Autumn colours of Helsinki: 7 places to go
Ruska*. The cherished time in Helsinki when foliage around the city’s parks, seashores and forests turn to bright autumn colours of yellow, orange and red.
Rustling through colourful fallen leaves – or jumping into a pile of them! – on a crisp and bright autumn morning is probably one of the earliest memories of many Helsinkians.
The best time to see ruska in most of Finland is in September, but as Helsinki is so south, October is usually a better bet. See our tips for seven places to go and admire Helsinki in bright colours. There is a wildcard at the end!
N.B: *The word ruska that describes this natural phenomenon comes from the Sámi word “ruškat”, and is close to the Finnish word ruskea which means brown. (Although, if you are lucky, the leaves are anything but brown!)
Start holding your breath in September…
The ruska-time in Helsinki usually peaks during the first week of October, but any sunny day in the first half of the month will be perfect. The sunnier and cooler it is around the end of September, the more impressive the foliage will be. Regardless of the temperature, trees begin to prepare for the winter at the same time each year when the length of the day corresponds to the conditions in their native habitats.
Maple trees are the most dependable when it comes to showing off their impressive colours, but other hardwoods like aspens also have beautiful foliage. The colours last throughout October, and after the final leaves have fallen from the trees you can still admire the red rowan berries and the white catkins of the rare bay willows in the forests.
The best weather for enjoying the foliage is obviously a sunny day, which really brings out the yellow colours, but really you can take a walk among the trees in any weather. Just head outside, look up and discover the colours of nature throughout the city.
You can enjoy the foliage throughout Helsinki, but here are our seven (plus one extra!) favourite places.
1. Töölönlahti bay
The best places to see the foliage in the city centre are in the parks, especially those around the Töölönlahti bay. Linnunlaulutie, the road that passes through the “Birdsong” district of historic wooden villas, has many maple trees, and from there can continue your walk – or jog! – around the entire bay. On the southern side you’ll find the vibrant Töölönlahti park and the iconic Finlandia Hall, designed by the architectural genius Alvar Aalto. The ruska is usually magnificent around the whole bay.
2. Eläintarhanlahti and Kaisaniemenlahti
In the Kallio and Hakaniemi districts you can enjoy the foliage by walking along the bays towards Kaisaniemi Park and from there under the trees along the Tokoinranta shoreline back to Hakaniemi. Evening walks among the autumn leaves around Eläintarhanlahti and Kaisaniemenlahti are particularly romantic when the waters are still and reflect the scenery.
3. Keskuspuisto – Helsinki’s Central Park
If you want to admire the foliage in the most authentic Finnish setting, then head for the forests of Keskuspuisto, Helsinki Central Park – actually not a park at all, but a beautiful place of forests and nature reserves. Walk along the paths and venture off into the woods, where you can also discover the colours of the blueberries, bilberries, grasses and bracken. The forest floor is particularly colourful if there is frost at the start of October. Central Park runs ten kilometres from south to north, starting near the city centre in Laakso and ending in Haltiala in the northern outskirts of the city.
4. Meilahti Arboretum, West Helsinki
The most impressive foliage in West Helsinki can be found among the exotic hardwoods at the Meilahti Arboretum. The botanical garden was founded on land belonging to Meilahti Manor in a valley that now lies between the roads Johannesbergintie and Meilahdentie. Covering an area of three hectares, the botanical garden has 300 trees and shrubs that present a rainbow of colours in autumn!
5. Viikki Arboretum, East Helsinki
The best place for foliage in East Helsinki in turn is the Viikki Arboretum. This botanical garden can be visited all year round but is especially attractive in spring and autumn. The trees here are arranged geographically, and the Asian section in particular is well worth a visit. While you are in this part of town, it is also worth checking out some of the manor house gardens!
6. Niskala Arboretum and Haltiala, North Helsinki
To the north of the city centre you can head to the Old Town Rapids and walk along the Vantaa River all the way to Haltiala. There you will find the Niskala Arboretum, and of course along the way you can admire all the deciduous trees along the river banks. The Haltiala Farm too is well worth a visit!
7. Puu-Käpylä wooden house district
Puu-Käpylä neighbourhood is one of the most well-preserved wooden house districts in Finland (and, of course, in Helsinki!). Most of the houses are painted in ochre red, gentle yellow or brownish orange so they blend beautifully with the surrounding autumn leaves of the same colours. Walk around Wooden Käpylä and see the fiery red vine creeper climb around the beautiful 100-year old windows. Rustle through the secret garden paths that criss cross around the area – accessible to all (if you know where to look!). Hop on tram no. 1 that terminates in Käpylä and start venturing!
Colours
Helsinki
+ 1! Suomenlinna fortress island
Last, but not least: Suomenlinna. This Helsinkian fortress island is so unique, SO exceptional, that it would need its own autumn foliage article! The island’s delicate, rich nature of varied landscapes and rare native species make it one of the best places in Helsinki to visit during ruska time. The island’s colourful old wooden and stone houses also serve as amazing backdrops to the many colours of autumn – be it soft hues of yellow or exploding reds and oranges. Suomenlinna can be reached by ferry all year round from Kauppatori Market Square.
