Presidential Palace

The Presidential Palace stands beside Helsinki’s Market Square at Mariankatu 2, facing the harbour. Designed by Pehr Granstedt as a merchant’s residence and completed in 1820, it was later adapted by Carl Ludvig Engel for official use. Its cream façade, columns and balanced rows of windows make it a worthwhile stop on a walk around the waterfront. The palace is used for state functions, so visitors may find it closed to the public; guided tours are the way to see inside when available.

From merchant’s residence to palace

Pehr Granstedt designed the building as a residence for merchant Johan Henrik Heidenstrauch. It was completed in 1820. In 1837, the state acquired the lavish residence with the intention of using it for the Governor General of Finland. It instead became the Helsinki residence of the Emperor of Russia.

Carl Ludvig Engel later adapted the building into a palace. Its neoclassical exterior has a cream-coloured façade, columns and symmetrical windows. The palace is now the official residence of Finland’s president and is also used for state functions and ceremonies.

Seeing the palace from Market Square

The palace is beside Market Square and the waterfront, making it easy to include while exploring central Helsinki. From the promenade, you can view the exterior and its position alongside the harbour. The surrounding square also puts Uspenski Cathedral, the Old Market Hall and ferry ports within the same area.

The interior is not always open to visitors because official events take place there. Guided tours can provide access when available, so check for tour arrangements before planning your visit around the inside. The palace guards are another detail to look for outside; a shift change may be visible.