From erotica to AI – here are 6 of Helsinki's finest museums

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Helsinki is a jungle of museums, art, architecture, and exhibitions.

We've visited some of the most famous museums in the city, and we're left with a mix of new knowledge about Finnish cultural history, snapshots of impressive architecture, fresh insights about AI – and the sight of many nude bodies and erotica.

Make you don't miss anything on your weekend trip with our ultimate museum guide.

Here are the top six museums in Helsinki

1. Kiasma – Contemporary Art

Kiasma is located in the centre of Helsinki and is a renowned contemporary art museum, designed by Finnish architect Steven Holl. This museum attracts art lovers from all over the world with its impressive collection of contemporary artworks and exciting exhibitions. Kiasma currently houses over 8,500 contemporary works in its collections.

In addition to permanent exhibitions, the museum also hosts rotating exhibits - so keep an eye on its website for listings. You can see a large Tom of Finland exhibition there that runs until October 2023.

Tom of Finland, also known as Touko Laaksonen, was a Finnish artist known for his iconic and pioneering homoerotic drawings. He contributed significantly to the history of LGBTQ+ art. Read and see more at Hotel St. George.

2. The National Museum of Finland

If you really want to familiarise yourself with Finnish cultural history, and Finnish identity and society, this is the place to go. The National Museum of Finland houses the most comprehensive and oldest cultural historical collections in Finland with half a million pieces – telling the story of Finland's history and culture from the Stone Age to modern times. The building itself is also an impressive architectural gem.

3. Amos Rex

This is a museum for the whole family.

The art museum impresses visitors with its innovative architecture and engaging exhibitions, which combine art, technology, and visual experiences in a unique way.

Bonus points go to Amos Rex for being free for children and young people under 18, and for offering programmes and workshops specially developed for children, where they can learn about the world of art in a fun and accessible way.

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4. Heureka

An interactive science centre is never a miss, and at Heureka you can experience and learn about various scientific phenomena in an engaging way. Heureka's popular exhibitions include a planetarium, AI, and Facing Disaster – which deals with the challenges we face due to climate change. The museum also has a restaurant and a nice shop.

5. EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art

This is Finland's largest art museum. The building itself is a classic example of 1960s concrete brutalism, nestled in the woodland areas of the Tapiola district. The museum offers an impressive collection of modern, experimental, and contemporary artworks, featuring both Finnish and Nordic artists. EMMA is perfect for the whole family, with several pitstops where you can get creative together.

6. Design Museum

The Finns are known for their saunas, Nokia phones, and winter sports. But they're equally known for their excellent design. And at the Design Museum, you learn about Finland's history in industrial design, fashion design, and graphic design. And yes, there's more to discover here than colourful Marimekko and glassware from Iittala.

Central Hotels in Helsinki

No matter what genre you're interested in, you need to stay centrally to cover Helsinki's museums. Two good choices are the Hotel St. George and the Klaus K Hotel. The former is a luxurious hotel that stands out with its sophisticated atmosphere and top-notch facilities – including high-quality restaurants, a fitness room, and a spa.

Klaus K is a unique boutique hotel that combines modern design with Finnish culture and history and is known for its charming atmosphere. The latter is also part of We Speak Gay, a group of businesses that all share the same values about diversity and inclusion.