Helsinki/Eastern suburbs

Helsinki/Eastern suburbs

Helsinki's Eastern Suburbs are the easternmost part of Helsinki.

Get in

The most convenient mode of public transportation from the city center is the metro – actually most of Helsinki's metro stations are located here. Alternatively you can take the bus. From the airport, bus 561 brings you to Itäkeskus, the main public transportation hub of Eastern Helsinki. If you are driving, highway 170 to Porvoo goes right through the area, and the eastern ends of the ring roads are located here. The ferries from Germany nowadays dock at Vuosaari harbor, which is located in eastern Helsinki.

See

  • Korkeasaari, 60.175056°, 24.984222°. Every day except Christmas Eve: 10:00-20:00, may operate shorter hours on holidays. Helsinki's zoo, on an eponymous large island northeast of the city center, with approximately 150 different animal species. The zoos signature animals are the bears, the free-roaming peafowls and the cats (from tigers and lions to European wildcats). Another highlight is Amazonia, a partly underground house featuring tropical plants and smaller animals such as fish and frogs. Opened in 1889, Korkeasaari is reportedly one of the world's oldest operating zoos. Korkeasaari is connected to the mainland by bridges via Kulosaari and Mustikkamaa islands, and since spring 2016 pedestrians and bikers can take a shortcut from Kalasatama; the Isoisänsilta (lit. Grandfather bridge). From downtown, bus 16 takes you to the gates of the zoo, and if you're driving, you can park for free on Mustikkamaa. During summer you can also opt for a 15-min ferry ride (ferry ticket: €6.95 return, under 18 yr old travel for free) from Hakaniemi and Market Square. €14 adults, €10 children and students
  • Kultturikeskus STOA, Turunlinnantie 1 (behind Itis shopping mall), 60.212002°, 25.080432°. One of Helsinki's modern cultural centers hosting various galleries.
  • Roihuvuori Cherry Park and Japanese garden (Kirsikkapuisto, Roihuvuoren japanilaistyylinen puutarha), Sahaajankatu, 60.196466°, 25.049004°. Two adjacent Japanese-style parks in Roihuvuori. The best time to visit is in the spring during the cherry blossom when a traditional Japanese hanami is celebrated.
  • Vartiokylä fortress hill (Vartiokylän linnavuori), Linnavuorentie (in Vartiokylä district), 60.220538°, 25.120405°. Ruins of a medieval fortification.
  • Tammisalo Canal (Tammisalon kanava), 60.19517°, 25.06362°. The canal was dug in 1762 by the owner of the Herttoniemi manor to provide a shortcut for fishermen from Porvoo to the Helsinki Market Square. Before that it was a natural strait, through which Russian warships attacked Helsinki during the Greater Wrath. It was filled in 1794, but was re-opened as a local sight in 2001.
  • Cirrus, 60.20610°, 25.14571°. At 86 m, Cirrus next to the Columbus shopping center in the Vuosaari district was the tallest building in Finland when opened (though as of 2019 with Majakka finished it will not even be the tallest in Helsinki, but still a notable landmark in Vuosaari). There were plans to make the an observation platform of the highest floor, but the plans weren't realized.

Do

A Metro train

Buy

Part of Itis shopping mall

  • Itis (formerly Itäkeskus (Eastern Center)), 60.21136°, 25.08196°. The largest shopping mall in the Nordic countries with some 240 shops. If that's not enough, there is a separate Prisma hypermarket right across Kehä I, a Citymarket across Itäväylä and the "grandfather" Puhos (opened in 1965) behind Itis itself, all with small stores. Comes with an unexpected African and Middle Eastern vibe due to the high number of immigrants residing in the nearby neighbourhoods, who spend free time there with friends and family.
  • Hertsi (formerly Megahertsi), Linnanrakentajantie 2 (Metro: Herttoniemi.), 60.194315°, 25.032753°, +358 40 6313071. The shopping centre located in the Herttoniemi district.
  • Columbus, Vuotie 45 (M:Vuosaari), 60.20729°, 25.14534°. If you're in the easternmost part and need to buy something, check out Vuosaari's Columbus, with some 50 stores.
  • Marimekko Factory Outlet, Kirvesmiehenkatu 7, 60.19540°, 25.04138°. Fans of likely the best known Finnish fashion and interior design brand will find this a reason to venture out into the East of Helsinki.

Bakeries

  • Eho Perheleipurit factory store, Lämmittäjänkuja 2 (northeastern part of Herttoniemi), 60.20002°, 25.04126°. M-Fr 09:30-17:00, Sa 09:00-14:00. A major bakery selling bread, buns and cakes fresh from the oven at discount prices. The store is however a bit hidden between the industrial buildings and car dealerships.

Record stores

  • Streetbeat, Kirvesmiehenkatu 4 (Metro: Herttoniemi), 60.19431°, 25.04041°. One of Finland's dance/electronic music pioneers, but they've closed their city center store and moved into the suburbs.

Eat

Herttoniemi Manor, nowadays both a sight and perhaps the suburbs' finest restaurant

Budget

There are plenty of fast food joints in the area, both McDonald's and its Finnish competitor have a few places here. You usually don't have to travel far to find some place making pizza or kebabs which can be enjoyed with a soft drink or a beer for under €10.

Mid-range

Like most cities, suburbs aren't the place to find an abundance of restaurants. Your choice in the mid-range section are pretty much the restaurants of the shopping malls, some pubs that happen to serve food plus the ordinary Chinese, Thai and Middle Eastern restaurants which might be very good value for your money.

Ravintola Fregatti serves buffet lunch on weekdays and Saturdays.

Splurge

  • Wanha Mylly, Linnanrakentajantie 12 but Johan Sederholmintie 8 (behind the building) if you need to park your car (in Herttoniemi district), 60.19039°, 25.04180°. M 11:00-21:00, Tu-F 11:00-22:00, Sa 12:00-22:00, Su 12:00-21:00. Casual fine dining in the former Herttoniemi manor. Specializes in steaks, with the large Lankkupihvi steak served on a wooden platter as the house special. Extensive wine list which you wouldn't expect to find in this part of Helsinki. In the summer you can enjoy your meal in the outdoor garden if you like. mains €20-40, 3-course menu €50-70
  • Kulosaaren Casino, Hopeasalmenpolku 1, 60.18082°, 25.00642°. M-F 17:00-00:00. Hosted in the old casino on Kulosaari, this restaurant is your second alternative if you want to have a finer meal. Popular among diplomats, as many embassies are located on Kulosaari island.

Drink

Most suburbs have a shady local pub or two where you can get a cheap pint and some drinks. If you want something more hip, head west. Northern lights over Vuosaari

Bars and pubs

Nightclubs

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Connect

Free Wi-Fi is available in the Itis shopping center, some fast food joints, public libraries and the metro.