Ateneum Art Museum (Konstmuseet Ateneum)

The Basics

The list of painters at the Ateneum reads like a who’s who of Finnish art. The museum houses paintings and sculptures by Albert Edelfelt, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, the Von Wright brothers, and Pekka Halonen. One of the most notable pieces is the prolific Gallen-Kallela’s triptych from theKalevala, a Finnish epic poem, depicting Väinämöinen’s pursuit of the maiden Aino. The Ateneum is one of three museums comprising the Finnish National Gallery. The other main museum, the Sinebrychoff, contains the largest collection of Italian, Dutch, and Flemish paintings in Finland and features Russian and Karelian icons, silver, porcelain, and furniture.

Free guided tours and audio guides as well as private tours of the Ateneum are available. Visitors often arrive via hop-on hop-off bus tours, and holders of the Helsinki Card get into the museum (and other top attractions) for free.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Ateneum is a must for art enthusiasts.

• The use of flash photography, tripods, or selfie sticks is prohibited.

• Guided tours are offered in English at 12pm on Saturdays during even-numbered weeks of the month.

• Downstairs are a café, bookshop, and reading room.

• The Ateneum is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers via the entrance on the Ateneuminkuja side of the museum. Loaner wheelchairs are available from the museum’s ticket office.

How to Get There

Located in the center of Helsinki, the museum is easily accessible by public transportation—the nearest bus stop is Railway Station Square—and close to the Central Railway Station. It’s also within short distance by foot from many hotels, shopping malls, and other attractions.

When to Get There

The Ateneum is open 10am to 6pm Tuesday and Friday, 10am to 8pm Wednesday and Thursday, and 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. High tourism season is summer, June to August, so expect to encounter more crowds at the museum and around the city during this period.

Design Museum

Located in the Kaarti section of central Helsinki, the Design Museum houses exhibits focused on Finland’s design history as well as visiting exhibitions on contemporary design. Free guided tours for the public are available. Note that the museum’s hours differ during the winter and summer seasons. Access the museum via tram line 10 or bus line 24.