The National Library of Finland
The National Library of Finland
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience The National Library of Finland
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Vironniemi
How to get there
- Helsingin yliopisto • 3 min walk
- Rautatientori • 7 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,479 within 3 miles
Attractions
472 within 6 miles
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 wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
264 reviews
Excellent
161
Very good
87
Average
15
Poor
0
Terrible
1
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel42,744 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This underwhelming building located next to the Helsinki cathedral might be somehow misleading.
While its exterior is far from impressive, the interiors are beautifully and lavishly decorated.
Definitely worth a peek inside.
While its exterior is far from impressive, the interiors are beautifully and lavishly decorated.
Definitely worth a peek inside.
Written October 20, 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.
tarjak4
Helsinki, Finland70 contributions
Aug 2019
Apart from the changing exhibitions and amazing (mostly Finnish) collections of books, newspapers and magazines, the main attraction for tourists would be the beautiful hall with its ceiling and wall frescos. Well worth popping in, if you are in the Senate square or visit the Helsinki Cathedral.
Written October 10, 2019
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.
Irina
United States13,845 contributions
Jul 2019
I always admire libraries in different countries I visit. What can be more valuable in keeping, preserving , developing and enriching their cultural heritage?
The National Library of Finland, located near Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral, occupies a very prominent building, various parts of which were designed separately by architects C.L.Engel and G. Nystrom, in 1844 and in 1906, respectively. Today, the library has over 3 million items.
These days, there's a very interesting exhibition taking place in the National Library of Finland. It's called From Dice to Bytes: 200 Years of Finnish Gaming. The exhibits illustrating several centuries of gaming are fantastic - from older board games to modern computer games, including all kinds of game paraphernalia. As I learnt, gaming is a fast developing industry in Finland, donations to this exhibition are made by private collectors.
The building of the library is built in classic style, and it is very imposing, the grounds around it are beautiful too.
The National Library of Finland, located near Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral, occupies a very prominent building, various parts of which were designed separately by architects C.L.Engel and G. Nystrom, in 1844 and in 1906, respectively. Today, the library has over 3 million items.
These days, there's a very interesting exhibition taking place in the National Library of Finland. It's called From Dice to Bytes: 200 Years of Finnish Gaming. The exhibits illustrating several centuries of gaming are fantastic - from older board games to modern computer games, including all kinds of game paraphernalia. As I learnt, gaming is a fast developing industry in Finland, donations to this exhibition are made by private collectors.
The building of the library is built in classic style, and it is very imposing, the grounds around it are beautiful too.
Written September 7, 2019
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.
NukeExpatinTheDesert
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates162 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
A quick must see, the interior of the library is intimate and impressive. For the (actual) or wanna be bibliophile (like me) it is a dreamy destination, if only to spend 20 minutes exploring.
Written December 21, 2018
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.
Trek-Always
Alpharetta, GA2,524 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Built in 1845. Free. Beautiful inside. Right across the street from the Lutheran Church. They have the largest collection of Slavic books in the world, including Russia. There are lockers inside for free too.
If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
Written September 13, 2017
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.
Sachin0408
Bengaluru, India900 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
A library can never be a tourist attraction unless it’s the largest in the world or carries significance amount of history as part of its existence. I happened to stay very close the Library and hence decided to give it a go not as a tourist but as an avid reader. The National Library of Finland is the foremost research library in Finland. Administratively the library is part of the University of Helsinki. Until 1 August 2006, it was known as the Helsinki University Library.
The National Library is responsible for storing the Finnish cultural heritage. By Finnish law, the National Library is a legal deposit library and receives copies of all printed matter, as well as audiovisual materials excepting films, produced in Finland or for distribution in Finland. These copies are then distributed by the Library to its own national collection and to reserve collections of five other university libraries. Also, the National Library has the obligation to collect and preserve materials published on the Internet.
Any person who lives in Finland may register as a user of the National Library and borrow library materials. The publications in the national collection, however, are not loaned outside the library. The library also is home to one of the most comprehensive collections of books published in the Russian Empire of any library in the world.
The National Library is responsible for storing the Finnish cultural heritage. By Finnish law, the National Library is a legal deposit library and receives copies of all printed matter, as well as audiovisual materials excepting films, produced in Finland or for distribution in Finland. These copies are then distributed by the Library to its own national collection and to reserve collections of five other university libraries. Also, the National Library has the obligation to collect and preserve materials published on the Internet.
Any person who lives in Finland may register as a user of the National Library and borrow library materials. The publications in the national collection, however, are not loaned outside the library. The library also is home to one of the most comprehensive collections of books published in the Russian Empire of any library in the world.
Written June 17, 2017
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.
Lucas L
Helsinki, Finland50 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
I visited the National Library with my friend once. We were there for hours, and it was really awesome! I loved the library, because it is just like some library you've seen in a movie. The halls and areas in it were just so amazing, and good looking. I want to go back! Recommended to visit!
Written December 26, 2013
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.
FixeRain
Capua, Italy35 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
I love libraries and this one stands out! History - get a snapshot or dive in deep here. Very calm, super polite, I felt this place embraced us. The interior architecture is really worth seeing. Splendid service, wonderful people.
Written December 23, 2012
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.
Judy B
Appleton, WI373 contributions
May 2019
It is worth your time to explore this wonderful library. It has so much more in it, besides books. One could spend so much valuable learning time here. And be sure to step outside for the view. And the food is absolutely the best.
Written October 30, 2019
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.
Colin582
Melbourne256 contributions
Oct 2019
A beautiful building both inside and out. You feel like you need to rush off and start studying some obscure and complex subject. Well worth stepping across the street from the Helsinki Cathedral and see some real culture.
Written October 9, 2019
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.
Yes! they actually have small tables with electricity places as well there. And I think wifi as well.
Written May 22, 2019
Showing results 1-1 of 1
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 listingScroll back to The National Library of Finland information