Where to meet the Moomins in Finland – a complete guide

The Moomin museum, located in Tampere, is full of stunning exhibitions that portrays how Tove's personal life was translated into the Moomin stories. By booking a guided tour or experiencing one of the exhibitions at the museum you can hear how Tove’s romantic relationship with female partner Viveca translated into figures such as Thingumy and Bob hiding a big secret in their suitcase. Or, discover how her complex relationship with her father translated into a stubborn Moominpappa and an affectionate mother into the friendly Moominmamma.  

At the Moomin museum, you can also experience an immersive walk through the multifaceted historical development of Moomin as a character. The museum contains a sizeable collection of Tove Jansson and her partner Tuulikki Pietilä’s drawings and paintings, the very original drafts and illustrations, as well as other published and unpublished creations of the Moomins. 

Another perfect opportunity to dive into the mesmerizing world of the Moomins and to meet the charming characters is to visit the family-friendly Moomin World theme park in Naantali. In Moomin World, you can take a part in the maritime adventures at the Moomin family’s bathing hut, walk the magical Fairytale Trail to the Witch’s House, and visit the legendary Moomintroll’s house. The park is located in the Coast and Archipelago region near Turku and it is open during the summer season. 

The beloved Moomin characters can also be explored as ice statues in the arctic Moomin Ice Cave in Leppävirta, a small town in Lakeland. Descend into the mysterious underworld cave, located 30 meters underground, and admire the stunning ice sculptures, or slide down the ice chute to experience butterflies in your stomach! The Ice Cave – located near Valtatie 5 (highway no. 5) – is a perfect pit stop for families travelling to Kuopio by car. 

Set sail from Helsinki to Stockholm with the Moomins on board. Tallink-Silja is the official sea carrier of the Moomins, offering themed cruises on the Helsinki–Stockholm route with character meet-and-greets, family activities, and even Moomin-themed cabins.

There’s also a Moomin Shop onboard — available on ships to both Stockholm and Tallinn — where you can pick up Moomin souvenirs, toys and gifts. Whether you're five or fifty, a sea voyage with the Moomins is a charming way to travel between Finland and its neighbours.

Right in the heart of Helsinki, along the elegant Esplanadi boulevard, you’ll find a treasure trove for every Moomin fan. The Moomin Arabia shop is packed with charm from the iconic Moomin mugs and playful plush toys to cosy textiles, night lights, socks, chocolate, and other irresistible finds. Whether you're looking for a keepsake, a gift, or simply something to make you smile, there’s something here for all ages. Step inside, and you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into a little piece of Moominvalley.

Tove Jansson spent most of her summers at the Finnish Archipelago on the West Coast in the Pellinki island (“Pellinge” in Swedish), which is located 50 kilometres from Helsinki and accessible year-round. The closeness to nature and the sea as well as her childhood adventures were a source of inspiration to the steep valleys, deep forests, and stormy waters found in Moomin stories. 

Tove's original summer cottage is located in Pellinki’s Klovaharun island. Klovharun has been preserved in its original condition and the cottage is open to the public during one week in July (check timetables here). The nearby Söderskär lighthouse is a nature preserve where you can explore Moominpappa’s real-life lighthouse and gaze at the place where it all began — the islands and the Baltic Sea. Another interesting lighthouse to explore in Southern Finland is the Bengtskär lighthouse in the Kimitoön islands area in the southwest of the Finnish Archipelago. Bengtskär is the tallest lighthouse in the Nordic countries.