Seaside Helsinki Walk

Seaside Helsinki Walk

Bordered by the sea, the south side of Helsinki is resplendent with elegant 20th-century residences and parks with winding paths. The waterfront Kaivopuisto leads into the upscale embassy neighborhood.

Begin your walk at the sharp-spired Mikael Agricolan Kirkko in the small park, Tehtaanpuisto. Cross Tehtaankatu and walk south down Laivurinkatu past Eiran Sairaala, or Eira Hospital, with its witch-hat towers and triangular garret windows. Continue south on Laivurinkatu, passing the art nouveau Villa Johanna on your left. An open view of the Baltic will be just ahead. At the end of the street, turn right on Merikatu. After passing the beautiful Villa Ensi,you'll arrive at the eternal flame of the Merenkulkijoiden Muistomerkki, or Seafarers' Torch, commissioned by the city as a tribute to Finnish sailors and a symbol of hope for their safe return.

Turn east to walk along Merisatamaranta, the seaside promenade. Out at sea is a handful of the thousands of islands that make up the Gulf of Finland Archipelago. Turn away from the water and walk south on Iso Puistotie to the shady Kaivopuisto bordered by opulent estates and embassies; plan on spending half an hour wandering along its pleasant paths. From the park, follow the eastward loop of Kalliolinnantie through the embassy district to the Mannerheim Museo. On the same street is the tiny Cygnaeuksen Galleria. Follow Itäinen Puistotie north to Tehtaankatu 1, where you'll see the enormous fenced-in Russian Embassy complex; then walk up Ullankatu to the park Tähtitorninvuori. For those seriously interested in architecture, the Suomen Rakennustaiteen Museo is just west of the observatory; follow any of the small streets that go west, and turn right on Kasarmikatu. Just north is the Designmuseo.

Timing

It takes a little more than one hour to walk this route, not counting time to relax in the parks and see art collections. Although the Seafarers' Torch is best seen at night, you might choose to make the walk during the day to take in the subtle beauty of the elegant residences in the area. Note some of the sites below are closed Monday and Tuesday; Monday to Thursday the Mannerheim Museo requires an appointment; the Mikael Agricolan Kirkko is usually open only during Sunday services.