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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Helsinki

29 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Helsinki, Finland

Updated March 24, 2025

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Unusual Attractions in Helsinki

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Architecture 8
Sculptures 6
Statues 5
History & Culture 4
Art 4
Museums 3
Architectural Oddities 3
War History 3

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Mafra Palace Library is home to a colony of itty-bitty bats that keep its many historic volumes safe from pests.

5 of Our Favorite Podcast Episodes About Wildlife in Unexpected Places

Life finds a way, from the bats that haunt and hunt in a majestic library to a bird sanctuary in one of the most dangerous places in the world.
by The Podcast Team
The Itäkeskus swimming hall doubles as an emergency shelter beneath Helsinki.

How Cold War Fears Helped Create Helsinki's Subterranean Paradise

The Finnish capital's city-within-a-city has a church, a hockey rink, and stockpiles of life-saving supplies.
by Michael Hunt
Carpets drying in the Helsinki sun.

Finns Have Special Piers for Washing Their Carpets in Baltic Seawater

“It's the pleasure of being on the coast, and enjoying summer days and the fresh aroma of carpets.”
by Karen Burshtein
In 2012, this Cuban restaurant popped up in downtown Helsinki.

On Restaurant Day in Helsinki, Anyone Can Open an Eatery, Anywhere

By making everything from ceviche to ice cream, city residents show off their cooking chops.
by Karen Burshtein

Lists Featuring Helsinki

ALMA.
The observatory.
Ulugh Beg Observatory.

20 Out-of-This-World Stargazing Spots

These observatories boast truly stellar views.

20

Including Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), National Observatory of Colombia, and Pic du Midi Observatory

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