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You can rent a standup paddleboard or a kayak.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
It's safe to say that most people don't come to Helsinki for the beaches, but on a hot summer day in July Hietsu (as it is known to locals) is a good place to be. Beach volleyball, swimming and various events are popular. It's wide city center sand beach and moreover, surrounded with large park area, where people sunbathe and picnic in the summer time.
Hietaniemen hautausmaa
Helsinki's equivalent to Arlington in Washington D.C., Hietaniemi is the final resting place for many Finns of importance during the last 200 years: politicians including almost all heads of state, artists and other cultural personalities, war heroes and so on. Some grave monuments are quite impressive.
The world-famous composer Jean Sibelius' monument was designed by sculptress Eila Hiltunen and unveiled in 1967. It is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Helsinki as nearly every guided tourist tour is brought to Sibelius Park to marvel at this unique work of art resembling organ pipes, welded together from 600 pipes and weighing over 24 metric tons.
Temppeliaukion kirkko, literally "Temple Square Church"
An atmospheric of minimalistic church, this church was literally dug out of solid rock. From above, it resembles a crashed UFO. The roof is made of 22 km of copper strips. Completed in 1969, this has become one of Helsinki's most popular attractions. Concerts are often held here thanks to the excellent acoustics.
Fölisön
A pleasant little island to the north of the centre, filled with walking trails and a living history museum of authentic old Finnish houses collected from all over the country. An excellent half-day trip, especially in the summer, when many buildings have museum staff who practice crafts in traditional dress. There's a very pleasant if somewhat pricey summer café/restaurant atop a small hill at the center of the island. Entry to the park free, entry into the museum buildings costs €6 (€5 concession), buy tickets at entrance. Take bus 24 from Erottaja at the northern end of Esplanadi to the terminus (20–30 minutes), then walk across the bridge. Beware of mercenary squirrels that will raid your bags if you carry any food and gulls that take shares of your ice cream. closed for the 2025 season due to budget cuts..
Luonnontieteen museo
The museum of natural history is operated by Helsinki University and shows Finnish wildlife, dinosaur skeletons and everything in-between.