Vantaa between Nature, Saunas and Discovery
Accommodation in Vantaa
Vantaa offers a varied mix of nature experiences, saunas, science and history. To the east of the city lies Kuusijärvi, a nature and recreation area open year-round. There are also hiking trails through diverse landscapes, museums and Heureka, with its interactive exhibitions. Which of these aspects you focus on can help you choose the right base for your stay.
Vantaa at a glance
- Kuusijärvi is a nature and recreation area in eastern Vantaa that is open year-round.
- There are four smoke saunas and four electric saunas; both types operate year-round.
- A marked, two-kilometre hiking trail leads from the Kuusijärvi car park to Bisajärvi in Sipoonkorpi National Park.
- Heureka in Tikkurila offers interactive exhibitions on science and technology.
- Kuusijärvi is accessible year-round by public transport operated by HSL.
Nature experiences and saunas at Kuusijärvi
Kuusijärvi is one way to include nature and relaxation in your Vantaa itinerary. This area to the east of the city is open to everyone for outdoor activities, hiking and relaxation. Its year-round accessibility makes it a destination for different seasons, without limiting a visit to one particular outdoor activity.
Saunas are also part of what the area offers: there are four smoke saunas and four electric saunas. Both types operate year-round. This gives you two different interests in one place when planning your day: time outdoors and a sauna visit. If everyone in your travel group wants to do something different, these options may be useful when planning together.
If you want to plan a hike, there is a specific route to Bisajärvi in Sipoonkorpi National Park. The trail starts at the Kuusijärvi car park, is two kilometres long and is marked with orange diamonds. The orange diamonds mark the two-kilometre route from the Kuusijärvi car park to Bisajärvi.
Forest, rock and river: trails in Vantaa
Vantaa’s trail network includes 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 range of landscapes to explore during an active stay: forest trails sit alongside rocky terrain, wetlands and stretches of river. This variety is a useful starting point if nature experiences are to be an important part of your trip.
Kuusijärvi and the wider network of nature trails complement each other as different ways to spend time outdoors. When planning your accommodation, it makes sense to first consider whether you mainly want to hike, explore other outdoor routes, or also include culture and science in your plans. These activities are not all in the same place, so plan them as separate themes for your stay rather than as a single walk.
Science and history in Vantaa
In Tikkurila, hands-on science meets a historic setting. Heureka is a science centre with interactive exhibitions on science and technology that visitors can explore for themselves. Workshops are also offered, although their availability may vary. From Tikkurila railway station, a signposted footpath of about 700 metres leads to Heureka—a useful reference if you are planning to arrive by train and walk the remaining distance.
The Vantaa History Museum is also in Tikkurila, in the old railway station building. Vantaa City Museum operates two museum locations where exhibitions and events are held. This means Vantaa offers several ways to explore culture: exhibitions and events at the city museum, the history of the old railway station building, and Heureka, with its focus on science and technology.
The Finnish Aviation Museum is in the Aviapolis area. Its collection includes dozens of aircraft from the history of Finnish aviation. The exhibits on display may change over time. The museum adds the history of aviation to the themes of science and local history. If you want to bring different interests together during your stay, you can consider these attractions as separate destinations.
Which location suits your travel plans?
The experiences that matter most to you can be a good starting point when choosing accommodation. If hiking, nature and saunas are your priorities, Kuusijärvi is a specific attraction in eastern Vantaa. If you are more interested in interactive science, workshops or local history, the attractions in Tikkurila are useful points of reference. The Aviation Museum offers another cultural focus in the Aviapolis area.
Kuusijärvi is accessible year-round by public transport operated by HSL. Routes and timetables may change, so the specific connection depends on the day of your visit. As a general guide, public transport remains a year-round way to get to the area.
Discover more destinations: Billnäs, Nurmijärvi, Mäntsälä, Svartå, Porvoo, Skuru and Karjalohja.
Frequently asked questions about Vantaa
What can you do at Kuusijärvi?
The nature and recreation area is open year-round to everyone for outdoor activities, hiking and relaxation. There are also four smoke saunas and four electric saunas, which operate year-round.
How long is the hiking trail to Bisajärvi?
The marked trail is two kilometres long. It leads from the Kuusijärvi car park to Bisajärvi in Sipoonkorpi National Park and is marked with orange diamonds.
What can you expect at Heureka and the museums?
Heureka offers interactive exhibitions on science and technology, as well as workshops whose availability may vary. Vantaa City Museum operates two locations with exhibitions and events; the Vantaa History Museum is in Tikkurila’s old railway station building.
Is Kuusijärvi accessible year-round by public transport?
Yes. Kuusijärvi is accessible year-round by HSL public transport. As routes and timetables may vary, the specific connection depends on the day of your visit.
Go to the main travel overview: Uusimaa.
More about the destination
Useful information for planning your trip:
