Vallisaari
Vallisaari
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l5antti
Helsinki, Finland766 contributions
Jun 2020
Vallisaari is green blossoming island with some great waterfront rocks and war time fortresses. Views are fantastic to sea and neighboring Suomenlinna. This is exceptional place to spot boats and ships passing Kustaanmiekka narrow.
Island has clearly marked gravel roads which were in good quality and easy to circulate both islands (total route about 5 km). There is not much nature paths around because of military areas. Nature is still present everywhere and meadows and rocks are eye candy. There are lot of picnic tables and benches around to sit and have a break. Toilet facilities are very good and scattered densely around the island.
Eating options are limited to couple of basic cafes in the ferry port offering just drinks, snakcs and light meals. Island has its own ice cream factory which is must try. Also mini golf course is an attraction.
This island is best for nature lovers and sea view spotters. Have a picnic at sea and wander around flowering meadows. Maybe take a swim at a beach. There was quite a rush of people in the weekend but nothing compared to Suomenlinna. Ferry route back took a scenic route stopping at two places in Suomenlinna and also at Lonna taking 45 minutes back to market square.
Island has clearly marked gravel roads which were in good quality and easy to circulate both islands (total route about 5 km). There is not much nature paths around because of military areas. Nature is still present everywhere and meadows and rocks are eye candy. There are lot of picnic tables and benches around to sit and have a break. Toilet facilities are very good and scattered densely around the island.
Eating options are limited to couple of basic cafes in the ferry port offering just drinks, snakcs and light meals. Island has its own ice cream factory which is must try. Also mini golf course is an attraction.
This island is best for nature lovers and sea view spotters. Have a picnic at sea and wander around flowering meadows. Maybe take a swim at a beach. There was quite a rush of people in the weekend but nothing compared to Suomenlinna. Ferry route back took a scenic route stopping at two places in Suomenlinna and also at Lonna taking 45 minutes back to market square.
Written June 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oliver L
Helsinki, Finland20 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
The island is incredible least to say
Last island nearby helsinki where you can experience history and untouched natural archipelago beauty.
Island used to be a military fortress until it was abandoned almost completely some 40 years ago. Nature has taken over the island.
There is couple of really nice terraces.
The views from Cafe Iisi are breathtaking and I really enjoyed the Wine Tasting too.
Lucky for them it's mostly fully booked but apparently there is still some spots left.
The small bites at the terrace were great start for the trip and we ended up back to the terrace until the last boat came.
For lunch we ate the "Best Salmon soup in Helsinki archipelago". We were skeptical of the name but the soup really lived up to it's name.
If the ticket price was more humane I'd be visiting every day. It's only 20 minutes from the city center and you get to be in immersed in nature far away from the hustle and bustle of hectic city center.
Truly unique place to visit.
Vallisaari got my heart❤️
Last island nearby helsinki where you can experience history and untouched natural archipelago beauty.
Island used to be a military fortress until it was abandoned almost completely some 40 years ago. Nature has taken over the island.
There is couple of really nice terraces.
The views from Cafe Iisi are breathtaking and I really enjoyed the Wine Tasting too.
Lucky for them it's mostly fully booked but apparently there is still some spots left.
The small bites at the terrace were great start for the trip and we ended up back to the terrace until the last boat came.
For lunch we ate the "Best Salmon soup in Helsinki archipelago". We were skeptical of the name but the soup really lived up to it's name.
If the ticket price was more humane I'd be visiting every day. It's only 20 minutes from the city center and you get to be in immersed in nature far away from the hustle and bustle of hectic city center.
Truly unique place to visit.
Vallisaari got my heart❤️
Written June 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Italian007
Italian00734 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
Just a short bus taxi from Helsinki is Vallisaari. A stunning, once inhabited island,
now trapped in time, where nature has taken over. We followed the guided trails, seeing all the old buildings, most hidden to look like hills. There were metal walk ways taking you high up, providing amazing 360 views. The trees, the moss, the lake, tbe views, all very calming away from city life. A must if you're visiting Helsinki.
now trapped in time, where nature has taken over. We followed the guided trails, seeing all the old buildings, most hidden to look like hills. There were metal walk ways taking you high up, providing amazing 360 views. The trees, the moss, the lake, tbe views, all very calming away from city life. A must if you're visiting Helsinki.
Written September 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darren T
10 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
The ferry over was easy and cheap, the island beautiful and bursting with places to picnic and take photos...stunning Finnish scenery. Climb the tallest part of the island and see for miles around. Lovely cafes especially iisi with fantastic staff and places to sit on the edge of the water, kiitos paljon iisi
Written September 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elio M
5 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
There are two queues. One for people Booking online, one for people buying the ticket onsite. Basically who buys the ticket online has the precedence on the others. This is not explained at the ticket desk. So I bought my ticket at the desk, and was not able to get on the ferry even if I was first in the queue, because first all the online buyers got in. Then, after 1 hour waiting in line I left disappointed. F*** Vallisaari!
Written August 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aleksi L
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Friends
Midsummer on Vallisaari was really fun! The sun shone all day, and the refreshments, especially the famous salmon soup, were absolutely excellent. You also get a great view of Helsinki and the surrounding islands during the ferry ride!
Written June 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JariJK
Kouvola, Finland6,907 contributions
Jun 2021
Take a boat (a water bus) from the market square (Lyypekinlaituri) and in 20 minutes you are in the middle of beautiful nature, military history, lookout points and picnic areas. You see meadows, flowers, butterflies and birds there. There are also very nice summer restaurants on Vallisaari Island. Besides, Helsinki Biennial Art Exhibition will be here between June 12th and September 26th, 2021.
Vallisaari Island and Kuninkaansaari Island are a twin destination. There is bridge between these two old military islands. There are nice walking routes on these islands. The Alexander Tour is named after Russian Emperor Alexander II and it is about 3 kilometres long. The Kuninkaansaari Island Tour is 2.5 kilometres. These walking routes lead you to the best places of Vallisaari to admire the most magnificent views. I especially recommend The Alexander Route but remember to walk on Kuninkaansaari Island, too. I think that you need at least 3-4 hours without any long lunch break.
So far it is strictly prohibited to swim in the pond. There may be unexploded explosives at the bottom. There isn't any official swimming beach on these island but it is possible to swim in the sea next to Sandy Cove (Hiekkapoukama). However, it isn't a good place for swimming.
Notice that usually public water buses arrive in Pilot Yard Harbor (Luotsipihan laituri) but the departure is from Torpedo Bay Harbor (Torpedolahden laituri). There are water closets (WC) in harbors. Other toilets on these islands are dry toilets.
Notice also that there is very interesting Green Line boat transport between three islands. This is a circle route Vallisaari Island - Suomenlinna Island (the historical sea fortress with many museums) - Lonna Island (very delicious waffles and a nice seaside sauna) - Vallisaari Island. So you can buy Blue Line tickets between the market square and Vallisaari and Green Line tickets between three islands.
Vallisaari Island and Kuninkaansaari Island are a twin destination. There is bridge between these two old military islands. There are nice walking routes on these islands. The Alexander Tour is named after Russian Emperor Alexander II and it is about 3 kilometres long. The Kuninkaansaari Island Tour is 2.5 kilometres. These walking routes lead you to the best places of Vallisaari to admire the most magnificent views. I especially recommend The Alexander Route but remember to walk on Kuninkaansaari Island, too. I think that you need at least 3-4 hours without any long lunch break.
So far it is strictly prohibited to swim in the pond. There may be unexploded explosives at the bottom. There isn't any official swimming beach on these island but it is possible to swim in the sea next to Sandy Cove (Hiekkapoukama). However, it isn't a good place for swimming.
Notice that usually public water buses arrive in Pilot Yard Harbor (Luotsipihan laituri) but the departure is from Torpedo Bay Harbor (Torpedolahden laituri). There are water closets (WC) in harbors. Other toilets on these islands are dry toilets.
Notice also that there is very interesting Green Line boat transport between three islands. This is a circle route Vallisaari Island - Suomenlinna Island (the historical sea fortress with many museums) - Lonna Island (very delicious waffles and a nice seaside sauna) - Vallisaari Island. So you can buy Blue Line tickets between the market square and Vallisaari and Green Line tickets between three islands.
Written June 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jubjab
Helsinki, Finland82 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Vallisaari is Suomenlinna’s little sister, so is a candidate to visit if you are already familiar with Suomenlinna. The island is smaller, there is less to see, and less crowds. There are a couple of pricy but good cafés so you can get something to eat and drink.
My issue with Vallisaari is that it supposedly has very unique nature. However, unless you are a biologist, you don’t really see anything special, except the outrageously ubiquitous “forbidden”, “stop” and “do not enter” signs every ten meters. And if the idea is to enjoy the flora, only being allowed to walk along a gravel road suitable for cars is a bit silly.
There are some nice views to be had, but if you are looking for a nature experience in the Helsinki archipelago, take the water bus to Rövaren or one of the other outer islands.
My issue with Vallisaari is that it supposedly has very unique nature. However, unless you are a biologist, you don’t really see anything special, except the outrageously ubiquitous “forbidden”, “stop” and “do not enter” signs every ten meters. And if the idea is to enjoy the flora, only being allowed to walk along a gravel road suitable for cars is a bit silly.
There are some nice views to be had, but if you are looking for a nature experience in the Helsinki archipelago, take the water bus to Rövaren or one of the other outer islands.
Written July 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ilolahti
Helsinki, Finland374 contributions
May 2019 • Business
A pleasant nature destination in an island outside Helsinki. A 30 minutes boat trip from Kauppatori costs 10 euros two-way. There is a bar in the boat. Vallisaari has several paths with nature and history attractions. Guideposts are multilingual. A good view to Helsinki. In the summer time there are very many restaurants and cafes on the island.
Written July 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neelam_Singhal80
Gurugram (Gurgaon), India113 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
This island opened to public only a year back.It was used as a ammunition store house by the Russians and a number of these are still there. There is a nature trail which takes one around the part of the island open to public. We came across a beautiful pond ,some lookout sights ..Vallisari was our first stop on way to Suomenlinna Island
Written October 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting Vallisaari. Thanks to the human impact on the island during hundreds of years and on the other hand, for lacking the upkeep in some areas at times, the nature has developed to be the most versatile in all Helsinki today. Welcome again!
Written January 2, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hei. Suunnittelen opastettua harjoitus/tutkintoretkeä Vallisaareen keväällä/alkukesästä. Onko saarella grillaus/nuotiopaikkaa, koska retken yksi osio sisältäisi pienen perinneherkun valmistuksen.
Written March 17, 2019
Hei, pahoittelemme myöhäistä vastausta! Valitettavasti Vallisaaressa ei ole sallittua grillata, joten siellä ei ole grilli-/nuotiopaikkaa mutta
Aleksanterin patterin läheisyydessä sekä Torpedosatamassa on piknikalue ja pöytiä, jossa voi syödä omia eväitä. Nauttikaa saaresta ja kesästä!
Written June 15, 2019
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