10 Best Views of Helsinki

One of the best places to get dazzling views of the centre of Helsinki is the tower of the Olympic Stadion at Töölö, a true piece of Finnish history – the tower and the stadium have been in use from the year 1938 on. The most important event in the long history of the tower was the Helsinki Olympics in 1952, when famous runner Hannes Kolehmainen brought the Olympic flame to the top of the tower. The Olympic Stadium tower is 72 metres high, with an open view in all directions. The tower can be visited both in the daytime and in the evening. When the sun is shining, you can observe how verdant Helsinki looks, and in the evening, you're dazzled by thousands of city lights. You can get to the top of the tower with a fast lift. Note, though, that there’s a staircase at the upper level – the tower is not fully accessible.

There’s no vantage point in the city as popular as the Helsinki Cathedral. It’s not that high off the ground, but the view across Senate Square is still very rewarding. Particularly in the summer, the stairs going up to the Cathedral are also a perfect place for eating lunch and observing the crowds, and you can catch a great number of sights: the statue of the Russian Czar Alexander II, the house of the Finnish Council of State, the houses of the Sederholm and Bock families, and the main building of the University of Helsinki. In summertime, Senate Square also hosts a large dining terrace -- so there’s hustle and bustle from morning to evening. It’s also worth checking the Cathedral after dark to see the church illuminated. Many would wish to see all of these sights from the Cathedral’s tower, which is currently not open to the public. However, the church is still offering a virtual tour to compensate. Should this interest you, there’s more info on the church website.

There’s no better view of the western part of the heart of Helsinki than from the balcony of Oodi Library, right next to the main railway station. In front of you, you can see the stately Parliament House, the Kansalaistori Square, the modern Musiikkitalo House and Finlandia House, the tower of the National Museum of Finland, and Töölönlahti Bay. The balcony is a part of the library’s café inside – so you can also bring out a cold or a hot drink, or a small snack that you’ve purchased there. It’s not mandatory, though the tables are technically reserved for the customers of the café. Oodi is popular indeed, so you might have to dodge the crowds to find a seat. Thus, the best chance to enjoy the view is getting there early -- preferably on a weekday. This also offers you a chance to acquaint yourself with the library’s offerings.

Hotelli Torni‘s roof hosts Ateljée Bar, a stylish cocktail restaurant with a terrace that offers a magnificent view of the heart of Helsinki. The terrace has glass panels installed and is heated, so it’s a great place to admire the view year round. The hotel building itself is a true central Helsinki classic. Throughout the years, this skyscraper, mixing Art Deco and Functionalist styles, has hosted writers and movie stars, wartime reporters, and the Allied Control Commission of the WW2 era. The building was constructed in 1931 and the bar of the terrace on the roof opened in 1951. Ateljée Bar is a block from Mannerheimintie Street, at Yrjönkatu 26. Especially at night, it offers one of the most magnificent views of the whole city. This is a stylish place – to visit it, dress accordingly.

SkyWheel Helsinki, a Ferris wheel at Katajanokanlaituri wharf, is sure to meet your expectations. It’s 40 metres high, and from its gondola, you can simultaneously view the far reaches of the ocean and the entire downtown area. The basic ticket lets you ride the wheel for 12 minutes, i.e. three or four rounds, depending on the speed. True appreciators can take an extended ride at the separate VIP gondola, with champagne served – a particularly popular option for New Year’s Eve and other holidays. And one of the most memorable experiences possible is the Ferris wheel’s sauna gondola – but if you only want to view the landscapes, there are better options available. The sauna gondola is always rented for at least one hour. The renting party can also access the terrace below, with its Jacuzzi, included in the price.

The Observatory Hill Park, next to Eteläsatama Harbour, offers a beautiful view of the ocean and Katajanokka. It also lets you admire the Silja Line cruise ships visiting the harbour, as their wharf is right in front of the park. From the sea, the height of the lookout is 30 metres. You can also pay a visit to the Observatory of the University of Helsinki, which the park is named after and where the astronomy facility by University of Helsinki operated until 2012. Nowadays, the spaces contain a planetarium, a space and astronomy exhibit aimed at children and youth, a café and a lecture room available for rent. When the weather permits, the Tähtitornivuori Park is also excellent for picnics, at least if the uneven terrain does not bother you.

Malminkartano Hill, in the district of Malminkartano, is the highest hill in Helsinki. From its top, one can see far into Espoo, Helsinki and Vantaa. The 91-metre-high hill has a long staircase to the top, which is also an extremely popular place for athletics. It is over 10 km to the centre of Helsinki, so the main Helsinki landmarks to be seen from the top of this hill are the Pasila link tower, various smokestacks, and the Lauttasaari water tower. What the tower shows the best, though, is how verdant northern Helsinki continues to be. From the heart of Helsinki, the easiest way to get to the Malminkartano Hill is by bus or train. For instance, Bus 37 and Bus 39 will take you from Kamppi to the foot of the hill in approximately half an hour. From spring to early autumn, a small café also operates by the stairs leading to the hill.

If you find yourself at the northwestern edge of Helsinki, the Jätkäsaari Island Lookout is always worth checking out. Its tickets are mainly sold by an online distributor. The lookout is on the roof of a large mall, which also hosts an old Russian fighter plane as a curiosity. The lookout offers an extensive view in every direction -- Jätkäsaari, the harbour areas, Hernesaari Island, and the far reaches of the ocean. The highest vantage point of the nearby areas is the large Clarion Hotel. In addition to the mall and the lookout point, the building contains a café and a free parking garage. The nearest you can get via public transport is by Trams 6T and 7, which stop in front of the building. This vantage point is particularly well-suited for those who want to visit the mall downstairs or use the West Terminal. Even though the lookout is maintained by the mall downstairs, you can also stop there without buying anything.

Taivaskallio Hill is about 60 metres high, and from its top, you can admire the landscape and New Year’s fireworks. During the war years, the rock hosted the heavy Taivas anti-aircraft battery. As a memorial, a sealed anti-aircraft gun has been left in place. In the winter, the rock has often been used for downhill sledding. In the summer, it’s a popular place for relaxation. When the weather is fine, you can easily see all the way to central Helsinki from the top. It’s also the highest natural terrain in Helsinki. Malminkartano Hill and Paloheinä, which are higher, are refills created by humans. From the centre of Helsinki, the easiest way to Taivaskallio is to take the K or I train or Bus 69. If the weather permits, you can also get there on a city bike. The nearest bike station is at the Käpylä train station.

The terrace of the restaurant 10. Kerros, right next to Helsinki Central Station, offers some of the most amazing views the centre of Helsinki has to offer. It’s a particularly breathtaking view after sunset. The restaurant’s offerings are also sure to leave you satisfied. There’s everything from coffee and soft drinks to a full menu of delicacies. And that’s not all – there’s also a lounge area, meeting rooms, and a sauna with a terrace that can be reserved. Below, there is the hotel that maintains the restaurant, and an emporium that belongs to the same chain. The roof terrace is open every day, from morning to evening. It’s not too hard to find your way in from the other parts of Helsinki – the roof terrace is on the top of the building directly west of the Central Railway Station. Should you ever miss a train, here’s a place to visit!