Seurasaari Open-Air Museum — Attraction in Helsinki sub-region

We spent a wonderful afternoon exploring the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, located on its own charming little island in Helsinki. The experience was absolutely worth it; a perfect mix of culture, nature, and quirky local color.

The weather was incredible, hovering in the low to mid 70s, which felt like winter for us, though the locals were jokingly melting in the “heat.” We started with a visit to the old President’s residence, peacefully situated along a body of water that likely spills out into the Baltic Sea. A cozy café nearby served excellent coffee and snacks to fuel the rest of our walk.

Crossing the pedestrian bridge to the main museum area, we found ourselves transported back in time. The island is dotted with farmhouses, cottages, and wooden buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, each with costumed guides offering fascinating insights into how people lived. From hand looms to bake ovens, the exhibits are detailed, interactive, and refreshingly authentic.

We also came across an old bathhouse from 1906, a waterside spot still used today, clothing optional, except on Wednesdays and Sundays when bathing suits are required!

All in all, Seurasaari was a scenic and enriching escape from the bustle of the city. Highly recommended if you're in Helsinki and want to combine history, nature, and a bit of Finnish eccentricity in one...

Visiting Seurasaari Open-Air Museum in Helsinki was such a peaceful and inspiring experience. Just a short trip from the city, the island feels like a different world—quiet, green, and full of charm. As I walked across the bridge to the island, I instantly felt more relaxed.

The museum itself is like stepping into old Finland. There are dozens of traditional wooden buildings, some dating back to the 18th century, each carefully moved from different parts of the country. I loved wandering through the old farmhouses and cottages, imagining what life used to be like. Some staff were dressed in period clothing, and they even showed how people used to work and live—super interesting and authentic.

What made the visit even better was the natural setting. The whole island is covered in walking paths and surrounded by water, so it’s easy to take breaks, sit down, and just enjoy the calm. I grabbed a coffee at the little café there too, which was a nice touch after exploring.

Overall, Seurasaari felt like a perfect mix of culture and nature. Definitely worth it if you want something peaceful and different while...

An interesting and well-presented museum located on a small island near to Helsinki. The price was reasonable and the historical houses were excellent. Sadly only 1/3 or so of them were opened up today, but I would have liked to see more houses that had padlocks on the door. There are only a few outdoor self-cleaning toilets which had long queues, which I don’t appreciate when paying an entry fee for a visit! The staff inside the houses were especially helpful and gave lots of facts about the history of each house - which was helpful because there wasn’t much detail written on the signposts outside the buildings. When compared to Den Gamble By in Aarhus, a similar open-air museum, this had far fewer houses on exhibition here that were open to view. It didn’t meet my expectations for an open air museum, but has some...