Visit beautiful Espoo to sail around an archipelago of more than 150 islands or hike on deserted woodland trails. Explore fascinating museums and galleries and enjoy superb modern dining in the city center restaurants. Part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Espoo incorporates all the attractions of a modern city, yet it maintains a natural feel with grassy areas and access to the coast.
Discover the city’s culture with a museum visit. The Museum of Modern Art has a focus on the nation’s greatest artisans of the last 200 years. Explore the Gallen-Kallela Museum, a 10-minute drive northeast around the bay. Mainly devoted to the great Finnish painter of the same name, it also has a fascinating display of artifacts from his family’s travels around Africa.
Delight in the Finnish Toy Museum and the Museum of Horology, with more than 6,000 watches and clocks, some that date back as far as the 17th century.
A good place to experience nature in Espoo is the Nuuksio National Park, which has mirror-like lakes interspersed between gorgeous forests of conifer and birch trees. Stop off at the modern Finnish Nature Centre Haltia to view a range of interactive information screens about the park and find out what animals you can expect to encounter.
If you enjoy getting out on the water, take a boat tour of the many islands scattered off the coast of Espoo and Helsinki. Catch the ferry from one of seven city-side ports and soak up the last of the day’s sunshine reflecting off the waves.
Reach Espoo by train from Helsinki in about 20 minutes. The city center has excellent restaurants that serve full international menus. Find abundant hotels within walking distance. Perhaps the premier event on the calendar is the April Jazz Festival with a selection of international artists performing.
