Just a short ferry ride from Helsinki’s city centre, Vallisaari offers a striking blend of untamed nature, military history, and contemporary art. Once off-limits to the public, this former military island was opened in 2016 and has since become one of Helsinki’s most fascinating cultural and ecological destinations.

From 8 June to 21 September 2025, Vallisaari hosts the third edition of the Helsinki Biennial, an international contemporary art exhibition. This year’s theme, Shelter: Below and Beyond, Becoming and Belonging, explores how humans relate to the environment and to each other—through 37 works by both Finnish and international artists. Many of the installations are site-specific, responding directly to the island’s terrain, history, and atmosphere.

The Biennial extends beyond Vallisaari, with complementary works exhibited in Esplanade Park and HAM Helsinki Art Museum, but the island remains its atmospheric heart.

Getting there:
The easiest way to reach Vallisaari is by waterbus from Helsinki’s Market Square (Kauppatori). FRS Finland operates daily services during the Biennial period. The trip takes approximately 20 minutes. The ferry arrives at Luotsipiha and departs from Torpedolahti, allowing a one-way walking route through the island. Private boats and kayaks can also dock at designated areas.

Ferry tickets are 10,90€ with a return ticket for adults.

Island experience:
Marked trails lead visitors past historical ruins, lush vegetation, and contemporary artworks. The Aleksanterin kierros (3 km) and Kuninkaansaari Trail (2.5 km) are the main walking routes. Vallisaari is a protected environment, home to rare species and sensitive ecosystems, so visitors are asked to stay on marked paths. Dogs must be leashed. No camping or fires are allowed.

Facilities:
There are no shops (currently there is a Helsinki Biennale Shop) or services in the interior of the island, but cafés and toilets can be found at Torpedolahti. Water taps and waste sorting stations are available. The island paths are gravel-based and partially uneven, so good walking shoes are recommended. Some areas are accessible with assistance.

Don't forget to try the famous ice cream from Ice Cream Cafe Paja! It's really good!

Opening hours and entry:
Vallisaari is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00 (closed on Mondays). Entry to the island and Biennial exhibitions is free, but the ferry ticket must be purchased separately. Tickets can be bought online or at the ferry dock. HAM Helsinki Art Museum is open until 22 October for Biennial-related exhibitions.

Best time to visit:
Weekday mornings or early afternoons tend to be the quietest. Late June and early August offer lush surroundings and fewer visitors.

Key dates:
– Public opening: 8 June 2025
– Last day: 21 September 2025
– HAM Biennial exhibitions: until 22 October 2025

Vallisaari during the Helsinki Biennial offers a rare combination of wild archipelago beauty and thought-provoking culture—a day trip that feels far from the city but is only minutes away by sea.