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Espoo's outdoor islands
The city of Espoo has 10 recreational islands. Here you will find pictures and information about all of them. Additionally, a few other islands are featured where the city has significant land ownership and where outdoor activities are possible.
Espoo's outdoor islands: Iso Vasikkasaari
Iso Vasikkasaari is located just outside Matinkylä in Espoo. This charming outdoor island can be reached by archipelago boat. Iso Vasikkasaari covers 24 hectares and is primarily used for outdoor activities. The island is ideal for day trips, and overnight stays are prohibited.
Espoo's outdoor islands: Gåsgrund
Welcome to perhaps the most beautiful of Espoo's outdoor islands, Gåsgrundet. A photo series of a walk around the island will follow shortly, but first, here's a rocky view from the southeast coast of the island.
Espoo's outdoor islands: Torra Lövö
Welcome to Torra Lövö. This 3.5-hectare outdoor island is truly stunning—especially in good weather. Here's one of my best photos from last summer.
Espoo's outdoor islands: Knapperskär
This is beautiful. Welcome to Espoo's outdoor island, Knapperskär. Let's start with a family spending the day on the coastal rocks. Isn't it idyllic?
Espoo's outdoor islands: Rövargrundet
Welcome to the Espoo archipelago. Rövargrundet is a sparsely wooded rocky islet located south of Espoo's Suvisaaristo. In the background, you can see Stora Herrö, which might help some people pinpoint Rövargrundet's location.
Espoo's outdoor islands: Tvijälp
Welcome to one of Espoo's most impressive and surprising outdoor islands, Tvijälp. Tvijälp is located in Espoo's archipelago, less than 200 meters from Westend. The journey is short, but the island offers a world of its own.
Espoo's outdoor islands: Korkeasaari
Welcome to Espoo's Korkeasaari. Korkeasaari is located right near the Helsinki border, just barely within Espoo's waters.
Espoo's outdoor islands: Pentala (island and museum)
Pentala is an impressive destination. The 130-hectare island features an old fishing village turned into a museum, a nature reserve, a couple of natural beaches, and a four-hectare lake. And you can reach it by archipelago boat!
Espoo's outdoor islands: Stora Herrö
Welcome to Stora Herrö in Espoo. This diverse outdoor island offers cliffs, forests, beaches, and, as the cherry on top, an observation tower with views over the archipelago. And since you can get here by archipelago boats, it's worth visiting.
Espoo's outdoor islands: Bylandet
Welcome to Bylandet, a recreational island managed by the city of Espoo. Bylandet is located on the Kirkkonummi side, in Porkkalanniemi. As an enticement, I will start with a photo that tells the island's history as a Soviet guard post. But now, on to the story of Bylandet...
Espoo's outdoor islands: Rövaren
Welcome to the Espoo archipelago. Rövaren is a recreational island managed by the city of Espoo, located less than five kilometers south of Soukanniemi. The island is popular, and for good reason: you can reach it by archipelago boat in the summer, and it has grill huts, firewood, and even a beach.
Espoo's outdoor islands: Kaparen
The second kayaking trip of the summer of 2015 with a childhood friend in the Espoo archipelago took me to Kaparen. Although it rained the entire July, apart from a few heavy showers, the weather was great for this trip, and it shows.
Espoo's outdoor islands: Käärmesaari
Welcome to Käärmesaari, located on the border between Helsinki and Espoo, just barely on the Espoo side. Käärmesaari is a recreational island jointly managed by both cities.
Espoo's outdoor islands: Iso and Pieni Lehtisaari plus Sumparen
This begins a new series: over the coming years, I will introduce all the islands in Espoo that can be visited. First up is a trio of islands: Iso and Pieni Lehtisaari, and Sumparen. Let's start our exploration with Sumparen, as it has one of the finest spots in Espoo. Initially, a view to the northeast. Notice the Tuomela boatyard, where boats were built until the 1960s (now private property).