Uusimaa: Coast, Culture and Nature

Uusimaa offers a range of ways to plan a trip around nature, the coast or culture. Whether you’re interested in waterside walks, marked trails, historic architecture or museums, specific places and landscapes can help you decide which options suit your travel plans.

Coastal Landscapes and Outdoor Trails

In Espoo, the more than ten-kilometre R2 route is a fully marked, trail-like path through the landscapes of Oittaa and Pirttimäki. It is suitable for hiking, trekking, trail running and mountain biking. The starting points in Oittaa and Pirttimäki are accessible by bus, and also have car parks. When planning your day, you can take both your chosen activity and the journey to one of these starting points into account.

Espoo’s Rantaraitti offers a different perspective: this 40-kilometre waterfront route is intended for walks and recreation in a maritime setting. There are almost a hundred points of interest along the way. They introduce Espoo’s flora and fauna, cultural history and built heritage, and share anecdotes about life on the coast in the past. The route therefore combines waterside walks with insights into nature and local history.

The Varlaxudden recreation area is located on the island of Emäsalo in Porvoo. Its coastal landscape offers views of the archipelago and open sea. Summer picnics suit the area’s described uses, while birdwatching is possible in spring and autumn. This seasonal distinction is useful when planning: the activities mentioned take place at different times of year.

Forests, Lakes and Natural Areas

In Sipoonkorpi National Park in Sipoo, you can ski, hike, cycle, climb and go geocaching; the park is easy to reach by bicycle. The Byabäcken Nature Trail in the park is 1.4 kilometres long and passes through lush forests and golden fields. This puts the park’s range of activities alongside a specifically described route with its own length and landscape.

The Nuuksio Lake Uplands in the Uusimaa region cover approximately 200 square kilometres. They have well-maintained, marked hiking trails and varied, unspoilt wilderness. By contrast, the Lake Meiko nature reserve near Kirkkonummi is characterised by Lake Meiko, smaller ponds and forest landscapes. When choosing nature destinations, you can therefore choose between the expansive uplands and an area whose described landscape includes a lake, ponds and forest.

Cultural Heritage and Historic Townscapes

Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a maritime district of Helsinki. The marked Blue Route runs north to south through Suomenlinna, from the main pier to the King’s Gate. It is about 1.5 kilometres long one way. The route offers a clear way to navigate the site, while the World Heritage Site also reflects its cultural significance.

In Old Porvoo, you can admire colourful wooden houses and stroll along winding, cobblestone streets. Red-ochre warehouses by the river add to the scene. This historic townscape has a different focus from the trails and natural areas: here, the streets, houses and historic surroundings take centre stage.

Fiskars Village in Raseborg was founded in the 17th century and is a former ironworks village. Today, it is considered a centre of Finnish design and art. Its offerings include culture, exhibitions, crafts, activities and events throughout the year. The Fiskars Museum tells the story of the village through stories and historical objects. Fiskars thus brings its industrial history together with contemporary culture.

The Porvoo Museum also focuses on cultural and natural heritage: founded in 1896, it helps preserve and present the heritage of Porvoo and Eastern Uusimaa. Local connections are also found in food and production. Runeberg tarts, named after Finland’s national poet, are available in Porvoo year-round. The Brunberg confectionery factory has been making chocolate and sweets there since 1871. Together with the historic townscape and museums, these features add to Porvoo’s cultural offerings.

Discover more destinations:

Pernå, Hyvinkää, Porvoo, Åminnefors, Klaukkala, Espoo, Vantaa, Järvenpää, Helsinki, Tuusula, Kirkkonummi, Lohja, Mäntsälä, Billnäs, Sipoo, Hattom, Kerava, Skuru, Hermala, Rajamäki, Kurkimäki, Savijoki, Raseborg, Nurmijärvi, Mörskom, Vihti, Lapinjärvi, Karjalohja, Hanko, Sammatti, Sipoo, Nummi-Pusula, Siuntio, Ruotsinpyhtää, Ingå, Svartå

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