Day trips from Helsinki Helsinki | Espoo | Vantaa | Lake Tuusula | Lohja | Hyvinkää | Raseborg | Porvoo | Loviisa | Hämeenlinna | Salo | Kouvola | Kotka–Hamina Region | Lake Saimaa Contents Helsinki 4 Espoo 8 Vantaa 9 Lake Tuusula 10 Lohja 11 Hyvinkää 12 Raseborg 13 Porvoo 14 Loviisa 15 Hämeenlinna 16 Salo 17 Kouvola 18 Kotka-Hamina Region 19 Lake Saimaa 20 Transportation information 23 DAY TRIPS FROM HELSINKI Published and produced by Helsinki Marketing | Design and layout by Helsinki Marketing, Rebekka Lehtola | Text by Helsinki Marketing and partners | Printed in Finland by Newprint | Paper: Galerie Art Silk 250/130g | Front cover photo: © Visit Finland, Julia Kivelä; back cover: Lauri Rotko | Other photos from Helsinki Material Bank, Visit Finland Media Bank and partners. This brochure includes commercial advertising. The information within this brochure has been updated in November 2017. The publisher is not responsible for possible changes or for the accuracy of contact information, opening times, prices or other related information presented in this brochure. 2 BEAUTIFUL FINNISH NATURE Experience unforgettable moments in the heart of the Finnish wilderness. Within easy reach of the Finnish capital you can escape into wild and enjoy lovely lakes, green forests and rugged crags. www.nationalparks.fi Repovesi National Park National Park Repovesi Aku Pöllänen Visit Finland / © 3 Museums What to in Helsinki Helsinki is a treasure trove Experience for museum-goers. Must-see museums in the city centre include the Helsinki Art Museum HAM and the Helsinki in Helsinki? City Museum. Ateneum and Kiasma also offer world- class art experiences. Why not reserve a day just for the elsinki is a surprising city in the North that enchants museums! visitors with its diverse urban culture, the proximity hamhelsinki.fi of nature and its friendliness. Located between helsinginkaupunginmuseo.fi H ateneum.fi East and West, and absorbing influences from both kiasma.fi sides, Helsinki is a dynamic city that combines trends and traditions in its own special way. Layers of fine architecture, functional design, a diverse food culture and numerous events offer experiences in all seasons of the year. A high level of expertise and lively start-up culture are part of the identity of our vibrant city. The laid-back rhythm of relaxed and compact Helsinki will take you away. Cycle around Helsinki with city bikes Helsinki has city bikes for summer (May–October), allowing visitors to explore the urban nature and maritime scenery on two wheels. hsl.fi/citybikes City bikes © Visit Finland / Julia Kivelä © bikes City 4 Recreational Island of Vallisaari The island of Vallisaari is situated next to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. Formerly used by the Finnish Defence Forces, the island is known for its beautiful nature with diverse flora. The ferry connection from the Market Square operates daily in summer. nationalparks.fi/en/ vallisaari New: WILD Market Halls Wild offers small por- Traditional market halls tions and snacks made and open-air markets are from wild ingredients still a part of everyday and game. Try the forest life among locals. Market mushroom pie, bolete halls offer a big and tasty toffee- chocolate cake selection of fresh ingre- and chocolate confec- dients, especially fish. tions flavoured with Just as appealing is the dried insect larva! chance to leisurely stroll among the market stalls In just a short time Helsin- Classic: Ateljé Finne Mikonkatu 6, inside TRE ki has developed into the Named after the Finnish and enjoy a cup of coffee. home of great food. “New sculptor Gunnar Finne, Fine dining: Olo Old Market Hall, Eteläranta Nordic Cuisine” has taken this refined local Olo is a modern Nor- Hakaniemi Market Hall, over the scene, and res- restaurant is a lovely dic gourmet cuisine Hämeentie 1a taurants that have been architectural gem in the restaurant in the heart Hietalahti Market Hall, established in recent Etu-Töölö district. The of Helsinki. The menu Lönnrotinkatu 34 years favour fresh, local people behind Finne follows the yearly cycle and seasonal ingredients. know that simple is of nature, bringing to the When chefs themselves beautiful, Finnish food table only what is best at fall in love with simple is delicious, and great a given time. The restau- ingredients, visitors to service is essential! rant has had a Michelin their restaurants also get Arkadiankatu 14 star since 2011. to taste local flavours at Pohjoisesplanadi 5 their finest. 5 Design for life Minimalistic, functional and DESIGN DISTRICT HELSINKI DESIGN WALK clean Finnish design has is a cluster of creative business- Discover the Design District on enjoyed an enviable interna- es that is full of fascinating de- foot! The Helsinki Design Walk is tional reputation for decades. sign attractions and a Mecca for a two-hour guided tour in English Helsinki has always been the fans of Finnish Design. It com- of the top design sights. Tours hot spot when it comes to prises 25 streets and 200 spots are organised on Fridays at 3pm Finnish design. Get inspired on the map, including design and throughout the year and last by the tips offered by Finnish antique shops, art galleries and approximately 2.5 hours. design experts! museums, restaurants, hotels, happyguidehelsinki.com design studios and more. TORI QUARTER designdistrict.fi The “new old town” in the histori- Look for cal centre of Helsinki is being re- this juvenated. Old offices are being © Marimekko sticker converted into spaces for new to find Finnish design and fashion businesses. design! torikorttelit.fi Main Events in Helsinki 2018 dents and companies to all who are in August to listen to the most inter- red pepper and delicious dark bread interested. esting performers from Finland and in the archipelago style. helsinkisaunaday.fi abroad. stadinsilakkamarkkinat.fi flowfestival.com/en May, Cleaning Day October, Carnival of Light Cleaning Day is a celebration for Aug–Sep, Helsinki Festival The Carnival of Light illuminates Hel- friends of flea markets and recycling. Finland’s largest arts festival will sinki’s legendary amusement park The neatest festival of the year provide a diverse programme of Linnanmäki. Visitors are entertained transforms the city into giant sec- events throughout the city, with ex- throughout the carnival by quality ond-hand markets. periences ranging from classical to entertainment for older and younger siivouspaiva.com world music and pop, from drama to audiences alike, as brilliant perform- contemporary dance, and from visu- ers take to the stage. 26–27 May, World Village Festival al art to film and children’s events. linnanmaki.fi This free-of-charge event offers a helsinginjuhlaviikot.fi wide range of art and activities for November, Baltic Circle Festival the entire family, including music, 6–16 Sep, Helsinki Design Week Baltic Circle offers high-quality dance, theatre, debates, literature The biggest design event in Northern theatre performances, workshops, Lux Helsinki © Kirsi Tuura and exotic food. Europe, offers a meeting place and discussions, an exhibition and a maailmakylassa.fi/english discussion forum for design profes- lovely festival lounge. sionals and enthusiasts alike. balticcircle.fi 12 June, Helsinki Day 6–10 Jan, Lux Helsinki helsinkidesignweek.com The most exciting artists from The city centre will be filled with December, Helsinki Christmas Finland and all around the world will people, music and events marking 20–30 September, Love & Anarchy Market create inspiring light installations in Helsinki’s birthday. Film Festival There are over 100 booths selling city centre. helsinkipaiva.fi Cinema fans can enjoy a rich festival Finnish craft, design and Christmas programme that consists of new delicacies It’s also the home to many luxhelsinki.fi June–July, Tuska Festival films from well-known filmmakers traditional as well as more modern The biggest heavy metal festival in 29 Jan–4 Feb, DocPoint Festival and fresh talents alike. gift ideas and home items. Northern Europe features some of Enjoy the best Finnish and interna- hiff.fi tuomaanmarkkinat.fi tional documentaries of the year. The the biggest Finnish and international programme also includes seminars, names in metal. 7–13 October, Baltic Herring Market 31 December, New Year’s Eve lectures, workshops and concerts. tuska-festival.fi This traditional market has been Tens of thousands of people gather docpoint.info held in the Market Square yearly to celebrate and enjoy a programme 10–12 August, Flow Festival since 1743. You can find salted her- consisting of musical performances, 10 March, Helsinki Sauna Day This annual music and urban culture ring, a delicious selection of herring traditional speeches, greetings and Helsinki Sauna Day opens the doors event attracts thousands to Helsinki marinades from rowan berries to singing. The festivities culminate in to the private saunas of local resi- brilliant fireworks. 6 Helsinki is one of the greenest metropolises in the world: over one third of the city consists of parks and other green areas. There are also 42 nature reserves in the city. The city’s many parks are enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. In win- tertime they are used for skiing and in summertime for jogging and picnics. PARK LIFE! Central Park (Keskuspuisto) A favourite among outdoor enthusiasts, this park stretches far to the north from the city Explore centre and is the nearest place to experience the authentic Finnish forest in Helsinki. the Urban Töölönlahti Take a walk through the park around the bay and past the Helsinki Music Centre, Finlandia Hall and the Finnish National Opera. Nature Kaivopuisto Enjoy the fine views to the sea from atop the hill in Helsinki’s most popular park. Helsinki Central Park © Kuvio Oy Park Helsinki Central complex consists of three Maritime dreams saunas: one smoke sauna and two wood-heated saunas. The Over 100 kilometres of shore- terrace area includes a café line and around 300 islands and a restaurant open all year – the proximity of the sea round.