Special places you didn’t know existed in Helsinki

From a ravine to a rose garden and Venus to a waterfall – you can find both surprising and astonishing places in and around Helsinki that are perfect destinations, even for experienced adventurers. To find these places, however, you have to know where to look. Here’s a list of some of the most amazing natural attractions in the Finnish capital!

Retkipaikka.fi

Kaivopuisto park ravine

Strömberg's park waterfalls

Haaga's Rhodo park

Attractions on the map

Patterimäki is a rocky forest-covered hill with a wide variety of trees of different ages. The park features fortifications from the First World War surrounded by a meadow that is rich in plant life. A popular playground is situated in the southeast corner of the park. There is also a model of the solar system in the park that was erected by the Astronomical Association Ursa, with the sun situated atop a pole on the crest of the hill

1. Patterimäki - "Battery Hill" Park

Helsinki's oldest and best known park is surrounded by embassies and villas. The nearby sea, rock cliffs and green lawns offer many opportunities to relax and enjoy the outdoors. During winter, if the snow situation permits, the park is popular for sledding.

At the highest point of the park is the Ursa Observatory. There are also several cafées and restaurants along the shore and on the islands.

2. Kaivopuisto Park

On the grounds of the former Meilahti Manor, between the Johannesbergintie and Meilahdentie streets and in a valley between three rocky outcrops lies Meilahti Arboretum. Covering more than three hectares, this peaceful and lush park presents over 300 varieties of trees and shrubs. The arboretum was founded by the Park Unit of the Public Works Department in 1967 as an educational park for everyone interested in plants. Accordingly, the trees and shrubs are identified by nameplates. 

Meilahti Arboretum also features a Rosarium presenting a collection of shrub roses.

3. Meilahti Arboretum

Strömberg Park is one of the gems of Pitäjänmäki and all of Helsinki. It was named after Gottfrid Strömberg, a pioneer in the Finnish electrical industry. The park is highly valuable, in terms of its natural values, as well as culturally and historically. It was once part of Tali Manor. The central element in the park is the Mätäjoki creek with its rapids and ponds offering a range of recreational opportunities. A wide variety of plants grow in the park.

4. Strömberg Park

Located in Pihlajamäki, Aarnipata and Rauninmalja are the oldest Giant's kettles in Finland. They date back beyond the previous glacial period, i.e. over 50,000 and perhaps even over 100,000 years. Aarnipata is up to 6.9m in diameter and 8.45m in depth. Its biggest grinding stone is 1.6m in diameter and weighs approximately 6 tons. Rauninmalja is 1.6m in diameter and has a depth of 3.2m.

Aarnipata and Rauninmalja were protected as natural monuments in 1995. They were named in spring 2008 based on the results of a competition. A new viewing platform was added the same summer.

5. Pihlajamäki Giant's kettles

Rhododendron Park in Haaga is a true gem that deserves to be seen by all visitors to Helsinki when the plants are in bloom. The grounds serve as both a public park and a university research garden. The park has two parts: the evergreen rhododendrons grow in the southern section, while the seasonal park azaleas grow on the other side of the power lines in the northern section. The peak blooming season for both the rhododendrons and the azaleas is early June. The azaleas bloom first and sometimes longer than the rhododendrons, even after midsummer. The splendour of the flowers varies with each year; generally a good year is followed by a more modest one. Pine trees create a canopy for the flowering plants. Thousands of Helsinki residents and gardening enthusiasts visit the park each year to witness the spectacle.

6. Haagan Alppiruusupuisto - Rhododendron Park in Haaga

Exquisite nature near the city centre

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From a ravine to a rose garden and Venus to a waterfall – you can find both surprising and astonishing places in and around Helsinki that are perfect destinations, even for experienced adventurers. ...