Helsinki City Museum - The Path from a Fishermen's Village to Capital
- Mika Vepsalainen
- Sep 13, 2025
- 2 min read
Join us to discover the everyday moments and personal stories that make Helsinki truly unique. At the Helsinki City Museum, real-life experiences come to life through charming artifacts and nostalgic photographs. From a beloved Kiss-Kiss candy wrapper to a classic squeaky steel spring bed and snapshots of cozy suburban home yards — each item reveals a piece of the city's soul. Come explore the treasures of Helsinki's past and see the city through the eyes of its people.
Nestled in the oldest blocks of the city right next to Senate Square, the Helsinki City Museum invites you to explore the everyday lives, memories, and urban history of Helsinki — and admission is always free.
With over 1.5 million items, artworks, photographs, and artifacts, the museum's collections range from the delightfully ordinary to the historically significant. Think plastic bags, vintage business cards, trams, square pianos, building parts — and a treasure trove of over a million photographs, many of which you can explore online at helsinkiphotos.fi.
Step into a reconstructed 1950s Helsinki float, or marvel at a detailed miniature of the city as it stood in 1878. The museum doesn’t just reflect the past — it actively documents the present, capturing moments from modern-day Helsinki like the work of home care professionals and multicultural life in schools and daycare centres.
Don't miss the Sederholm House itself, the oldest building in the city centre, once home to 18th-century merchant Johan Sederholm. It's a fascinating glimpse into the city's commercial roots. The museum is fully accessiblefrom the main entrance on Aleksanterinkatu 16, with an elevator to all floors and an accessible restroom on the entrance level. Please note: the historic Falkman Atelier is not wheelchair accessible.
Looking for a souvenir? Drop by the museum shop for unique Helsinki-themed gifts and keepsakes.
Although there’s no café on-site, you’re in the very heart of Helsinki. Whether you're craving a cozy café, local lunch, or a coffee from the nearby Market Square, you’re just steps away from it all.
Helsinki City Museum
Aleksanterinkatu 16
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