The National Library of Finland
The National Library of Finland
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Libraries
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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
Tours & experiences
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Top ways to experience The National Library of Finland and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Vironniemi
How to get there
- Helsingin yliopisto • 3 min walk
- Rautatientori • 7 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1,479 within 5 kms
Attractions
468 within 10 kms
See what other travellers are saying
- Vwalters94Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom20 contributionsBeautiful libraryYou have to leave bags and coats in a locker room before you enter, which is located on the right after you enter the front door, there are lockers with keys provided for valuables, all free of charge. The library is very beautiful, we spent about an hour wandering around, taking photos, marvelling at the architecture, and looking at book titles. There are some rooms that are for readers only, and you should obviously respect that. Make sure you go upstairs if you can to experience it all from another angle.Visited February 2023Written 26 February 2023
- Heli PHelsinki, Finland6,349 contributionsFree to look insideLeaving coat and bag at the lockers anybody can enter to admire the exquisite building which forms a part of C.L.Engel's empire style city plan for Helsinki. The library was already established in Turku in 1640 under the Swedish rule but moved to the capital to serve the new university. On the shelves you will find books also in other languages besides the national two. It is possible to climb up the rotunda, but some chambers are reserved only for research.Visited March 2022Written 15 March 2022
- BharathiManiBengaluru, India3,160 contributionsFascinatingOh what jewels to be found inside. This is a big library with 7-8 levels. It's a book readers paradise for sure! Entry is free. You need to leave your coats, umbrellas and food etc at the ground floor. There are free lockers. The building from inside is beautiful, with gorgeous frescoes. The library is spic and span and well organised. Many places to sit and read in silence. There is a cafe downstairs but didn't check it out. Clean restrooms. A week is not enough in such a place.Visited March 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 March 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.
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4.5
256 reviews
Excellent
154
Very good
87
Average
14
Poor
0
Terrible
1
BharathiMani
Bengaluru, India3,160 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Oh what jewels to be found inside. This is a big library with 7-8 levels. It's a book readers paradise for sure!
Entry is free. You need to leave your coats, umbrellas and food etc at the ground floor. There are free lockers.
The building from inside is beautiful, with gorgeous frescoes.
The library is spic and span and well organised. Many places to sit and read in silence.
There is a cafe downstairs but didn't check it out. Clean restrooms.
A week is not enough in such a place.
Entry is free. You need to leave your coats, umbrellas and food etc at the ground floor. There are free lockers.
The building from inside is beautiful, with gorgeous frescoes.
The library is spic and span and well organised. Many places to sit and read in silence.
There is a cafe downstairs but didn't check it out. Clean restrooms.
A week is not enough in such a place.
Written 23 March 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.
Vwalters94
Nottinghamshire, UK20 contributions
Feb 2023
You have to leave bags and coats in a locker room before you enter, which is located on the right after you enter the front door, there are lockers with keys provided for valuables, all free of charge.
The library is very beautiful, we spent about an hour wandering around, taking photos, marvelling at the architecture, and looking at book titles.
There are some rooms that are for readers only, and you should obviously respect that. Make sure you go upstairs if you can to experience it all from another angle.
The library is very beautiful, we spent about an hour wandering around, taking photos, marvelling at the architecture, and looking at book titles.
There are some rooms that are for readers only, and you should obviously respect that. Make sure you go upstairs if you can to experience it all from another angle.
Written 26 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.
Scott P
Beaverton10 contributions
Feb 2023
Definitely worth a visit for its elegance of design and resources. Of course, you cannot check out books, but it is still a place to visit.
Written 10 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.
Katy K
Buford, GA85 contributions
Sep 2022
This is a gorgeous library in the center of Helsinki! It was wonderful to walk around and see all the books.
Written 10 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.
Elena
2 contributions
Oct 2022
A place of peace in the heart of the city. Visitable, except for the reading rooms. There are many books in foreign languages. A little touristy place, but recommended.
Written 28 October 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.
Dave48838
Greenville, MI640 contributions
Oct 2022
If you like architecture - not necessarily libraries - this is a place to visit. Right off the main cathedral square, drop in - there is no charge. You must leave your things is a locker as the collection is valuable and there are strict rules of access. It was built as to house duplicate volumes of the St. Petersburg Library - good thing as that library burned! It now houses a copy of every book printed in Finnish. Since I don't speak Finnish, the contents of the library did not beckon. The construction, ornamentation, pillars, and layout, however, are very attractive. Quiet visitors are welcome to explore.
Written 19 October 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.
jenifer s
Helsinki, Finland3 contributions
Aug 2022
Looks like harry potter movies, an amazing vintage library with a great ceiling painting. I highly recomend it
Written 16 August 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.
BethAnn H
La Quinta, CA209 contributions
Jul 2022
Spent over an hour exploring the stacks and perusing books in English and other languages. Stunning building; beautiful interior.
Written 27 July 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.
Heli P
Helsinki, Finland6,349 contributions
Mar 2022
Leaving coat and bag at the lockers anybody can enter to admire the exquisite building which forms a part of C.L.Engel's empire style city plan for Helsinki. The library was already established in Turku in 1640 under the Swedish rule but moved to the capital to serve the new university. On the shelves you will find books also in other languages besides the national two. It is possible to climb up the rotunda, but some chambers are reserved only for research.
Written 15 March 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.
Ozlem S
Istanbul, Türkiye1,262 contributions
Dec 2021 • Solo
Feels like a different century when you enter the building. Must see place in Helsinki. Students were doing their research and I wished to be a student again.
Written 2 December 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.
JacobSnack
Ballina, Australia
Can I bring my Laptop and work here?
Nea_B
Helsinki, Finland341 contributions
Yes! they actually have small tables with electricity places as well there. And I think wifi as well.
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Claim your listingTHE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF FINLAND: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The National Library of Finland
- The National Library of Finland is open:
- Mon - Fri 09:00 - 18:00
- We recommend booking The National Library of Finland tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 The National Library of Finland tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near The National Library of Finland:
- (0.18 km) Bob W Kluuvi
- (0.27 km) Bob W City Centre
- (0.20 km) Solo Sokos Hotel Helsinki
- (0.20 km) Hotel Midpoint Helsinki
- (0.26 km) GLO Hotel Kluuvi Helsinki
- Restaurants near The National Library of Finland:
- (0.16 km) Cafe Engel
- (0.18 km) Restaurant Savotta
- (0.16 km) Ravintola Sunn
- (0.15 km) Fratello Torrefazione
- (0.16 km) Artisan Café