Skip to content

Otaniemi campus area for international congresses

Welcome to organise an international congress or seminar on the Otaniemi campus in Espoo! Otaniemi area, just 10 minutes from Helsinki, is the centre of research and science in Espoo, where most of our city's international scientific conferences are held. The compact area provides a modern and effective conference location with everything you need within walking distance. 

Aalto University's main building Dipoli, the Undergraduate Center, Väre, and the university's other units, as well as Technopolis, offer numerous modern venue options. Within walking distance, you will find several accommodation options for your event.

The video below summarises the opportunities and capacities for organising congresses in the area. At the same time, you can see from a bird's eye view how close the services are to each other and how the Baltic Sea surrounds the area.

 
Largest technology hub in the Nordic countries

Otaniemi is home to Finland's leading university of science and technology, Aalto University, and its main campus. Aalto University is known internationally as a multidisciplinary science and art community in technical sciences, business, and the arts. Also, VTT - Technical Research Centre of Finland, one of Europe's leading research institutions, keeps its home in the area.

Both Aalto and VTT significantly impact Espoo's popularity as a congress destination thanks to their extensive international networks and active researchers and experts who invite these important scientific events to Espoo.

Otaniemi area also forms the core of the largest technology hub in the Nordic countries. This hub includes the headquarters of several major international companies such as Kone and Neste. Moreover, Otaniemi is home to A Grid, one of Europe's largest centres for growth and startup companies.

If you want to explore Aalto University's campus in more detail, take this virtual campus tour and enjoy different thematic tours.


Congress venues

Otaniemi campus provides multiple state-of-the-art conference facilities, combining brand new buildings with iconic Alvar Aalto architecture.

Aalto University and congress venues, such as Technopolis, offer numerous modern venue options. Overall there are over 100 different-sized rooms, making it possible to find the best combination for the conference needs. 

The biggest seminar halls are at Dipoli, Aalto Univerity's main building (up to 1000 persons), and the Undergraduate centre (Aalto Hall for 570 persons). You can explore Aalto University's campus and its building with a virtual tour with thematic tours.

Although the largest single space is for 1,000 people, it is possible to hold congresses for more than 1,000 people. EURO 2022 conference is the latest reference on that. Aalto University hosts an 1800 delegate EURO 2022 conference in Otaniemi in the summer of 2022. The conference splits into different venues, and delegates fill all the Otaniemi hotels plus many in Helsinki city centre.

Contact the Visit Espoo meeting and congress team to find the space best suits your needs. With the help of our free services, you can get started on your congress project, and together we make sure you know all the options and service providers in the area. Read more about Visit Espoo's congress services.

Dipoli and other Aalto University facilities

Meeting Facilities at Technopolis Espoo


Accommodation 

Several accommodation options are within walking distance, with over 600 hotel rooms and 94 hostel rooms. 

Also, Hanaholmen often serves as one of the official conference hotels. The hotel is located in a beautiful island location, just two metro stops away. 


Sights and services in Otaniemi

Photo: restaurant Lucy in the Sky

Restaurants and cafes

Restaurant Fat Lizard and Fat Lizard brewery

The popular restaurant and beer café Fat Lizard is also known as the lounge of Otaniemi and is one of the most popular lunch places. Restaurant's à la carte menu includes salads, fresh fish dishes, vegan burgers, and pizza from their wooden oven – also gluten-free and vegan.

Few can resist combining the food with a pint of Fat Lizard's beer. Its selection on tap is vast and includes beers from other small producers. 

Make sure you also visit the beer shop and the brewery, just a stone's throw away from the restaurant itself!

Bistro Ranta

Bistro Ranta at Radisson Blu Hotel Espoo prepares tasty bistro dishes with a modern twist and offers quality beers and house wines. During summer you can dine on the terrace with a sea view. This coastal restaurant is also an ideal venue for small celebrations with seating for up to 150 people. 

Restaurant Lucy in the Sky

Lucy in the Sky is a rooftop restaurant and bar in Keilaniemi, just one metro stop or a 1,5-kilometer walk from Otaniemi. Definitely worth the short transfer! Lucy serves contemporary bistro food and a unique view on top of Accountor Tower. The glass walls provide views in all directions showcasing the best of the Helsinki region, from diverse urban landscapes to Nuuksio National Park.

The restaurant can be rented out for private functions, such as conference dinners and get together. Lucy in the Sky is perfect for 100 people for a sit-down dinner and up to 150 persons for cocktail events. 

A Bloc shopping centre

This small shopping centre is next to the Aalto University metro stop and the Väre building. A Bloc houses cafes, restaurants, shops, and the Aalto University Shop, which sells the university's branded products, literature from Aalto ARTS Books, and products created by students.


Architecture

This small shopping centre is next to the Aalto University metro stop and the Väre building. A Bloc houses cafes, restaurants, shops, and the Aalto University Shop, which sells the university's branded products, literature from Aalto ARTS Books, and products created by students.

 architectural hidden gems of Otaniemi

 

Nature and outdoors

Waterfront walkway Espoon Rantaraitti

Our coastal pride, the 40-kilometre-long Waterfront Walkway Espoon Rantaraitti, is an outdoor paradise that runs along the city's coastline. It takes you from nature reserves to beaches, marinas, and close-by museums straight from Otaniemi's shores. So why not encourage your delegates to take an early morning jog or walk before the meetings. For example, you can hop on the walkway straight from the Radisson Blu Hotel Espoo's doors. 

Archipelago boats

During summer, one of the scheduled archipelago boat harbours is next to Radisson Blu Hotel in Otaniemi. Harbour is called Otaranta, and the boat from there carries you swiftly to and from the island of Gåsgrund, Rövaren, Stora Herrö, and Iso Vasikkasaari. 

See the timetables and routes

Laajalahti Nature Reserve

This large nature reserve and bird wetland beside Otaniemi is where conference delegates can head after a long conference day. You can gaze at the splashing waves of the Baltic sea, listen to the sounds of birds, feel the crunch of the beach path under their feet, and just let the mind rest. Laajalahti is also an excellent place for nature geeks, bird watchers, joggers, and bikers who want to learn more about nature.
Starting from Otaniemi (Konemiehentie 2), there is a three-kilometre-long causeway path leading to the fair-trade café and nature centre Villa Elfvik) in Laajalahti. The 40-kilometre Espoo Waterfront Walkway takes you also to the Laajalahti Nature Reserve.

 

How to get there

Otaniemi is approximately 22 km away from the Helsinki Airport. Journey time by taxi is about 30 minutes, and the fare is around 40-50 euros. Public transport from the airport takes about an hour:

Helsinki city centre is approximately 10 kilometres from Otaniemi and can be reached by metro and bus directly from the campus.