Uusimaa (Nyland in Swedish) is the southernmost region of Finland, wrapped around the Gulf of Finland and home to the capital, Helsinki. It combines a compact seaside capital, a UNESCO sea fortress, ancient forest national parks, and wooden-house towns such as Porvoo, Hanko, and Ekenäs, all within about two hours of each other by public transport.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Uusimaa.
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1
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
An 18th-century island fortress spread over six islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, with museums, tunnels, cafes and sea views. Residents live in the fortress year-round.
Tip: The HSL AB ferry ticket works for the crossing and is cheaper than the private water-bus options. · Check museum hours before going, as most close or reduce hours from October to April. · Bring a picnic or book a cafe table in summer, since island food spots fill at lunchtime. · Wear sturdy shoes for cobbles and uneven ramparts and carry a windproof layer. · Visit on a weekday morning to avoid cruise-ship crowds.
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2
Helsinki Cathedral
The white Neoclassical Lutheran cathedral designed by Carl Ludvig Engel and completed in 1852, dominating Senate Square with its green domes and wide steps.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest interior · Check the website before going; services and concerts can close the nave · Entry is free outside summer; summer paid entry is about €8-10 · Pair the visit with Uspenski Cathedral, Market Square and the Old Market Hall nearby · Photograph the facade from the far side of Senate Square in evening light
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3
Uspenski Cathedral
The largest Orthodox church in Western Europe, built in 1868 in Byzantine-Russian style with red brick walls, golden onion domes and a richly decorated interior on a hill in Katajanokka.
Tip: Check opening hours first, as the cathedral is closed to visitors during services and on Mondays in winter. · Dress modestly and speak quietly, since it remains an active place of worship. · Carry a few euros in case an entrance donation or fee is requested. · Skip flash photography inside and follow the posted rules at the door. · Pair the visit with a stroll around Katajanokka and the nearby Market Square.
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4
Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church)
A Lutheran church excavated directly into solid granite and opened in 1969, topped with a copper-wire dome and known for its acoustics and concerts.
Tip: Check the church's page on helsinginseurakunnat.fi, as hours shrink during services and weekend mornings. · Arrive on a weekday morning to avoid tour-bus groups at midday. · Under-18s enter free, so bring ID if visiting with teenagers. · Keep voices low and avoid photography during services. · Look for concert listings if visiting for the acoustics.
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5
Ateneum Art Museum
Finland's national gallery of classical art, housed in a Neo-Renaissance building opposite the Central Station, with works by Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Helene Schjerfbeck and Van Gogh among its collections.
Tip: Book online; the ticket is about €2 cheaper than the desk price · Go on Wednesday or Thursday evening when the museum is open late · The museum is closed on Mondays · Under 18s enter free · Check photography rules for each temporary exhibition · Combine with Kiasma and Amos Rex on the same afternoon
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6
Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art
Steven Holl's curved 1998 building holding the Finnish National Gallery's contemporary art collection, with changing exhibitions and a rooftop cafe terrace.
Tip: Confirm Monday and evening hours at kiasma.fi before going · Plan around the free admission day on 30 October 2026 · Visit on a weekday late afternoon to avoid crowds · Under 18s enter free · Combine with Amos Rex and the Ateneum nearby
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7
Amos Rex
An art museum built under the Lasipalatsi square with skylight domes that rise out of the pavement, showing large-scale contemporary and modern exhibitions.
Tip: Buy online for €20 instead of €22 at the museum · Visitors aged 18-29 pay about €5 · Closed Tuesdays; confirm hours around exhibition changes · Visit on a weekday afternoon for fewer crowds · Combine with Kiasma, a few minutes away
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8
Oodi Helsinki Central Library
A 2018 central library with a timber-clad wave facade, a cinema, a rooftop terrace and maker spaces, popular as a free place to sit, read and see the city.
Tip: Entry is free and no library card is needed to browse. · Visit the third-floor terrace at sunset for the best views. · Weekday mornings are quieter than afternoons and weekends. · Keep voices down in the reading areas. · Watch the robotic book-return system through the glass on the lower level.
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9
Architecture and Design Museum
A combined museum of Finnish architecture and design in a Neo-Gothic building in the Punavuori design district, showing the permanent history of Finnish design and temporary exhibitions.
Tip: Closed Mondays; Tuesday evening opens until 20:00 · Check admuseo.fi for 2026 closures on 6 and 24-26 December · Check the HSL app for tram changes near the museum · Visit on weekday afternoons for fewer crowds · Walk the surrounding Design District shops afterwards
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10
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
An island park with about 90 historic wooden buildings moved from across Finland, including farmsteads, a manor, a church and a 1930s Midsummer bonfire site.
Tip: The museum buildings are only open from mid-May to mid-September; the park is free year-round. · Take bus 24 from the city centre and walk across the footbridge. · Wear sturdy shoes, as paths are gravel and forest trail. · Do not feed the squirrels or leave food waste. · Visit on a summer weekday to avoid the Midsummer and weekend crowds.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Helsinki Cathedral
Neoclassical cathedral on Senate Square
Uspenski Cathedral
Orthodox cathedral in Katajanokka
Temppeliaukio Church
Church carved into granite
Sibelius Monument
Steel-pipe monument to the composer
Old Porvoo
Medieval town centre of wooden houses
Raseborg Castle Ruins
14th-century castle ruins
Museums
Ateneum Art Museum
Finland's national gallery of classical art
Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art
Contemporary art in a curved 1998 building
Amos Rex
Underground art museum with skylight domes
Architecture and Design Museum
Finnish architecture and design
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
Historic buildings on an island
EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern Art
Modern art in Tapiola
Heureka Finnish Science Centre
Hands-on science centre
Hvitträsk
Architects' National Romantic studio home
Ainola, Home of Jean Sibelius
Composer's home by Lake Tuusula
Nature
Nuuksio National Park
Forest and lake national park in Espoo
Korkeasaari Zoo
Island zoo with Amur tigers
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
Island fortress and UNESCO site
Wellness_and_markets
Löyly
Public sauna and restaurant on the sea
Allas Sea Pool
Harbour pools and saunas
Old Market Hall
1889 food market hall
Villages
Ekenäs (Tammisaari) Old Town
Wooden-house town founded in 1546
Fiskars Village
Ironworks village of artists and designers
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Helsinki museums are usually open Tuesday to Sunday with one weekday evening late; many close on Mondays. Island museums, castles, and house museums such as Seurasaari, Hvitträsk, and Ainola close between October and April
- Fees
- Major art museums charge about €20-23 (about $23-26 USD); Temppeliaukio €8 (about $9 USD); Suomenlinna grounds, Oodi, Sibelius Monument, and old towns are free; saunas about €27 (about $31 USD) for two hours
- Best Times
- June to August for long days and all-attractions open; late May and September for fewer crowds; winter for Christmas lights, saunas and snowshoeing in Nuuksio
- Booking
- Book Löyly and Allas ahead for weekends; buy museum tickets online to save €2-3; get an HSL day ticket in the app for unlimited rides
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Use the HSL app for ferry, tram, metro and train tickets; an AB ticket covers central Helsinki and Suomenlinna, and ABC is needed for Vantaa and Nuuksio
Most Helsinki museums close on Mondays, so schedule markets, Suomenlinna, and saunas for Monday
Check seasonal closures: Seurasaari (mid-May to mid-September), Hvitträsk and Ainola (May to September), Linnanmäki (spring to early autumn)
Cash is rarely needed; cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, including ferries and small cafes
Dress in layers and bring waterproofs; weather over the Gulf of Finland can change within an hour
Leave time for the last ferry from Suomenlinna and check evening sailings in autumn and winter
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season to visit attractions in Uusimaa?
June to August offers the longest days and all seasonal sights open; late May and September are quieter. Winter suits saunas and Nuuksio snow trails, but many island and house museums are closed.
How much does it cost to visit Suomenlinna?
Walking the island is free. The ferry uses an HSL AB ticket at €3.30 by app or card or €3.50 contactless (about $3.80-4.10 USD), and each museum charges its own fee of roughly €5-11 (about $6-13 USD).
Is Nuuksio National Park reachable without a car?
Yes. Take a commuter train to Espoo Centre, then bus 245 (245A in summer) to the Haltia stop. An ABC ticket is needed and the bus journey takes about 25 minutes.
Can I visit Porvoo as a day trip from Helsinki?
Yes. Buses from Kamppi Bus Station take about one hour, and the old town can be seen in three to four hours. Book tickets at matkahuolto.fi.