Sights of Espoo - what to see. A complete guide to iconic places. Espoo: attractions and interesting places (with photos) City of Espoo Finland
Espoo is home to cozy cottages and modern new buildings. According to the results of a survey conducted in Finland, this city was recognized as the most favorable for living. This is not surprising, since the city is the cradle of technical research in Finland. The Higher Technical School, the State Center for Technical Research, the Innopoli Technology Center, and a geological research center are located here.
Sights of Espoo
Considering the number of museums in this city, your leisure time will be very eventful. Start by exploring the main attractions.
From ancient times...
The church was built in 1458 near a bend of the Espoo River. In those days, the stone church served as a refuge during various raids and unrest. Over the centuries, the church has undergone several restorations; the last time the temple was repaired was in 1982, when the wooden sculpture “The Passion of Christ” was restored above the altar of the church. The author of the construction is unknown, which makes the temple mysterious and even more interesting; finding it is not difficult: Kirkkopuisto street 5.
Espoonlahti Church
The Espoonlahti Church looks original and very unusual; at first glance you wouldn’t think that this is a temple building. It was built at Kipparinkatu 8, according to the design of Timo and Tuomo Suomenlainen in 1980. The main hall seats 180 people.
House-estate "Glims"
Do you want to feel like a Finnish peasant? Then head to Glimsintie 1, here you can visit the Glims manor house, where an 18th-century farmhouse has been preserved. It also hosts craft demonstrations and musical performances.
...to the present
At one time, the Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela designed a house-atelier in the Art Nouveau style, which has survived to this day in its original form. Now this house at Gallen-Kallelantie 27 hosts exhibitions of Akseli Gallen-Kallela himself, as well as contemporary art and photography.
You can look at the artists’ works by paying 8 euros; under 18 years of age, admission is free. Monday is a day off.
EMMA Museum and more
The former city printing house houses the unique EMMA Museum of Modern Art (EMMA-Espoo Museum of Modern Art). In one part of the museum there is a collection of art works of the Saastamoinen Foundation, in the other there are changing exhibitions of works of Finnish and world contemporary art. The museum itself is located in the WeeGee cultural center at Ahertajantie 5.
In the same center you can visit the toy museum, the Helini Rautavaara Ethnographic Museum, an art gallery, and a clock museum. The latter deserves special attention. The museum's collection includes more than a thousand watches and various watchmakers' tools. The permanent exhibition of the museum tells about the history of time measurement, from the moment before mechanical watches were invented to modern chronometers.
An introduction to high art will cost you 10-12 euros. This is exactly how much the entrance ticket to the WeeGee center costs with the right to visit all museums; on Wednesdays from 18.00 to 20.00 admission is free. Admission is also free for those under 18 and over 70 years of age.
Car Museum
Avid motorists definitely can't miss the car museum. Retro cars, micro-cars, motorcycles, bicycles - all this in the largest transport museum in Finland.
You can travel back into the automotive past from the beginning of April for just 6 euros at Bodomintie 35.
A sample of moon rock, geological rocks, precious stones - all this and much more can be seen at Betonimiehenkuja 4, in the Geological Museum of Finland. By the way, the moonstone is also interesting because it was originally a gift to the President of Finland Urho Kekkonen, who in turn donated it to the museum for use.
Closer to nature
The city's diverse landscapes: swamps, green fields, marine archipelagos will give you the opportunity to feel closer to nature, and we advise you to visit the following places.
Huimala Entertainment Center
Huimala is an entire entertainment complex with attractions, trampolines, and children's cafes. A great place to spend an active day off or celebrate a birthday.
You can get a charge of positive emotions on Tuesday and Wednesday from 14.00 to 20.00, from Thursday to Sunday from 10.00 to 20.00, at Juvankartanontie 15.
Admission for children under one year old is free, for children from one to 2 years old you will have to pay 12 euros, for children from 3 to 17 years old - 18 euros, admission for adults is 5 euros.
Water slides, palm trees, warmth, and so on all year round. Do you think this is somewhere in Africa? No! This is in Finland, in the city of Espoo in the year-round water park Serena. Waves that knock you off your feet, high-speed slides, a warm jacuzzi. And for thrill-seekers, the “Black hole” slide is suitable - it’s a closed tube with light and sound effects. The little ones will also have something to do. There is a “children’s world” with small slides and shallow pools.
Address and opening hours: Tornimäentie 10, from 12.00 to 20.00. Every day in summer, on weekends and during school holidays in winter. A family ticket for two adults and two children will cost 94 euros; children under 4 years old have free admission.
Serena street park
In winter, a ski resort opens next to the water park; there are slopes of varying difficulty with a height difference of 60 meters and a length of 300-400 meters. A snow park is open for extreme sports enthusiasts. Springboards, rails, table - there is everything you need to practice tricks.
A full day ticket will cost 29 euros, an evening ticket is valid from 16.00 and costs 23 euros, children under 6 years old have free entry to the slope.
Konstantin Korotkov
- Where to stay: The capital status of Helsinki gives you every right to say that if you want to travel around southern Finland, you can base yourself here for your entire vacation. The benefit of hotels and inns - for any choice. Close to the capital, but quieter - this is about Espoo. Porvoo has a peaceful and intimate semi-rural atmosphere, and local hotels match the mood. Vantaa hotels are a good choice for those who are flying through Finland with a stopover for a couple of days, but have already been to Helsinki. Lohja - “the city of a thousand apple trees”. To travel here in September, it is worth booking a hotel in advance - at the end of the month there is a big apple festival.
- What to see: The ideal is to travel along the entire coastline from Kotka to Hanko, with a thoughtful stop in Helsinki on the way there and back. IN Espoo We enjoy the combination of a modern city and nature, for dessert - one of the largest water parks in northern Europe - Serena. Explore the entire island-fortress of Sveaborg on foot (otherwise there is no other way), explore museums, drink beer from a local brewery and experience all the delights of claustrophobia on board the Vesikko submarine. Hanko is considered the country's main seaside resort, flavored with history, including military history. In Raseborg we examine the castle and go on a boat trip - the 1300 islands of the national park will not see themselves.
In Kotka - feel like a Russian emperor on vacation, go around all the parks, marvel at the exhibits of the Aeronautics Museum and other attractions.
The leading scientific and educational museum in Finland, Eureka, operates in Vantaa. It will be interesting not only for children.
Well, Helsinki is not even a topic for a separate conversation, but an entire dissertation on the topic of tourism and
Lake Bodom is a lake in Finland, located near Espoo, the second largest city in Finland, on the border of the Bodom and Oittaa districts, 22 km from Helsinki. The length of the lake is approximately 3 km, width - about 1 km.
Lake Bodom and the area nearby are popular with holidaymakers.
A large hotel has recently been built where you can spend a night or two very comfortably. Many roads and alleys near the lake are also named after Bod, so be sure to take a walk along them.
On June 4, 1960, a bad thing happened on this lake, four teenagers - two fifteen-year-old girls and two eighteen-year-old BOYS came to the lake to have a good time, what the trip turned out for them is well known to every Finn.
On this beautiful sunny day they arrived at a small hotel on the shore - Hastbergen, at that time the lake was a quiet place where there were usually no people. Not long before this, a series of murders had occurred in Finland, and although the perpetrator was found, Miley and Anya's parents did not want to let the girls go for the night.
After the guys checked into the hotel, they swam and went for a walk to the nearest store for chewing gum and lemonade. At 19.30 they returned. By that time there was one fisherman and a couple of young people on the lake; they were already getting ready to go home. These were the last people to see the teenagers alive.
All of Finland, and then the whole world, were shocked by the triple murder, which was recognized as one of the most brutal in the history of mankind.
Finally, on April 2, 2004, the police investigation brought the expected results. 44 years after the murder, the culprit was found.
Waterpark Serena
Serena Waterpark, located near the Finnish city of Espoo, covers an area of more than 3,000 thousand square meters.
Indoor heated pools - 2000 square meters and outdoor pools - 1000 square meters offer a variety of slides, both classic and extreme. “Wild Stream”, “Black Pipe” and many other slides will attract the attention of vacationers.
Serena Waterpark also offers a jacuzzi, a bar, a hydromassage, a waterfall, sauna caves inside granite and the Granina restaurant.
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Ski resort Kauniaien
The Kauniaien ski resort was opened back in 1934 in Finland, as one of the first. It has two descents, which are fully illuminated at night. By the way, both slopes are also equipped with snow cannons. The length of the longest route is 178 meters. And the height difference is only 48 meters. You can climb the slope using two lifts.
The Kauniaien resort was created primarily for relaxation with the whole family. That’s why there is a children’s slope and a children’s school where they can teach how to ride and ski.
After exploring the fresh air, you can refresh yourself at a restaurant serving national cuisine.
Getting to the ski resort is not difficult, because it is located Expo on the highway called Petaksentie, and also just 3 kilometers from the Kauniaien train station.
The Hvittärsk estate, located on the shore of Lake Vitträsk in the town of the same name in Finland, was built by three young Finnish architects in the Art Nouveau style in 1901-1903.
The estate consists of a main building, built of logs and stone, and outbuildings.
The interior of the house shows the influence of Finnish peasant architecture and medieval stone
The house is surrounded by a beautiful English style garden.
For several years, the young architects who built it lived and worked in the house. The famous architect Eero Saarinen, the creator of famous buildings in the USA, spent his youth here.
The estate was visited by famous people, including the Russian writer Maxim Gorky.
Currently, there is a museum on the territory of the estate. The main and most interesting thing in the house of 32 rooms is a huge architectural studio.
Espoo Car Museum
The Espoo Car Museum, located in the Finnish city of the same name, is considered the oldest vehicle museum in the country.
Exhibits and exhibitions change frequently, so each time you visit, you can see something new.
The permanent collection of the museum includes 40 models of motorcycles and mopeds and 100 models of cars. Here you can see mini cars from the 1990s, family cars from the 1960s and 70s, and sports cars.
Of particular interest is the section of Eastern European cars that were imported to Finland after the Second World War. Among them you can see models from Russia: “Moskvich”, “Volga”, “Pobeda”.
Ruins of Raseborg Castle
The ruins of Raseborg Castle, located in the village of Snappertuna in the Finnish city of Raseborg, are a local landmark.
The medieval castle was supposedly built in 1374. In those days, the rock on which the ruins are located was surrounded by water, and the castle served as a fortpost to protect against pirates.
The first restoration work began at the end of the 19th century, but the castle has not yet been restored due to the lack of accurate data about its original appearance. To date
All walls have been roofed, almost all staircases and galleries have been restored.
Near the ruins of Raseborg Castle, local residents organize festivities, markets of yesteryear, and various performances.
From here the forest “path of love” leads to the museum in Snappertun.
Glims Estate Museum
The Glims Estate Museum, located on the territory of the former Glims peasant estate in the village of Karvasmäki in the Finnish city of Espoo, was opened in 1958.
The first owner of the estate, located near the Royal Route, with an inn, was Nielsen Peder. Then the residence of the Lensman, the policeman of these places, was located here. From 1800 to 1949, the estate belonged to the Lönnberg family, which transferred the house to the local authorities, who turned it into an estate museum. Until the beginning of the 20th century, Glims remained a working farm.
The museum's exhibition of 11 buildings, the oldest of which date back to the 17th century, introduces visitors to the history of life of local peasants in the Middle Ages.
Currently, depending on the season, the museum hosts literary readings, performances by musical groups and festivals of local crafts.
Villa Elfik
Villa Elfik, located in the northern part of the Laajalahti nature reserve in Finland, was built in 1904 by the architect Moritz Gripenberg in the English style for the Finnish baroness Elvira Standerskjöld.
The villa is located among the forest on the shore of a bay overgrown with reeds, and is ready to tell tourists about the nature of the Espoo region.
Many of the exhibits in the “Long Live Espoo” exhibition, dedicated to the Nuuksio National Park, its forests, bird sanctuaries, and lakes, can be touched. By pressing the buttons, you can hear the voices of birds and animals living in this area of Finland.
From the courtyard of Villa Elfik, a path through the Laaialahti nature reserve begins, about a kilometer long.
There is an Elfviir café on site.
Marquette Park
Marketta Park is the largest landscape park in Finland. Marketta Park is located in the city of Espoo near the third ring road, between the highways to Pori and Turku.
The layout of the park and 15 stands were designed by Hanna Hentinen. The park is divided into small rented areas. The company that rents the area is responsible for its design and maintenance of its appearance.
Marquette Park is home to annual gardening and landscape shows such as the Professional Landscape Show.
The products and services of more than 110 companies, organizations and cities are presented here. The park is open daily from 7-21 hours.
The following exhibitions are constantly presented here: products made from natural stone, concrete blocks, tiles, gazebo walls, garden bridges, equipment for the playground, benches, seeds for lawns, ornamental trees, shrubs, perennial plants, annual plants, water gardens, ponds, fountains and much more .
Espoo Church
The Espoo Church is one of the Lutheran churches located in Finland. It was built in 1458-1480 and consecrated in honor of the Apostle Matthew. This church also served as protection during raids and devastation.
The church was rebuilt for many years in a row. In 1767, a bell tower was added to the building, which has survived to this day. An organ was installed here in the 18th century. All the walls and vaults were decorated with frescoes with scenes from the Bible and paintings from the everyday life of the townspeople of Espoo.
At the end of the 18th century, the frescoes were painted over, considering them rude. However, restoration work carried out at the beginning of the 20th century returned all the paintings to their original form. In 1982, the wooden sculpture “The Passion of Christ”, which had been in the National Museum for a long time, returned here.
In 2004, the Espoo Church, by decision of the diocese, became the Cathedral. In the evenings you can listen to organ music concerts here.
The most popular attractions in Espoo with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Espoo on our website.
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Espoo is the second largest city in Finland. Espoo is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland near Helsinki. The name of the city comes from the Swedish “aspen”, that is, “aspen”. Espoo has a variety of landscapes, islands, fields, forests. 
The nature of Expo is magnificent, so it is a great place for walking and cycling in summer, and for skiing in winter. But what attractions there are in Espoo.
Espoo Church 
The old stone church was built in the mid-15th century. At first it resembled a triangle and had three aisles. This is how it looked until the 1920s, then it was rebuilt. However, city officials decided that the temple needed to be restored to its historical appearance and implemented the plan in the 1930s. Relatively recently, a wooden sculpture “The Passion of Christ” was placed above the altar in the temple - it was transferred from the National Museum of Finland. Sometimes organ concerts are held in the church.
Address: Kirkkopuisto 5
Espoo Car Museum 
The largest and oldest vehicle museum in Finland. It is worth noting that the exhibits in this museum are often moved around and generally changed. There are 20 motorcycles and mopeds, about 100 cars (including cars from the beginning of the last century), and sports cars. Many of them have long been discontinued, so they are of particular value. Here you will meet the iconic Moskvich, Volga, Yalta, which were brought to Finland after the war. Well, a couple of luxury American cars. Guaranteed to please all family members.
Address: Bodomintie 35
Finnish Toy Museum Leikkilinna 
Look for this museum in the Viggi exhibition center. Loved by both big and small. Here are toys of different generations - from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. There is also a model of “Löyulumäki”, recreating a Finnish village from the middle of the last century.
Address:"Näyttelykeskus WeeGee", Ahertajantie 5, Tapiola
Villa Elfvik 
The villa is located in the Laajalahti nature reserve, on the shore of the bay, in the forest. It was built in 1904 for a baroness, but after her death the building was transferred to the city authorities. Today in this building you will learn more about the flora and fauna of Espoo (exhibition “Long Live Espoo”) - the villa is even called the “House of Nature”. Many of the exhibits can be touched with your hands - and your children will definitely love it. From the villa you can walk through the reserve along a special path and watch the birds and the forest. True, this is a short path. There is a 3-kilometer trail that runs from the villa to Otaniemi past pastures - also very beautiful.
Address: Elfvikintie 4
Espoo City Museum
Or the Lagstad School Museum - because it is located in the building of the oldest school in Espoo. This school was built by the early 1870s, and it was the first municipal elementary school in the city. At first only girls studied there, since education was separate. In the middle of the last century, a new school building was opened nearby. Today, this building houses the offices of various Espoo services. Well, the museum was opened in the 60s. It took a long time and painstaking time to collect all the exhibits, but what you can see today is quite nice and nostalgic.
Address: Vanha Lagstadintie 4
Marketta Park (Marketanpuisto) 
Luxurious beauty park. Park Museum. Interesting stone artifacts, elegant gazebos, bridges that amaze with their grace are exhibited here, as well as fountains, ponds, and water gardens. What can we say about beautifully trimmed bushes and trees and flowers. This park is an excellent example of garden design and, in general, future landscape designers should definitely come here. 
This park was established in 1997, not far from the center of Espoo (10 minutes drive). Many local companies were looking for a place to present their products and capabilities. And so we decided on a place and built all this beauty. This place hosts annual gardening and landscape exhibitions. Various products and know-how in this area are also exhibited here. More than a hundred companies participate in these events. This park is free to visit and is open daily from 7am to 9pm. Look for the park near the 3rd ring road, between the motorways to Pori and Turku.
Museum – Villa Rulludd 
This building stands on the seashore, on a peninsula. It is unique for its architecture. The villa once belonged to a wealthy local family of a politician and businessman. He built the villa in 1873, and 20 years later his son built his own house next to it and connected it to the old common porch. The building turned out to be a little “mixed-color”. Six generations of this family lived in this house before the city council bought it in the 1980s. These days, there is a museum on the 2nd floor of the house, and various cultural events are held on the first floor.
Address: Rullaniementie 15
Helina Rautavaara Museum 
Helina Rautavaara was knowledgeable in the field of foreign culture and religion. She traveled widely and then made radio and television programs from materials collected during her travels. And then the museum was formed. This museum has permanent exhibitions, four about different cultures, and one about Helina herself. This museum contains about 2.5 thousand exhibits from Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Latin America. The traveler managed to bring all this stuff. Pretty interesting!
Address: Ahertajantie 5, WeeGee-talo
EMMA - Espoo Museum of Contemporary Art 
The museum's exhibits date from the early 19th century to the present day. Both Finnish and foreign - about 2000 items in total: paintings, engravings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, installations, etc. The collections are constantly replenished thanks to gifts from other museums in different countries.
Address: Ahertajantie 5
Museum of Horology
In the museum you can admire more than 6,000 wrist and wall clocks, which date from the 17th century to the present day. Watchmakers' tools are also kept here. Here you will find out how things were in watchmakers in Finland and other countries. The history of the museum dates back to 1944, when a collection of works by students of the Finnish School of Watchmakers was collected. The museum was opened almost 40 years later. And about 10 years ago the museum was moved to the WeeGee exhibition center.
Address: Ahertajantie 5
Museum-Estate "Glims"
This museum is located in the village of Karvasmäki, which is a 15-minute drive to the east from the center of Espoo. This settlement was known back in the Middle Ages. Today little remains of the medieval buildings, and the oldest structures, a barn and a dwelling house, were built in the 18th century. Glims Manor was a farm at the beginning of the last century, and before that it was a tavern and inn. It was also the residence of the local police chief. The museum in the building has been operating since the late 50s of the last century. In this open-air museum you will learn more about the life and way of life of peasants in those days. Almost all the buildings remain in their original locations.
The second largest city in Finland is Espoo, a satellite city of Helsinki. In 1458 it received official city status. Large representative offices of many famous companies and brands are located here.
Living here is very prestigious: the city’s budget and the income of its residents are the highest in the country. You will be able to fully enjoy the nature of Espoo, participate in the cultural life of the city, attend concerts, exhibitions, and sporting events.
The city has a large number of large retail chains, shops, and boutiques that will not leave shopping lovers indifferent. The city is provided with green areas, forest parks, beaches where you can walk, fish, pick berries, swim and sunbathe. And although Espoo does not have a clear historical center, there is a lot to see in terms of interesting sights.
Waterpark "Serena"
The largest tropical water park in the country. What sets it apart from all other water parks is that it is located inside a rock! Here you will find not only water slides, but also many swimming pools, traditional Finnish saunas, waterfalls, Jacuzzis and other interesting attractions. Not far from it there is a hotel and a ski resort. The water park is open all year round.
Ski center "Serena"
Not far from the Serena water park there is a ski resort of the same name, which attracts all winter sports lovers with its slopes. In this sports center you can find something to do to your liking. Five trails and a jump are open for professionals, and ski and snowboarding schools for beginners. There are equipment rentals and restaurants. The only downhill skating track in the country is also located here.
Location: Tornimäentie - 10.
Nuuksio Park is a great place to discover the flora and fauna of Finland. There are hiking trails along the entire park, walking along which you can fully enjoy the breathtaking views of wildlife. You can walk around the park on foot, on bicycles or on horseback. In Nuuksio you can have a picnic, followed by an overnight stay in the lap of nature. You can also climb to the top of the cliff, along the Raven Path, and have a bird's-eye view of the surroundings of the park and the beautiful Lake Haukkalampi, shimmering in the sun.
Lutheran church, built between 1458 and 1480. Initially, the church protected local residents from enemy attacks. In 1767, a bell appeared on the top of her head. Later they brought the organ. The walls and ceiling of the church, in addition to Biblical scenes, are also decorated with scenes from the everyday life of city residents. The statue of the Passion of Christ, made of wood, was moved here from the National Museum. In the evenings you can hear the sound of organ music here. In 2004, the Church of the Apostle Matthew received the status of a Cathedral.
Manor "Glims"
The museum at the Glims estate opened in 1958. Before it was handed over to the authorities to be turned into a city museum, the estate managed to change three owners. The first owner was a certain Nielsen Peder, then it was owned by a local policeman, and finally the Lönnberg family.
Until the beginning of the 20th century. this farm was fully operational. Now you can wander around it, among the remaining 11 buildings, and get acquainted with the life of medieval peasants. Festivals, music concerts, and literary readings are periodically held on the territory.
Villa "Elfik"
In one of the Espoo nature reserves, among the green trees, the Elfik villa is hidden. It was built in 1904, in a purely English style. An exhibition dedicated to the nature of Nuuksio Park is organized inside. Many exhibits are allowed to be touched. If you press a special button on the models, you will hear the voices of the inhabitants of these protected forests. Hungry vacationers will find a small, cozy cafe on site.
Location: Elfviksvägen - 4.
Marquetta Park
The largest landscape park in the country is called Marquetta. The peculiarity of this place is that small pieces of park land are rented by companies. They take care of the place and design its interior. Horticultural exhibitions are constantly held here, and more than 100 organizations present their products.
If you decide to walk through the park on your own, then throughout the park you will be able to see gazebos, fountains, ponds, ornamental plants, bridges, natural stones and minerals, flower walls and much more.
An interesting lake called Bodom is located near the city of Espoo. It is 3 km long and 1 km wide. The lake is very popular among tourists coming to Espoo. Many come here to see in person the place that inspired the 2016 film Lake Bodom. And a very sad event happened here - the murder of four teenagers. However, despite this fact, it is a pleasure to relax here. A large hotel has been built on the shore, and the area is crossed by many paths along which you can walk.
In the traditional Finnish style, the Vitträsk estate was built in 1903 by three architect friends. It stands on a hill above the lake. The walls of the house are partially made of stone. After construction, three families settled here at once.
Each lived in its own separate wing. Inside you can admire 15 stoves, with patterns in the national style, large woven carpets, and elegant stained glass windows. At the moment, Vittresk is used as a museum, with a souvenir shop inside.
Location: Hvitträskintie - 16.
Russian tourists will be interested in visiting the Treskenda estate, which formerly belonged to the famous Aurora Karamzina. She was married twice: first to millionaire Demidov, then to her eldest son Karamzin.
In this house she organized festivities in honor of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, who arrived in the country. By her order, in honor of this event, various animals and many trees were brought here from the Urals to be planted in the garden.
Espoo - a city of museums
If you go to Espoo, be sure to visit its interesting and unusual museums.
In the exhibition complex "" (Ahertajantie - 5) there are many museums: art-modernist - "Emma", cultural and historical, museum of toys and time, ethnographic museum.
Another museum was opened in the very first school building in the city. Here are collected antiques related to the history of the municipal primary school. Visitors can experience first-hand the gymnastics equipment of those times that students used to use.
In the museum, on Villa Rulludd(Rullaniementie - 15), which stands on the very shore of the peninsula, visitors can find out how as many as six generations of the Kilman family lived here: a famous politician, pastor and teacher, at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. The architectural structure of the villa contains elements of four different historical eras. Such a diverse combination of styles is definitely worth a look.
