Helsinki/Eastern suburbs

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 from Porvoo via Sipoo 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.

• 🌍 Korkeasaari (on an eponymous large island northeast of the city center). Every day except Christmas Eve: 10:00-20:00, may operate shorter hours on holidays. Helsinki's zoo, 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). One of Helsinki's modern cultural centers hosting various galleries. 
• 🌍 Roihuvuori Cherry Park and Japanese garden (Kirsikkapuisto, Roihuvuoren japanilaistyylinen puutarha), Sahaajankatu. 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). Ruins of a medieval fortification. 
• 🌍 Tammisalo Canal (Tammisalon kanava). 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 (next to the Columbus shopping center in the Vuosaari district). At 86 m, Cirrus was the tallest building in Finland when opened; with Majakka finished, it's not even the tallest in Helsinki, but still a notable landmark in Vuosaari. There were plans to make the an observation platform of the highest floor, which weren't realized. 
• 🌍 Östersundom Church (Östersundom kirkko), Kappelintie 65. A wooden church from 1754. 

• 🌍 Aurinkolahti Beach (Aurinkolahden uimaranta), Solvikinkatu, Vuosaari (700 m walk or bus 90 (Aurinkolahti) from the Metro station Vuosaari, in the neighbourhood of Vuosaari). Spacier and calmer than Hietsu in Western Helsinki, the Aurinkolahti Beach is frequented by everyone from youth to families. 
• 🌍 Porvariskuningas Beach (Porvariskuninkaan uimaranta), Kuninkaansormuksen polku (in Jollas; near the Hotel Jollas89). 
• 🌍 Hoplop activity hall for kids, Savikiekontie 4. 8-meter-tall adventure maze, slides, cafe. 
• 🌍 Natura Viva - Vuosaari Paddling Center, Ramsinniementie 14, ☏ +358 503768585. Kayak rental open from the beginning of June until the end of August every day. In May and September on demand. Guided tours, trips and courses are also possible. Rentals start at €14 per 2 hours. 
• 🌍 Uutela Nature Trail (Uutelan luontopolku), Uutelantie 30 (M:Vuosaari). A nature trail, about 4 km long in eastern Helsinki. 
• 🌍 Kontufestari, Kelkkapuisto (Kontula district). Yearly music festival in Kontula with performances by Finnish 1980s rock artists and hip hop crews from Eastern Helsinki among others. free. 
• 🌍 Metro (M:Mellunmäki). A little known fact is that Helsinki Metro is the world's northernmost metro system. Why not ride all the way to Mellunmäki, which is the world's northernmost metro station? 
• 🌍 Mustavuori forest and Östersundom bird waters (Mustavuoren lehto ja Östersundomin lintuvedet). The area is protected under the European Union's Natura 2000 ecological network program. There are many different forest types and bird species here. 
• 🌍 Ramsinniemi protected area (Ramsinniemen luonnonsuojelualue) (about halfway between Itäkeskus and Vuosaari). A small nature reserve. 
• 🌍 Sipoonkorpi National Park (subway to Itäkeskus and then bus 831 to Landbo). (updated Nov 2022)
• 🌍 Skata Pks4H Petting Zoo, Uutelantie 30 (Buses 819 and 90), ☏ +358 45 783 17764, elainvastaava@4h.fi. In Skata you will find several different domestic animals such as sheep. Children can hug animals. (updated Apr 2021)

• 🌍 Itis (formerly Itäkeskus (Eastern Center)) (Metro: Itäkeskus, about 16 minutes from the center.). 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.), ☏ +358 40 6313071. Herttoniemi district's shopping centre. 
• 🌍 Saari (Kauppakeskus Saari), Yliskylän puistokatu 4 (in Laajasalo). A shopping centre including about 20 stores. 
• 🌍 Columbus, Vuotie 45 (M:Vuosaari). 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. 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. 
• 🌍 Karhusaaren kauppa Winberg & Winberg (Kauppalaiva Christina Butiksbåten), Karhusaarentie 34 (in Karhusaari), ☏ +358 9 877 1095 (Karhusaaren kauppa), +358 50 552 7250 (Kauppalaiva Christina), siw.ahonen@gumbostrand.fi. A shop offering daily goods, with a cafe in connection with it, which welcomes islanders and vacationers arriving by land and by boat. In the summer, the merchant ship Christina offers all groceries, food, drinks, gases, soils and, if necessary, also custom products, such as small quantities of building materials. 
• 🌍 Kontula shopping centre (Kontulan ostoskeskus), Ostostie 4 (in Kontula). A local shopping center with stores and restaurants near the metro station. 

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.

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

• Helsinki's inner east
• Helsinki's northern suburbs
• Sipoo