Parks and the outdoors in Helsinki

Parks and the outdoors in Helsinki

1. SeeInner East

   Alppipuisto

   Located on the west side of the Linnanmäki amusement park, this beautiful park is a hidden gem during the summer due to the many free concerts and other events that are held there throughout the summer months.

2. DoEastern suburbs

   Aurinkolahti Beach

   Aurinkolahden uimaranta

   Spacier and calmer than Hietsu in Western Helsinki, the Aurinkolahti Beach is frequented by everyone from youth to families.

3. DoSouth

   Beach of Uunisaari

   One of the better kept secrets of Helsinki is the beach on Uunisaari, an island a short ride away from the south coast.

4. SeeInner East

   Bear park

   Karhupuisto

   A cozy small park on the hill next to Kallio church and one of Kallio's symbols. The park got its name from the bear statue in the middle of it.

5. SeeSouth

   Diana Park

   Diananpuisto

   Also known as Kolmikulma (the triangle), this pocket sized park is a nice place to take break from your sightseeing in the summer and just sit down on a park bench and have an ice-cream.

6. BuyCentral

   Eat and Joy Farmers Market

   In the heart of Helsinki at Kluuvi shopping centre, another one at Helsinki Airport. The markets are open seven days a week and have delicacies from more than 500 small producers across Finland: wild reindeer (poro), salmon, artisan cheeses, berry jams, fish roe, hand-crafted beer and cider, mushrooms, rye bread, smoked specialities, kyyttö forest cow, artisan chocolates and many other products – all direct from the producers.

7. SeeWest

   Eläintarha

   Despite its name, which translates to "Animal Garden", there is no zoo in this park. Instead many of Helsinki's sport venues like the Olympic stadium, Swimming stadium, Sonera stadium, Töölön Kisahalli and Helsinki Ice Hall are either in the park or close to it.

8. SeeCentral

   Esplanadi Park

   Esplanadinpuisto

   Located between the market square (Kauppatori) and the two Esplanadi boulevards, this small but stately park has a commanding position at the heart of the city. In the summer time it is full of people sitting on the lawn, meeting their friends and quite often also having a drink or two. In the summer there are often free concerts given by local artists on the stage close to Kauppatori, facing restaurant Kappeli. If you're walking around with an ice cream or sandwich, do watch out for the aggressive birds.

9. DoNorthern suburbs

   Helsinki Central Park

   Keskuspuisto

   This is a huge park starting just north of the Olympic Stadium and extending northwards for 10 km. It encompasses an area of over 1,000 hectares. The park is mostly in a natural state, with plenty of walkways, bikeways, riding paths and sports facilities including Pirkkola Sports Park (ice hockey, swimming, running) and Paloheinä (skiing, golf). A popular jogging area.

10. SeeEastern suburbs

    Helsinki Heart Stone

    Helsingin sydänkivi

    This stone lies at the geographical centre of Helsinki. After using public transport, you will have to continue your journey on foot, as it is in the middle of a forest.

11. SeeKamppi and Southwest

    Helsinki Old Church

    Helsingin Vanha Kirkko

    A neoclassical wooden church built in the early 19th century, which is the oldest church in central Helsinki. It's in the middle of the Park of the Old Church, which is also known as the Plague Park (Ruttopuisto) because it was used as a cemetery for many of the victims of the plague of 1710.

12. DoWest

    Hietaniemi Beach

    It's safe to say that most people don't come to Helsinki for the beaches, but on a hot summer day in July Hietsu (as it is known to locals) is a good place to be. Beach volleyball, swimming and various events are popular. It's wide city center sand beach and moreover, surrounded with large park area, where people sunbathe and picnic in the summer time.

13. SeeCentral

    Kaisaniemi Park

    Kaisaniemen puisto

    In Kaisaniemi, north-east of the Central railway station. It has a bad reputation of a place where you might get assaulted, however in the daytime it's not more dangerous than any other place in Helsinki. The park has facilities for playing football (soccer) and tennis and is home to some events in the summer, most notably the morning of first of May and the festival "Maailma kylässä" in late May. It also holds Helsinki University's Botanical Garden (entrance from Kaisaniemenranta on the northern side).

14. SeeSouth

    Kaivopuisto

    A beautiful park by the sea in the southernmost part of the city. In summer you might want to sit down for a cup of coffee in one of the seaside cafes and enjoy the view of sailboats and the people on the promenade. Housing surrounding this area is the most expensive in Helsinki.

15. DoKamppi and Southwest

    Kasinonranta Beach, Lauttasaari

    A popular place in summer with a large playground for children and a pleasant café Kasinonranta (in summer season open M-F 15:00-19:00, Sa Su 10:00-19:00). At the beach and the park around you can picnic, kick a ball, play a beach volleyball, swim, canoe or skatefurf. In winter it is possible to snowkite here or hike, skate or cross country ski on frozen sea around Lauttasaari island and even reach some nearby islands.

16. SeeEastern suburbs

    Korkeasaari

    Helsinki's zoo, with approximately 150 different animal species. The zoos signature animals are the bears, the free-roaming peafowls and the cats (from tigers and lions to European wildcats). Another highlight is Amazonia, a partly underground house featuring tropical plants and smaller animals such as fish and frogs. Opened in 1889, Korkeasaari is reportedly one of the world's oldest operating zoos. Korkeasaari is connected to the mainland by bridges via Kulosaari and Mustikkamaa islands, and since spring 2016 pedestrians and bikers can take a shortcut from Kalasatama; the Isoisänsilta (lit. Grandfather bridge). From downtown, bus 16 takes you to the gates of the zoo, and if you're driving, you can park for free on Mustikkamaa. During summer you can also opt for a 15-min ferry ride (ferry ticket: €6.95 return, under 18 yr old travel for free) from Hakaniemi and Market Square.

    Every day except Christmas Eve: 10:00-20:00, may operate shorter hours on holidays·€14 adults, €10 children and students

17. DoInner East

    Linnanmäki

    The oldest amusement park in Finland, famous for its wooden roller coaster. Entrance to the park is free of charge, all-day passes €42. Open only during the summer, however the adjacent Sea Life aquarium and the Peacock theatre (not a traditional theatre but rather a venue for musicals and slightly Las Vegas-like shows) at Tivolikuja 1 is open throughout the year. In middle October, the amusement park holds a week-long closing ceremony where just about everything, particularly the rides, is illuminated with colourful lighting. The ceremony holds live music events in late evening and there is a fireworks show at the very end just before the park closes down for the winter.

18. SeeKamppi and Southwest

    Lönnrotinpuistikko

    A tiny little park next to the Old church. In the middle there's a statue of 19th century author and scientist Elias Lönnrot (author of Kalevala, the Finnish national epic).

19. DoNorthern suburbs

    Malminkartano Apple Garden

    Malminkartanon Omenatarha

    There are 350 trees in Malminkartano garden. Most are apple trees, but there are also pear, plum and cherry trees. Guests are free to pick fruit from the trees.

20. DoEastern suburbs

    Mustavuori forest and Östersundom bird waters

    Mustavuoren lehto ja Östersundomin lintuvedet

    The area is protected under the European Union's Natura 2000 ecological network program. There are many different forest types and bird species here.

21. SeeSouth

    Pihlajasaari

    Few tourists find their way here, but this is a very popular summer spot for Helsinkians, with sandy beaches (including a mixed nude beach) and a restaurant dishing out cold beer and ciders. Ferries run from Merisatama pier at the southern end of Kaivopuisto Park (tram 3) hourly from 09:30 to 20:30, 10-15 min, €5.50 return.

22. SeeNorthern suburbs

    Rhododendron park

    Alppiruusupuisto

    Helsinki University's rhododendron research garden in the Haaga district is also a public park that you can visit around the year. Best time to for visiting are in early or mid-June when the rhododendrons bloom.

23. SeeEastern suburbs

    Roihuvuori Cherry Park and Japanese garden

    Kirsikkapuisto, Roihuvuoren japanilaistyylinen puutarha

    Two adjacent Japanese-style parks in Roihuvuori. The best time to visit is in the spring during the cherry blossom when a traditional Japanese hanami is celebrated.

24. DoKamppi and Southwest

    Salmisaaren Liikuntakeskus

    New sports mall in Helsinki, includes indoor beach, bowling, ice hockey, wall climbing, gym, Megazone, restaurant and lots more...

25. SeeWest

    Seurasaari Open Air Museum

    Fölisön

    A pleasant little island to the north of the centre, filled with walking trails and a living history museum of authentic old Finnish houses collected from all over the country. An excellent half-day trip, especially in the summer, when many buildings have museum staff who practice crafts in traditional dress. There's a very pleasant if somewhat pricey summer café/restaurant atop a small hill at the center of the island. Entry to the park free, entry into the museum buildings costs €6 (€5 concession), buy tickets at entrance. Take bus 24 from Erottaja at the northern end of Esplanadi to the terminus (20–30 minutes), then walk across the bridge. Beware of mercenary squirrels that will raid your bags if you carry any food and gulls that take shares of your ice cream. closed for the 2025 season due to budget cuts..

26. SeeWest

    Sibelius Monument

    The world-famous composer Jean Sibelius' monument was designed by sculptress Eila Hiltunen and unveiled in 1967. It is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Helsinki as nearly every guided tourist tour is brought to Sibelius Park to marvel at this unique work of art resembling organ pipes, welded together from 600 pipes and weighing over 24 metric tons.

27. DrinkCentral

    Strindberg

    One of the oldest and most historic cafés of Helsinki. Great terrace on the posh Pohjoisesplanadi with views of the Esplanadi park, restaurant on the 2nd floor. Also high-quality pastries and modern Nordic food and drink. Very popular among locals.

    Restaurant: Mon–Fri 11:30–23:00, Sat 13:00–23:00; café: Mon–Thu 09:00–20:00, Fri 09:00–21:00, Sat 10:00–21:00, Sun 12:00–19:00·Lunch €12–29; main courses €24–38; café €15–18

28. DoKruununhaka and Katajanokka

    Tervasaari

    Popular recreation area next to the city centre. Includes restaurant Savu, a kid's playground, a dogpark with a designated swimming beach for dogs, a summer theatre and a rug washing pier.

29. DoInner East

    Tokoinranta

    A park north-west of Hakaniemi, which in August turns into an outdoor scene during the Helsingin Juhlaviikot cultural festival. Check out the City theatre, and if you understand Finnish or Swedish, go see a theatre performance.

30. SeeWest

    Töölönlahti

    This is a bay surrounded by a nice park that is dotted with attractions such as the Finlandia Concert Hall and the National Opera. Töölönlahti is partly in a natural state which is quite rare in major cities. Walking and jogging around the bay is a popular outdoor activity.

31. EatCentral

    Unicafe Ylioppilasaukio

    The biggest and most centrally located student restaurant and cafeteria is only a two-minute walk away from the main railway station. The standard lunch price (including drink, bread and salad buffet) is €8, there is also a "light" option (soup and salad) for €7 and "special" course for €9.50. Discounts apply if you happen to own a Finnish student card.

    Open Mon–Fri 11:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–17:00

32. SeeInner East

    Vanhakaupunki and Vanhakaupunki rapids

    The place where Vantaa river flows into the sea was the place where Helsinki was founded in 1550. Despite its name "Old Town", don't expect to find any medieval buildings there, as the area was devastated by a fire and a plague outbreak and subsequently the city was moved south to its current location. Nevertheless, the site of where Helsinki was founded is marked by a small memorial and nearby there's the site of the city's first church, standing from 1550 to 1639. The nearby rapids are also worth seeing.

33. BuyNorthern suburbs

    Varusteleka

    A bit outside the centre but reachable by public transport, is Europe's biggest military surplus store. Has probably the friendliest and the most knowledgeable staff you'll find in Finland. Varusteleka sells anything from modern combat gear, to 1930s Nazi leather trench coats, to very good value-for-money modern gore-tex hiking coats that some army somewhere had too many of.

34. DoEastern suburbs

    Vuosaarenhuippu Hill Hiking Trails

    Vuosaarenhuippu

    Plenty of routes for hikers of all levels, from easy-to-walk service roads to rocky little paths.

    Open now · open 24 hours·free

35. EatEastern suburbs

    Wanha Mylly

    Casual fine dining in the former Herttoniemi manor. Specializes in steaks, with the large Lankkupihvi steak served on a wooden platter as the house special. Extensive wine list which you wouldn't expect to find in this part of Helsinki. In the summer you can enjoy your meal in the outdoor garden if you like.

    Mon 11:00-21:00, Tue-Fri 11:00-22:00, Sat 12:00-22:00, Sun 12:00-21:00·mains €20-40, 3-course menu €50-70

36. SeeWest

    Winter Garden

    Talvipuutarha

    Tropical garden where you can see palms, cacti and flowers around the year. In the summer a nice café operates in the garden.

    Tue 09:00-15:00, Wed-Fri 12:00-15:00, Sat Sun 12:00-16:00·free

37. Do Not mapped

    Joulu

    Christmas

    In the weeks before Christmas, Aleksanterinkatu is festively lit up, the Christmas lights of the street are ceremonially lit on the last Sunday in November. The open-air Christmas market formerly held in the Esplanadi Park is nowadays held at the Senaatintori (Senate Square). The Stockmann department store sets up a Christmas themed exhibition with mechanic dolls and animals in their windows at the corner of Keskuskatu and Aleksanterinkatu. Christmas is a family event, so on the 24th, everything shuts down and stays closed until December 26.

38. SeeCentral Not mapped

    Metsätalo

    This university building has been described as having both functionalist and classicist elements. It was designed by Jussi Paatela, finished in 1939 and its first users were the State Forest Research Institute (Metsätutkimuslaitos) and Helsinki University's faculty for forest science, and that's where the building's name — "the forest house" — came from. Nowadays the building houses the linguistics and philology faculties.

39. DoEastern suburbs

    Porvariskuningas Beach

    Porvariskuninkaan uimaranta

    Kuninkaansormuksen polku

40. DoEastern suburbs

    Sipoonkorpi National Park

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Helsinki (CC BY-SA 4.0).