Join me for a
indoor
Tour of oodi
Explore Oodi: Helsinki’s Visionary Central Library
I invite you to step into the future of Helsinki with my audio walking tour of Oodi, the Central Library—a place that’s so much more than a library. This self-guided experience is perfect for curious minds and culture enthusiasts. Using the VoiceMap app, I’ll guide you through Oodi’s breathtaking design, fascinating features, and hidden surprises as though I’m your well-traveled local friend sharing insider tips, quirky facts, and a pinch of humor. So pop in your headphones, and let’s uncover the secrets of a library of the future which will positively blow your mind!
I know how frustrating
it can be. That's why I created a different
kind of experience.
Effortless Navigation
The Helsinki Senate Square is our starting and ending point of this tour, so you won´t get lost in the city. My GPS-triggered audio and offline map guide you seamlessly. Just press play and walk.
Dsicover Cutting-Edge Architecture
Experience the stunning design and bold innovation of Oodi, lauded as an architectural masterpiece and a symbol of modern Finnish culture.
By Local & Native Guide
I´m a professional and authorised Helsinki-guide. I'll help you uncover the intriguing stories you won't find in guidebooks in engaging and entertaining way.
Freedom & Flexibility
Explore when you want, pause when you need, and linger where you love. You set the pace.
Safe space for all
The entire tour is a safe place for anyone who identifying as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or any other minority in any way.
You are welcome just as you are.
Tour Location
Highlights: What You’ll Experience on the Oodi Central Library Tour
- Marvel at Helsinki’s Crown Jewel of Modern Architecture
Step into Oodi, an award-winning architectural masterpiece that blends cutting-edge design with functionality. From its striking undulating roof to the inviting open spaces, you’ll learn how every detail is crafted, in collaboration with the public, to inspire both the community and visitors alike. - Discover Oodi’s Role as a Meeting Place for Everyone
Find out how Oodi has transformed the concept of a library into a futuristic hub for learning, creativity, and inclusion. It’s more than books—think maker spaces, recording studios, and even a café with views that are chef’s-kiss-worthy! - A ‘Third Floor’ View Like No Other
Up on the third floor—nicknamed Book Heaven—you’ll experience sweeping open spaces, undulating white skylights that look like a futuristic cloudscape, living trees and a collection of 100,000 books housed in an architectural wonderland. Reading nooks with panoramic views of Helsinki? Yes, please. - The Maker Space: Creativity Unleashed
Get a sneak peek into Oodi’s Maker Space, a paradise for budding creators. From 3D printers to sewing machines, this part of the tour highlights how Oodi is much more than a place to borrow books—it’s a place to bring your ideas to life. - The ‘Living Room’ of Helsinki Uncover why locals call Oodi “Helsinki’s living room.” From the relaxed seating areas to spaces that invite families, students, and artists alike, you’ll see firsthand why this library is truly for everyone.
- Your Guide to Finnish Innovation Throughout the tour, I’ll sprinkle in tales of Finland’s knack for innovation—from the Nokia legacy to why libraries here are practically national treasures. By the end, you’ll feel like an honorary Finn (just don’t ask me to teach you all those umlaut-heavy words).
Tour With Arto
Tour at a Glance
Engaging Audio
Your own headphones+device. Listen as many times as you like.
Fully accessible
Leisurely walk with seats available everywhere. Fully accessible routes for strollers, wheelchairs etc.
Indoor tour
Never mind the weather outside. Follow a route with turn-by-turn-directions.
75 minutes
Your own pace. Focus on your surroundings, not the screen.
Your Schedule
Departs when you need to. No booking needed. Pause tour any time you want.
What Other Explorers Are Saying
Your Questions, Answered
After purchase here, you’ll receive a voucher code to unlock your tour. Just install the VoiceMap app—it’s easy to use—and enter your code to get started, connect your favourite headphones to your device and you´re good to go!
My tour is designed for ultimate flexibility. You can pause, rewind, or stop at any point. The audio you´re listening will tell you where to look and where to walk next. On-screen location images also ensure you always know where you are and where to go next, so you can explore with confidence.
There are no free tours available at Oodi in this length and detail. My tour provides a deeply researched, professionally narrated, and truly flexible experience. You get my local insider insights, the freedom to explore at your own pace, and the convenience of having your personal guide available whenever you are touring, without the pressure of tipping or a fixed schedule. It’s an investment in a richer, more personal Helsinki experience.
The tour is doable all year round, at all times of the day. Oodi library is open over 300 days in a year. Usual Opening hours are:
Mon–Fri 8–21
Sat–Sun 10–20
Please check their website for exceptions to the opening hours before you go.
Helsinki is a very safe city, so you can enjoy your tour year-round with ease. We stick to lively, well-trafficked routes, though you’ll want to keep an eye out for pickpockets—just like in any major metropolis.
As this is an indoor tour, you will be protected from the elements. But here are some seasonal tips for you in arriving and leaving the tour location itself.
Summer (May–August): Finland’s tap water is among the purest in the world (free refills during our tours!), so bring a reusable water bottle. Sunblock can be helpful, and while summer is delightful, the weather can surprise even locals. Temperatures range from 10–21°C (51–71°F), but it might feel chilly some days, so pack a light jacket—or befriend someone with a big umbrella 😉.
Winter (October–April): Arctic weather is serious business, with Helsinki temperatures swinging between -10°C (14°F) and +4°C (37°F), and the occasional dip to -25°C (-13°F). Proper winter clothing is essential: hats, gloves, layered warmth, and solid winter boots with patterned soles for icy walkways (leave your fashionable loafers at home unless you enjoy a slip-and-slide performance). But here’s the payoff—on crisp, sunny days, Helsinki transforms into a magical winter wonderland.
Yes! As the tour uses manual clicks to trigger narrations in specific sequence, each person will hear the same audio in the same location via their headphones, as long as you all trigger the same location. Make sure you buy a voucher for every group member and activate the tour on everyone´s devices before you go. The tour experience is best when shared.
