Vantaa offers a range of reasons to visit: nature and saunas at Kuusijärvi, hands-on science at Heureka, and exhibitions on the city’s history and aviation history. To plan your trip, it helps to decide first which of these interests you most.
Nature and saunas at Kuusijärvi
In eastern Vantaa lies Kuusijärvi, a nature and recreation area that is accessible year-round. It is open to everyone for outdoor activities, hiking and recreation. If you want to combine time in nature with a sauna when planning your trip, you can find both in this one place.
Kuusijärvi has four smoke saunas and four electric saunas; both types operate year-round. The number and variety of saunas give the offering a clear structure. This lets you plan around both nature and saunas, rather than limiting your trip to just one of these activities.
One specific hiking option is the marked trail from the Kuusijärvi car park to Bisajärvi in Sipoonkorpi National Park. It is two kilometres long and marked with orange diamonds. Its starting point, destination and trail markings make it easy to distinguish from Vantaa’s other nature trails.
In addition to this particular trail, Vantaa has marked nature trails and a variety of outdoor routes. They pass through forests, over rocky terrain and through wetlands, as well as along the Vantaa River. This gives you a choice between a clearly described hiking route and a wider network of nature and outdoor routes.
Kuusijärvi is accessible year-round by public transport operated by the HSL transport authority. It is a good idea to check the timetable for your specific journey. Directions to Heureka are also clearly laid out: from Tikkurila railway station, a signposted walking route leads to the science centre, about 700 metres away. Check current train connections when planning your trip.
Museums and science in Vantaa
Vantaa City Museum operates two museum locations with exhibitions and events. The Vantaa History Museum is housed in Tikkurila’s old railway station building. The building places the visit in a specific part of the city, while the two museums offer different points of interest for travellers interested in culture.
The Finnish Aviation Museum is located in the Aviapolis area. Its collection includes dozens of aircraft from the history of Finnish aviation. The items on display may change over time. The museum has a different focus from the city history in Tikkurila: Finnish aviation takes centre stage.
Heureka, also in the Tikkurila district, is a science centre with interactive exhibitions on science and technology. Visitors can explore the exhibitions hands-on and take part in workshops. Whether a particular workshop is offered during your visit may vary. The combination of interactive exhibitions and the possibility of taking part in workshops distinguishes Heureka from the historical collections and museum locations.
When looking for a hotel in Vantaa, you can start by considering your travel interests: do you want nature trails and year-round saunas to shape your stay, or are you more interested in science, exhibitions and aviation history? The attractions showcase different sides of the city without prescribing a set itinerary. Use the relevant route and public transport information to plan, and check timetables for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Åminnefors, Hanko, Kurkimäki, Rajamäki, Hyvinkää, Mörskom, Svartå, Pernå.
See the main travel overview: Uusimaa.
