Seurasaaren ulkomuseo

About the museum

The Seurasaari open-air museum was founded in 1909 on what was then the outskirts of Helsinki. Its first building was the Niemelä crofter's cottage (torppa), moved from Konginkangas. The founders wanted to create a miniature Finland in which city dwellers could see how people lived in the countryside in different regions. The museum's first director was the cultural researcher Axel Olai Heikel, who took the Skansen in Stockholm as his model. The island was chosen for its coniferous forest nature.

The building stock grew fastest in the first decades of the 20th century. At that time, among others, the Karuna church, the Ostrobothnian farmhouses Kurssi and Ivars, the Kahiluoto manor from Southwest Finland, the Antti house from Satakunta and Karelian buildings such as Pertinotsa and the Niemelä house from Kaukola were moved to the island. Many buildings were saved from demolition as the countryside was modernised. Later, the Selkämä house from Pieksämäki and the Halla house from Hyrynsalmi, the old parsonage of Iisalmi and the Leppälä cottage arrived, and in 2002 two shop storehouses from Savitaipale.

Today the museum has 89 buildings, and the oldest log buildings date from the late 17th century. Most buildings represent the housing culture and rural way of life of their home region, and many still contain original furnishings. The newest ensemble is a summer cottage with its yard, moved from Hyvinkää, which opened to the public in summer 2026 and presents Finnish cottage culture.

Highlights

• 89 buildings moved from all over Finland
• Karuna old church and Kahiluoto manor
• Summer cottage exhibition on cottage culture (opened 2026)
• Guided tours are included in the admission ticket
• Antti's Coffee Storehouse (Antin Kaffeliiteri) and the museum shop in the Iisalmi parsonage

Permanent exhibitions

• Seurasaaren ulkomuseon rakennukset – The open-air museum has 89 buildings moved from all over Finland, which show rural housing and ways of life in different provinces.
• Kesämökki – A cottage built in 1953 and moved from Hyvinkää presents Finnish cottage culture and the spread of holiday homes after the Second World War.

Founded

1909

Operated by

Suomen kansallismuseo

Admission & discounts

When bought online, an adult ticket costs €13 and a reduced ticket €9. Tickets are sold online, at the island's ticket kiosk and at the museum shop in the Iisalmi parsonage. The Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card), Helsinki Card and Helsinki City Pass are accepted. Full-day school and student groups with a teacher enter free of charge.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The gravel paths on the island are suitable for walking, prams and wheelchairs. The museum area is not completely accessible: some buildings have high thresholds, steps and dim interiors. A person using a manual wheelchair is advised to bring an assistant, who enters the museum free of charge. Antin Kaffeliiteri has an accessible entrance. The museum shop in the Iisalmi parsonage can be reached by a lift in addition to the outdoor steps, but the lift is temporarily out of use. There are two city toilet buildings on the island that are accessible by wheelchair: one at the northern end by the bridge and one in the centre near the barbecue area. Guided tours and workshops can be adapted for special groups.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly

Guided tours for children (with an adult) take place at 12:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in June and July, and on Saturdays in August at 12:00. Under-18s enter the museum free of charge. The museum does not lend prams, but you may take your own pram into the building yards.

Getting there & parking

The island is reached by a footbridge from the end of Seurasaarentie. The Seurasaari 91 city bike station is nearby. Bicycles, e-scooters and motor vehicles are prohibited on the bridge and on the island, except for staff and service vehicles and accessible taxis.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Antin Kaffeliiteri operates in the storehouse of the Antti house from Satakunta: coffee, soft drinks, pastries and light lunches are available, including vegan options. The museum shop is in the Iisalmi parsonage. Kahvihuone Mieritz also operates on the island, and the Seurasaari Party Hall is open by reservation all year round. There are no visitor toilets in the museum area.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 14 guests.

The meeting room in the Iisalmi parsonage is suitable for small meetings of 10–14 people.

Plan your visit