Herttoniemi neighbourhood
Your gateway to nature (with a metro station)
An underrated corner of Helsinki that feels far from the bustle, yet just a few metro stops from it all: Herttoniemi is a neighbourhood that knows how to breathe. Here, on the edge of East Helsinki, life moves at a gentler pace, framed by pine forests, serene bays, and routines rooted in the outdoors. Locals walk, run, ski, swim, and repeat. And drink coffee, of course.
Into the green
It’s hard to tell where the city ends and nature begins. Herttoniemi’s lush forests and parks roll right down to the sea, creating many nature trails to choose from, whether it’s for a Helsinkian in their natural habitat (walking a dog with a coffee in hand), or a planned day trek. You can track the passing Eastern waterfront trail from Herttoniemenranta, or spot a heron on the forest paths of Kivinokka.
But it isn’t just about the wild; it’s about community. The Herttoniemi allotment garden (“siirtolapuutarha” in Finnish) bursts into life every summer, as locals tend to tomatoes, tulips and tea, enjoying a piece of cottage life in the city. In Roihuvuori Park, travellers and locals alike gather each spring for Hanami festival, when cherry trees turn the park into a pink cloud.
The real cherry on top: when it’s time to refuel, Herttoniemi offers a variety of great food spots.
and views
Islands
Stories rooted in the soil
The area’s history is quite literally carved into the landscape. Unique attractions include Herttoniemi Manor, one of Helsinki’s oldest manor houses, Kivinokka’s giant’s kettles (potholes dating back to the Ice Age, “hiidenkirnut” in Finnish), and Finland’s southernmost ski jumping hill, built in the 1930s and still proudly standing.
“I love the all-around scent of pine trees, and the sea’s just around the corner. I feel lucky to live in Herttoniemi – it’s only ten minutes to the city centre, but you’re still completely surrounded by nature. That’s my kind of Helsinki.“
-Jaana
Local Helsinkian