Guided tours for groups

Get the most out of your visit with a guided tour! Book a guided tour for your group.

NB! The information on this page applies to group bookings by visitors from outside the University of Helsinki. For internal University of Helsinki visitors, see the instructions for booking guided tours on Flamma.
Guided tours for groups at the exhibition centre

Highlights tour 

Be inspired by the highlights of the exhibition centre of Helsinki University Museum Flame! 

This concise tour introduces the most interesting content and the treasures of the exhibitions. At the Passion for Knowledge exhibition, you will learn how the University has affected the lives of all of us, gaining an overview of its significance, history and people. The colourful Food for All exhibition examines how science and research have contributed to the safety and sufficiency of food. After the tour, you can explore the activity stands at the exhibitions in more detail. 

These highlights are available until 26 October 2025.

Duration: 45 minutes. Guided tours can be organised in Finnish, Swedish or English, and their content can be tailored to a group’s wishes. 

Price: €70 per guide + ticket prices (max. 15 visitors per guide, during the opening hours of the exhibition centre). 

Booking: liekki(at)helsinki.fi. Please book your tour a week in advance.

NB! From September 2024 onwards, guided tours cannot be booked for 12.00–12.15, a period reserved for the Academic quarter mini-tour is given at the exhibition.

 

Passion for Knowledge tour 

Finland’s largest and oldest university in a nutshell! 

The guide will introduce you to the multifaceted history of the University of Helsinki, the development of its disciplines, and some fascinating personal histories associated with the institution. What has the University’s significance been to society and how does research affect everyday lives? Who have walked the University’s corridors, and what sorts of places and locations are associated with studying and research? You will also get a small glimpse of the University’s art collection. 

Duration: 45 minutes. Guided tours can be organised in Finnish, Swedish or English. 

Price: €70 per guide + ticket prices (max. 15 visitors per guide, during the opening hours of the exhibition centre).

Booking: liekki(at)helsinki.fi. Please book your tour a week in advance.

NB! From September 2024 onwards, guided tours cannot be booked for 12.00–12.15, a period reserved for the Academic quarter mini-tour is given at the exhibition.

 

Food for All tour

Where does food come from? How has science affected our daily sustenance? And why does Professor Virtanen emerge from behind every corner? The guided tour offers a healthy dose of scientific history seasoned with a touch of humour. 

The tour begins with hunger. Researchers fought against the deprivation and suffering caused by famine by developing increasingly sustainable crops and productive farm animals. Great strides were taken in food safety and the nutrition of Finns thanks to research knowledge. The guided tour also describes the challenges currently being solved and the innovations under development for future food. 

The Food for All tour is available until 26 October 2025. 

Duration: 45 minutes. Guided tours can be organised in Finnish, Swedish or English. 

Price: €70 per guide + ticket prices (max. 15 visitors per guide, during the opening hours of the exhibition centre).

Booking: liekki(at)helsinki.fi. Please book your tour a week in advance.

Guided tours for groups at the Observatory

Observatory tour 

Dive into the fascinating history of the Observatory and the wonders of space! 

The guide will take you on a tour to the world of astronomy and the eventful history of the Observatory, completed in 1834, in the dusky atmosphere of the old observation room. You will have the chance to climb one of the observation towers and visit the atmospheric planetarium. In the planetarium, we will examine the stars in the northern sky above us and the movement of the stars in the night sky. 

The tour is only partially accessible. The towers and the planetarium are accessible by stairs. The towers are unheated facilities, and the route to the planetarium is outdoors.

Duration: 60 minutes. Guided tours can be organised in Finnish, Swedish or English, and their content can be tailored to a group’s wishes. 

Price: €70 per guide + ticket prices (max. 20 visitors per guide, during the opening hours of the Observatory).

Booking: liekki(at)helsinki.fi. Please book your tour a week in advance.

NB! Helsinki Observatory does not organise star shows with public telescope access. If you are interested in observing the sky, you should reach out to the Ursa Astronomical Association. Ursa organises star shows at its own observatory in Kaivopuisto Park.