Welcome to the nature capital of Europe!

Welcome to Helsinki, the nature capital of Europe! Can you think of any other metropolis where a nature experience awaits only 15 minutes away and traveling to the peaceful solitude of wilderness or a marine island takes about half an hour – with public transportation?

Finns dearly love the urban outdoors life style. When nature is ever-present, it can be easily enjoyed even in the midst of everyday life. Did you know, that there are two national parks within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, and within a one-and-a-half-hour travel radius, there are as many as seven of them? Antti Huttunen from the Retkipaikka.fi website reveals his personal lush favourite trip destinations to travellers. Take note of these hints – a world of experiences is guaranteed!

Habituated squirrels, open-air museum and a memorable midsummer celebration

The Seurasaari Island in the heart of Helsinki is a wonderful outdoor destination for families. The island is known for its squirrels that are not afraid of people. In addition to the squirrels, the island is inhabited by, for example, various species of ducks, geese, mute swans, rabbits and in the summer, sheep. The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum displays wooden structures from the 17th to the 19th century from around Finland. The oldest of these buildings is the old church of Karuna (1686) which is still a popular venue for wedding ceremonies. In addition, there is a summer restaurant and two swimming beaches, one of which is a nudist beach, on the island. On Midsummer Eve, an atmospheric midsummer celebration is organised at the Seurasaari Island. The celebration culminates in a traditional midsummer wedding and lighting up the bonfire.

Take with you: children and a packed lunch! 

Helsinki’s green lungs, primeval forest and arboretum

Helsinki Central Park is a true treasure in the middle of the city. The park area that splits the entire city enables travelling all the way up to Lapland through green areas, even if one would begin the journey from the Helsinki Music Centre at the very centre of the city. The sections of the park at the end of downtown Helsinki offer a magnificent network of paths and trails for exercisers whether they are moving by foot, by bicycle, on horseback or on skis. The real pearls of the Central Park, Haltiala primeval forest and Niskala arboretum, can be found in the northern section of the area near to the airport. It is unbelievable how you can change the hustle and bustle of the city to something that feels like another time and place in the blink of an eye – the peace of the primeval forest with its duckboards, groves and glacial erratic boulders. The extensive collection of tree species of the Niskala arboretum covers more than 750 species from all over the world; the nature trail offers intriguing information on trees for both children and adults.

Take with you: open mind, good shoes

Best sunsets in the city

The Uutela nature park is unknown even too many people who have been born and bred in Helsinki. However, a trip to eastern Helsinki is definitely worthwhile: you can admire the best sunsets on the rocky shore of the cape tip, and the trails that run along the shoreline and its coves are perfect for calm trekking. In Uutela, you can find two marked nature trails whose total length is approximately four kilometres.

Take with you: the stress you want to get rid of, a picnic blanket

Public transportation to the wilderness

Memorable experiences are guaranteed in the Nuuksio National Park. The traffic connections of the area probably tell something about Finns’ relationship with nature – can you think of another European metropolis where you can travel to the wilderness by public transportation? The unique area and its lakes, ponds, groves, ravines, swamps and rocks offers only the best for trekkers around the year, and there are plenty of things to do: you can trek, ski, fish, ride a bicycle or a horse, climb, pick berries or mushrooms, swim and go in for geocaching. You can also spend the night in a tent, a lean-to or in a reservable hut.

Take with you: sausage or traditional buns to be cooked over a campfire

Wild archipelago nature and island hopping

The islands by the Cities of Helsinki and Espoo offer experiences for everyone. The extensive vessel network enables easy transportation between locations and many routes allow you to move from island to island on a ‘hop-on, hop-off’ basis. Good places to start including:

The unique sea fortress of Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Finland’s most popular travel destinations. The island is home to a wide variety of cafés and restaurants, and many concerts and cultural events are organised there.

The old military island of Vallisaari is a splendid trip destination a 20-minute boat trip away from Helsinki Market Square. The fortifications, the buildings and the wonderfully diverse range of species of the area tell a fascinating story of the coexistence of people and nature. The guided tours allow you to enter areas that are restricted from the public.

The little, sympathetic island of Lonna houses a restaurant that serves modern insular dishes, a waffle parlour with a covered terrace and a public sauna. At the beginning of August, the three-day Magnesia Festival, which offers visitors yoga, meditation, music and well-being workshops, is organised on the island.

Take with you: sun lotion