists, so no two are alike!”

Anna Tuori
Artist, Helsinki
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Taidesalonki

The city’s oldest active art gallery, Taidesalonki, is worth a visit even just for its interior. The space resembles a secret garden trapped in a time bubble located in the beginning of the leafy Bulevardi street. The gallery shows works from beloved Finnish artists as well as new makers. The focus is on painting.
Bulevardi 3 B, 4th floor

Helsinki Contemporary 

Helsinki Contemporary is a trendy gallery that focuses on young artists that you will find across the street from the Old Church Park. With its fresh exhibitions, the gallery has secured a spot on the city’s art scene – its vernissages attract hipsters both young and old.
Bulevardi 10

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Galerie Anhava

Galerie Anhava showcases both conceptual and visual forms of expression, in one or two storeys depending on the exhibition. The gallery roots for modernism and minimalism, but also for new attitudes and fresh breezes in the arts world. There is a often a focus on Nordic artists. Painting, photography, sculpture, video, and installations from both well-known artists and newcomers.
Fredrikinkatu 43

Project room (FaFa) and Exhibition Laboratory (ExLab) 

The best way to acquainted with new talents is to visit the gallery spaces of the Academy of Fine Arts. Students towards the end of their studies often hold their first solo exhibition at the Project Room. ExLab often shows curated exhibitions featuring works by students as well as by established artists. Kuvan Kevät is the annual MFA degree show, offering a whole array of works by graduate students every spring. ExLab also hosts open lectures and other events.
Merimiehenkatu 36

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ArTag

Situated alongside Hietalahti Market Square, this tiny gallery also focuses on young artists, while also hosting exhibitions by established stars from time to time. If you are looking to purchase some fresh art for yourself or as a gift, ArTag offers plenty of affordable options too.
Hietalahdenkatu 10

Huuto and Rankka

Huuto is run by an independent artist collective and presents professional and highly skillful exhibitions by both new and established artists. The handsome gallery is situated in the former laboratory rooms of the Helsinki University of Technology on Eerikinkatu. At the same address you will find another gallery, Rankka, which presents exhibitions by creative fringe artists.
Eerikinkatu 36

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Oksasenkatu 11

The gallery on Oksasenkatu focuses on carefully planned site-specific exhibitions: more often installations taking over the whole space rather than based on individual objects and works. The style of the gallery is subtle and quiet. This year’s theme is light. The artist-run gallery is situated beside the legendary artist restaurant Elite. A good tip is to combine taking in the Functionalist interior of the restaurant (and maybe even a meal) with a visit to the gallery. Oksasenkatu 11 also organises events.
Oksasenkatu 11

Galerie Forsblom

While the Oksasenkatu art space is focused on small scale and light exhibitions, Forsblom offers a large scale and heavier feeling. The gallery’s selection includes both internationally acclaimed and Finnish artists, including early career talent. Most exhibitions are centred around painting and sculpture. The grandiose space at the corner of the Old Church Park is often divided into two distinct main exhibitions. In addition, there are sometimes minor exhibitions hosted in the smaller studio space.
Lönnrotinkatu 5 / Yrjönkatu 22

Heino

Heino presents often intriguing exhibitions, such as stunning paper art and compelling video installations. It’s also very quiet in the gallery, and you might find that you’re the only one there. Of course, there is video surveillance, so hands off the art!
Uudenmaankatu 16-20

Ama

Ama has flexible exhibition spaces that present a wide array of styles by both well-known and more marginal artists. You will find the gallery next door to the legendary Rikhardinkatu Library.
Richardinkatu 1

A local tip! The Helsinki Design Museum is also always a good idea to spark your imagination and make artsy memories while in Helsinki.

Design Museum

Korkeavuorenkatu 23, 00130 Helsinki
The Design Museum is an internationally recognized national specialist museum of Finnish design. In honor of the centenary of Finnish independence in 2017, the Design Museum opened its completely renewed collections exhibition which will be displayed until the end of 2020. The museum organizes also workshops and guided tours. Taito Cafe and museum shop. Free entrance to the Design evenings on every months last Tuesday at 17-20 (not during summer months).
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Contact us for more local tips or to book a private tour in Helsinki.

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What To Do During Your Christmas Time Visit to Helsinki

Christmas in Helsinki is not just the magic of the land of Santa Claus

Compared to all the glittering Christmas cities around the world, the Finnish capital is like an urban retreat that energizes and soothes you with its hot saunas, beautiful nature, and both new and old traditions.

Here is a special guide for the festive season to help you start planning your visit: Your local guide to Christmas.

See you in Helsinki in December?

 

Read more:

Christmas Traditions in Helsinki

 

If in doubt, contact us for your Helsinki tour or Tallinn to Helsinki Day Trip.

Signs of winter in Helsinki:
✔️ Blizzards
✔️ Cross-country skiers in Keskuspuisto (Central Park)
✔️ Sledding hill in Alppipuisto park
✔️ Snowmen in courtyards
✔️ Christmas decorations in windows
✔️ Snowploughs out early in the morning
✔️ Long johns
✔️ Ice fishing on the Töölönlahti bay
✔️ Walking on the frozen sea
✔️ Kick sledding at Suomenlinna
✔️ Icebreakers clearing the shipping lanes
✔️ Taxi stands with long lines of Christmas partygoers

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Did you know? Interesting facts about Tallinn, Estonia!

  • According to the WHO survey on air quality conducted in 2011, Estonia´s air is the cleanest in the world.
  • Almost 50% of Estonia is covered by forest.

  • As of 1st of April 2013, the number of public wireless Internet or Wi-Fi hotspots in Estonia was nearly 1200.
  • The Skype software was created by Estonians.
  • The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence is located in Tallinn.
  • In 2013, 99 % of the bank transfers were performed electronically and 95 % of the income tax declarations were submitted through the e-Tax Board.
  • Average temperature in July +17.9 °C (2011).
  • Average temperature in February –2.7 °C.
  • Estonia has the highest number of meteorite craters per land area in the world.
  • Highest point in Estonia, the „ Big Egg Mountain “reaches only 318 m above the sea level.
  • Most popular souvenirs to take home with you are juniper tree wooden utensils, traditional linen items and delicious marzipan with healing powers.
  • Estonians have the biggest collection of folk songs in the world with written records of 133,000 folk songs.

  • Estonian Arvo Pärt is the most performed contemporary composer in the world.
  • Estonians traditionally eat blood sausages on Christmas Eve.
  • The Estonian´s sense of humor is often hard to figure out being close to the British.
  • An average Estonian loves nature activities, theater and reading during their spare time.
  • Once every five years the Estonians gather for a weekend in Tallinn for an emotional manifest of pride for their country through singing and dancing during the wonderful Song and Dance Festival.

Want to hear more interesting facts about Tallinn, book your Tallinn city tour here: Tallinn Private City Tour.

Best restaurants in Tallinn in 2018 by White Guide Nordic

Restaurants are assessed by 30 representatives of the food media, from whom 12 are from Estonia and 18 from abroad. Every place is judged several times with half of the judges being local and half of them from abroad. Judges visit the restaurants anonymously, decide by themselves what to order, and also pay the bill on spot. Focus of the evaluation is on food (maximum of 40 points) while drink list (maximum of 20 points), service (maximum of 25 points) and milieu (maximum of 15 points) are also taken under consideration. Maximum points that a restaurant can receive is 100. Based on the assessment the restaurants are divided into categories.

Global Masters Level restaurants

There are two global masters level restaurants in Estonia. Such restaurants must receive minimum 85 points in total and at least 35 points of them for food.

Restaurant Noa
Alexander Chef´s Table
Chef's Table Tallinn | Nordic Experience

Masters Level restaurants

There are two masters level restaurants in Tallinn. These restaurants must receive minimum 75 points in total and at least 32 points of them for food.

Juur

Juur Tallinn | Nordic Experience

 

Very Fine Level restaurants

In 2018 there are 16 high class restaurants in Tallinn. Restaurants receiving minimum 67 points in total and at least 28 points for food qualify in the high class restaurants’ category.

Fine Level restaurants

There are all together 18 fine level restaurants in Tallinn and in the city’s surroundings. A fine level restaurant has received at least 60 points in total during the evaluation with minimum 22 points for food.

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