Leppävaara district is a lively urban area where fans of outdoor activities, culture, and nature will feel right at home. The area features top sports venues, like the versatile Kameleonten arena, the Leppävaara Track and Field Stadium, and the iconic Vermo Areena, all of which host popular sports events and summer festivals yearly. While nature enthusiasts enjoy nearby Laajalahti Nature Reserve or Leppävaara's fitness trails, cultural gems such as the Gallen-Kallela Museum add to the district's charm.
This article provides information on Leppävaara's sights, attractions, activities, shopping, cafés, and restaurants.
First of all, How do you get there?
The best way to figure out your journey is to download the Helsinki Transportation HSL app. The app will show your journey from your current location to your final destination and recommend the best means of transportation, whether it is metro (underground), bus, or bike.
Local trains
Where to eat?
Comfort Hotel Sello Restaurant = is a combination of elegance and ease. The restaurant offers a daily breakfast and a home-made lunch buffet on weekdays.
Vermo Restaurant Ravilla = is a lunch restaurant with a fascinating view of the Vermo Areena horse race track. It is open on weekdays and offers a lunch buffet. Plant-based options are part of the daily menu.
Villa Lilla Restaurant = is located in a charming red wooden house and is known for its delicious food, lovely atmosphere, and warm hospitality. Their 3-course lunch menu and Saturday brunches are a must-try when visiting the Leppävaara district.
Restaurant Base = is an Espoo restaurant located in the Sello Shopping Mall. It offers homemade food for lunch in buffet form, an à la carte menu for dinner, and wine selections.
Antell Stella = is a lunch restaurant located in the Stella Business Park. It offers a weekday breakfast and lunch menu in buffet form and takeaway options.
Tarvaspää Café Zocceria = is located in a historical, charming building in the backyard of the Gallen-Kallela Museum. It serves light lunches (salad and soup-based) as well as sweet and savory treats such as cakes, bakery products, and pies. The café's menu includes vegan and gluten-free options.
What to do and experience?
Gallen-Kallela Museum = is a kmn art and history museum with temporary exhibitions on the famous Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela. Visitors may enjoy exploring the museum on their own, via guided tours, or by joining some of the seasonal programs organized by the museum staff. In the neighboring building is located Tarvaspää Café Zocceria, which offers visitors lunch menus and salty and sweet snacks.
Espoo Waterfront Walkway = Leppävaara district is partly included in the Espoo Waterfront Walkway, a 40 km long path following Espoo's seaside. Leppävaara's part of the walkway showcases a lot of greenery and the important Laajalahti Nature Reserve, a breeding home to many bird species.
Villa Elfvik & Laajalahti Nature Reserve = nature lovers must stop at the nature house Villa Elfvik, where children and adults can learn about Espoo's biodiversity. The museum has a small Café and a nature reserve with trails and educational guidance about local fauna and flora. Visitors may witness various bird species that use the nature reserve to breed during springtime. Villa Elfvik organizes guided tours on bird and bat watching, and tours for children and awareness of biodiversity.
Talin Frisbeegolf Park = visitors can enjoy a popular outdoor sports activity among Finns—frisbeegolfing. Talin Frisbeegolf Park offers an 18-hole course that is available all year round for beginners and more professional frisbeegolfers. The equipment for frisbeegolfing can be rented from some of the hotel receptions and local libraries, or purchased in local stores.
Treetop Adventure Huippu = visitors looking for tightrope walking, crawling through tunnels, balancing on nets, and crossing swaying bridges will find their place at Treetop Adventure Huippu. Children from 1 year old can enjoy net adventures. Older children and adults can try treetop walking, minigolfing, or an escape game.
Angry Birds Park for children = a free-of-charge themed park inspired by the Finnish mobile game Angry Birds, which welcomes children to enjoy outdoor playing and sports activities. The playground is open daily all year round.
Vermo Areena = besides being a venue hosting different concerts and festivals, Vermo Areena also offers guided experiences such as a stable visit or a horse tandem driving experience.
Galeria Aarni (Shopping Mall Sello) = a free-of-charge cultural space with exhibitions on photography and art by local artists.
Cycling Route Laajalahti Bay Loop (19 km) = This recommended cycling route takes visitors through the districts of Keilaniemi, Otaniemi, and Laajalahti, a loop to the Helsinki side of the bay, and a couple of city islands connected by bridges. The route is mainly gravel and follows the seaside, with a view of the Baltic Sea all around the way.
Sello Shopping Mall = offers over 160 shops in fashion, interior design, leisure, health and beauty, and plenty of cafés and restaurants. From fashion and interior design brands, visitors will find Finnish brands such as Marimekko, Finlayson, or Luhta. Popular cafés and bakeries such as Kanniston Leipomo (Kannisto Bakery) or Marian Leipomomyymälä (Marian Bakery Store) are worth a visit. Visitors can also enjoy entertainment at Finnkino cinema or bowling at BowlCircus bowling alley. During the summer season, some of the restaurants welcome their guests to summer terraces.
Leppävaara Sports Park
Leppävaara Outdoor & Indoor Swimming Hall = is a place to enjoy with a whole family. The swimming hall offers a 50-meter pool, a multi-purpose pool, a paddling pool, a water slide, saunas, beach volleyball courts, a play area, a cafeteria, and more.
Kameleonten multi-sports and event venue = is a perfect place to host various sports events, including different ball sports, indoor track and field, and gymnastics. The venue can also transform into a space for expos, concerts, and seminars.
Leppävaara Track & Field outdoor stadium = located right next to Kameleonten multi-sports and event venue, is hosting the main track and field events in Finland, including the Finnish Track & Field Championship - Kalevan Kisat in 2025.
Walking and running trails =from 2 km to 5 km long, fitness trails with outdoor fitness equipment, are available for visitors in the Leppävaara district. Trails can be enjoyed by walking or running from spring to autumn, and there are possibilities to extend them with connection routes to the directions of the Tapiola district, the Karakallio district, and the city of Vantaa. Note: Dogs are not allowed on the trails.
Cross-country Skiing tracks = During the winter season, the above-mentioned walking and running trails transform into cross-country skiing tracks (based on weather conditions). Part of the tracks has lighting, making it possible to enjoy cross-country skiing even on short winter days. Snow and track conditions are updated daily at the Outdoor Exercise Map during the winter season.
Accommodation in Leppävaara district and nearby
Hero Image: Visit Espoo / DSP Media
