Espoo
Espoo (Swedish: Esbo) with a population of a quarter of a million is the second largest city in Finland. It's part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area along with the cities of Helsinki, Vantaa, and the small city of Kauniainen (Swedish: Grankulla) which is completely encircled by Espoo.
The national park of Nuuksio is situated in northwestern Espoo.
Understand
[edit]
Espoo has several local regional centres, thus divided into seven major areas: Vanha-Espoo, Espoonlahti, Espoo, Kauklahti, Leppävaara, Matinkylä and Tapiola. The Espoo center (Espoon keskus) is the administrative centre, but doesn't rise above its peers with respect to population. The population is concentrated in an inverted F-shaped area defined by the railway to Espoo centre (north) and the highway Länsiväylä (south) up to Espoonlahti. The rest is sparsely populated, and north of Espoo centre, the area is mostly forested. While Kauniainen is an independent municipality, in practice it is contiguous with Espoo and has no notable sights or services to travellers besides a small shopping center.
The science and technology-related campuses of the Aalto University are based in Otaniemi, Espoo, along with a thriving science community that includes numerous startups and organizations such as VTT – the Technical Research Centre of Finland. Nokia is headquartered in Karakallio, Espoo. Other high-tech companies such as KONE, Tekla and Fortum have their headquarters in Keilaniemi, Espoo, along with Microsoft's Finnish headquarters.
Get in
[edit]By bus
[edit]With respect to transit, the south of Espoo is served by the local highway, Länsiväylä. Buses via Länsiväylä to destinations in Espoo leave from the Kamppi bus station (Kamppi shopping centre, ground floor). The orbital line 550 connects the train stations of Oulunkylä and Huopalahti with the south-eastern part of Espoo (Leppävaara, Laajalahti, Otaniemi, Tapiola and Westend).
By train
[edit]Northern Espoo and Espoo centre (Espoon keskus) are served by Helsinki commuter trains Y, U, L and E (25 min from Helsinki) to Middle- and West-Espoo. In addition, A train (every 10-20 minutes, 17 minutes from Helsinki) serves the east part of Espoo. See local train map[dead link].
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Southeastern Espoo is accessible from central Helsinki by metro, with trains every 3-10 minutes. Locations along the metro route include the Keilaniemi business district, Aalto University, Tapiola, Matinkylä and Kivenlahti, which serve as bus stations for feeder lines to destinations further afield. One in two trains terminates at Tapioca, while the rest continue all the way to Matinkylä.
The "Jokeri" orbital light rail (line 15), officially tram line 15, curves across eastern Espoo, connecting Keilaniemi, Aalto University, Leppävaara and then looping across northern Helsinki to terminate in Itäkeskus.
By plane
[edit]- See also: Helsinki Airport#Ground transportation
Espoo is served by 1 Helsinki Airport (HEL IATA). 
, from where it can be reached by taxi in half an hour or less. Also the public transport is quite convenient. Typical routes would be:
- To southern Espoo, local train P from Helsinki Airport to Central Railway Station (Rautatientori), change to metro westbound (destination Tapiola or Matinkylä), change to feeder bus line if necessary.
- To northern Espoo, local train I from Helsinki Airport to Huopalahti, change to local train Y, U, L, E or A northbound (see local train map[dead link]), change to feeder bus line if necessary.
By car
[edit]Freeways 1 and 51 pass through Espoo, as do the westernmost portions of ring road one and three.
Get around
[edit]
Map of Espoo
- See also: Helsinki#Get around
For public transport, generally use HSL's journey planner or Google Maps.
By train
[edit]Trains A, E, S, U run across Espoo. Train L runs late at night and on weekend mornings. Suburbs in southeastern Espoo including Tapiola and Matinkylä are connected by metro.
Jokeri light rail
[edit]The first light rail line of the capital region called Jokeri was officially opened in October 2023. In the Espoo area, the route runs from Keilaniemi to Vermo in Leppävaara, from where the route continues to the Helsinki side.
By bus
[edit]Buses are frequent and convenient enough. Check the route planner for timetables. 1 Kauniainen is a part of the Espoo zone.
By electric kick scooter
[edit]- See also: Finland#By motorised scooter
Swedish Voi, German Tier, American Lime and Finnish Joe Scooter rent electric kick scooters. The companies aim to keep the scooters available also in winter, conditions permitting, but the vehicles are not ideal in snowy or slippery conditions.
By boat
[edit]- Scheduled archipelago boat service, ☏ +358 43-825-3215. June–August, Tu–Su in peak season. Boat to some of Espoo's islands (municipal service), from several boat harbours. The ferries can also be used as 2–4 hr cruises, in this case, you need to buy a return ticket. Single €7, children 7–18 etc. €3.50, return €14/7.
By bike
[edit]There are excellent cycling paths almost everywhere in Espoo, so it's worth cycling in a sunny day. Remember to wear a helmet. Detailed information of cyclist paths are available at HSL's website.[dead link]
By taxi
[edit]- Helsinki Limo, ☏ +358 20-787-0360, +358 20-787-0360, info@helsinkilimo.com. Will provide airport pick-ups, private car services as transfers and longer trips. Their vehicles are always new and black with leather interior. Drivers speak English and can even, by order, give short sightseeings.
- Lähitaksi, ☏ +358 100-7300 (extra charge: €1.92+€2.5/min+pvm). Traditionally the main taxi dispatch service in the capital region outside of Helsinki. Smartphone app: Taksini Daytime M–Sa €3.90+€1/1.45/km+0.90/min, nights and holidays €7.90+1.05/1.55/km+0.99/min; prebooking €7/14; the lower km and prebooking fees for 1–4 persons.
- Uber. Uber uses licensed vehicles and drivers like everybody else, although the vehicle standard may differ more than what is otherwise common.
- Yango. Yango is a Russian company which offers cheap fares. M–F €3.00+1.10/km+0.25/min, Sa Su 05:00-21:59 €3.00+1.10/km+0.25/min, F-Su 22:00-04:59 €6.00+1.10/km+0.25/min (Starting fare includes 4 min and 1.5 km).
- Menevä Espoo, ☏ +358 50-471-0470 (head of office), toll-free: 0800-02120 (booking). As of July 2020 Also bookable by app or web. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app or web. Flag fall M–Sa 06:00–18:00: €4, other times and holidays: €7; 1–4 persons €0.90/km + €0.90/km, 5–8 persons minimum €20, €1.60/km + €0.90/min (July 2020).
- iTaksi, ☏ +358 10-212-0000, info@itaksi.fi. €4.00/6.00+€0.90/km+€0.85/min.
- Fixutaxi, ☏ +358 100-6060, info@fixutaxi.fi. Also bookable by app. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app. Daily 06:00–18:00 €0.99/km+0.90/min, evenings and nights €1.17/km+0.99/min, minimum fare €10; prebooking €10.
- Valopilkku (Taksi Helsinki). Taxis ordered by smart phone app.
- 02 Taksi. Smart phone app offers address based routing and gives price offers from different taxi companies.
See
[edit]
- 1 The Gallen-Kallela museum, Gallen-Kallelan tie 27, ☏ +358 9 849 2340. 11:00-16:00. A small museum of the Finnish painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865–1931) who is best known for his illustrations of the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic. The museum is located in a castle-like house, Tarvaspää, on a rocky hill facing the sea, originally designed and built by Akseli Gallen-Kallela 1911–1913 as a combined home for his family and a studio. The museum presents not only the works of Akseli Gallen-Kallela, but also tells the story of his family and contains a collection of artefacts brought back from their travels to Africa. €8.
Mikes in Otaniemi. In the centre is Finland's most accurate clock, with an inaccuracy of only a few nanoseconds per year. - 2 Otaniemi Campus, Otaniementie 8. The campus of Aalto University (former Helsinki University of Technology) was designed by Alvar Aalto in organic modernist style, and includes the Dipoli congress center designed by Reima and Raili Pietilä in an eccentric style (lacking in right angles). Most buildings of interest are located either on the main street, Otaniementie, or on Otakaari, a loop road going from Otaniementie via Dipoli to the dorm village (Teekkarikylä), returning to the other side of the main building. The Laajalahti nature protected area, a good birdwatching site, is accessed from Otaniemi. At the headquarters of the Geological Survey of Finland, there is a museum display of geology, minerals and in particular a piece of moon rock gifted by the United States. At Tekniikantie 1 is Mikes (Centre for Metrology and Accreditation), with Finland's most accurate clock on its wall.
- 3 EMMA, Ahertajantie 5. Hosts Espoo Museum of Modern Art (EMMA) and a few other museums WeeGee exhibition centre
- 4 Glims Farmstead Museum (Glims gårdsmuseum), Glimsintie 1, Karvasmäki. Local open air museum.
- 5 Espoon automuseo (Espoo car museum), Bodomintie 35, Pakankylä.
- 6 Espoo cathedral, Kirkkokatu 1, ☏ +358 9 862-5000. The cathedral near Espoon Keskus is over 500 years old and built out of granite stone. free.
- 7 Marketanpuisto, Pehtorinkuja 3. This park is a permanent garden exhibition next to and operated by the Överby gardening vocational school. Stroll around and look at the works by the students. If you are an amateur gardener yourself, you'll perhaps get some ideas for your own garden. Free.
- 8 Espoo TV and radio mast (Espoon radio- ja televisioasema), Pellavakaskentie, Espoo (Latokaski district, 1 km walking from the closest bus stop (Latokasken koulu)). At 326m, the tallest structure in the capital region and the third tallest in Finland (two other masts are 327 m high). It isn't the Eiffel tower – you can't climb it or even get next to it (the immediate surroundings are closed off with a fence) but it's there; there is a walking trail next to the place.
- 9 Espoo Central Park (Espoon keskuspuisto). Like New York and Helsinki, Espoo also has a central park. A little peace of a few kilometres south of Espoon Keskus. The park consists mostly of dense spruce forest, with some steep hills. Has maintained footpaths, although they might be inaccessible to wheeled vehicles (prams, wheelchairs) with snowfall.
- 10 Architecture in Tapiola. The Tapiola district in the east of Espoo was constructed as a garden city in the 1950s and 1960s. The district is a showcase of Finnish architecture from that period and many of the buildings look quite innovative and unusual even today.
- 11 Glims Pks4H Petting Zoo, Glimsintie 1 (near Jorvi hospital), ☏ +358 45 783 17764, elainvastaava@4h.fi. In Glims you will find several different domestic animals such as sheep. Children can hug animals.
- 12 Lake Bodom (Bodominjärvi) (near the Nuuksio National Park). The most popular beach in Espoo has a grim history, it is the site of probably the most known unsolved mystery in Finland, the Lake Bodom murders. This is where the band Children of Bodom got their name from.
Do
[edit]- 1 Espoo archipelago. Many small islands outside Espoo can be visited by boat in the summer. They are great for hiking and camping.
- 2 Classical music. Tapiola Sinfonietta is an orchestra specializing in Viennese classical music, but also plays modern music. They perform regularly in the Tapiolasali concert hall, sometimes together with international guest soloists.
"Mini-Tapiola" in autumn 2006 - 3 Mini-Tapiola, Tapiola centre. 09:00-21:00. "Mini-Tapiola" is a children's play park featuring a miniature version of the centre of Tapiola, located in the centre of Tapiola itself. Here children can have fun and familiarise themselves with the Tapiola district and basic traffic rules, while being safely overseen by their parents. Free of charge.
- Espoo Waterfront Walkway (Rantaraitti). Any time. The Rantaraitti hiking trail runs along Espoo's entire coastline, from the border to Helsinki at Laajalahti all the way to the border to Kirkkonummi at Kauklahti. The trail is well marked with frequent Rantaraitti icons. You can start and end your hike at any point during the trail. Free of charge.
- Laajalahti Nature Reserve, Elfvikintie, ☏ +358 9 816-54400, villaelfvik@espoo.fi. Bird wetland. It has a large nesting population and is also an important stop for migrating birds. Trails and bird watching towers. The Laajalahti bay consists mostly of shallow open water, but there are also a broad reedbed and shoreline groves and meadows. The nature centre Villa Elfvik is starting point for a 700 m nature trail and a 3 km trail to the southern end of the area by Otaniemi, where it combines with the Waterfront Walkway].
Outdoor half-pipe water slide at Serena - 4 Nuuksio National Park. This is a "go to" place in Espoo, being probably the most accessible "true Finnish forest" near Helsinki. There is parking and footpaths. Although one has a metalled path up to a beautiful lakeshore, none are completely accessible to wheelchairs or prams, since all include unmaintained sections with rocky slopes and/or tree roots blocking the way.
- Cinema
- Finnkino. Finnkino runs movie theatres in the shopping centres Iso Omena and Sello.
- Bio Grani (Kauniainen). Smaller independent cinema, showing mostly the bigger blockbusters. May have a matinée series of cheaper, more art house screenings supported by the local culture board.
- Kino Tapiola (Tapiola). Smaller independent cinema, showing mostly the bigger blockbusters. May have a matinée series of cheaper, more art house screenings supported by the local culture board.
- 5 Serena Water Amusement Park (Vesipuisto Serena), Tornimäentie 10 (Bus 236 from Leppävaara), ☏ +358 9 8870550, info.serena@puuhagroup.com. Daily 23:00-20:00. This is the largest water park in the Nordic countries with some 2,000 m² of heated pools indoors. The buildings have seen their best days, but kids love the water slides. An extra 1,000 m² of outdoor area is open in the summer. Serena is at its best in winter when you can kick back in a jacuzzi and watch people ski on the other side of the glass windows. All-day pass €32 except some Fridays €25 (16:00-20:00 only), family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) €75..
- Watch a game. Espoo has a team in many premier Finnish sports leagues. The football (soccer) team FC Honka play their home games in Tapiola sports park, Esport center is the home for Oilers (floorball) and Honka (basket ball), and in the winter many fans head to Metro Arena to see a home game of the local team Espoo United.
- 6 Vermo Horse Racing Track (Vermon ravirata). Finland's premier horse racing track features races every Wednesday and some Saturdays. It also hosts the annual Finlandia-Ajo event part of the UET Masters Series.
- 7 Laguuni Keilis, Keilalahdentie 8, ☏ +358 29 170 0353. You can rent a standup paddleboard or a kayak.
- Swimming pool
- 8 Leppävaara Swimming Pool, Veräjäpellonkatu 15 (Leppävaara Sports Park), ☏ +358 9 8165-7570. Big pool, therapy pool, hot tubs, cold water pool, wading pool, outdoor pool, virtual water exercise. Regular saunas and steam saunas. €6.
- 9 Keski-Espoo Swimming Pool, Kaivomestarinkatu 2 (Kuninkaantie general upper secondary school building), ☏ +358 9 8164-3469. Big pool, therapy pool, learner's pool, jacuzzi, hybrid saunas (infrared and aroma). €6.
Events
[edit]
- 11 Espoo Panee ja Juhlii, Tietotie 1. 16:00 to 22:00. The name means "Espoo is Brewing and Partying". A small-scale beer festival hosted by the brewery restaurant Fat Lizard in Otaniemi and held on the restaurant's terrace. Various Finnish breweries come to showcase their beer and there is usually live music played. Held on three separate Fridays in the summer, one in June, one in July and one in August. See the restaurant's website for more information. Free entry, beer from 2 € (minuscule samples) to 10 € (full glass).
- 12 Länsiväyläjuoksu, Otaranta, ☏ +358 44-340-5326, +358 9 343 1067. 10:00–16:00. Espoo's most famous annual running and walking event. Held on a Sunday in late April. Three event categories: long run, short run and walk. All of them start and end at Otaranta. The long run is over 17 km and goes all across the Laajalahti bay, also visiting neighbouring Helsinki. The short run and the walk are 6 km and stay in Espoo. A nice opportunity to get some exercise and see the scenery in southern Finland. There is a fee for participation but spectating is free. Free/€15–60 depending on category and registration date.
Buy
[edit]Shopping centres
[edit]
- 1 Sello, Leppävaarankatu 3-9. One of the largest shopping centres in Finland with excellent traffic connections. Local trains A, E, S, U, Y and the night train L all stop at Leppävaara station which is just beside the shopping centre. Also many bus routes serve the area. Selection of retailers is geared Finnish and international clothing and consumer electronics chains. The shopping centre features several cafes, restaurants and fast food outlets as well as two large grocery stores.
- 2 Iso Omena, Piispansilta 11. Large shopping centre serving the Matinkylä district. Bus lines 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 10K, 11, 31, 35, 112, 503, 132, 143, 145, 147, 150, 151, 154, 160 and 165. The selection of shops is fairly similar compared to the slightly larger Sello shopping centre, although there are some speciality shops geared towards a more upscale clientele.
- 3 Entresse and Espoontori. The two shopping centres, Entresse and Espoontori, serve the Central Espoo district near the Espoo train station. Local trains E, S, U and the night train L stop here. Both shopping centres are significantly smaller than the ones previously introduced. Espoontori features a grocery store, Tokmanni (a budget general store) and various smaller retailers. Entresse has a grocery store, jewellery shops and clothing stores.
- Tapiola shopping district[dead link], which includes Ainoa, Heikintori [dead link], a Stockmann, and numerous smaller shops.
- Smaller shopping centres are Lippulaiva in Espoonlahti; Olari Prisma next to Iso Omena on the opposite side of Länsiväylä; Niitty in Niittykumpu on the top of the district's metro station; Mankkaa and Viherlaakso; a hardware store area including the shopping centre Merituuli in Suomenoja; another similar area in Lommila and Muurala near Espoo centre, and numerous others. Most districts have at least one local grocery store (often with a couple of other shops and services in the same building).
Outlet shops
[edit]- 4 Iittala Outlet, Espoontie 25, Lommila. Home decoration and kitchen utensils.
- 5 Lumene, Lasihytti 1, Kauklahti. Finnish cosmetics manufacturer Lumene has its factory outlet in the disctrict of Kauklahti in Western Espoo. Local trains E, S, U and the night train L stop at Kauklahti station.
- 6 Espoon lahjatupa, Kirkkojärventie 3, Espoon keskus. An outlet shop rich in atmosphere selling Finnish handmade gifts and home decoration products.
Outdoor markets
[edit]Like most cities in Finland you can buy fruits, vegetables, fish and more and sit down for a cup of coffee at outdoor markets (tori). They are open 09:00–17:00. For maps and information on events, Espoon torikauppiaat association website.
- Espoon keskus (Asematori)
- Leppävaara markets (Läkkitori north of the railway station and Viaporin tori on the southern side, in the inner court of Sello shopping centre)
- Espoonlahti market (Ulappatori)
- Tapiola market
- Karakallio market
Flea markets
[edit]- Fida International. Fida International operates goodwill flea markets in four, mostly residential areas: Leppävaara (Harakantie 22) Matinkylä (Piispansilta 11), Tapiola (Kauppamiehentie 1) and Espoon Keskus (Kamreerintie 3). The selection in the shops mostly consists of used clothes, books and furniture.
- 7 Espoo Recycling Centre (Espoon kierrätyskeskus), Matinpurontie 8. The selection includes furniture, clothes (also vintage), toys, books, sports equipment, electronics, cookware and cutlery. The shop has also a free of charge department with a small variety of clothes and other items.
- 8 TC Secondhand, Kala-Matti 3 C, ☏ +358 44 972 7777, info@teenchallenge.fi. M–F 14:00–18:00 Sa 12:00–16:00. Charity shop selling clothes and accessories. Sales revenue supports those in difficult life situations.
- There are some self-service fleamarkets around Espoo like Akseli (Sinikalliontie 1, Mankkaa)
Eat
[edit]
Budget
[edit]- 1 Student diners in Otaniemi, Otakaari 1 (several places in the area). lunchtime. The lunch restaurants of the Aalto University engineering schools offer cheap meals even for non-students. Most have 2–3 cheap options and one higher-price option. €5–8.
- 2 Maukas, Vuorimiehentie 5 (in Otaniemi), ☏ +358 40-705-0157, info@mau-kas.fi. M–F 10:30–14:00. Family-run lunch restaurant in Otaniemi, Espoo. €10.90.
- 3 Fazer Food & Co., Maarintie 8, ☏ +358 50-417-6537, tuas@foodandco.fi. M–F 10:30–13:30. €7.55, dessert €1.65.
- 4 Pizzaman, Lippajärventie 29, ☏ +358 9 512-0512. M–F 10–21:00, Sa Su 12:00–21:00. Pizzaman is next to the K-Kauppa grocery store. Large pizzas. regular pizzas €6–8.
- 5 Ravintola Haukimuori, Iivisniemenkatu 2D. A lunch restaurant in Iivisniemi district with home cooked delicious food. lunch €8.
- 6 Täffä, Otakaari 22. Perhaps the most famous of the university student restaurants in Otaniemi, owned by the Teknologföreningen student association. Located in a nice-looking functionalist building, easy to spot by the long ledge hanging over its main entrance.
The restaurant is mainly for university students but is open for everyone, non-students just pay more. Still cheap.
Five choices available each day, of which one is vegetarian and one is a fancier and costlier à la carte option. Most famous for its spaghetti bolognese, served every Wednesday, perhaps the best spaghetti bolognese in Espoo. On Wednesdays, prepare for long queues, taking almost fifteen minutes just to get to order your food. €3 (for Finnish students) to €8. - 7 Sodexo Keilasatama 5, Keilasatama 5 (Metro station Keilaniemi, bus 555), ☏ +358 50-380-8490. M–F 11:00–13:00. €11.30.
- 8 Peshawar, Kutojantie 3, ☏ +358 9 888 1520.
- 9 Kalajärven pizzeria, Ruskaniitty 4 (in Kalajärvi; along the road 120), ☏ +358 9 855 6856, info@kalajarvenpizzeria.fi. M–F 10:00–22:00, Weekend 11:00–22:00. €9–14.
Mid-range
[edit]- 10 Deli Rasoi, Siltakatu 11, ☏ +358 9 428-91892. M–Th 10:30–21:00, F–Su 11:00–22:00. Tasty and authentic Indian food. Great value for the price. Lunch buffet €9.20 (M–F), €12 (Weekend), Mains from €12.
Pork schnitzel - 11 E.T. Charlie, Ukkohauentie 11–13, ☏ +358 9 886-01761, e.t.charlie@kolumbus.fi. 11:00–21:00 mostly. A spacious, stylish, comfortable restaurant in the quiet residential district of Haukilahti. Serves typical dishes available in restaurants in Finland: pastas, pizzas, steaks, and burgers. No famous speciality, but all dishes are worth trying. The kitchen closes at 21:00, but the restaurant usually stays open until midnight. Many local people come here often. There is a bus connection to Tapiola and Otaniemi (line 111) near the restaurant and it's a short walk away from the Haukilahti beach and marina. Main courses €11–25.
- 12 Fat Lizard, Tietotie 1, ☏ +358 20-127-7710. 10:30 to 24:00 mostly. One of the very few à la carte restaurants in Otaniemi. Highly stylish interior and good, if somewhat expensive, food. Easily accessible as it's right next door to the Aalto University metro station. Lunch includes both a buffet at 12 € and an upgrade option for 5.50 € extra. If you're feeling adventurous, try fried crickets as starters at €10. The restaurant also includes its own bar, serving various beers both from the Fat Lizard brewery (try some, they're refreshingly fruity lagers) and elsewhere. Lunch €12–17.50, main courses €18–32.
Steak au poivre, beef steak with peppercorn sauce - 13 Grilli Ribis, Kauppamiehentie 1, ☏ +358 9 455-1780. M–Sa 10:00–17:00 mostly, closed on Sundays. A decades-old and famous steak restaurant, located in the Heikintori shopping centre in central Tapiola. Steaks of various forms, particularly pork and beef. The restaurant is rather small and looks like your average diner, but its steaks have gained it fame throughout Espoo and even in neighbouring Helsinki. There are a limited number of tables available but you can also eat your steak at the bar. Main courses €12–18.
- 14 Ravintola Grilli Toro, Louhentie 16, ☏ +358 9 460-427. A good selection of large steaks at a reasonable price in Pohjantori, north Tapiola, especially popular during lunchtime.
- 15 Guido's Pizza, Heikinkuja 2, ☏ +358 400-139-998. 11:00–21:00 mostly. A nice little pizzeria in Tapiola with tasty, authentic Italian pizzas. Several beers available, try for example MC Taakibörsta or Märichello. €11–18.
- 16 Luukki Manor (Luukin kartano), Luukintie 33 (in Luukki; along the road 120), ☏ +358 50 351 7728, myynti@ravintolalaguna.fi. From June to August daily 10:00–17:00; from September to May weekend 11:00–15:00. A restaurant manor in the Luukki recreational area. €13–18.
- 17 Ravintola Johannes, Hanasaarenranta 5 (Hanasaari Island). Scandinavian cuisine served in an environment of modern art. Good food, but the service is rather slow even as the restaurant is not even half full. The restaurant also has their own pale ale "Märket" (named after the lighthouse west of Åland).
- 18 Restaurant Lime Leaf, Sello Rex, Leppävaara. Thai and Malay restaurant run by Chinese.
- Ravintola Nepal, Kivenlahdenkatu 1, 02320 Espoo, ☏ +358 9 348-9009. Tu–Th 11:00–21:00, F 11:00–22:00, Sa 12:00–22:00, Su 12:00–21:00. Tasty and authentic Nepalese food in Espoo. Great value for the price. Lunch starting from €9 (T–F), Mains starting from €12.
- 19 Ravintola Sevilla Bar & Restaurante, Tapionaukio 3, Tapiola. Spanish-style restaurant.
- 20 Xin Long, Tapiontori 3, ☏ +358 9 855-0030. 10:30–21:00. A Chinese restaurant near the centre of Tapiola. Famous for its all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, combining Chinese food and sushi. Not specifically a sushi restaurant, but the sushi is among the best in Espoo. The main courses include various varieties of beef, pork, chicken and tofu, and all are worth trying. Lunch €9.
Splurge
[edit]- 21 Ravintola Haikaranpesä, Hauenkallio 3, ☏ +358 9 452-4254. M–F 11:00–15:00, Sa Su 12:00–17:00. A panoramic restaurant in the water tower of Haukilahti. Open only for lunch! Lunch buffet €48.
Drink
[edit]
Cafés
[edit]- 1 Café Mellsten, Mellstenintie 6. Located near the beach in Haukilahti. As well as a café, also serves tasty and cheap lunch consisting of soup or pasta.
- 2 Bembölen kahvitupa (Bemböle kaffestuga), Bellinmäki 1 (Bemböle district). Traditional café with century-old history next to the King's Road.
- 3 Café Ankkuri, Sateenkaari 9 (Otsolahti district).
- 4 [formerly dead link] Café WeeGee, Ahertajantie 5 (Tapiola district).
- 5 Café Merenneito, Koukkuniementie 1A (Matinkylä district).
- 6 [formerly dead link] Kahvila Satakieli, Elfvikintie 4 (Laajalahti district).
- 7 Kaisan Café, Itätuulenkuja 8 (Tapiola district). Located in the "Sampokuja" building in central Tapiola. Open on weekdays only. Try their cinnamon buns, they're tasty, huge (perhaps the biggest in Espoo) and quite cheap.
- 8 Vasikkasaaren kahvila, Iso Vasikkasaari Island.
- 9 Teen Challenge Finland meeting place, Kala-Matti 3 C, ☏ +358 44-972-7777, info@teenchallenge.fi. Tu Th 11:00–15:00. Community café. Free of charge coffee and buns.
Bars and pubs
[edit]- 10 William K, Leppävaarankatu 3-9 (in Sello mall). A passable beer pub with nice sunny outdoor seating.
- 11 Base, Leppävaarankatu 3-9 (in Sello mall). A cosy place for a drink, also situated at Sello.
- 12 Mitta & Hana (former pub Satulinna), Kirstintie 5. Likely the most famous pub in Espoo.
- 13 Bodom Bar & Sauna, Merituulentie 35 (near the Niittykumpu metro station), ☏ +358 50 011 1121. A restaurant bar dedicated to the Finnish metal band Children of Bodom. Public sauna included.
Nightclubs
[edit]Most people head east to Helsinki when they're planning a night out, but there are a couple of night clubs in Espoo as well.
- 14 [dead link] Bada Bing, Itätuulenkuja 10. The former Fellini/Aladdin is in the Tapiola district and attracts many young adults. R-22.
- 15 Club Kannunkulma, Kannusillankatu 2. A restaurant in the daytime, and some form of entertainment every night.
- 16 Bella Ciao, Piispansilta 11 A (in the Iso-Omena mall). F Sa nights until 04:00. The place to go in Matinkylä. Like the others it is also a restaurant during the daytime. R-18
Sleep
[edit]
Budget
[edit]- 1 Espoo Camping Oittaa, Kunnarlantie 31, ☏ +358 9 863-2585, espoo@suncamping.fi. Open from end of May to end of August. Slightly shabby, yet friendly place. A nice beach at lake Bodom just some 200 m from the entrance. €30 / 2 adults + 2 children.
- 2 Hostel Margereteberg, Pehtorinkuja 3, Järvenperä.
- 3 Solvallan urheiluopisto, Nuuksiontie 82, Nuuksio.
- 4 Hellsten Hotel Apartment, Porarinkatu 3, Espoo, ☏ +358 9 511-051. Clean and simple. Located in a quiet neighbourhood but close enough to shopping centre Sello in Leppävaara.
Mid-range
[edit]- 5 Sokos Hotel Tapiola Garden, Tapionaukio 3, Espoo, ☏ +358 20-123-4616, fax: +358 20 1234 617, tapiolagarden.espoo@sokoshotels.fi. A largish, modern hotel located in a pleasant neighbourhood of Tapiola. 154 (all non-smoking) rooms, sauna, exercise facilities, wireless Internet access, restaurant and bar. Convenient transport to Helsinki center by bus. Rooms in the northern part of the hotel have a scenic view facing a large pool. From €83.
- 6 Scandic Espoo, Nihtisillantie 1, ☏ +358 9 435-20. A chain hotel next to highway 1, best suited for those traveling by car as there isn't very much to see within walking distance.
- 7 Hotel Hanasaari (Hotell Hanaholmen), Hanasaarenranta 5 (on the Hanasaari island). Located in the Laajalahti bay between Espoo and Helsinki, Hanasaari island fits exactly the hotel, a short road to it and a stretch of the highway Länsiväylä. Hanasaari hotel hosts a Swedish cultural centre and is often used for conferences. It is also within a walking distance (1 km) from the Keilaniemi business district. Very easy to reach by bus via bus stops on the Länsiväylä. Notice that there is an unrelated Hanasaari power plant in Helsinki; ask the taxi driver for the hotel in Espoo! The hotel rooms offer magnificent sea views through their huge windows.
- 8 Hotel Korpilampi, Korpilammentie 5 (in Lahnus; near the Serena Waterpark), ☏ +358 9 613-8411, myynti@korpilampi.fi. €50–100.
Splurge
[edit]- 9 GLO Hotels Sello, Leppävaarankatu 1, ☏ +358 10-344-4200, sello@palacekamp.fi. A brand new design hotel next to Sello shopping center. doubles from €110, cheaper weekend rates.
- 10 Radisson Blu Hotel, Espoo, Otaranta 2 (Aalto University campus in Otaniemi), ☏ +358 20-1234-705, info.espoo@radissonblu.com. Popular among business travellers and academic visitors because of its location. doubles from €110.
Stay safe
[edit]Although a part of the Helsinki metropolitan area, Espoo has few or no problem spots and is exceptionally safe. There are various reasons. The population of Espoo is affluent, with few low-income neighborhoods. Population is simply less concentrated, with few high-rise districts, traffic junctions or concentrations of nightlife. Thus, partygoers are more likely to head to Helsinki to cause trouble.
Caution is warranted in urban districts (along the railway) with nightlife during Friday or Saturday nights, for instance in Leppävaara and Espoon keskus. Suvela and Kirstinmäki, next to Espoon keskus, is often mentioned as the only "ghetto" in Espoo, although this is more reputation than fact if compared to districts in Central or Eastern Helsinki.
Connect
[edit]Cope
[edit]The Jorvi Hospital (Jorvin sairaala) is near Espoon keskus. This is the main emergency care and surgery facility in Espoo. Unfortunately this is a rather remote location relative to most other places in Espoo, 20 min by car from the southwestern corner.
Private clinics (search for "lääkäriasema" in Espoo) are found in Espoon keskus, Matinkylä, Leppävaara and Tapiola. See:
- Mehiläinen Matinkylä (Piispanportti 10 A, 3. floor)
- Mehiläinen Leppävaara (Panorama Tower, Hevosenkenkä 3)
- Terveystalo Espoontori (Kamreerintie 7)
- Terveystalo Iso Omena (Piispansilta 11)
- Terveystalo Leppävaara (Alberganesplanadi 1)
- Terveystalo Tapiola (Ainoa, Länsituuli 7)
- Aava Tapiola (Länsituulentie 1 A)
The police station ("Kilon poliisi") is in Kilo district, Nihtisillankuja 4. Contacts.
Go next
[edit]West: Kirkkonummi–Siuntio–Ingå–Raseborg (Karis–Ekenäs–Pojo)–Hanko — The next cities westwards accessible by bus, train or car.
North: Vantaa–Klaukkala–Hyvinkää
| Routes through Espoo |
| Turku ← Kirkkonummi ← | W  E |
→ Vantaa (sidetrip Helsinki) → Vyborg |
| Turku ← Nuuksio National Park ← | W  E |
→ junction Helsinki → Vantaa → Saint Petersburg |