Helsinki Cathedral
Helsinki Cathedral
4
09:00 - 18:00
Monday
09:00 - 18:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday
09:00 - 18:00
Thursday
09:00 - 18:00
Friday
09:00 - 18:00
Saturday
09:00 - 18:00
Sunday
09:00 - 18:00
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Vironniemi
How to get there
- Helsingin yliopisto • 4 min walk
- Rautatientori • 8 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1,511 within 5 kms
Attractions
470 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- RopentaStonesSt Helens, United Kingdom2,046 contributionsMagnificentThe cathedral sits in a huge open area and is one of my favourite public squares I have ever visited. Perfect for people watching and also you get the views. The cathedral itself glistens so brightly when the sun is shining that it stands out like a beacon against the clear blue sky.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 October 2023
- pfefmeisterSan Francisco, California4,373 contributionsGreat on the OutsideWalking up to this majestic cathedral, I expected an equally impressive interior. Unfortunately, not the case. Once inside, it’s just a plain old white interior in need of some mosaics, some Sistine Chapel inspiration, just something. Probably the most boring cathedral we’ve ever visited. I still went with four stars **** for its dramatic setting.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 October 2023
- TheShisTel Aviv, Israel42,755 contributionsA big cathedral.This massive cathedral dominates the entire central square of Helsinki and looks very imposing and impressive. However, its interiors are SO underwhelming and almost bare. Nevertheless, we got a chance to see a wedding here and congratulate the happy newly weds.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 October 2023
- Adam JonesBeijing, China196 contributionsMust SeeIn my opinion Helsinki Cathedral is not quite as attractive as Uspenski, but definitely a must visit church if you are in Helsinki. You can see the monument from quite far away, so it dominates the Helsinki skyline. I was surprised by the inside - it really wasn’t decorated much like most cathedrals with mosaics etc. To enter a 5 Euro donation is asked which can only be paid by card.Visited November 2023Travelled soloWritten 28 November 2023
- TAMAN1951Liberty Lake, Washington8,650 contributionsKinda neatThe story about the place is pretty interesting. First built as a Lutheran facility but the onion domes added during time of Russian control. Bells too heavy for the tower so they were placed in outbuilding. To preserve symmetry a chapel was constructed on the other side.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 December 2023
- Gregory WMankato, Minnesota3,826 contributionsNice ExperienceThe church was originally built from 1830 to 1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicolas I. It was also known as St Nicholas's Church until Finland declared its full independence in 1917.[Visited December 2023Travelled soloWritten 29 March 2024
- Barbs25Staffordshire, United Kingdom3,910 contributionsNo longer freeFrom April it’s chargeable but we just got in to visit in March. Nothing spectacular, very plain as the Lutheran style goes. Totally agree with it as churches are way too decadent for the purpose but still as an atheist I enjoy the arty detail of other churches!Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 April 2024
- Al MakynenDuluth, Minnesota350 contributionsGreat View of the PlazaThis is a Lutheran cathedral. Maximum light, plain, with the focus on personal worship from your enclosed pew. It is worth experiencing the interior. The granite steps (40+) are formidable but worth the climb. When you come out, look onto the plaza. Also, look out beyond to see the ships in the harbor.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 2 May 2024
- Tracey GHalesowen, United Kingdom2,218 contributionsImpressive buildingImpressive building viewable from practical everywhere in Helsinki. Painted grey to show up against the snow Free entry. Not very big inside compared to many British cathedrals. Also very plan due to the nature of its religion Certainly worthy of a visitVisited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 May 2024
- Angeliki_LambrouGreece33 contributionsHelsinki CathedralThe Helsinki Cathedral overlooks the National library and Senate Square and is probably the main tourist attraction in Helsinki. The large white cathedral looks very grand. It is free to enter. The inside of the cathedral is rather plain compared to most others, so can be underwhelming.It was built between 1830 and 1852.It is in the shape of a Greek cross with a colonnade on each arm. Look up and see the twelve apostles on the edge of the roof. Inside the cathedral, there are statues of reformers, Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon and Mikael Agricola .Overall though a must visit, and probably your first place to visit, on any trip to Helsinki.Visited June 2023Travelled on businessWritten 22 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
6,189 reviews
Excellent
2,656
Very good
2,488
Average
944
Poor
86
Terrible
15
Peter B
Norsborg, Sweden186 contributions
Jan 2020
A very imposing building with a gigantic stairway up from the square in front. Great view over the inner city from the stairs as well. Once inside you can see the Nordic style interior with its "less is more" feel. Clean and bright design which looks perfectly in place here. An impressive building well worth seeing.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurens H
Delft, The Netherlands34 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Even for a lover of Protestant churches, this interior was rather meagre. A sharp contrast with the mighty exterior. Free or charge. However, one can pay a 5 euro 'donation' if you like. Can't go lower than five though... which is more than I would have liked to donate.
Written 21 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RangeR
Canada679 contributions
Aug 2019
Impressive from the outside and you’ll surely see other tourists taking their photos with it on the stairs leading up. This is why going inside can be a bit of a letdown since there isn’t anything grandiose about the interior, you’ll see more decorated churches elsewhere. There are paid restrooms inside.
Written 14 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex J
Melbourne, Australia2,206 contributions
Sept 2019
For Catholics like me, who are used to richly decorated churches, with plenty of statues, and grand altars, this cathedral was a bit of a letdown. However, to be fair, it is after all a Lutheran place of worship, and Lutherans don't believe in ostentation! At the very least, the outside is really photogenic. Especially on a bright sunny day. I had gone alone to Helsinki in 2018, and I had not gone inside. When I went again last year, with my wife, we went inside. If you have an hour or so to spare, and if you can climb the steps, you will be rewarded with great views from the entrance platform. Plus, having come this far, you might as well go inside the cathedral !! If you are also seeing the Russian Orthodox cathedral nearby, you could make some interesting comparisons! If you don't want to climb the steps, you could climb the somewhat steep road, along the side, and enter the cathedral with hardly any steps along the way. This is the only way someone with a stroller could enter!
Written 18 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GerardTonlegee
Dublin, Ireland82 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
We spent a day in Helsinki while we were in Tallinn. It was easy to navigate and had a lovely, if small, Christmas market. We visited the cathedral in Senet Sq and the orthodox cathedral. Both well worth seeing. We also visited the Sibelius monument which is a bit out of the centre but we had got a relatively cheap day travel pass. Again well worth the time.
Now too the down side, expense, coming from one of Europe’s most pricy cities, Dublin, we were shocking by the cost of everything in Helsinki. A simple cup of coffee €5:90, a basic bottle of wine with lunch €40+, however if you know before hand it is well worth a visit, even a short one like ours.
Now too the down side, expense, coming from one of Europe’s most pricy cities, Dublin, we were shocking by the cost of everything in Helsinki. A simple cup of coffee €5:90, a basic bottle of wine with lunch €40+, however if you know before hand it is well worth a visit, even a short one like ours.
Written 22 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FiftyFifty5050
Montgomery, UK899 contributions
Oct 2020
We walked up to Senate Square and the Lutheran Cathedral from visiting the Orthodox Cathedral and the contrast was striking; all the complexity and grandeur of this cathedral is in it's position - at the top of a long, steep flight of stone steps on one side of the Senate Square - and on it's exterior; because the inside is almost stark in it's simplicity.
White walls, simple pews, a complete sparsity of icons, paintings, statues only serves to highlight the stillness and spirituality of this beautiful space. The ambience and intention of the building speak for themselves and don't need any embellishments.
A truly lovely place to visit, to sit quietly, to reflect, to pray.
White walls, simple pews, a complete sparsity of icons, paintings, statues only serves to highlight the stillness and spirituality of this beautiful space. The ambience and intention of the building speak for themselves and don't need any embellishments.
A truly lovely place to visit, to sit quietly, to reflect, to pray.
Written 16 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AngloItalian78
Aylesbury, UK547 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
As others have commented, this cathedral is a key part of the Helsinki skyline, in an elevated position up many steps from Senate Square in the heart of the city.
And in its stunning bright white, it’s a truly beautiful piece of architecture that the city can be proud of, and looks so wonderful against the snow on a clear blue sky winters day, especially when viewed from a ferry coming into port, or from Uspensky cathedral.
However, the interior is drab and boring and absolutely not worth any entrance fee. There really is nothing to see inside and you’re better off paying to go and see other far more interesting and beautiful churches like the Rock Church & Uspensky Cathedral.
And in its stunning bright white, it’s a truly beautiful piece of architecture that the city can be proud of, and looks so wonderful against the snow on a clear blue sky winters day, especially when viewed from a ferry coming into port, or from Uspensky cathedral.
However, the interior is drab and boring and absolutely not worth any entrance fee. There really is nothing to see inside and you’re better off paying to go and see other far more interesting and beautiful churches like the Rock Church & Uspensky Cathedral.
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janka K
Brno, Czech Republic8,683 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Very monumental, the place looks the best from outside and is worth of a picture or two, mostly the symmetrical one.
Inside, you can spend few minutes looking around, but unless you want to contemplate spiritually at the place, it's not worth of staying longer.
What I had mixed feeling about is voluntary entrance fee at the place. There are two kiosks inside for that and I saw that at the moment when people entered the church, a security guy working at the place approached them, asking if he can help with the kiosks. I felt a bit pressured to pay the entrance fee. I did because I wanted to support the building's maintenance. But then I stayed for few minutes only, looking around and then leaving. So from this perspective, it didn't pay out.
Inside, you can spend few minutes looking around, but unless you want to contemplate spiritually at the place, it's not worth of staying longer.
What I had mixed feeling about is voluntary entrance fee at the place. There are two kiosks inside for that and I saw that at the moment when people entered the church, a security guy working at the place approached them, asking if he can help with the kiosks. I felt a bit pressured to pay the entrance fee. I did because I wanted to support the building's maintenance. But then I stayed for few minutes only, looking around and then leaving. So from this perspective, it didn't pay out.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gee231205x2022
74 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
What a stunning building sat atop the stone steps in senate square. I visited one cloudy afternoon and found the inside to be peaceful and reflective. It is not ornately decorated like many cathedrals but really feels like someone to sit quietly in contemplation. Entry is free but there is a donation box if you wished to give something.
Written 2 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott Marks
Auckland Central, New Zealand341 contributions
Jul 2019
From the outside it an impressive Greek architecture style Cathedral. It can be seen from far away, pointing to the heart of the city. Climbing up the famous stairs before it gives an impressive view of the city. Inside is a very simple, reflecting a Nordic restrained style of decoration.
Written 4 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Jon Birgir. What would you like to know about this attraction?
When it was built,it is a lutheran cathedral, how many pers.prosent of the people are catholics ?
Thank you.
Written 2 January 2020
I don't know about that. Our guide told us that Finland had a mix of all people. But the main thing is that it's a beautiful Cathedral. We ,not even Christian's loved seeing it and had been very impressed by it and had a lot of positive vibes and good feeling once inside. So you should just go
Written 4 January 2020
Are there Christmas choir services during December? Any choral singing etc on Saturdays in December?
Written 30 August 2018
Sorry Catherine, but we visited Helsinki in August and didn’t think to ask about choral services.
Written 11 September 2018
Hello!
I go to Helsinki in August.
Is a pipe organ playing by Helsinki cathedral?
When is it?
What time does it start?
Written 15 July 2018
Vita_tz
St. Petersburg, Russia
Органный концерт только по средам в 12 часов? Есть ли где-то расписание? Много ли народу?
Written 3 April 2018
Это лучше уточнить в самом соборе. Дистанционно это можно сделать по телефону. В соборе говорят на английском языке. Это будет самая точная информация. Количество народа зависит от сезона. Чем теплее, тем больше. Ну и, разумеется, что летом в дождливую погоду народа тоже больше, чем в феврале.
Written 3 April 2018
ronnkerr
Port Orford, Oregon
I am a Lutheran pastor in Oregon, USA and will be arriving in Helsinki on June 18, 2017 on an NCL cruise and would like to attend a worship service at Helsinki Cathedral. What are the times of Sunday worship services? Pr. Ronn Kerr
Written 17 August 2016
Cathedral Schedule
Sun at 10 am Main Worship Service with Communion, 8 pm Organ Recital (summer)
• Mon at noon Daily Prayer
• In summer Tue at 11 am Prayer during the Day and a short presentation of the Cathedral (in English)
• Tue at noon Daily Prayer
• Wed at noon Short Organ Recital
• Thu at noon Weekday Communion Service
• Fri at noon Daily Prayer, Short Organ Recital (summer)
• Sat at 6 pm Evening Worship with Communion
A minister is available for discussion and counselling in the Confessional Room (‘rippihuone’) on weekdays 3–5 pm. In June–August on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Cathedral Information Stand (left of the main entrance) is manned in June–August Mon – Fri at 9 am–4 pm and Sat 9 am–noon. At other times the stand operates on a self-service basis.
Written 17 August 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 11
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing