Across Mannerheimintie from Lasipalatsi is Helsinki's former main post office, designed by Jorma Järvi, Erik Lindroos and Kaarlo Borg and finished in 1938. However, it hasn't been the main post building since the late 1990s, but houses a number of shops, but the building is still protected as a valuable historical building (just like most buildings on this list).
Esplanadinpuisto/Esplanadparken
Located between the market square (Kauppatori) and the two Esplanadi boulevards, this small but stately park has a commanding position at the heart of the city. In the summer time it is full of people sitting on the lawn, meeting their friends and quite often also having a drink or two. In the summer there are often free concerts given by local artists on the stage close to Kauppatori, facing restaurant Kappeli. If you're walking around with an ice cream or sandwich, do watch out for the aggressive birds.
Kaisaniemen puisto/Kajsaniemiparken
In Kaisaniemi, north-east of the Central railway station. It has a bad reputation of a place where you might get assaulted, however in the daytime it's not more dangerous than any other place in Helsinki. The park has facilities for playing football (soccer) and tennis and is home to some events in the summer, most notably the morning of first of May and the festival "Maailma kylässä" in late May. It also holds Helsinki University's Botanical Garden (entrance from Kaisaniemenranta on the northern side).
Ateneum
Ateneum can be considered the most nationally significant art museum, and it has the largest collection of paintings and sculptures in Finland. Particularly notable is the collection of works by major Finnish artists. Works include renowned interpretations of the national epic Kalevala.
Kiasma
The sometimes unusual collections mostly include works by contemporary Finnish artists and artists from nearby countries. There are also periodical exhibitions. The building is a work of art.
An international museum for the whole family that plays with optical illusions, with over 40 different exhibitions.
Päärautatieasema
The station building, clad in granite, was designed by Eliel Saarinen (the father of Eero Saarinen) and inaugurated in 1919. It has become the symbol of the entire railway network in Finland, and about 200,000 people pass through the station every day, half of whom are train passengers. Since 1 November 2025, there are guided tours to the clock tower (€24; stairs), with views over central Helsinki. The Olympia Stadium Tower is still much higher.