- Tapiola - the city of the forest god
- Espoo museums
- Espoo water park
- Nuuksio National Park
- Note to shopaholics
- Delicious points on the map
The second largest city in Finland and satellite of Helsinki, Espoo has concentrated all the best that is in the country of Suomi. Modern skyscrapers are adjacent to islets of pristine nature, high technologies peacefully coexist with old national traditions, Finnish cuisine alternates in restaurant menus with classic Italian or Asian food, and concerts of both organ and modern music are held in the main city cathedral every summer. Finland seems a little bland and boring to many tourists, but when asked where to go in Espoo, you usually get a more than detailed answer. Despite the lack of a large number of historical sites, you will find something to do in the city, and you will even regret that you had too little time for the weekend in Suomi.
Tapiola - the city of the forest god
One of the districts of Espoo is called Tapiola, which comes from the name of the forest god from the Finnish national epic Kalevala. The reason for giving this name was the concept of the construction of the district. Already at the design stage, it began to be called the "garden city".
Tapiola is a great place to go with the whole family in Espoo. The combination of architectural elements, modern landscape design and infrastructure allows you to spend an eventful weekend in Tapiola.
The project was created in the middle of the last century, and its main principle was the desire of the authors to provide future residents as close as possible to nature. Today in Tapiola you can do both active sports and calm contemplation of the local beauties:
- In addition to several water lanes, the swimming pool features a jacuzzi, steam saunas and a gym. In 2008, the Tapiola swimming pool was awarded the European Union Prize for a successful modern renovation.
- The bowling alley in the Tapiola sports complex is equipped in the best traditions of entertainment centers. After leaving the balls, you can have a beer or watch popular sports broadcasts on the big screen.
- In the Tapiola Park, with the onset of cold weather, an ice rink is poured, where you can learn to stand on skates or hone your skills to perfection. Equipment rental is organized in the best possible way.
- Another popular active entertainment in the park is playing tennis. Courts can be rented for a specific time and even pay for the services of a coach to take a couple of lessons.
In the eastern part of the town you will find a small harbor where you can rent a boat and enjoy a boat trip on the lake. In the central park Silkkiniitty, it is customary to sunbathe and have family picnics on a luxurious lawn in the summer. At the shooting range of the sports center, visitors will be offered to shoot archery and air cannons, and fans of unique architectural projects will be able to take a photo of the tallest office building in Europe, built of wood.
Espoo museums
In Finland, it is customary to take care of the heritage of our ancestors and our own history. That is why there are so many antique shops, flea markets and museums in the country, where absolutely ordinary and inconspicuous exhibits for the uninitiated can be exhibited. Museum traditions are gradually migrating into all spheres of life and absolutely everything begins to demonstrate to guests here - from railway cars to toys. Espoo in this sense does not lag behind other cities, and in it you can go to museums dedicated to both the past and the realities of modern life.
The WeeGee House was designed in the 60s. XX century and originally served as a printing house for one of the Finnish publishing houses. Now it houses several of the country's most popular museums, and WeeGee itself is the largest exhibition center in Finland. In the former printing house you will find:
- Espoo Museum of Contemporary Art (EMMA), where 5000 sq. m. housed works of art made by sculptors, painters, installation masters, photographers and architects of Suomi. The founder of the exposition is the Saastamoien Foundation, known for its support of young talents.
- Another interesting museum display in Espoo is devoted to watches. Acquaintance with various tools for determining the time becomes at the same time an excursion into the history of Finland itself.
- The Finnish Toy Museum contains unique exhibits. You will get acquainted with the history of the appearance of Scandinavian toys, see old amulets and dolls made by peasants in the 18th-20th centuries, get acquainted with modern entertainment technologies for the younger generation.
- The Helinja Rautavaara Ethnographic Museum provides guests with an excellent opportunity to plunge into the past. You will find in its halls the national costumes and tools of Finnish peasants, get acquainted with the customs and traditions of the inhabitants of the country, learn interesting facts about the Finnish language, cuisine and music.
The WeeGee house also houses the AARNI gallery, which organizes exhibitions of foreign contemporary artists, an art cafe and a souvenir shop.
Espoo water park
Finns all over the world are known for their constant need to merge with nature whenever possible. The designers of the Espoo water park did not break the tradition, and the center of water entertainment in the suburbs of the capital was carved into the rock. Perfectly inscribed in the thickness of a huge boulder, the water park has become a center of attraction for the residents of Helsinki and Espoo, and for numerous tourists.
The water park is called Serena and is open all year round: every day in the summer; on weekends - in the off-season; constantly, when children in Finland go on school holidays. Maintenance work in the park takes place in the first month of autumn.
In "Serena" you will find all the attributes you need to enjoy yourself: attractions, water slides, waterfalls and artificial rivers, hot pools and ice tubs and, of course, traditional Finnish saunas. For lovers of various bath procedures in the water park there is a hammam.
You can replenish energy reserves at Serena in the cafe, and rent accessories for water activities at the equipment rental point.
Nuuksio National Park
The closest national park to the capital of Finland (and there are almost four dozen of them in the country) borders Espoo and is called Nuuksio. The park protects ecosystems of bogs and lakes that were formed during the Ice Age.
For tourists, the Finnish Nature Center - Haltia was built in the park, where you can get a lot of various information about the country's national parks, forests, lakes and their inhabitants, nature conservation measures and the ecological situation. Suomi even has a Finnish Nature Day, which was established in Khaltia in 2013 and is now celebrated annually on 31 August.
The symbol of Nuuuksio is flying squirrels. In the park, you can choose any of the hiking trails to walk along it and observe the inhabitants of the reserve. In addition to squirrels, you will certainly meet roe deer and hares, hear the singing of larks and starlings and admire the blooming anemone. The best time to go for a walk in a park near Espoo is mid to late spring.
Note to shopaholics
Espoo's main department store is called Heikintori. It is considered the second largest in Finland and one of the oldest shopping centers in Suomi. At Heikintori you will find a huge range of goods - from electronics to alpine skiing, and all of them will delight you with quality and quality.
The list of other outlets popular with buyers includes IKEA, Littala outlet Espoo, Iso Omena and, of course, the city's central market, which opens every day in the center of Espoo, which is invariably present in Scandinavia.
You can also go shopping and entertainment center Sello for souvenirs, where you will find traditional handicrafts of Finnish artisans. By the way, Sello is considered the largest in Finland among its kind. In addition to dozens of retail outlets, the mall has a cafe, a cinema, children's playgrounds and attractions.
Delicious points on the map
Finnish cuisine is very popular with almost all guests of the country. Good-quality food made from organic products leaves a pleasant aftertaste and a feeling of having a good time.
When choosing between different establishments in search of a place to go for dinner or lunch in Espoo, focus only on the price category. The quality of cooking will invariably be at the level, and it is better to feel Finnish hospitality at least once than to listen to the stories of experienced tourists all the time:
- The chef of the Kalabaari restaurant in the green city of Tapiola in Espoo is confident that his salmon soup is perfect. The secret of cooking is simple - fresh products and an extraordinary love for what you do. The establishment also serves other seafood and fish dishes, and the lingonberry jam on the menu will successfully set off the taste of tea infused with forest herbs.
- A special feature of Haikaranpesä is its location - the restaurant operates on the Espoo Observation Tower, which offers panoramic views of the city and Nuuksio National Park. The buffet at Haikaranpesä offers dozens of fish and meat-based dishes, and Lapland cloudberry jam is considered the highlight of the dessert program.
- Bembolen Kahvitupa offers classic Scandinavian food. A traditional Finnish cafe does not pretend to be sophisticated, but soundly prepared hot venison and strong coffee will restore the traveler's strength and allow him to continue his journey in the most complacent mood. In summer you can take a table on the terrace and enjoy your dinner in pleasant company and in the fresh air.
In accordance with modern trends, Espoo is not alien to the national traditions of other peoples of the world. In the city, you can go to a restaurant with Thai, Chinese, Mediterranean, Arabic and even Nepalese cuisine and choose your favorite dishes from a vegetarian, gluten-free or keto menu.
