Wonderful nature and peace in Helsinki. Lovely place for walking and picnics. Trees, forests, water, nature. Nice open air museum and cafe, lots of happenings around the year. read more

June 2012. It's too beautiful to spend the day inside, so we visit Seurasaari. A century ago, an ethnographer named Axel Olai Heikel began collecting traditional Finnish structures out on this island. Sweden already had an open-air museum like that (Swedes!), so Heikel decided that Finland should have one, too. The number 24 bus drops us off at the entrance an hour before the island closes, so we rush to the ticket booth and grab a map, hoping to squeeze as much of Finland's glorious architectural heritage as we can into sixty minutes. We read that there are historical re-enactors in the buildings, so we're expecting a Finnish version of Colonial Williamsburg, with artisanal baking demonstrations and maybe some farriery or blacksmithing. Coopering. That kind of thing. But the re-enactors we encounter are mostly high school kids with attitude whose summer job is to hang out on the island wearing period costumes and make sure no one tags the traditional structures or steals stuff. We hustle through a series of smoke cabins, crofter's dwellings, granaries, and farmyards. We glimpse a wooden church. We spot a parsonage. We read that many of these buildings are the last surviving examples of early 19th-century Finnish architecture. They're lovely, these rustic wooden structures with elegant joinery and stripped down minimalism that look like something Alvar Aalto might have built if he'd been a crofter. read more

WhenIwas a little girl I used to visit Seurasaari at least. Once à year with my best mate. I loved my mate ànd Seuraaaaa very much muacaa. And then away any Steinway Decade yeaarrago that my wedding at Last. That's a Somethings raja Karina lchu Seurasaari Desde keskustelu on ollut haastava tehtävä read more

Wonderful open air museum in Helsinki, Finland. It was one of our stops on our day excursion. Overall, it was a nice visit here. It was interesting and educational viewing all the various buildings and structures at Seurasaari. Many cottages, farmsteads, manors, and other structures were relocated here from all over Finland. They give wonderful examples of the traditional Finnish way of life back in the day. Good place to visit once. Don't know if I would visit again though. read more

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If you're going to visit Helsinki, this is a must. Catch the #24 bus to the last stop and cross over the bridge to beautiful Finnish nature. It's an open air museum with many old buildings from all over the country from the Lake District to Lapland in the far north. Admission to the museum which is scattered around the island is €9 but you can just wander around the beautiful island for free as well. There are also three nude beaches. The cafes here are obnoxiously expensive so bring drinks and shacks. It is hilly so be sure to wear comfortable shoes as well. A great place to visit to escape from the city a mere 20 minute bus ride away. Highly recommended. read more

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The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum presents a collection of typical rustic and rural structures from different regions of Finland. It present a view of traditional Finland in the 18th and 19th centuries. I liked it as I enjoy architecture and local history. One walks on a path through the grounds to view the various structures, including farmhouses, barns, sheds, and a church. Some of the houses are open and furnished. The buildings are well interpreted with signage in English, Finnish and Swedish. We visited on a Wednesday and it appeared that in midweek, not a great deal of activity was going on. I saw only one costumed reenactor. (On a previous visit years ago, a group of folk musicians were playing at the Antti farmstead complex.) Perhaps there is more interpretive activity on weekends. Nevertheless, I recommend it as an interesting sight to take in when visiting Helsinki. I think children would enjoy it, when hopefully more reenactors are about. Parking is limited and you must cross a bridge from the mainland to the island on foot. We came as a part of a shore excursion while on a Baltic cruise. There is a gift shop and a snack bar. Admission is 10 Euro. read more

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I really like this open air museum! I've never been to another one before, so it was new to me. It's free to walk around in the park, but buying a ticket allows you to go inside the buildings! These buildings were transported somehow from other parts of Finland, and they were built a few decades ago, mostly made from wood. The houses have a very unique style, and they're actually quite cute and cozy looking. It's a bit far from the city center, but I think it's worth a visit! read more

This open air museum was lovely. I arrived via a tram and returned to the city on a bus (both public transportation included in the Helsinki card. The entrance to Seurasaari was also included with the Helsinki card. When I arrived, I crossed over a bridge, as it is on an island. There are many homes and structures that have been relocated from around Finland from different time periods. There is a very friendly staff that is available to answer any questions you may have. It's very shaded and a nice hike as you walk around. Wear comfortable shoes and bring peanuts to feed the squirrels! read more

The open air museum is a popular concept in many countries. Here, everything from Laplander, earthen houses to church boats that could carry up to 100 from the mainland to church on the island, is available to visit. The circuit makes you feel as if you are in a village, with interpreters in period dress available at each building to share anecdotes and details about the historic buildings. A few live sheep, as well as red squirrels and many swans add to the experience. A small cafe and gift shop are well done. Entry to the island is free, but if you want to poke around inside the structures, you must pay a small fee at the foot of the bridge. We walked from the Sibelius monument, past the Deputy Prime Minister's home, on a wooded trail that rounds a granite headland. Bus 24 will stop right at the bridge, but you miss lovely gardens if you ride instead of walk. read more