Ateneum Art Museum in Helsinki: Opening Hours, Entry, Tips

Explore the Ateneum Art Museum in Helsinki with its iconic gallery spaces, changing exhibitions and a deep dive into Finnish art history.

The Ateneum Art Museum (Finnish: Ateneumin taidemuseo) is one of Helsinki’s most iconic art venues. Standing beside the main railway square, it greets visitors with a stately 19th-century facade and elegant interiors.

As part of the Finnish National Gallery, the museum houses a landmark collection of Finnish art from the 19th and 20th centuries. Highlights include works by Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Helene Schjerfbeck alongside significant international pieces.

Ateneum Art Museum Photos

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A photo from across the street from the Ateneum Art Museum, with people walking on the sidewalk.

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Image Source: Finnish National Gallery / Wikimedia

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An aesthetic view of the relief portraits of Raphael, Phidias and Bramante on the facade of the Ateneum Art Museum in Helsinki.

Entrance hall of the Ateneum Art Museum in Helsinki with classical columns and visitors.

Visitors view contemporary sculptures and paintings in an exhibition room at the Ateneum Art Museum in Helsinki.

Facade detail of the Ateneum Art Museum in Helsinki with richly decorated sculptures and reliefs.

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* Note: The photos in this gallery have been cropped and/or resized. The images are used under the Creative Commons licenses specified in the original sources.

Beyond paintings, the exhibitions reveal Finland’s changing identity and cultural history. Political shifts, national themes and creative milestones are woven into the artworks on display.

Its central location makes it a favourite for first-time visitors to Helsinki. Rotating special exhibitions bring fresh perspectives and showcase notable artists from abroad.

📌 Did You Know?
The Ateneum holds the world’s first Van Gogh painting to enter a museum collection. Vincent van Gogh’s “Street in Auvers-sur-Oise” (1890) was acquired in 1903, marking a milestone in museum history.

Tickets, Prices and Visiting Tips

📅 Visitor Information

Opening Hours: 🕒

Monday: Closed
Tuesday–Wednesday: 10:00–18:00
Thursday: 10:00–20:00
Friday: 10:00–18:00
Saturday–Sunday: 10:00–17:00
July & August (1.7–31.8): also open on Mondays 11:00–17:00
Note: Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing

Ticket Prices: 🎟️

Standard (ticket office): €22
Standard (online): €20
Concession: €12
Under 18 years: free
Museum Card: free entry (please show at the ticket desk)
Helsinki Card: free entry

Additional Information: ℹ️

Photography: Allowed for private use without flash, selfie stick or tripod
Cloakroom & bags: Free attended cloakroom; large bags must be left in lockers
Quiet times: Usually after 17:00 on weekday evenings
Accessibility: Accessible entrance from Ateneuminkuja; prams are welcome
Free admission days (2025): 20 Feb, 24 Apr, 14 Aug, 11 Dec

With a Helsinki Card, visitors enjoy free entry to the Ateneum Art Museum, avoiding the standard €22 admission (2025). The card also offers free access to dozens of other museums and attractions across Helsinki. See which attractions and museums in Helsinki you can access for free with this card.

Guided city walks extend the experience beyond the museum walls. These tours focus on art, history or the striking urban scenery around the Ateneum, linking the exhibits with Helsinki itself.

📌 Did You Know?
Its facade carries symbolic meaning. Above the entrance stand busts of Bramante, Raphael and Phidias, representing architecture, painting and sculpture.

A well-stocked café on the ground floor invites guests to relax and watch the square outside. The museum shop offers Nordic design items and quality souvenirs to take home.

📌 Did You Know?
In 2023, the Ateneum reached a record number of visitors. Despite reopening only in April after renovations, the museum welcomed more than 500,000 people by December – a historic high.