Small Islands of Helsinki

Harakka and Seurasaari

When capturing an urban nature collection from the Helsinki metropolitan area, you shouldn’t miss the easily accessible island destinations like Harakka and Seurasaari. Both are excellent choices even when accompanied by someone who isn’t that interested in nature photography.

Harakka

Harakka is a small nature reserve located right off Kaivopuisto, about a 5-minute boat ride from the mainland. In the summer, you can reach the island by a shuttle boat, with schedules available on the Merenkavijat.fi website. To signal the boat, raise the white wooden sign at the pier 5 minutes before the scheduled departure. Harakka has no guest marina, so you cannot arrive with your own boat. Additionally, there are no cafes or kiosks on the island, making it a perfect spot for a picnic—remember to bring your own food. Harakka Nature Centre operates on the island from May to the end of September.

Harakka is particularly known for its diverse bird species, and it’s important to note that dogs are not allowed on the island, and parts of the island are closed to visitors during the bird nesting season. If your companion is not interested in nature photography, don’t worry. This small island doesn’t require a long visit—there is a roughly one-kilometer trail around the island, part of which follows a sandy coastal path and part over rocks. Of course, bird enthusiasts can also spend a lot of time admiring and photographing the birds, while companions can explore the changing exhibitions of the Harakka artist community at Galleria Lennätin or the former ammunition depots. There is a bird-watching tower and a hide on the island, where you can observe gulls, various waterfowl, waders, wheatears, and the magpie, which gave the island its name. Binoculars and bird identification materials can be borrowed from the Nature Centre for the duration of your visit.

For more information visit Harakka Island.

Seurasaari

Seurasaari, with its rocky shores, forested trails, and swimming beaches, is accessible via a pedestrian bridge. The 46-hectare island is owned by the City of Helsinki and serves as an outdoor park, home to the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum. Guided tours of the museum, available from May to September, offer insights into 19th-century Finnish rural life and traditional Finnish architecture. The island’s cafes are open daily during the summer and on weekends during the winter. Seurasaari is also a popular picnic destination. Pets must be kept on a leash in the outdoor area, and they are not allowed in the museum area, except for guide dogs.

Seurasaari hosts a variety of birds and mammals, including squirrels, foxes, and deer. The range of bird species is diverse, and early risers may spot shy woodpeckers and owls. However, most of Seurasaari’s wildlife is accustomed to humans. Gulls, geese, crows, tits, and pigeons come so close that while enjoying a picnic, you might feel like you’re in a Hitchcock movie. These birds aren’t “angry birds” but “hungry birds,” so be sure to guard your food carefully. It’s also important to remember not to feed the animals. On Seurasaari, you can photograph fishing birds with a telephoto lens, but the nature is so close that even a wide-angle lens can capture good close-ups.

For more information visit Seurasaari Open Air Museum.