Espoo

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Visit Helsinki
Photo provided by Visit Helsinki
Helsinki
Lantinen District which includes heritage elements
Lantinen District featuring interior views and heritage elements

The diverse geography of Finland’s second-largest municipality ensures you’ll find plenty to do both indoors and out.

Visit beautiful Espoo to sail around an archipelago of more than 150 islands or hike on deserted woodland trails. Explore fascinating museums and galleries and enjoy superb modern dining in the city center restaurants. Part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Espoo incorporates all the attractions of a modern city, yet it maintains a natural feel with grassy areas and access to the coast.

Discover the city’s culture with a museum visit. The Museum of Modern Art has a focus on the nation’s greatest artisans of the last 200 years. Explore the Gallen-Kallela Museum, a 10-minute drive northeast around the bay. Mainly devoted to the great Finnish painter of the same name, it also has a fascinating display of artifacts from his family’s travels around Africa.

Delight in the Finnish Toy Museum and the Museum of Horology, with more than 6,000 watches and clocks, some that date back as far as the 17th century.

A good place to experience nature in Espoo is the Nuuksio National Park, which has mirror-like lakes interspersed between gorgeous forests of conifer and birch trees. Stop off at the modern Finnish Nature Centre Haltia to view a range of interactive information screens about the park and find out what animals you can expect to encounter.

If you enjoy getting out on the water, take a boat tour of the many islands scattered off the coast of Espoo and Helsinki. Catch the ferry from one of seven city-side ports and soak up the last of the day’s sunshine reflecting off the waves.

Reach Espoo by train from Helsinki in about 20 minutes. The city center has excellent restaurants that serve full international menus. Find abundant hotels within walking distance. Perhaps the premier event on the calendar is the April Jazz Festival with a selection of international artists performing.

Where to stay in Espoo

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Otaniemi

Otaniemi is well-liked for its beaches and shopping. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Laajalahti Nature Reserve and Karhusaaren uimaranta are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Keilaniemi Station or Aalto-yliopisto Station to get around.

Otaniemi
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Leppavaara

Discover Leppavaara, memorable for its shopping. Popular attractions in Leppavaara include Sello Shopping Centre and Vermon Arena, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Kilo Station.

Leppavaara
Seurasaari Open Air Museum featuring a bridge

Lantinen District

4.5/5(30 area reviews)

Noted for its seaside views and lake views, there's plenty to explore in Lantinen District. Top attractions like Vermon Arena and Seurasaari Open Air Museum are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Mäkkylä Station or Korppaanmaki Station to see more of the city.

Lantinen District
Finland #interrail

Tapiola

Tapiola is well-liked for its beaches and coffeehouses. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Espoo Metro Areena and Espoo Museum of Modern Art are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Urheilupuisto Station or Tapiola Station to get around.

Tapiola
Espoo which includes heritage architecture and snow

Espoo Centre

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Well-liked for its coffeehouses and gardens, Espoo Centre is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Espoo Cathedral and Saunaseura, and jump on the metro at Tuomarila Station to get around the city.

Espoo Centre
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Haukilahti

While visiting Haukilahti, you might make a stop by sights like Haukilahden uimaranta and Koirien Beach.

Haukilahti
Heymo 1 by Sokos Hotels
Heymo 1 by Sokos Hotels
3 out of 5
Miestentie, 5, Espoo
$54 nightly
The price is $62 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$62 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Espoo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Olympic Stadium and Mall ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (271 reviews)
"Very convenient location to Altoo University and the metro to Helsinki"

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

Heymo 1 by Sokos Hotels
Hotel Matts
Hotel Matts
Tynnyritie 1, Espoo
Stay at this hotel in Espoo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a sauna. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Iso Omena ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (837 reviews)
"Had the best breakfast buffet I've seen at a hotel. Very clean. Very comfortable."

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Hotel Matts
Original Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden
Original Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden
Tapionaukio 3, Espoo
$100 nightly
The price is $115 total per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
$115 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Espoo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Popular attractions Olympic Stadium and Mall of Tripla are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (634 reviews)
"Property was clean, no issues at all. Some construction works are ongoing at the rear of the hotel which I did not know about. That started about 7am so might be early for other guests. Small fitness room was adequate. Food choice in hotel wasn't to my taste but that's not negative review of the ..."

Reviewed on Jun 17, 2025

Original Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Forenom Aparthotel Espoo Leppävaara
Forenom Aparthotel Espoo Leppävaara
Porarinkatu 1, Espoo
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Espoo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Mall of Tripla and Olympic ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (533 reviews)
"Beds too small and pillows too soft."

Reviewed on Jan 19, 2025

Forenom Aparthotel Espoo Leppävaara
Forenom Serviced Apartments Espoo Tapiola
Forenom Serviced Apartments Espoo Tapiola
4 out of 5
Elosalamantie 2, Espoo
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Espoo. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Olympic Stadium and Mall of Tripla ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (164 reviews)
Good price for volue
"Good condition. Everything fine"

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

Forenom Serviced Apartments Espoo Tapiola
Spot Apartments Espoon Keskus
Spot Apartments Espoon Keskus
3.5 out of 5
Reviisorinkatu 10, Espoo
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Espoo. Enjoy free WiFi and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Espoo Cathedral and Gallen-Kallelan Museo are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (22 reviews)
"water heater and toilet push shower defective. everything else was fine"

Reviewed on Feb 6, 2025

Spot Apartments Espoon Keskus
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Espoo

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
5
5 - Excellent 45%
4 - Good
4
4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 18%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Appropriate for business community

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Great place to stay!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

We stayed at this location before. We're happy in general. Wi-fi was terrible this time though.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It is like a sate

5/5 - Excellent

DannyandJordanR

The next big surrounding city to Helsinki that is about to blow up! The megamall they are buiding in Tapiola (Aiona) is being worked on now, but a lot of shops are open now including the market/grocery store. 5 minute walk from Forenom.

Cities near Espoo