Responsible local tourism in your home town

TOP10 TIPS FOR A SUMMER IN ESPOO

Domestic travel is in this summer, and there are so many things to do in and around your home town. The region’s responsible tourism operators welcome you to have active and safe experiences. Why go abroad when there’s no place like home? Here are our 10 tips for a summer’s day or an overnight stay in Espoo and nearby.

Photo: Marjaana Tasala

By the sea:

• See the archipelago in Pentala - jump onboard an archipelago boat and travel to the historical Pentala Island to get to know what life used to be like in the archipelago and learn about moonshine smugglers in Espoo's waters. Archipelago museum Pentala has interesting guided tours and, afterwards, you can enjoy the archipelago's delicacies for lunch at Archipelago Restaurant Paven. A nature trail guides you through the island, and you have two options for swimming: the Diksand sandy beach by the sea or a lake in the middle of the island. You can also take the archipelago boats to other islands. Schedules are available in HSL's Journey Planner.
• Floating water park and sauna raft at water sports park Laguuni — enjoy a summer’s day in Finland’s first floating water park and warm up in the heat of the sauna raft. Laguuni and its partners want to protect the Baltic Sea, so they offer a free kayak in the spirit of Baltic Sea plogging for anyone who wants to participate in collecting trash from the sea and beaches. Why not grab the Visit Espoo kayak and take a plogging trip to clean up our beloved Baltic Sea.
• Admire Espoo from the sky or by the sea — Lucy in the Sky’s terrace in Keilaniemi, above the roofs in Espoo, opens up to magnificent views. The casual bistro atmosphere is suitable for relaxed and urban vacationers. The Espoo Waterfront Walkway has numerous atmospheric seaside restaurants and cafés with plenty of delicacies and good mood. Stop by on your evening walk or plan a special trip to Espoo’s very own beach boulevard. The bravest can hop on a RIB boat for the fastest ride of the summer!

In the forest:

• A local cottage staycation at the Hawkhill Resort in Nuuksio — enjoy a luxurious couple of days nearby at the Nuuksio national park in Vihti, practically by your own pond. Hawkhill is a responsible and ecological actor that also organises additional services from wild herb courses to forest excursions — why not spice up your dinner with wild herbs you picked yourself? Or would you like to experience something unique with your friends? Wine in the Woods wine tasting is a lovely combination of nature and ecological quality wines.
• Rent a Fatbike or a kayak — Natura Viva’s rental locations by Haukkalampi and Korpilampi ponds in Nuuksio have Fatbikes, kayaks and SUP boards. Explore the forests or a peaceful pond. If you get hungry at Haukkalampi, head to Café Silva for some snacks and a sauna that’s available for rent.
• Lapland in Espoo and miniature Finland — if you cannot make it up north right now, stop by and feed the reindeer at Nuuksio Reindeer Park and experience nature from the entire Finland at Finnish Nature Centre Haltia where you can check out the new exhibition to virtually experience the life of a flying squirrel. It’s also easy to hike one of Nuuksio’s marked trails right next to Haltia or even a bit further during the same trip. Check the location of campfires beforehand.
• Espoo’s neighbours Vihti and Kirkkonummi have many fantastic nature destinations. You should definitely check out the Porkkalanniemi and Meiko areas in Kirkkonummi and visit the Nuuksio national park from the Vihti side for a change, for example, from Nuuksio’s northern gate in the Salmi recreational area.

Culture and sports:

• Culture for all senses — four museums and UFO house Futuro in one go at Exhibition Centre Weegee. Reserve some time for your visit, as during just one visit, you can check out quality international modern art at EMMA, Espoo’s local history at KAMU, childhood toys at Finnish toy museum Hevosenkenkä and the stories told by clocks at the Finnish museum of horology. Your staycation is crowned by an overnight stay on your own island surrounded by art and good food in Hotel Hanaholmen where you can end the night by gazing at the sea on a gorgeous seaside terrace.
• Spend an adventure day in Leppävaara — climb the treetops and play a round of adventure golf at Treetop Adventure Huippu, take the smallest family members to the Angry Birds playground or a skatepark and dip into the pool at Leppävaara lido. Leppävaara sports park has something for people of all ages.
• A local bike tour — test the REITTI 2000 route running through four municipalities, Nuuksio’s challenging biking routes or do an urban tour. Stop for a picnic or at a beach café and return home for the night — or spend the night at Congress Wellness Hotel Långvik in Kirkkonummi and wash away the dirt of your bike ride in the spa. If you crave a more exotic experience, you can forget all about festival tents and spend your night under the summer sky in a tree at Tentsile Experience EcoCamp in Nuuksio.

In addition:

• "Support your local" — if you couldn’t find a suitable destination on this list, check out more tips from Visit Espoo’s website. There’s plenty to do and you can support a local entrepreneur at the same time!

All destinations in Espoo: visitespoo.fi 

P.S. If you want to be a local tourist, download our free DayTripster App Espoo to find out what Espoo has to offer anytime and anywhere. Follow our ready-made themed tours or tailor your visit to suit your preferences.