Finnish countryside, let’s dive in! I think the coolest thing about Helsinki is that you stay in a capital with a lot of things to do, and at the same time, you have excellent access to nature. Unless you are in the very downtown, you live right next to the countryside.
In this post, I have gathered some of my favorite photos of all nature-connected from greater Helsinki. Many pictures are full-screen and in high resolution.
I think exploring those is one of the best things to do in Finland.
At the end of the post, I will also list my favorite natural sites. (if you are only interested in pictures, scroll a couple of chapters further)
Helsinki – the capital closest to nature?
I traveled almost the whole of Europe, and Helsinki looks to me like a capital closest to nature. I think, its modern transportation network and easy access to the countryside make it unique. In Helsinki, often you don’t have to choose between rural and urban. They are right next to each other.
In almost every city of the world, you have residential buildings and parks in between. In Helsinki metropolitan area, especially in Espoo, things are quite the opposite – you find living districts inside the forest. Nature is a part of everyday life. It is not a surprise to see a deer in an inner yard or a fox crossing the road.
Nowadays, there are many ratings of green cities, where they try to measure how environmentally-friendly they are. But they seem to be related to green technologies. I wonder how European capitals would rank when it comes to closeness to nature.
How nature became a part of my life?
During my first years in Finland, I had been living in Espoo. The student district was countryside-style, and the air felt like in our summer house in Russia. I gave up the idea of getting a car and got myself a bicycle.
That was the time when I figured out, that nature in Helsinki is way beyond parks, advertised in tour guides. I frequently cycled from student district to nearby Leppäväärä* and further to Ontaniemi* and took different routes. I saw fields, hilly hiking areas, and country houses. It was surprising how these major centers were so close to nature. The natural sites were well maintained, you could find places for grilling, firewood, lots of benches, and even towers for watching birds.
*If you are outside Finland, these names may not make sense. But Leppäväärä is the busiest business district in Espoo and large transport hub. Otaniemi district holds Aalto University – the foremost technical university in the country.
Later I moved to Tikkurila – one of the primary hubs in Vantaa (closer to my employer). But things did not change, just 500 meters away from the train station there is beautiful farmland. Parks and forests are also not far, and you often meet wild animals.
Closeness to nature changed one thing in me though… Now I spend vacations only in cities full of life. Why should I visit nature, if I live in it?
Finnish countryside in pictures
Eventually, the Finnish countryside and nature became one of the central themes of my photography. (Especially now, when COVID-19 is out, every day I take my bike and go cycling in the rural areas where aren’t many people).
Animals in Helsinki
As I have mentioned, animals feel like the place belongs to them. So, let’s meet the crew!
My 5 favorite natural sites in Greater Helsinki
Well, before I start, I would like to tell that getting a bike and just cycling away from the busy city should be a good thing to do in Helsinki. There is nothing super-exciting, but isn’t calm and relaxed rest the reason to travel to Finland?
So, here are my favorite nature-related things, in order of ease of access (starting with the furthest). This may change though, as I discover new places.
Espoo Archipelago
My absolute favorite one, if you travel to Finland – I highly recommend it! You will see thousands of archipelago islands. You can take a boat from Otaniemi in Espoo and take a round trip, which takes around 3 hours. Or, camp overnight on one of the islands. The boat makes stops at public ones. Islands have firewood, places for grilling, etc.
I love this place so much that I made a full post about Espoo Archipelago.
Nuuksio Park
The largest national park in Finland and within 50 mins reach from the city center. Lakes and Finnish forests in all beauty. For me though, it is usually the plan B, in case we cannot get to the above-mentioned archipelago. There are also grills, firewood and other things for comfortable rest. I cannot thank Espoo enough for managing the natural sites so well.
Vanhakaupunki
I love their waterfalls! This is a nice place to go for a picnic, and there is a technical museum on the island.
Linnunlaulu
Wooden houses right in the heart of Helsinki. Stuck between the railroad and a lake, this area is untouched by modern architecture. There are lovely cafeterias on the shore.
Esplanadi
It is kinda small, but, you cannot be closer to the city center than Esplanadi. It is on the way to some of the major Helsinki’s touristic sites. In summer, if the weather is good, take your picnic blanket and join hundreds of others.
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