Espoo snow covered trail

Espoo, Finland – the perfect winter break

Espoo lies close to Helsinki in southern Finland and despite not being as well known as the capital city, it is a lovely place to spend a few days.  The city boundary covers the attractive centres of Tapiola and Matinkylä and the beautiful Nuuksio National Park. Getting there: Arrive into Helsinki Vantaa Airport (flights from …

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Hotel Matts, Matinkyla, Espoo

Hotel Matts, Matinkylä, Espoo, Finland

Hotel Review Location: Hotel Matts is a luxurious 4 star hotel which has been open in Matinkylä, Espoo since early 2021.  The hotel has a metro and bus station just outside the door enabling guests easy access to travel around the scenic Espoo coastal area and into the centre of Helsinki in under 20 minutes. …

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Swinghill Ski Area, Nuuksio National Park, Finland

Day trip from Helsinki: Nuuksio National Park

Advertisement with Visit Espoo.  Within easy reach of the Finnish capital lies Nuuksio National Park, an area of crystal clear lakes, forests and rugged crags. Getting there by public transport from Helsinki city centre takes just over an hour with a car journey taking around 40 minutes.  We bought Helsinki Day Cards €12 (£10.45) allowing …

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Tapiola Central Pool, Espoo

Day trip from Helsinki: Tapiola, Espoo

Advertisement with Visit Espoo.  There are so many lovely places to visit in Helsinki and the surrounding area and one of my favourites is to spend a day in neighbouring Tapiola.  With the opening of the western extension of the metro it's now possible to reach Tapiola from the city centre in only 15 minutes.  …

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Glims Farmstead Museum, Espoo

Day 7. Leppävaara and Glims Farmstead Museum, Espoo

Leppävaara is located in Espoo and is easily accessible by both bus and train from Helsinki.  Adjacent to the rail and bus station is a modern, attractive shopping centre called Sello which has a wide selection of shops and cafes.  As it was such a warm, sunny day we decided to take a stroll over …

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Mellsten marina, Haukilahti, Finland

Day 10. Haukilahti and Matinkylä, Espoo

Haukilahti is a small coastal town in Espoo located between Westend and Matinkylä.  It's just a 20 minute journey from central Helsinki and is a lovely place to visit on a sunny day.  We decided to take a walk along the waterfront walkway/ cycle path which is known as Espoon Rantaraitti and is clearly signposted …

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Flyboarding at Laguuni watersports centre, Keilaniemi, Espoo

Day 11. Villa Elfvik and Laguuni Water Park, Espoo

Villa Elfvik is located in Espoo close to the centre of Helsinki and it was from there that we started our countryside walk.  It's an art nouveau villa on the edge of the Laajalahti Nature Reserve, inside we found exhibitions relating to the diverse nature of Espoo as well as a children's adventure area 'Badger's …

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Lake Tuusula, Espoo

Day 13. Lake Tuusula, Järvenpää

A day I had been looking forward to, meeting up with my Finnish blogging friend Suvi, author of the lovely blog Destination Everywhere whom I first met on my visit to Finland last year.  This time we planned a day out together exploring Lake Tuusula in Järvenpää, about a 30 minute drive from Helsinki.  Suvi …

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Tapiola lake, Espoo, Finland

Day 2. Tapiola, Espoo’s Garden City

A leisurely start to the day after arriving here late last night.  Waking to warm sunshine after so many cold days at home was just what was needed.  Our holiday home overlooks a sheltered bay where the air is fresh and all around it's so peaceful and green.  I call it my 'summer paradise' as …

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Keilaniemi

Day 8. Keilaniemi and Kamppi Chapel, Helsinki

A short walk from our holiday apartment lies Keilaniemi.  Located here overlooking the bay are the headquarters of some large companies including Kone and Neste Oil.  There is a pleasant promenade to walk or cycle along and towards the far end you will find a lunch restaurant with an outside terrace called Keilalahden Ranta where we sometimes like …

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