Helsinki picnic spots: 7 locations to enjoy art
Ready to turn your next picnic into a mini art adventure? Whether it’s a sunny summer day or a crisp spring outing, with friends or your lover, these tips will help you mix food, drink, and a splash of art into the perfect recipe for a day well spent. While you enjoy your picnic, please make sure to take care of the sculptures and their surroundings.
Temple of Love
“You, dear in my heart / Every day by your side / We shall never part / How I have loved you.”
Bjarne Lönnroos (1959–) weaves words into his art like threads of emotion, and The Temple of Love glows softly in the dark—like a lighthouse for the heart, gently pointing us toward what matters most.
This picnic stop is all about tuning into those feelings. It’s your cue for a little heart check-up—not the medical kind, but the kind where you look around and appreciate the people by your side (bonus points if they brought good sandwiches). It’s the perfect moment to say the quiet things out loud: affection, admiration, that cheesy thing you’ve been meaning to tell someone. Go ahead—this is the kind of memory that sticks.
What: Bjarne Lönnroos: Temple of Love, 2003
Where: Kelkkapuisto Park, Kontula
Fifty Cities
LHR, CGN, VIE… and 47 more airport codes line a sleek stone bench near Tuoriniemi beach in Herttoniemi, like a stylish travel checklist waiting to spark your wanderlust. This isn’t just a bench—it’s a boarding pass for the imagination. So why not pack a picnic menu with flavors from around the globe and let your taste buds take flight while you daydream about your next big adventure?
The bench itself is well-traveled too—it journeyed all the way from a contemporary art park in West Sussex, England, before landing in Eastern Helsinki. The British artist duo behind it hoped their work would inspire travel-minded thoughts—and trust us, it does. Whether you admire it from the grass, from the sand, or while floating in the sea nearby, this is a picnic spot where art and daydreams meet perfectly.
What: Nikki Bell, Ben Langlands: Fifty Cities, 1999
Where: Tuoriniemi Park (Tuoriniemen puisto), Herttoniemi
Kagal memorial stone
Tullisaari island is like Eastern Helsinki’s best-kept picnic secret—a lush green hideaway that feels tailor-made for lazy summer afternoons. One of Finland’s best-preserved landscape parks, it’s a dreamy mix of winding paths, shady trees, and soft lawns just begging you to roll out a blanket. And if the place feels a little bit theatrical, that might be thanks to its most famous former resident: opera star Aino Ackté (1876–1944), whose villa still stands proudly in the park, humming with history.
Just a short stroll from Villa Aino Ackté, you’ll spot the Kagal Memorial Stone—a quietly powerful monument to Finnish resistance, carved during the early 1900s under Russian rule. The date “Third of August 1901” is etched into the stone in both Finnish and Swedish, marking a secret meeting held in what was then Turholma Mansion (yep, the same villa). So bring your picnic—and maybe a little curiosity. There’s more to this peaceful park than meets the eye.
What: Unknown: Kagal memorial stone, 1901
Where: Tullisaari Park (Tullisaaren puisto), Laajasalo
Memorial for Seafarers
Down by the Merisatamanranta shoreline in Eira, the sea stretches out before you like an open invitation to drift into thought—or to study the giant compass set into the base of a striking, lighthouse-like memorial. This is the Eternal Flame, a tribute to Finnish seafarers and their long, brave tradition. High above, 12 metres off the ground, a flame burns steadily… or at least tries to, depending on how moody the wind is feeling that day.
For a picnic spot with a touch of drama, skip the sunshine and come on a misty morning instead. Pack a thermos of hot tea, wrap up warm, and bring the person who keeps your own flame glowing bright. It’s the perfect spot for quiet conversations, long gazes, and a bit of shared warmth in the sea breeze.
What: Eero Eerikäinen, Oskari Jauhiainen: Memorial for Seafarers, 1968
Where: Ursininkallio, Merisatamanranta, Eira
The Torch / Memorial for Miina Sillanpää
Can any art exhibition capture life quite like Tokoinranta does? Along this bohemian stretch of shoreline, the artwork doesn’t just invite you to look—it dares you to feel. One minute you’re soaking up the view, the next you’re humming a tune or giving a passionate (and possibly impromptu) speech on something wildly unexpected. That’s just the vibe here.
This picnic spot takes its cue from Miina Sillanpää (1866–1952)—trailblazing journalist, politician, and Finland’s first female minister. Sitting near The Torch, it’s easy to imagine that same fire stirring inside you. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly feel ready to change the world—or at least make a very convincing case for why soup should be considered revolutionary. So go ahead, linger a little longer. Pass the soup. Spark the ideas.
What: Aimo Tukiainen: The Torch / Memorial for Miina Sillanpää, 1968
Where: Tokoinranta, Kallio
Concerto for the Valley
Perched on a rocky hilltop with sweeping views to the north and south, this picnic spot sets the stage for something a little more theatrical. Up here, nature and city life perform a duet—seagulls overhead, trams in the distance, maybe even a breeze that knows how to carry a tune. And in the very heart of it all? A conductor’s podium, just waiting for you to take the lead.
Concerto for the Valley by Denise Ziegler (1965–) is a life-sized invitation to step up, listen closely, and conduct your own open-air symphony—whether it’s for birdsong, passing echoes, or the laughter of your picnic crew. The Swiss-born, Finland-based artist created the piece to spark interaction, reflection, and a bit of playful drama. So go on, take your place, raise your hands… and maybe throw in a heartfelt toast while you’re at it.
What: Denise Ziegler: Concerto for the Valley 2001
Where: Slope park next to Töölö ball field (Töölön pallokenttä), Töölö
Sibelius monument
Jean Sibelius (1865–1957) wasn’t just a legendary composer—he was a larger-than-life personality with a flair for fine evenings and deep feelings. Through his music and lifestyle, he helped carry a young Finland into the European spotlight. But behind the grand symphonies was a tender love story: his lifelong devotion to his equally gifted wife, Aino Sibelius (1871–1969), captured in a treasure trove of heartfelt letters—now published for the world to read (and swoon over).
This picnic moment is best spent by the sea, beside the rugged beauty of the Sibelius Monument. Bring a bottle of good red wine, take turns reading Jean and Aino’s words aloud, and let the waves provide the soundtrack. The later the hour, the more magical it all becomes. It’s not just a toast to love—it’s a full-blown serenade for Helsinki picnic spots close to art.
What: Eila Hiltunen: Sibelius monument, 1967
Where: Sibelius Park (Sibeliuksen puisto), Taka-Töölö
