Top 5 islands to visit in Helsinki

16.4.2025 0 Like 0 kommenttia

Getting some fresh air and exploring the surrounding nature is always a good idea for an art student! Student ambassador Snowdrop recommends islands to experience in Helsinki.

Are you looking for adventure? Are you feeling stuffy in the city and yearn for something more? Helsinki isn’t only concrete and bussle. It is also an archipelago consisting of around 330 islands where the beauties of nature await you. I’m gonna be recommending places you can explore for that island paradise getaway I hope this article gets you dreaming about. I also included some paintings I made of these islands.

Suomenlinna

Visiting Suomenlinna is like stepping into a military themed fairytale village. It is a sea fortress which began construction in the mid 18th century. Construction was started by the Swedes when Finland was a property of the Swedish kingdom then it got handed over to the Russians who continued construction before Finland received it after it got independence. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Nowadays, it is an idyllic island with the remnants of its past visible to visitors and its inhabitants. It is a wonderful place to explore no matter the season. It boasts a museum dedicated to the island’s history, a lovely art gallery called The HAA gallery, a library, cafes, a glass workshop, and least we forget, a sea fortress consisting of eight islands. It is also blessed with rocky shores, the sea, hills, and more. There is much to enjoy and become inspired by in Suomenlinna. Getting to Suomenlinna is easy as the HSL bus ticket works for the ferry that goes there. The stop is located at Kauppatori and the ferry trip is only 15 minutes. The picture was taken of me by my friend, Jing, when we went exploring Suomenlinna in the fall!

Seurasaari

Seurasaari is a feast of experiences. Just as the name suggests in Finnish, it truly is company island. In seurasaari, the super friendly squirrels, the birds, the bats (it boasts Helsinki’s most diverse bat habitat), herb-rich forests, flora, and more will be your company. The island also hosts a lovely open air museum founded in 1909 that serves as a protector of rural Finnish homes across the whole country from the end of the 17th century to the 20th century. A nudist beach, barbecue spot, nature reserve, and more can also be found on the island. During midsummer, the island is a site for bonfire celebrations. Seurasaari can be accessed via a walkable bridge that connects it to the mainland.

Harakka

Harakka is a paradise of birds and biodiversity. It is a popular spot amongst nesting birds so much so that from the first of April to the fifteenth of August the southern end of the island is closed. The island has four nature reserves. There are walking trails and bird watching sites that will water your love for nature. The island also has a nature centre where you can talk to the staff, borrow research and birdwatching equipment, and look at the exhibitions there. While at Harakka, you can be a scientist and assist the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility (FinBIF) by recording your species observations on an app called iNaturalist. The app helps you to identify the species and confirmed observations are recorded at FinBIF. Not only is there science at the island, there is also the arts. Studio spaces are lended to artists by the city of Helsinki, and exhibitions are organised in Galleria Lennätin, and in other spaces. The island has a designated fire area and no public beach, although you can still take a dip on the west side. During the summer, you can reach Harakka from the Ullanlinna pier. The ferry runs from April to October.

Lauttasaari

If you are yearning for a bit of civilization after frolicking with the birds in Harakka. Why not check out the island of the happy, also known as Lauttasaari. It is a residential area that boasts accessibility to the sea, and beach. Lauttasaari is a popular relaxation spot amongst people from Helsinki. It also has diverse architecture, its oldest dating back to the 1700s. Lauttasaari has its own day celebrated day on the island in August. You can get to Lauttasaari with the usual transportation links.

Sisä-Hattu

While at Lauttasaari, you might see a small islet called Sisä-Hattu which only becomes accessible when the seawater level is low, allowing people to walk to the island via an underwater neck of land. The island is rocky and has some plants. Essentially, you walk on water to reach an unhabited rock. A place of solitude and reflection as you remember all the beautiful gifts of nature you have experienced in Helsinki.