Helsinki has been a popular design destination for decades. Almost as if to remind of it – the city celebrated as World Design Capital in the year 2012.

But long gone are the natives such as architects Aalto and Saarinen – while future creative talents now proudly carry on making the Helsinki of 2020 and beyond.

Helsinki is the centre of arts and sciences in Finland. Finnish design is well renowned, and rightly so. Some of the big names include Iittala, Marimekko, Arabia and Artek.

On the walking portion of the tour, visit the boutiques and galleries of the Design District Helsinki and a drive to the Arabia District, the most important design cluster in Finland – the home to the Iittala Arabia porcelain production.

A walking tour of the Arabia factory includes a visit to the Arabia museum, followed by a shopping break in the factory’s shop.

Have a coffee stop on the way in one of design coffee shops!

Kiasma is a museum of contemporary art under the umbrella of the Finnish National Gallery. The basic functions of the museum are organising changing exhibitions and augmenting its collection, along with research and presentation of the works.

The primary focus in the museum collection is on Finnish contemporary art. The collection is also supplemented by commissioning new work.

The collection is presented to the public in annually changing thematic exhibitions. Kiasma was designed by the American architect Steven Holl and
opened to the public in 1998.

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