12 Free Things to Do in Helsinki (That I Actually Did)
Helsinki has a reputation for being expensive, and it can be. But a lot of the best things to do here cost nothing. I spent a whole day in the city and most of my stops were free.
These are the free things to do in Helsinki that I tried myself, plus a few free museum days worth planning around. Prices and opening hours change, so check the official links before you go.
Free things to do in Helsinki at a glance
Oodi Central Library
National Library of Finland
Sibelius Monument and the seaside
Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral (outside)
Uspenski Cathedral (outside)
Market Square and the Old Market Hall
Esplanadi Park
Huvilakatu and Eira
St John's Church (outside)
Central Station and the National Theatre
Theatre Museum on its free evening
Free museum days around the city
1. Oodi Central Library
Oodi opened in December 2018 and is free for everyone. It's three floors of fun: a makerspace with 3D printers and sewing machines on the second floor, and Book Heaven on the third, with around 100,000 books and a big balcony. Great for a free toilet and wifi break too. My full guide: Oodi Library Helsinki.
Wave-shaped exterior of Oodi Library, Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Book Heaven, the top floor of Oodi Library in Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Spiral staircase inside Oodi Library | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Tarry by the glass windows on the top floor of Oodi Library | Travel with Tarry Laurensia
2. National Library of Finland
Right next to Senate Square, and most people walk straight past it. The main building was designed by Carl Ludvig Engel and opened in 1845. Walk in, see the Cupola Hall, then the Rotunda with its six floors of books. It's free, but only open on weekdays. More here: National Library of Finland.
Cupola Hall of the National Library of Finland | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Balconies of the Rotunda, National Library of Finland | Travel with Tarry Laurensia
3. Sibelius Monument and the seaside
Eila Hiltunen's monument to the composer Jean Sibelius was unveiled in 1967. It's made of 569 steel pipes and sits in Sibelius Park in Töölö. Walk two minutes to the water afterwards, it's lovely.
Sibelius Monument in Sibelius Park, Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Sibelius Monument on the rocks of Sibelius Park | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Calm seaside near Sibelius Park, Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Walking path in Sibelius Park, Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia
4. Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral
The white Helsinki Cathedral was completed in 1852 and towers over Senate Square. Sit on the big steps, look out over the square and the statue of Alexander II. The outside is free to enjoy any time.
White columns of Helsinki Cathedral | Travel with Tarry Laurensia View over Senate Square, Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Statue of Alexander II on Senate Square | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Helsinki Cathedral above Senate Square | Travel with Tarry Laurensia
5. Uspenski Cathedral
A short walk from the harbour on Katajanokka island. Uspenski was finished in 1868, with red brick walls and golden domes. The best view is from the outside, and that part is free.
Red brick Uspenski Cathedral with golden domes | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Uspenski Cathedral on Katajanokka, Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia
6. Market Square and the Old Market Hall
Walking around Market Square (Kauppatori) and the harbour costs nothing, and it's one of the liveliest spots in the city. Next door is the Old Market Hall, opened in 1889. It's free to walk through and look, you only pay if you eat.
Brick facade of the Old Market Hall, Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Inside the Old Market Hall, Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Harbour view by Market Square, Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia SkyWheel by the harbour in Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia
7. Esplanadi Park
A long, green strip in the city centre between two main streets. Grab a bench, watch the city go by. Free, central and easy to add between other stops.
Flower beds in Esplanadi Park, Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Statue and flower beds in Esplanadi Park | Travel with Tarry Laurensia
8. Huvilakatu and Eira
My favourite free thing in Helsinki. Huvilakatu is a short street of pastel Art Nouveau houses, most built between 1904 and 1908, in the Eira neighbourhood. Please be respectful, people live in these homes.
Pastel houses on Huvilakatu, Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Colourful facades along Huvilakatu street | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Art Nouveau buildings in the Eira district | Travel with Tarry Laurensia
9. St John's Church
Finished in 1891, with two towers 74 metres high. It's the largest stone church in Finland by seating capacity. Walk past it on your way between Eira and the city centre.
10. Central Station and the National Theatre
If you arrive by train, don't rush out. The station hall is beautiful, and the Finnish National Theatre is right across the square. Two free photo stops in one.
Main hall of Helsinki Central Station | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Finnish National Theatre building in Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia
11. Theatre Museum on its free evening
The Theatre Museum at the Cable Factory is free on the last Wednesday of every month, from 4 to 7pm. Same deal at the Finnish Museum of Photography and the Hotel and Restaurant Museum in the same building. I planned my day around this and loved the costumes and the giant cake prop. Source: MyHelsinki.
Main entrance of the Cable Factory, Helsinki | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Red stage costumes at the Theatre Museum | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Giant cake stage prop at the Theatre Museum | Travel with Tarry Laurensia Photo wall at the Finnish Museum of Photography, Cable Factory | Travel with Tarry Laurensia
12. Other free museum days in Helsinki
I didn't make it to these, but they're worth knowing if you're in town on the right day. Always double check on the museum's own website, as times can change.
Kiasma (contemporary art): free on the first Friday of the month
Design Museum and Museum of Finnish Architecture: free on the last Tuesday of the month, 4 to 8pm
HAM Helsinki Art Museum: free on the last Friday of the month
Sinebrychoff Art Museum: free on the last Friday of the month, 3 to 6pm
Villa Hakasalmi (Helsinki City Museum): free on the last Friday of the month
Many small galleries are free all the time
Tips for a free day in Helsinki
Go on a weekday so the National Library is open.
Walk as much as you can. The centre is compact.
Need a tram? Buy an HSL ticket in the app. An AB single ticket is valid for 90 minutes.
Use Oodi for free toilets, wifi and charging.
Churches may charge for going inside in peak season. The outside is always free.
Set up an eSIM before you land so maps work everywhere. You can get a Saily eSIM here.
A few things worth paying for
Free is great, but a few things are worth spending on. If you want to try a real Finnish sauna, Löyly is a modern public sauna right by the sea, and you can book your Löyly sauna ticket online here. If you feel more comfortable exploring with someone who knows the city, you can join a walking tour with a local guide on GetYourGuide. And if you're short on time, the hop-on hop-off bus makes it easy to get between the sights.
Plan the rest of your trip
If you're still sorting out the basics, you can browse hotels in Helsinki on Agoda, check train times to Helsinki on Omio or compare flights on Booking.com. Here are my other guides to help you plan:
Questions? Message me on Instagram @tarrylaurensia.
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