Vasikkasaari - a local island for adventurers

Linnunpoikanen kalliolla

Vasikkasaaren rantapolun kivimuuria

Komendantin talo Vasikkasaaressa

Saaren kartta vuodelta 1889

Other Helsinki islands

Vasikkasaari island, located on the west side of Santahamina in Helsinki, is a recreational island of about 18 hectares. The island is available for the city residents' recreational use. There are also summer residents and their small cabins on the island.

Vasikkasaari features two guided pathways: a main route that presents the island's historical sites and a well-being trail in the western part of the island. The texts for each point of interest can be found here: https://citynature.eu/en/location/vasikkasaari/

There's scheduled ferry traffic from the Market Square on weekends during summer season.

1. Vasikkasaari

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

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

3. Vallisaari

Lonna is a charming little island situated between Helsinki's bustling Market Square and the Suomenlinna Fortress Island.

4. Lonna

Pihlajasaari is a former villa island that is now a versatile outdoor recreation area. 

5. Pihlajasaari Island

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

6. Vartiosaari

Kaunissaari (in Sipoo) is the easternmost recreational island of Helsinki. 

7. Kaunissaari

The Seurasaari island provides a nice setting for outdoor recreation, sun worshippers and walkers. The tame ducks, swans and geese swarming around the bridge welcome everybody. Having crossed the white wooden bridge a visitor can't help running into the happy little squirrels of the island.

8. Seurasaari Island

Helsinki Zoo is home to more than 150 animal species and almost 1000 plant species that show the diversity of nature. Helsinki Zoo is one of the few zoos located on an island. The zoo was established in 1889 which makes it one of the oldest zoos in the world. Helsinki Zoo also participates in the work to protect the habitats in the original homes of the various species. The rhino sign will take you to the animals that belong to the zoos' shared protection programme. On the island you'll also find a souvenir shop and cafés & restaurants.

9. Helsinki Zoo

Mustikkamaa is located south of Kulosaari, about 5 km from city centre. Mustikkamaa is a popular outdoor recreation area with eg. a beach, kiosk, café and restaurants and tennis courts as well as a summer theatre. Since 1964 a bridge has connected Mustikkamaa to Kulosaari. In 2016 a pedestrians bridge, Isoisänsilta, was opened from the new Kalasatama residential area to Mustikkamaa. The way to Helsinki zoo, Korkeasaari, is also through Mustikkamaa.

10. Mustikkamaa

At Tervasaari island, which is a popular recreation area next to the city centre, you can find eg. restaurant Savu, a kid's playground, a dogpark with a designated swimming beach for dogs, a summer theatre and a rug washing pier.

Tervasaari can be reached by foot from Pohjoisranta.

11. Tervasaari

Uunisaari island is located close to the city centre, offering a tranquil and relaxing seaside atmosphere. Close to the Kaivopuisto park, the island is a short boat ride from Merisatama (Komapassi). In wintertime, approx. from mid-November to mid-April, there is a pedestrian bridge connection to the island. Uunisaari café serves delicacies, there are saunas to rent (also with public sauna hours) and a beach, which is popular in summer.

12. Uunisaari

Särkkä is a small island outside Kaivopuisto park, northwest of Länsi-Mustasaari. Särkkä is part of Suomenlinna, and a part of the Suomenlinna fortress is also located here. Särkkä was built to defend one of the passages to Helsinki, the Särkänsalmi narrow. The construction began in 1749, and the first part of the fortress was ready already in the 1750's.

The island is 250m wide, and is located approx. 500m outside the mainland, outside the shore of Kaivopuisto park. Särkkä is nowadays being used by the yacht club Merenkävijät ry. There's also a summer restaurant, the restaurant Särkänlinna.

A connection boat runs in summer from the Ullanlinna pier, next to the Café Ursula in Kaivopuisto park.

13. Särkkä

Harakka is located between the islands of Särkkä and Uunisaari by the Kaivopuisto park. The previously closed island, which had been in use by the Finnish Defence Forces, was opened to the public in 1989 and is now a popular recreational area. Harakka island offers a unique excursion destination, studios for artist and artisans, experiences in the form of art and nature exhibitions as well as meeting facilities.

The Nature House of the City of Helsinki  is also located on the island. It offers visitors encounters with nature, activities, and information on the Baltic Sea, maritime nature and sustainable living.  

There is a kilometer-long nature trail on the island. A mobile route map on the nature trail can also be found on the internet (citynature.eu/en/location/harakka-2/)

The connection ferry in summertime departs from Kaivopuisto park, from the Ullanlinna pier, next to Café Ursula.

14. Harakka

Liuskasaari is an island just outside Kaivopuisto park, between Uunisaari and Sirpalesaari. 

15. Liuskasaari

Lammassaari is a recreational island close to Vanhankaupunginkoski rapids near Arabianranta, next to Kuusiluoto. Accessible duckboards (a path made of wooden planks) begin from Pornaistenniemi. Together with the nature trail Lap of Nature, the duckboards form an accessible recreational path of approx. 3,5km.

Lammassaari is part of the Viikki-Vanhankaupunginlahti nature reserve. All visitors should respect the peace of nature both inside the nature protection area as well as in the surrounding green areas. Lammassaari is a perfect place for nature hikes and bird watching while there are thousands of migrating birds in the area every spring and autumn.

Please notice that there are private cottages in the area and walking in the area should be on marked paths only.

Though the name Lammassaari, meaning "sheep island" in Finnish, sheep can't be found here but on the nearby Kuusiluoto island instead (in summertime).

16. Lammassaari

Kuusiluoto, located at Vanhankaupunginlahti, is a recreational island part of the city's common recreational park areas. 
On the island there is an old villa, run by the association VKEK ry. The association takes care of the premises.

You can access Kuusiluoto by duckboards. Starting at the end of Jokisuuntie there are duckboards (narrow walkway made of wooden planks) that take you via Lammassaari-island to Kuusiluoto, a total of 1.2 km. Rubber boots may be needed during autumn time, when the level of sea water might be even 30 cm above the normal. 

In the south-west point of the island there is an old dock where you can swim and fish (at your own risk). It is prohibited to make any kind of open fire on the island.

For several years a few sheep have also spent their summer months at Kuusiluoto.

17. Kuusiluoto

Rajasaari is a small island near the Sibelius Monument in Taka-Töölö, connected to the mainland by Rajasaarenpenger. On the island there's a big dog park where it is also possible for dogs to swim.

18. Rajasaari

Mustasaari is a unique summer paradise with a possibility for many activities. Owned by the Helsinki Parish Union, the island is open for everybody and situated fifteen minutes ferryride away from the buzz of the city. The ferry departs from Taivallahti. 

Mustasaari island is especially popular among families with kids. There is a playground, a shallow beach and a lunch café, known for its cinnamon buns (korvapuusti in Finnish). There are also some sheep and bunnies living on the island during the summer months. Programme and events are organized throughout the summer, and a regular moment of prayer is organized daily. 

Dogs are not allowed on the island.

19. Mustasaari island

Pihlajasaari island - a traditional recreational island

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Vasikkasaari, located on the west side of Santahamina in Helsinki, is a recreational island of about 18 hectares. The island is available for the city residents’ recreational use, and it also has summer residents with small cabins....