Espoo

Espoo is Finland's second-largest city, framed by the Baltic Sea with its archipelago on one side and Nuuksio National Park on the other. That puts a good slice of Finland's culture and landscapes in one place.

Quick facts

• Population: 292,796 (Dec 31, 2020)
• Area: 528.16 km²
• Location: in southern Finland, in the Uusimaa region on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, west of the capital Helsinki
• Settlement structure: part of the capital region agglomeration of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen, but politically independent

History: a transformation in a short time

The area of present-day Espoo has been settled since around 7000 BC. The first written mention of the town dates from 1431.

Well into the 20th century, Espoo remained rural. In 1929, 70% of its roughly 9,000 inhabitants still spoke Swedish. Its population and demographics only began to change in the 1950s, as neighboring Helsinki expanded. Espoo wasn't granted city status until 1972.

A city between sea and forest

Espoo could be called Finland in miniature. To the south lies an unspoiled coastline with an archipelago of 165 islands. To the north, Nuuksio National Park reaches into the city itself and draws nature lovers all year round for sport and relaxation.

Espoo is a versatile destination that lets you combine a city break with a nature holiday.

By the way: there are 95 lakes within the city limits!

The top activities in Espoo

While Espoo's population is concentrated mainly in the southern part of the city, the north is rural and largely taken up by Nuuksio National Park. So you can choose freely between cultural activities and trips into nature.

Haltia Nature Centre

The Haltia Nature Centre makes an excellent starting point for hikes into Nuuksio National Park. The visitor center has exhibitions on Finland's natural landscapes, and the trails begin right outside the door.

Events, opening hours and tickets are listed on the center's website.

Serena Water Park

Serena is the largest water park in Scandinavia. Families can enjoy the water slides, whirlpools and wave pools all year round. There is also a ski school at the park, a welcome change of pace from the pools. If you prefer things warm, relax on a sun terrace or try the sauna carved into the rock face.

Espoo Museum of Modern Art (EMMA)

EMMA is a museum of modern art and the largest museum in all of Finland. It's housed in a converted old printing works, the WeeGee building, which also contains the Espoo City Museum, the Finnish Museum of Horology, the Finnish Toy Museum, a café and several other cultural institutions.

Espoo Cultural Centre

The Espoon kulttuurikeskus is a cultural center in the Tapiola district. It houses the Tapiola library, the Espoo music academy, the city orchestra, the cultural office and the city's adult education center. It also hosts all kinds of art and cultural events.

Suvisaaristo: the archipelago in southern Espoo

Suvisaaristo is a district in the southwest of Espoo and a group of islands in the Gulf of Finland. The islands are a summer retreat for locals and tourists alike. So if you suddenly feel the urge to escape the city, you don't have far to go for hiking, sailing, fishing or simply lazing in the sun.

The archipelago is served by bus line 145. Coming from Helsinki, you can take the metro to Matinkylä and change to that bus there.

From June to August, public boats then run to the larger islands such as Pentala and Iso Vasikkasaari. You can even reach the following islands by car:

• Furuholm
• Maisö
• Ramsö
• Skataholmen
• Svartholm

Of particular cultural interest is the museum island of Pentala, where 15 wooden buildings show how the fishermen of earlier times lived.

Nuuksio National Park: where city and nature blur

If you like lakes, forests and hiking, heading north from Espoo pays off too. Nuuksio National Park is a recreation area in nature, right on the doorstep of the city, for tourists and locals alike.

The terrain is dominated by valleys and gorges carved during the ice age. The park sits on the boundary between two vegetation zones, the mixed deciduous-coniferous forest and the boreal coniferous forest. So you're surrounded by a mix of conifers and broadleaf trees alongside bare, lichen-covered rocky hills.

A wide range of animals also lives in the park, among them the Siberian flying squirrel, the emblem of Nuuksio National Park.

More than 80 small lakes and ponds, some ringed by bogs with brown water, others larger and wonderfully clear, invite you to canoe, kayak or fish. There are also plenty of marked hiking trails with lovely viewpoints.

Whether it's a day trip, a camping holiday or a longer stay in one of the many log cabins or lakeside hotels, Nuuksio National Park has activities for every taste.

No car needed! Connections and getting around

Espoo is well connected to Helsinki and the rest of Finland. The southern part of the city is linked to central Helsinki by the Länsiväylä motorway, and the Helsinki region's commuter rail network runs through Espoo. Public transport will also get you to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Long-distance trains stop in the Espoon keskus district.

In summer, the city is good for cycling. City bikes can be rented at 476 city bike stations around town.

Otherwise, the very well developed public transport system is the easiest way to get from A to B. Trams in particular are the city's main mode of transport, and riding them is a good way to see the city along the way.

The best shopping centers

Espoo has no shortage of places to shop. Besides the city's seven shopping centers, there are plenty of small shops and boutiques, for example in the Tapiola district.

Examples include:

• Iso Omena Shopping Centre
• Sello Shopping Centre
• Espoontori Shopping Centre
• Lippulaiva Shopping Centre

Supermarkets such as Alepa, K-Supermarket and Lidl are spread across the whole city and easy to find.

Restaurants and cafés that REALLY deliver

Bistro Ranta, €€-€€€

This restaurant serves Scandinavian and European cuisine in Otaniemi, Espoo.

A bonus: the lovely view over the bay.

Rioni, €€-€€€

This very popular Georgian restaurant also works well for vegetarians and vegans. If you want to try dishes made from original Georgian recipes in a warm atmosphere, this is the place.

Bembolen Kahvitupa, €€-€€€

This restaurant and café serves coffee and snacks alongside warm local cooking, for example elk in every variation!

Cafe Regatta, €

If you fancy a warm cinnamon bun in a small, quiet café, come here. The little hut by the water also has an unusual charm all of its own.

Accommodation: spoiled for choice!

Espoo has no real city center, but several smaller hotspots such as the garden district of Tapiola, which has grown into the city's cultural heart over recent decades.

If you're looking for a place to stay in Espoo, it's worth deciding whether you'd rather be close to the capital, near the national park or on the coast.

The good news: there's a wide choice of hotels and holiday apartments!

Here's a list of recommended and unusual places to stay:

• Hotel Matts
• Hotel Korpilampi
• Haltia Lake Lodge
• Hawkhill Cottage Resort
• Hotel Hanaholmen
• Original Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden
• Tentsile Experience EcoCamp

Good to know

You'll get by just fine in Finland with English. Still, the locals appreciate it if you've learned a few words of Finnish!

• Hello: Hei!
• Bye: Heippa!
• Yes: kyllä
• No: ei
• Thank you: Kiitos!
• Please / You’re welcome: Ole hyvä!
• Cheers: Kippis!
• Excuse me: Anteeksi

Conclusion

Espoo is a city with plenty to do. The national park and the coastal landscape offer lots of variety, which can make a holiday in the Finnish capital region something quite special!

Frequently asked questions

More cities in Finland

Credits:
Lev Karavanov / bigstockphoto.com
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Hivaka / depositphotos.com
karavanov / depositphotos.com

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