Accessible nature in Helsinki: 7 must-dos with reduced mobility

1. Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on a cluster of islands close to the city centre. When construction of the fortress began in the 1700s, accessibility was obviously not a consideration, but in past years the popular tourist attraction has gradually been made accessible. There are still lots of cobblestones and some tricky height differences, but I would still recommend going.

You can get to Suomenlinna from the Market Square aboard the municipal HSL ferry, and passengers traveling with a manual or electric wheelchair (including mobility scooters) travel free of charge. The crossing takes about a quarter of an hour and is a fun experience in itself, as Helsinki is really pretty when viewed from the sea.

Some paths on the islands are more accessible than others; more information about accessibility is available on the Suomenlinna website or from Tourist Information at the quay. Accessible restaurants, cafés and WCs can be found throughout Suomenlinna. What I like to do most at Suomenlinna is ride around the islands and admire the scenery, stopping from time to time for a picnic or a meal at a restaurant. Suomenlinna is most accessible when there is no snow on the ground.

2. Kaivopuisto shoreline

Kaivopuisto is a quiet residential district and a popular park. A promenade follows the shoreline, offering beautiful views of the sea. My favourite summer activity is riding along the Kaivopuisto shoreline from one end of the park to the other – almost three kilometres in total. The paths are level, and there are only a few climbs and descents. The promenade is lined with lovely cafés and terraces. Accessible WCs can be found at Café Ursula and Café Carusel, for example.

The Kaivopuisto shoreline is also a good destination for cruise passengers who want experience Helsinki on foot or by wheelchair or mobility scooter, as it is just two kilometres up the coast from the cruise terminal at Hernesaari. The Olympic and Makasiini ferry terminals by the Market Square are also just a short distance from the park.

3. Lammassaari’s accessible nature trail

Head out of the city and straight into Finland’s wonderful nature! A new accessible nature trail opened at Lammasaari in 2018. The trail is one kilometre long and gets you into the heart of the local nature, ending at an accessible birdwatching platform. You can get there from the city centre by bus in around half an hour or by tax in around 20 minutes.

4. Accessible beaches

Helsinki has two swimming beaches, in Aurinkolahti and Hietaniemi, that offer floating beach wheelchairs that let you enjoy the sea. Both beaches also have Mobi-Mats to make it easier to get across the sand. The Aurinkolahti beach is in East Helsinki and lets you enjoy a real holiday atmosphere; the pretty curved beach is no less than 700 metres long! Hietaniemi, or “Hietsu” as it is called by locals, is a classic beach not far from the city centre. At both beaches, you can borrow accessibility equipment from the lifeguards.

5. Mustikkamaa

Mustikkamaa is located south of Kulosaari, about 5 km from city centre. It is a popular outdoor recreation area with eg. a beach, kiosk, café, restaurants, as well as a summer theatre. You can access Mustikkamaa by bridge from both Kalasatama and Kulosaari, however, roads are mainly hard sand roads and parts of the island can be harder to access than others. The way to Helsinki zoo, Korkeasaari, is also through Mustikkamaa and can be a nice stop on the way.

6. Linnanmäki Amusement Park

The legendary Linnanmäki Amusement Park is great fun to visit, whether you are looking for thrills or just want to enjoy the atmosphere. Admission is free of charge, so you can go just to check it out or to eat out at the restaurants there, even without going on any of the rides. You can get everywhere by wheelchair or mobility scooter, although there are some steep slopes here and there. The amusement park is situated on top of a hill and offers great views over the city.

It is possible to get on most of the rides from your wheelchair or mobility scooter, and you can even get on one ride in your wheelchair or mobility scooter. If you have an EU Disability Card that proves you require an assistant or similar documentation, your assistant can claim a free-of-charge wristband with the purchase of your normally priced wristband or ticket.

7. Sea Life Helsinki

Sea Life Helsinki is connected to the amusement park, making it easy to access the undersea world in your wheelchair or mobility scooter. There are some narrow spaces and uneven surfaces, but again, your assistant can get in free of charge with the right documentation.