Helsinki, Finland

Review: Finlandia Hall

The Nordics • See & do • Review: Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, Finland

What’s the concert and congress venue in a nutshell?

More than just a concert and congress venue, Finlandia Hall is a cultural icon that has played a key role in Helsinki’s civic life since its completion in 1971. Designed by Finland’s most celebrated modernist architect, Alvar Aalto, the building was part of a broader vision to transform Töölö Bay into a centre for arts and public life. While much of Aalto’s masterplan was never realised, Finlandia Hall became a landmark in its own right, hosting political summits, international conferences and world-class performances. Following an extensive renovation, the building is now reopening in 2025 with new public spaces, improved sustainability features and a renewed commitment to accessibility, ensuring it remains a gathering place for generations to come.

What is showcased?

Finlandia Hall, beyond its primary function as a congress and event venue, has expanded its offerings to provide visitors with a comprehensive cultural and architectural experience. Following extensive renovations, the hall now features a variety of attractions and services that highlight Finnish design, cuisine, and hospitality.

A permanent Aalto Exhibition

In June 2025, Finlandia Hall will unveil a permanent exhibition that delves into the architectural and creative contributions of Alvar, Aino, and Elissa Aalto. This exhibition offers visitors an immersive journey into the Aaltos’ design philosophies and their impact on modern architecture and Finnish culture. It’s an opportunity to gain deep insights into their legacy and the principles that guided their work.

Finlandia Café & Wine

The newly introduced Finlandia Café & Wine provides guests with a cosy atmosphere with panoramic views of Töölönlahti Bay. Open daily, the café serves high-quality, seasonal food items from an all-day menu, including savory and sweet pastries, hot dishes, salads and a curated selection of wines and refreshments. The interior design, featuring Alvar Aalto’s unique architecture and original furniture, contributes to the dining experience. During warmer months, guests can enjoy their meals on the terrace overlooking the bay.

A la carte restaurant

For the first time, Finlandia Hall introduces an à la carte restaurant – Finlandia Bistro. This establishment pays homage to Alvar Aalto’s affection for Italy by blending Finnish flavors with Mediterranean influences. The menu emphasises seasonal ingredients, offering dishes that reflect both local and Mediterranean culinary traditions. The ambiance is enriched by Aalto’s architectural design, original furnishings and Finnish artworks, creating a dining experience that is both elegant and inviting.

Curated design for sale

Adjacent to the café, the Finlandia Shop offers a curated selection of Finnish design products. You will find items from small Finnish design brands, unique Finlandia Collection pieces, timeless classics, ceramic art from Arabia artists and products related to Alvar Aalto.

Finlandia Homes

If you wish to extend your Alvar Aalto experience, Finlandia Hall offers unique accommodation options known as Finlandia Homes. Two apartments, originally designed by Alvar Aalto for staff, have been meticulously restored and are now available for booking. These residences combine functional aesthetics with the ambiance of a Finnish home, furnished with Artek classics and original pieces from the building. A stay provides a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in Finnish design and architectural heritage.

What is the architecture like?

Finlandia Hall’s striking white Carrara marble façade, inspired by Italian palaces, makes a dramatic contrast against the dark granite base.

Inside, Aalto’s signature use of natural materials – warm-toned wood, custom lighting and acoustic-enhancing details – creates an environment designed as much for comfort as for grandeur.

A striking exterior

The building’s exterior is characterised by a striking façade of white Carrara marble, meticulously arranged in a vertical running bond pattern. This design choice not only imparts a sense of verticality but also evokes the natural striations found in rock formations, grounding the structure in its natural surroundings. The marble cladding is complemented by copper roofing, adding a touch of warmth and contrast to the pristine whiteness of the stone.

A prominent feature is the tower-like section with a sloping roof, conceived by Aalto to enhance the building’s acoustics. This elevated mass rises spire-like from the main structure, providing an acoustical plenum over the 1,700-seat auditorium, to ensure optimal sound distribution.

Natural materials

Inside, Aalto’s signature use of natural materials and attention to detail are evident throughout. The interiors boast asymmetrical forms and a palette of natural materials, including hardwoods and ceramics. White marble continues from the exterior into the interior spaces, gracing grand staircases, the concert hall and foyers, drawing inspiration from the architecture of ancient Italy and Greece. A shallow, broad Venetian staircase serves as a focal point, leading visitors from the ground-floor foyer to both the main auditorium and the chamber music hall.

Futureproofing Finlandia hall

In recent years, Finlandia Hall underwent an extensive renovation led by the Finnish architectural firm Arkkitehdit NRT. The project focused on modernising the building while preserving its historical and architectural significance.

Key updates included the replacement of the hall’s iconic façade, composed of 11,000 marble tiles and significant improvements in energy efficiency and accessibility.

The heating system was upgraded, resulting in a 30% reduction in energy consumption, and new elevators were installed to enhance accessibility. Additionally, previously underutilised spaces, such as old storage rooms, were reimagined into inviting new areas for public use.

Finlandia Hall’s architecture exemplifies Aalto’s philosophy of creating spaces that are both functional and humane, seamlessly integrating natural materials and forms to craft environments that resonate with users on multiple levels.

What’s our final take?

As a visitor to Helsinki and with even the slightest interest in design, architecture or Alvar Aalto’s legacy, Finlandia Hall is simply unmissable. It’s a masterclass in how architecture can shape experience – where every surface, every material and every detail is carefully considered. We must emphasise that Aalto’s vision of human-centred modernism truly comes to life here, from the soaring marble façades to the intimate, warmly lit interiors. With its recent renovations the space is both historically preserved and future-ready, not to mention Helsinki at its most architechtural.

What’s the neighbourhood like?

Located just north of Helsinki’s city centre, Töölö is a district where urban life meets green spaces. Divided into Etu-Töölö and Taka-Töölö, the area boasts wide, tree-lined streets and classic architecture. It is home to the Finnish Parliament House and the iconic Temppeliaukio Church, uniquely carved into solid rock. Culture thrives here, with the Finnish National Opera and the National Museum of Finland enriching the scene. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the lush Hesperia Park along Töölö Bay and the serene Sibelius Park, featuring a monument dedicated to composer Jean Sibelius. Töölö’s mix of cultural landmarks and green spaces makes it a distinctive and captivating part of Helsinki.