Vanhankaupunginkoski Helsinki

Roots, nature and design

Joonas from Helsinki

""Vanhankaupunginkoski" is the Old Town of Helsinki, but instead of old buildings, here you'll find beautiful nature and a lovely scenery..."

The Vanhakaupunki district refers to the Old Town of Helsinki because in the founding year of 1550 the city was originally located here. However, instead of old buildings and narrow alleys, what you will find here today is the whitewater of Vantaa river, beautiful city nature with lovely scenery and maybe some hobby fishermen. But that is basically just what I personally need to enjoy a sunny day when I want to relax!

The area is located a few kilometers north from the Kallio district and is accessible by buses and trams, also from the city center. It offers many interesting options besides chilling out. If I feel like wandering a bit more into the beautiful city nature, I will cross the bridge and take the small paths and the boardwalk to Lammassaari all the way to Kuusiluoto islands. That's where you will even encounter sheep in the summer and feel completely like being outside the urban center!

A good idea is also to combine the Vanhankaupunginkoski experience with a visit to Iittala & Arabia Design Centre located next to the old Arabia ceramics factory (on Hämeentie) within a short walking distance. Inside, you can find shops, a gallery, a museum and other interesting things related to Finnish design. Before leaving the district, I might also visit the cozy local pub of Oljenkorsi with their incredible selection of craft beers as it is located very close (on Intiankatu) in the idyllic neighbourhood of Toukola and its wooden houses.

Art & culture

Bars

Relaxing

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Helsinki Spotter Joonas

About me I’m an enthusiastic funky music and urban culture lover who has been working on many fields, from journalism and concept design to copywriting, cultural production and the travel industry. Currently, I’m self-employed as a freelancer and a long-time member of the Funky Amigos family. Born in Espoo and having lived both in the northern outskirts of Helsinki as well as all the directions inside the city, I have basically spent my whole life in the metropolitan area of the capital and know the city more than well. I have a strong background organizing dozens of diverse...

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Vanhankaupunginkoski

€

free

Dec 9, 2025

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