New attractions and highlights in Helsinki in 2016

In brief 21.01.2016
New attractions and highlights in Helsinki in 2016
The new public design sauna Löyly. © Avanto Architects
Wellness is a highlight of Helsinki’s offerings in 2016. The new public design sauna Löyly and Helsinki Pool
spa complex will both open this year. Visitors to Helsinki can also enjoy even more the archipelago nature
when the island of Vallisaari opens to the public this spring. Read more below about Helsinki highlights in
2016!
Sauna culture
New! Löyly design sauna
The Löyly design sauna will open in spring 2016 just a short distance from the city centre on the southern tip
of the Helsinki peninsula. The modern complex will also house a restaurant serving the finest Finnish cuisine,
which visitors can enjoy while admiring the stunning views from the large terrace that stretches out over the
sea. Covering over 1800 square metres including terraces and with a profile height of 9 metres, the
impressive building will also be a real design attraction as an example of contemporary wooden architecture
that will be of interest to both domestic and foreign visitors.
Further information: www.facebook.com/helsinkisauna
New! Helsinki Pool
Helsinki Pool is a new kind of spa complex inspired by the historic spa heritage of the Baltic Sea that will open
in the beginning of the summer next to the Market Square. By transforming what was once black asphalt into
a green oasis, Helsinki Pool opens up more of the city’s shoreline for use by residents and visitors. Helsinki
Pool will combine year-round swimming and sauna experiences with culture and entertainment. Visitors will
be able to enjoy great food and city events, visit Centrum Balticum and admire Finnish cleantech expertise in
practice. The sea spa will be open all year round at affordable prices, while admission to the restaurants and
Centrum Balticum will be free of charge.
Further information: www.helsinkiallas.fi
New! Helsinki Sauna Day
The first ever Helsinki Sauna Day will be held on 12 March, opening the doors to the private saunas of local
residents and companies to all who are interested – friends and strangers alike. This event is being organised
by the social innovations group Yhteismaa together with Visit Helsinki.
Further information: www.helsinkisaunaday.fi
Local saunas
Helsinki also still has several traditional public saunas that offer a genuinely local experience. These include
Harjun Sauna, Arlan Sauna and Sauna Hermanni.
Urban nature
New! Vallisaari
The archipelago off the coast of Helsinki will again offer a new attraction this year when the island of
Vallisaari between Santahamina and Suomenlinna opens up to the public in May. With lots of unspoilt
nature, the island will be the perfect destination for an outing. Formerly used by the Finnish Defence Forces,
the island offers visitors the chance to enjoy its diverse flora and spectacular views, as well as its well
preserved historic fortifications.
In its first year Vallisaari can be explored along marked trails (the 3-kilometre Alexander Trail and the 2.5kilometre King’s Island Trail, which can also be combined to make one long trail), and guided tours will also
be available. A café will open in the spring, and information boards, rest areas and dry toilets are also
planned along with a guest harbour.
For families, strollers and prams can be used on the island, but the trails are not fully accessible due to the
rough terrain and steep climbs. The trails are also unlit and not maintained in wintertime. Visitors should
stick to the paths, as there are many cliffs and other dangerous spots on the island. Services are also only just
being introduced to the island. Hiking boots and water bottles are recommended.
A ferry connection from the Market Square will begin operating on 14 May 2016. Camping overnight on the
island is not permitted. The island is maintained by Metsähallitus, South Finland Nature Services.
Further information: www.facebook.com/Vallisaari and www.metsa.fi
Lonna
The idyllic recreational island of Lonna opened to the public in 2014. The island is situated between the
Market Square and Suomenlinna, just seven minutes from the mainland by ferry. Suomenlinna’s little sister
has an interesting history. In the 1880s it was used by the Russian Navy to store mines, in the 1920s it was
used as a base for clearing mines, and in the post-war period ships were demagnetised there. Visitors are
served by a café and restaurant, and conference facilities are available for rent. Lonna will open to the public
again on 6 May.
Further information: www.lonna.fi
Helsinki’s parks
Discover the green parks of Helsinki and all they have to offer on the “Green Hearts – Park Walks in Helsinki”
website.
Further information: www.vihreatsylit.fi/en/
Hernesaaren ranta
The party complex “Hernesaaren ranta” on the southern tip of the peninsula will open again this April. After
a successful first year in 2015, Hernesaaren ranta will feature even more restaurants in 2016 – the Finnish
archipelago cuisine in particular is highly recommended! A new stage will be set up with sun loungers in
front, so you can listen to the live music in comfort. There will also be a new beach volleyball court and
outdoor yoga in the daytime. By the marina you can admire the cool boats, while a DJ will spin the music
inside the tent. On Sundays brunch will be served from 12noon to 4pm.
Further information: www.hernesaarenranta.fi
Natura Viva Paddling Centre
A new Natura Viva Paddling Centre will open in the Vuosaari district this spring, including storage and
maintenance facilities for up to a hundred kayaks, as well as an open terrace with a summer café.
Further information: www.naturaviva.fi/en
New and improved museums
Helsinki Art Museum, HAM
In autumn 2015 the former Helsinki City Art Museum reopened as the Helsinki Art Museum, HAM. The
collections at the architecturally curious “Tennis Palace” – the Tennispalatsi entertainment and cultural
centre – include an excellent assortment of Finnish and international contemporary art.
Further information: www.hamhelsinki.fi/en/
Helsinki City Museum
A new branch of the Helsinki City Museum will open on the corner of Senate Square – in Sederholm House
and the surrounding historic buildings – on 13 May. Almost half of the Tori Quarter, the historic heart of
Helsinki, will form the museum. One of the museum’s main attractions will be the Time Machine, a space
utilising new technology into which anyone can enter and experience the Helsinki of the past.
Further information: www.helsinginkaupunginmuseo.fi/en/
Ateneum Art Museum
Following a major roof renovation that will be completed in early 2016, Ateneum will reopen in full for the
busy spring season, beginning with an exhibition of sculptures by Auguste Rodin (5 February to 8 May) and
Japanomania in the Nordic Countries 1875-1918 (18 February to 15 May). In March a new collection display
of Finnish art will open in the renovated galleries on the second floor, presenting the history of Finnish art
within the context of social and broader trends. In early summer Ateneum will present the first exhibition in
Finland of paintings by Alice Neel (1900–1984), one of the foremost figurative American painters of the 20 th
century (10 June to 2 October). Visitors to Ateneum this spring can also enjoy spatial art presented in the
inner courtyard.
Further information: www.ateneum.fi
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
The Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma also underwent a major renovation in 2015. This March the
museum presents an exhibition of works by Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto (4 March to 4 September), one of
the leading figures in international contemporary art. At the same time Kiasma will present an exhibition of
Finnish artist Jani Ruscica featuring his recent multimedia work-in-process entitled “Conversation in Pieces
(2013–)”.
Further information: www.kiasma.fi
Kunsthalle Helsinki
Kunsthalle Helsinki will present a major Tom of Finland exhibition in 2016 featuring drawings, paper dolls,
gouaches, picture series and collages from the past six decades. The works and archive material will be on
loan from private collectors, foundations and museums around the world. The exhibition runs from 7 May to
7 August.
Further information: www.taidehalli.fi
Design Museum
In April the most extensive overview thus far of the work and thought of designer Eero Aarnio will open at
the Design Museum. Professor and interior architect Eero Aarnio has had an exceptionally long career and is
one of the internationally most widely known names in the history of modern design in Finland.
Further information: www.designmuseum.fi
Amos Rex Art Museum – construction work begins
Construction on the new Amos Anderson Art Museum, Amos Rex, gets underway in early 2016. The modern
museum will be situated in the heart of Helsinki inside and beneath Lasipalatsi. Amos Rex promises to be a
new type of museum, a space dedicated to art that is easy to reach and a cool place to hang out; a protean
space that can readily take on various forms, is open to experimentation and new forms of collaboration. The
museum plans to open in spring 2018.
LGBT offerings
Helsinki Pride, 27 June – 3 July 2016
The increasingly popular Helsinki Pride is a theme week for gender and sexual minorities that presents a
rainbow-coloured programme in the middle of summer.
Further information: www.helsinkipride.fi
EuroGames Helsinki, 29 June – 2 July 2016
EuroGames Helsinki 2016 is the biggest LGBTIQ sporting event in Europe, bringing an estimate 3000 athletes
in 14 disciplines plus 2000 other visitors to Helsinki at the end of June. This is the first time that EuroGames is
being organised in Finland. EuroGames attracts athletes from around the world, including outside Europe,
and has been held since 1992. The last EuroGames were held in Stockholm.
Further information: http://2016.eurogames.info/
Tom of Finland exhibition at Kunsthalle Helsinki, 7 May – 7 August
Kunsthalle Helsinki will present a major Tom of Finland exhibition in 2016 featuring drawings, paper dolls,
gouaches, picture series and collages from the past six decades. The works and archive material will be on
loan from private collectors, foundations and museums around the world.
Further information: www.taidehalli.fi
What else is new?
New hotels:
·
Cumulus Meilahti, opens in summer 2016 (188 rooms)
www.cumulus.fi/hotellit/cumulus-meilahti-helsinki
·
Hotel F6 (Kämp Group), opens in summer 2016 (68 rooms)
·
Clarion Hotel Helsinki (Jätkäsaari), opens 17 October 2016 (425 rooms)
Lisätietoja: www.nordicchoicehotels.com/clarion/clarion-hotel-helsinki/
·
Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport, opens 20 October 2016 (258 rooms)
·
GLO Maxim, opens in autumn 2016 (70 rooms)
New! City bikes
Visitors to Helsinki this summer will also be able to explore the sights and urban nature on new city bikes.
Initially 500 bikes will be made available at 50 bike racks throughout the city, extending from Sörnäinen to
the east and Ruoholahti to the west to Taka-Töölö to the north. Plans are for a total of 1500 city bikes at 150
bike racks to be made available in 2017.
Further information: www.hsl.fi/en/information/sustainable-modes-transport/cycling-and-walking and
www.hel.fi/www/hkl/en/by-bike/
New! Fazer Visitor Centre
Finnish confectionery icon Fazer will open a new visitor centre at its factory in Vantaa in autumn 2016. The
new Fazer Visitor Centre will offer a café, shop, guided tours and conference facilities. The centre will be
open also summers, weekends and evenings.
Further information: www.fazer.fi
Major international meetings
2-4 March 2016: Interaction 16 Conference
The Interaction 16 Conference will take place at Finlandia Hall this March, bringing nearly a thousand design
professionals, leaders, students and volunteers together to enjoy three days of workshops and lectures in
Helsinki. Interaction 16 is organised by Interaction Design Association IxDA.org. The conference will feature
over a hundred speakers in the field of design, and the main theme is the future of interaction design as a
craft, profession and design practice as a whole. http://interaction16.ixda.org/
6-10 June 2016: 28th CIMAC World Congress
The Congress of the International Council on Combustion Engines will be held at Finlandia Hall this June. The
CIMAC Congress is one of the most important international events in the field of large diesel and gas engines,
covering also turbine applications. The congress will bring around 900 experts to Helsinki.
www.cimaccongress.com/
12-15 June 2016: 40th Nordic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology – NFOG 2016
The Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology will hold its 40 th Nordic Congress at
Finlandia Hall this June. The congress is expected to attract around 800 delegates.
www.confedent.fi/nfog2016/
3-6 July 2016: ESHRE Annual Meeting
As many as 8000 delegates are expected to attend the Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human
Reproduction and Embryology, to be held at the Messukeskus Expo and Convention Centre this July. The
congress will bring leading researchers, experts and scientists to Helsinki, and a major exhibition and other
related events will also be held. www.eshre2016.eu/
Further information:
Laura Saksala, Communications and Press Officer, Visit Helsinki, laura.saksala@hel.fi , tel. +358 9 310 25 855
Maarit Pitkänen, Marketing Communications Manager, Visit Helsinki/Helsinki Marketing Ltd,
maarit.pitkanen@hel.fi, t. 358 9 310 25970
www.visithelsinki.fi
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Visit Helsinki is a marketing name used by Helsinki Marketing Ltd, a city-owned company that is responsible for the city’s marketing
operations.