Day trip to Vantaa: Saunas, science, and strawberries
Think nature trails, street art, and family fun. Just a short trip from Helsinki, Vantaa often flies under the radar, even though it’s home to Finland’s main airport. From lakeside saunas to lesser-known museums and green escapes, Vantaa makes for a delightful day trip from Helsinki. Embrace the unexpected: here is your guide to the best things to do in Vantaa (no terminal required!).
More than a runway: Vantaa cultural attractions
Vantaa is Finland’s fourth-largest city, located in the north-east of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area: a place equally buzzing with green spaces, street-art cool, and sauna culture.
An underrated day trip from Helsinki, you’ll find year-round delights: hiking trails winding through forests and lakes, 18th century manors, local tea shops, experimental museums, and strawberry fields. What’s not to love?
Try at least these:
Hands-on learning at Heureka Science Centre
If you like your museums interactive (buttons to push, things to spin, and weird sounds to make), Heureka is for you. Right by Tikkurila train station, this hands-on science centre is a family-friendly Vantaa classic that also entertains adults, for real. Explore everything from space and illusions to physics.
Local art at Vantaa Art Museum Artsi
Artsi in Myyrmäki boasts Vantaa city’s own contemporary art collection. One of the most unexpected Vantaa attractions, the museum leans into street art, with organised tours around Myyrmäki. Even better? It’s free to visit and shares its space with a local library and café.
Wings of history at Finnish Aviation Museum
Tucked away near Aviapolis, this under-the-radar museum houses vintage planes, flight simulators, and stories that fly you off to Finland’s airborne history. Even if you don’t geek out on planes, the nostalgia alone (with an easily available mobile audio guide) makes the Finnish Aviation Museum worth a visit.
Day trip
Vantaa
Art nouveau charm at Håkansböle Manor Museum
In the midst of leafy Hakunila, you’ll find a beautiful art nouveau manor from 1908. The Håkansböle Manor grounds are open year-round, perfect for peaceful strolls beneath trees. You’ll also find a cosy café, family-friendly workshops, seasonal exhibitions, and a little antique shop. For more things to do in Vantaa with kids, the Children’s Cultural Centre Pyykkitupa is just around the corner!
Architectural heritage at Vantaa’s churches
Vantaa has more than a few beautiful churches that double as cultural landmarks. From Gothic revival to minimalist Nordic modern, each Vantaa church offers a unique slice of local history, with seasonal events and concerts. Visit at least the red-brick Church of St. Lawrence from 1494, the wooden Ruskeasanta Chappel from 1927, or the modern Myyrmäki Church from 1984.
Into the woods: Vantaa nature destinations
You don’t have to go far from central Helsinki to feel like you’re deep into a forest. In Vantaa too, green stillness awaits. If you’re travelling with kids, stop first by Haltiala farm, a family favourite with animals and peaceful countryside.
Moss and magic in Sipoonkorpi National Park
Think dense spruce forests, mossy trails, and footbridges over small brooks. Sipoonkorpi National Park feels like stepping into a fairytale, just outside of Helsinki. You can get there easily on a bus from the Central Railway Station (with a HSL ticket), or a dedicated hop-on-hop-off ride that runs between Itäkeskus in eastern Helsinki and Tikkurila.
Swim and sauna in Kuusijärvi
Another popular nature destination in Vantaa, Kuusijärvi is where locals come to relax year-round. You can sunbathe on a sandy beach, take a dip (whether it’s a refreshing summer swim or a frozen winter plunge), unwind in a lakeside sauna, hike, or enjoy a serene picnic — the choice is yours. With some of the best nature trails in Vantaa, Kuusijärvi is a great family escape year-round.
Pro tip: Kuusijärvi and Sipoonkorpi are close enough to visit in a single day – as long as your shoes are comfy and your snack game strong!
Bonus fun: more things to do in Vantaa
Come summer, locals head to Marjex Mansikkapaikka, Vantaa’s pick-your-own strawberry field: a wholesome, sunny-day activity that ends with stained fingers. Bring a bucket (or rent one), head into the field, and prepare to eat a few “quality control” samples along the way.
Need a little adrenaline? Hit the gas (literally) at VM Karting Center, Finland’s largest indoor karting track near Koivukylä. Beginners are welcome, and there’s even a mini track for kids.
Alongside a coffee addiction, Finland has a tea scene (believe it or not!). Visit the charming Forsman Tea factory store in Tuupakka to sample the local brand’s unique blends. Cloudberry green tea, anyone?
If you’ve ever wondered what Willy Wonka’s factory might look like in real life, Vantaa can show you. Tour the story of Finland’s most iconic chocolate brand at the Fazer Visitor Centre near Vaarala: part exhibition, part tasting room, and part joyful sugar rush.
How to get to Vantaa
Good news: getting to Vantaa from Helsinki is easy! No car required, no stress necessary.
Hop on a local commuter train from the Central Railway Station (lines I and P run regularly): you can get off in Tikkurila, Myyrmäki, or Aviapolis in just 10–25 minutes.
There are also plenty of local and regional buses to Vantaa’s neighbourhoods and nature attractions. HSL (Helsinki Regional Transport) has a handy route planner.
And if cycling’s your thing, Vantaa’s network of bike paths and trails makes it a great destination for a two-wheeled adventure. You should make it there from Helsinki in about an hour – just make sure to plan for coffee (and maybe a nap) afterward!From hiking trails to family fun and hidden cultural treasures, a day trip to Vantaa proves there’s plenty to explore beyond the runway.
Read more about Vantaa and local events : https://visit.vantaa.fi/en
