Helsinki Architecture Tour: Explore Architectural Wonders with a City Planner

Discover the architectural wonders of Helsinki on a guided tour with a city planner. Explore neoclassical, Art Nouveau, modernist, and contemporary styles in a compact city center.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Senate Square - .
  • Helsinki Cathedral - .
  • The National Library of Finland - .
  • Jugendsali - .
  • Pohjola Insurance Building - .
  • The Esplanadi Park - .
  • Academic Bookstore (Akateeminen Kirjakauppa) - .
  • Rautatalo - .
  • Helsinki Central Railway Station - .
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma - .
  • **Helsinki…
What's Included
  • Local expert guide
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Transportation to/from attractions
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Helsinki is a treasure trove for those passionate about architecture. It’s a rare urban landscape that boasts such an abundance of architectural styles as Helsinki does; from neoclassical and gothic revival, through its unparalleled collection of Art Nouveau and Jugendstil, to Nordic classicism, modernism, functionalism, and even contemporary styles all…

Location
Aleksanterinkatu 9
Aleksanterinkatu
Meeting point address: Aleksanterinkatu 9B, 00100, Helsinki. The meeting point is the corner of Aleksanterinkatu street and Kluuvikatu street, in front of Aleksanterinkatu no 9B, Nanso Clothing Store (outside). Guide will be waiting for you at this point.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(40 Ratings)
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Janet
Nov 7, 2024
Architecture walking tour that went from buildings built in the 1800’s to the new contemporary public library. - Amek was very knowledgeable about Helsinki and Finnish history. The buildings he toured/discussed were different styles and from different eras. He had extensive knowledge of the architecture and the architects. It was all very fascinating. These were not buildings we would have discovered or toured on our own. We shared a wonderful afternoon with Amek exploring and hearing about Helsinki architecture.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David
Oct 5, 2024
A great guide - Emek was an extremely knowledgeable and interesting guide who answered all of our questions well and brought Helsinki to life. He had a great sense of humour and covered a wide range of areas about the history of Helsinki.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Canadian2usa
Oct 2, 2024
Great experience. - Emek was fabulous! The entire tour was entertaining and informative. I can't recommend his tours enough. It was a highlight of our time in Helsinki.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G8901nymaureenb
Sep 12, 2024
Extraordinarily informative and entertaining tour! - Outstanding tour! Information on the architecture of the selected buildings was placed in the context of both their historical and design timeframes. Emek was also very open and responsive to questions about modern Finland.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
138janeth
Sep 11, 2024
An enjoyable, informative architectural walk through Helsinki - Emek is an excellent guide with expertise who gave us a thoughtful overview of architecture, history and life in Helsinki. As we walked through the city we were shown interesting buildings from the 1800s to now. Several times we entered buildings and learnt about the interior design which was often innovative. We appreciated his city planning expertise and depth of knowledge.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kap245
Aug 21, 2024
Great Architecture & Culture Walk - My husband and I just returned from Helsinki and Walk with Emek, former City Planner- the tour was excellent. We only had 4 travelers- so had lots of opportunities for questions and explanations. We did the tour after 4 days in the city and learned so much about the history, the Classical architecture of Senate Plaza and University, the Art Nouveau- Finn adaption in early 1900’s, the impact of Swedish, Russian and German movements and architects on the the layout and building styles that now characterize Finland’s capital. Emek is friendly, professional and full of knowledge of history as well as the contemporary issues facing the city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gary_f
Aug 20, 2024
Helsinki’s glorious architectural legacy - Emek tranced Helsinki’s architectural history in vivid detail. We walked from the historic past into the world of contemporary design. He used so many examples of styles along with historical content. We gain such an appreciation of Finland’s contribution to the built environment.
Review provided by Viator
Beats519
Jul 26, 2024
Important background information on urban planning, architecture and Helsinki - The four of us booked a private tour and learned a lot of background information about urban planning, architecture and the history of Helsinki. Our guide Emek was very personable and spoke very good English. The tour is highly recommended. Beat from Switzerland
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U7067vzjanetc
Jul 22, 2024
Helsinki's architectural history and more: a great tour - Our guide, Emek Ataman, led my husband and me on a rewarding and very informative three-hour visit to sites representing the history of Helsinki and its architecture. His insights supplemented basic facts about Helsinki's principal tourist sites and others less well-known, such as the bank-turned café and the academic bookstore. There were examples of architectural periods including the classical, romantic, art nouveau and contemporary. We also learned about the effects of the closure of Finland's long border with Russia, an echo of the often-fraught relations of the two countries. Our tour finished at the Oodi library/activity center, a lively example of what centers of learning and communication can ideally become.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Northstar42449757156
Jul 7, 2024
A very good tour made outstanding by the guide's ability to answer all sorts of questions. - It goes without saying that the tour guide must be pleasant, enthusiastic, responsive, informative, and an effective communicator. Our guide-- Emek-- was all of these things. But what one really wants from a tour like this is a guide who can answer all of one's questions satisfactorily. That is not so common, in my experience. Emek did so. And then some. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 6 guests
1 Adult
November 2024
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