Designed in 1868 by Swedish landscaper Knut Forsberg in the style of a German city park, and completed in 1889 by his compatriot Svante Olsson, this sloping, 6.7-hectare park was created around its namesake observatory. The observatory ceased operating in 2010, but today houses an astronomy-focused exhibition space. Fires were once lit on the high, barren hill to guide seafarers into Helsinki's harbour. Its grassy expanses, planted with tulips and daffodils, are especially picturesque in spring.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Helsinki Observatory

0.11 MILES

Operating as an observatory from 1834 to 2010, this CL Engel–designed building within pretty Observatory Hill Park now contains an astronomy museum with…

2. Museum of Finnish Architecture

0.25 MILES

Finland's architecture museum occupies a neo-Rennaissance building dating from 1899. Exhibitions are its key focus, including the fascinating Decades of…

3. Mannerheim-Museo

0.27 MILES

This fascinating museum by Kaivopuisto was the home of Baron Gustav Mannerheim, former president, commander in chief of the Finnish army and Finnish Civil…

4. Johanneksenkirkko

0.28 MILES

Helsinki’s largest church, with seating for 2600 worshippers, is the soaring neo-Gothic St John’s Lutheran Church. Designed by Swedish architect Adolf…

5. Design Museum

0.3 MILES

An unmissable stop for Finnish design aficionados, Helsinki's Design Museum has a permanent collection that looks at the roots of Finnish design in the…

6. Kaivopuisto

0.37 MILES

On the waterfront, this sprawling park dating from 1834 is a favourite Helsinki idyll. There are expanses of lawns; numerous sculptures and winding paths;…

7. Ursa

0.39 MILES

In the Kaivopuisto park, this charming dome-topped observatory was built in 1926. During the darker months, it opens of an evening, while on summer…

8. Kauppatori

0.44 MILES

The heart of central Helsinki is the harbourside kauppatori (market square), where cruises and ferries leave for archipelago islands. It's completely…