City: Finland
Top Things to do in Finland
Top Hotels in Finland
What to do and see in Finland, Finland: The Best Museums
– in Europe (green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (green) – [Legend]
Restaurants in Finland
1. Sea Fortress Suomenlinna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,129 reviews
Reviewed By M6281VPmarks - Scottsdale, United States
Must visit this UNESCO world heritage site of a fortress in Helsinki south harbor across several islands which was built by the Swedes in the 18th and 19th centuries to unsuccessfully prevent Russia from capturing Finland. It is a remarkable piece of engineering, architecture and history. Visit the several museums on the connected islands. There are also fortifications, barracks, residences (people live there full time), church, workshops, shops, cafes and restaurants. You will need at least half a day to visit and will take a 15 minute scenic ferry ride starting at Market Square but the ferry convenienty runs all day starting very early and ending late in the evening because people live there. Children who are into forts and guns will enjoy. Younger children will have the chance to run around to their hearts content.
2. Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,357 reviews
Reviewed By Zuevy
Excellent combination of natural park and wooden building museum. Many historical wooden houses from different parts of Finland. Some of its are unique. Also natural park where you can see squirrels, swans, ducks and some other bitrds in their wild life.
3. Luostarinmaen Kasityolaismuseo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 299 reviews
Luostarinmäki is the only continuous district of wooden houses that survived the fire of 1827 in Turku. These houses are over 200 years old and still standing in their original building sites. The houses have been furnished as craftsmen’s homes and workshops, representing over 30 different trades. The museum tells the story of pre-industrial urban craftsmanship. In the summertime craftsmen come to work in the workshops. The museum is open during summer from May to August, and for the Christmas Season in December.
Reviewed By nelelohmussaar - Turku, Finland
Definitely worth a vist,historical a very cool place! We had a nice trip in luostarinmäki.The ticket price was also affordable.
4. Ateneum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,095 reviews
Reviewed By MikaelF413 - Vantaa, Finland
Before the pandemic lockdown, we managed to see this stunning exhibition. Magnus Enckell (1870–1925) was a known Finnish symbolist painter. He was one of the most significant names during the golden age of Finnish art in 1880-1910. Magnus Enckell is best known for painting naked men and boys. Another very known painter Hugo Simberg was his good friend. Together they decorated the interior of Tampere Cathedral in 1904-1906.
5. Vapriikin Museokeskus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 396 reviews
Reviewed By leffex - Pietarsaari, Finland
The Vapriikki is amazing. You can find all kind of museums here. The Stone Museum, Media Museum Rupriikki , Puppet Museum , Pirkanmaa Provincial Museum , Postal Museum , Finnish Ice Hockey Museum , Finnish Game Museum and Tampere Museum of Natural History. Vapriikki is named after the Swedish word fabrik. The Museum Center is located in the former workshop of the Tampella Mill, the oldest parts of which were built in the 1880s. Half of the total area of 14,000 square meters in Vapriiki is reserved for exhibitions and public spaces. I’m a history freak, so the most interesting for me was the exhibition “Tampere 1918”, which tells about the bloody battle between the Whites and the Reds during the Finnish Civil War 1918. Perspectives are offered by the fighters on both sides, but civilians and onlookers are not overlooked either. The exhibition presents a large cross-section of society at war, from children and old people to workers and factory managers. The Vapriikki was selected as the Museum of the Century at the Centennial Cultural Gala held in October 2017 as part of Finland's 100th anniversary program.
6. Heureka
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 425 reviews
Heureka's exhibitions are interactive. The main exhibition has over 200 exhibits from many fields of science as well as a number of activity points.
Reviewed By Guide08573947614 - Finland, null
Heureka is always worth a visit, lots of things to see and learn for people of all ages! Especially children will enjoy this place because they can try out and do scientific things for themselves too.
7. Turku Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,126 reviews
Reviewed By Lilli_Hoi - Finland, null
Turku Castle was an important bastion and administrative centre when Finland was under the Swedish rule. All Finnish kids remember mid-16th century period and the reign of Duke John and Catherine Jagellon from the history books. Castle was badly damaged during the years (Fire, WWII etc) but has been lovingly restored. It is relatively sparsely furnished but displays an interesting collection of artefacts from the different periods of its history up in the ‘attic’ and has a temporary exhibition space, too. Current exhibition is about merchant etc women of Turku, very interesting. Castle is about 2.5km away from the city centre, very leisurely and family friendly bike ride along the river Aura (pre-register for Föli city bikes, from EUR 5 / day). Guided tour in English recommended as an introduction to the history, most rooms have also helpful and knowledgable attendants (dressed in historical costumes) who are happy to explain the background to the paintings and furniture not covered on the tour. All signage in English and Swedish as well. Highlight for our nine year old boy was the opportunities to dress up in historical costumes. We all have new appreciation for the Knights after having tried on their full, heavy armour! Lots of steps up and down so do wear comfortable shoes. Allow minimum 2 hours for the visit with the tour, it took us 4 hours with dressing up and a game of chess. Shop has nice souvenirs, coffee and snacks tasty in the restaurant. Highly recommended!
8. Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
The Best Museum Experience Ever! Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova combines history, archaeology and contemporary art with hands-on activities and professional guided tours. It is situated in Southwestern Finland, in Turku. The museum's guided tours introduce you to both the fascinating history of Turku, as well as the intriguing changing art exhibitions. In the summer season tours are included in the entrance fee, but they can also be reserved for groups throughout the year. The museum also provides a cosy cafeteria and a lovely gift shop.
Reviewed By Guide08573947614 - Finland, null
This place is a very unique experience. You can join a guided tour, or stroll through the exhibition all by yourself and learn a lot about the people and their lives in the Middle Ages. A real archaeological excavation to be explored! Also, they have modern art exhibitions, a shop with lots of fun items for sale, and the restaurant / cafeteria is worth visiting too.
9. Siida - Sami Museum and Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 515 reviews
Siida is your guide to the Sami Culture and the diverse nature of Northern Lapland. Siida is under renovations and renewal. Siida is closed in May 2021. 1.6.2021 onwards until 31.3.2022, you can visit Siida's historic open-air museum. Restaurant Sarrit serves customers in the new restaurant wing. And costumer service and Siida Shop can be found in a temporary builduing infront of Siida. 1.4.2022 Is the opening of new and improved Siida. For more information on the renewal project please visit www.siida.fi.
Reviewed By ristosan - Espoo, Finland
This Sami museum is really fascinating with a wealth of detail of the nature of Lapland and the habits and history of the original population, the Sami. We learned so much. We also liked the temporary exhibitions presented.
10. Rovaniemi Local History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
The buildings on Pöykkölä farm date from the end of the 1800’s and are built on the shores of the River Kemijoki. Open: June-August. At other times by arrangement.
