Espoo

Along with Helsinki, Vantaa, and Kauniainen, Espoo makes up the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, and is the second most heavily populated city in Finland, with around 250,000 people living there.

A bustling metropolis with 5 centres, Espoo is a city rich in culture yet still firmly rooted in nature, nestled between Nuuksio National Park and the Baltic Sea. Espoo has much to offer visitors who enjoy the sea – there is 58 kilometres of shoreline in the municipality, and some 165 islands in the archipelago to explore surrounded by waters that are perfect for fishing and boating, whether in a kayak or canoe or a larger craft. Now, thanks to the new Helsinki metro extension that runs all the way to Matinkylä, the little known charms of Espoo’s coast and archipelago are more accessible than ever.

Espoo, often overlooked by most visitors to the capital, has a wealth of natural attractions worth exploring. In the north of Espoo lies Nuuksion National Park, a region of untouched wilderness of forests and lakes, while to the south, Espoo’s long coastline and an idyllic archipelago boasts more islands than Hawaii! The famous King’s Road that leads from Stockholm to Viipuri, dating back to the 13th century, passes through Espoo. The oldest preserved building in the city is Espoo Cathedral, dating back to the 1480s. Today, Espoo is a thriving city unlike any other in Finland. Instead of having a traditional city centre, it has five separate local centres, the best known of which is Tapiola Garden City.