Did you know? · Helsinki
Helsinki fun facts
Things you might not know about Helsinki. Every fact comes from an official or primary source, named alongside it.
Updated October 2026
A fortress and a bridge
Suomenlinna was built in the second half of the 18th century by Sweden on islands at the entrance to Helsinki’s harbour; UNESCO inscribed it in 1991 (UNESCO). Kruunuvuorensilta, 1.2 km long, is Finland’s longest bridge; it carries trams, walkers and cyclists, but no cars (hel.fi).
A wood-heated tradition
Kotiharju in Kallio has welcomed bathers since 1928 and is, in MyHelsinki’s words, the last genuine wood-heated traditional public sauna in Helsinki.
Lights and markets
Tuomaan Markkinat, the Christmas market on Senate Square, drew a record of more than 650,000 visitors in 2025 (tuomaanmarkkinat.fi). Lux Helsinki 2026 attracted 450,000 visitors, and the next festival runs for eight days from 30 December 2026 (luxhelsinki.fi).
Art by the sea
The Didrichsen Art Museum, designed by Viljo Revell, opened in 1965 beside its founders’ home on Kuusisaari (didrichsenmuseum.fi). Artek was founded in Helsinki in 1935 by Aino and Alvar Aalto, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl (artek.fi).
Questions and answers
When was Suomenlinna listed by UNESCO?
In 1991 (UNESCO).
Which is Finland’s longest bridge?
Kruunuvuorensilta in Helsinki, 1.2 km long (hel.fi).