Seven island gems in Helsinki’s archipelago

<p>The sea and the islands are an inseparable part of Helsinki. Each island in the archipelago has its own unique character, and they all boast amazingly diverse nature. Many of the islands are also surprisingly easy to get to by waterbus or ferry. Visitors services that are available in summertime range from guided walks to cafés and even saunas. Listed below are seven unique island gems – visit them all and find your own personal favourite.</p>

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Walking through the woods on Vallisaari

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress.

Chilling on the cafe terrace on Isosaari. 

Islands on map

The island of Vallisaari between Santahamina and Suomenlinna opened up to the public in May 2016. 

1. Vallisaari

Suomenlinna sea fortress is a Unesco World Heritage Site located on the coast of Helsinki, and also a suburb of Helsinki with around 800 residents.

2. Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

At the Open-Air Museum of Seurasaari the traditional Finnish way of life is displayed in the cottages, farmsteads and manors of the past four centuries that have been relocated from all around Finland. The museum consists of buildings from the different provinces of Finland. Relocated to Seurasaari Island, they give an overall view of the life in Finnish countryside from the 18th to the 20th century.

3. Seurasaari Open-Air Museum

Vartiosaari is an island located in the inner archipelago of Eastern Helsinki, between Laajasalo and Tammisalo. 

4. Vartiosaari

The Harakka Nature Centre offers visitors encounters with nature, activities, and information on the Baltic Sea, maritime nature and sustainable living. The Nature Centre operates in historical surroundings on the magnificent Harakka ("magpie") Island featuring extraordinarily rich flora and bird species. Only a short distance from the Kaivopuisto Park, Harakka takes visitors to delicate archipelago nature that overlooks open sea. The island is circled by a one-kilometre-long trail. Connecting ferry leaves from Ullanlinnanlaituri in Kaivopuisto park. 

More information on the Harakka nature: https://citynature.eu/en/location/harakka-2/

5. Harakka Nature Centre

Enjoy a summer outing to Helsinki’s islands: ferries and routes

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Explore the Helsinki shoreline by paddling

Helsinki’s lovely shoreline: 5 maritime walking routes 

Explore Helsinki's archipelago

Seaside Helsinki 

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Unique islands are an extraordinary part of Helsinki's archipelago. All island gems boost amazingly diverse nature and they are also easy to get to by ferry....