This is often the first place that people arriving in this beautiful country by plane can get acquainted with, since this is where the largest one is located.
History and culture of Vantaa Finland
An interesting point in the history of the city is that this area has some of the oldest records in Finland. Back in the mid-14th century, King Magnus II of Sweden issued a decree according to which one of the monasteries had the right to catch salmon on the river in order to deliver it to the royal table. At the same time, if we evaluate the antiquity of the city from the moment it received the corresponding status, then its age is less than 50 years, since Vantaa received this title only in 1972.
The ethnic component of the population is no less interesting. The fact is that people of various nationalities from all over the globe live here. Which is not surprising, considering that it regularly receives flights from more than one airline, whose planes fly to all corners of the planet. Availability has also stimulated the development of an extensive infrastructure designed to meet the needs of travelers for a variety of purposes, ranging from business visits and cultural tourism to transit flights. Already today a huge building has been built here, and, but development has only been gaining momentum in recent years.
Attractions Vantaa Finland
First of all, of course, it’s worth saying a few words about the main attraction of the city -. Today this airport is considered one of the best in the world. In 1997, he even received recognition from many special publications and got into a kind of top that he never left. Of course, its main advantage is the wide selection of destinations to which flights depart from here. In total, from here you can reach more than 120 destinations without making a transfer.
Naturally, the city, which owes a lot to airplanes, could not do without its own. You can find it if you drive your car along the E18 or 45 highway and turn near the sign with the image of a brown square and a white monogram. Here you can learn in more detail about the history of the development of Finnish aviation, as well as examine about eighty aircraft belonging to different historical periods, as well as having different purposes.
If you prefer other types of entertainment instead of visiting museums, we recommend that you look into. In addition to the traditional swimming pools and other attractions that are offered in our water parks, here you can visit the SPA center, go bowling or even stay in a local hotel to have access to all kinds of pleasures. Just imagine, just down the stairs from your room, you can go to the movies, play golf, go to a restaurant or nightclub, and, of course, swim.
For those who like to go shopping and buy a couple of beautiful things at an attractive price, they will also find an interesting place - the Jumbo Shopping Center, which is one of the largest in the whole country. Moreover, it is located literally a couple of steps from ".
Connoisseurs of intellectual and cultural recreation will enjoy a number of museums, which are also attractions, since they are unique in many ways. So, you can look into the Eureka science center with interactive entertainment. Although it is mainly intended for teenagers and children, adults will also find it interesting. Exhibitions of scientific achievements are regularly held here, aimed at visitors of all ages.
But the Vantaa City Museum is distinguished by the fact that it is located in a very unusual place - at the former railway station. Moreover, this place is not only unusual, but also one of the oldest in the city, since the building was erected more than 150 years ago. Here you can study in detail the history of the city's development, which the permanent exhibition will help you with.
If you get to the suburbs, we recommend checking out the village of Sotunki. There are a lot of interesting objects here. In particular, you can admire the beautiful Church of St. Lawrence, visit a couple of parks with many sculptures, and also get a closer look at the peculiarities of farming in. The Museum of Agriculture and a unique nature school and a farm open to the public, where you can interact with domestic animals, will help you with this.
The area was first mentioned as Helsinge in 1351. This year, the Swedish King Magnus II granted the Estonian Cistercian monastery Padise the right to fish for salmon on the Vantaa River. In 1972, the municipality of Vantaa received city status.
Vantaa is a city in Finland.
Vantaa is a city of intersection of cultures. Representatives of many nationalities live here. And the route to anywhere in the world from Vantaa is very simple: the local airport serves flights from more than 30 airlines. And the center of the capital of Finland - Helsinki from Vantaa can be reached in just 20 minutes.
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport has become the center of the formation of a large center of infrastructure. For the convenience of servicing travelers, businessmen, and transit tourists, hotels, shopping and business centers are being built near the airport. The Aviapolis business district, located in a ring around the airport, is a clear confirmation of the functioning of this infrastructure.
What to see in Vantaa?
Since 1997, the airport has been included in the top list of the best airports in the world. It provides more than 90% of all air traffic in the country. The variety of final destinations makes Vantaa Airport a leader among Northern European airports. Direct flights are possible from Vantaa to more than 120 points on the planet. If you want to quickly get from Europe to Asia, then this route runs through Vantaa Airport. Airport website: www.helsinki-vantaa.fi.
Ilmailumuseo
The Finnish Aviation Museum (Ilmailumuseo) is located near Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and tells the history of Finnish aviation. The museum's exposition, which is located in two unheated hangars, presents 80 military and civil aircraft and helicopters of the Finnish Air Force, as well as aircraft parts, on-board electronics, training simulators, collections of maps and photographs and many other interesting exhibits telling about the formation and development of Finnish Air Force.
Jumbo Mall
Mall Jumbo is one of the largest shopping centers in Finland. An incredible number of boutiques in one place. It is located next to the Flamingo entertainment complex and is essentially combined with it into one shopping and entertainment complex. Tired of shopping at Jumbo, return to Flamingo to have lunch at one of its cafes and restaurants and rest your body in relaxation establishments. www.jumbo.fi.
Heureka
The Eureka Science and Interactive Center (Heureka!) invites visitors of all ages to interactive exhibits, a planetarium, a Children's Science Laboratory, and rat basketball; offers active educational programs for groups, congress services, lectures and seminars. There is a restaurant at the SIC. Center address: Vantaa, Tikkurila. Eureka Center website. Eureka Center website: www.heureka.fi.
Vantaa City Museum
The museum is located in Tiikurila, in the building of a former railway station. This building is considered one of the oldest railway station buildings, built in 1862. Museum address: Vantaa, Hertaksentie 1 The central exhibition tells about the history of the city: “Vantaa: from the rural church parish of Helsinki to the city.” The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday from 11.00 to 18.00. on Saturdays and Sundays from 11.00 to 16.00. Entrance fee for adults is 2 euros.
Vantaa Art Museum
Vantaa Art Museum (Vantaa, Kiltarintaittu 6) organizes exhibitions of contemporary art - domestic and foreign. Various themed events are organized, including children's events. Entrance to the museum is free. Museum website: www.vantaa.fi/taidemuseo/
Material on the topic
Nissbakka Manor
A historical estate with a unique collection of works by sculptor Laila Pullinen. The material of the sculptures is very different - from granite to bronze. The exhibition is located in a manor park, which traces its history back to the depths of the 16th century. The museum is open to the public during the summer season.
Village Sotunki
In the suburban village of Sotunki, tourists will be interested in getting to know the rural life of Southern Finland. Here you can see two sculpture parks, the Trollberga Agricultural Museum, the Orkola Museum, and a domestic animal farm. The Vantaa Nature School is also located here, hiking and ethnic tours are organized. In the village of Helsinge, on the banks of the Vantaa River, visit the ancient stone church of St. Lawrence, completed in the 1460s, a stone mill and the local history museum.
Famous people
The famous Finnish racing driver, winner of the Formula 1 championship, Miki Hyakkinen, is from Vantaa. Another racing driver, Jyrki Järvilehto, also lived in Vantaa. Moreover, both future Formula 1 pilots lived in the same area (Martinlaakso) and attended the same school. Philosopher-logician Jaakko Hintikka was also born in Vantaa.
Where to stay
For accommodation, Vantaa offers a dozen hotels bearing the names of all the leading service companies (such as Scandic, Socos, etc.), holidays in cottages, hostels, bed & breakfasts, as well as accommodation on a farm in the countryside are also offered.
How to get to Vantaa
By car St. Petersburg - Torfyanovka - Vaalimaa - then follow the E18 highway in the direction of Helsinki.
If you arrived in Helsinki by train, you can get to Vantaa by electric train to Tikkurila station or by regular bus to Vantaa Airport.
The tourist information center is located in Vantaa at Ratatie 7. The tourist information website is:
Vantaa is a city in southern Finland, located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. In fact, it is an integral part of Helsinki, but administratively an independent settlement, the fourth most populous city in Finland. Vantaa is far from a tourist city. Nevertheless, it is worth visiting here at least once in your life.
Vantaa (Finland): airport and more
Many travelers are familiar with this city. After all, this is where the main airport of the country, Helsinki-Vantaa, is located. Finland receives about 7 million tourists annually. And most of them begin their acquaintance with this northern country from the city of Vantaa. But few people stay there for a long time, naively believing that there is nothing to see here.
Vantaa is a satellite city of the Finnish capital with a population of about 200 thousand people. It was founded in the middle of the 14th century, exactly two hundred years earlier than Helsinki. The Royal Postal Road, which connected Stockholm with St. Petersburg, passed through the city. It was laid by the ancient Vikings.
The modern city of Vantaa in Finland serves as a kind of business center. Thus, it is here that the representative offices of many Finnish companies are located: the country's main air carrier Finnair, the largest dairy concern Valio, the famous manufacturer of paints and varnishes Tikkurila and others. By the way, the latter company borrowed its name from the name of one of the districts of Vantaa.
Finland can be proud of many talented scientists, athletes and musicians who come from this small city. Among them are philosopher and mathematician Jaakko Hintikka, drummer of the mega-popular rock band Lordi Sampsa Astala, famous race car driver Mikka Hakkinen and others.
How to get to the city? If you are planning to travel to Finland by plane, this is most likely where you will land. By the way, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport was recognized as the best in Northern Europe in 2013. It handles about 90% of all international flights in Finland.
How to get from Helsinki to Vantaa? The most convenient way to do this is by high-speed train, which departs from the capital’s railway station approximately every 20 minutes. In addition, Helsinki and the satellite city of Vantaa are connected by bus routes (No. 415, 451 and 620N). Travel time is about 40 minutes. A taxi ride from the Finnish capital to the city of Vantaa will cost 50 euros.
Where to stay: Vantaa hotels
Finland is a country with a fairly developed tourism and hotel business. According to statistics, skiing, medical, cultural, historical and environmental tourism are very popular here. Of course, the country is ready to offer its guests a wide selection of hostels and apartments.
However, tourists need to be prepared for fairly high prices for accommodation in Finland, and, in particular, in Vantaa. Thus, the average cost of a hotel room in this country is 106 euros (as of 2012).
In the city of Vantaa, the most popular hotels, according to reviews from Russian tourists, are the following hotels: Hameenkyla Manor, Hilton Helsinki Airport, Holiday Inn Helsinki, GLO Hotel, Hotel Cumulus, Avia Apartments. Prices for standard rooms in budget hotels in Vantaa (two or three stars) start from 3,000 rubles, in luxury hotels (four or five stars) - from 5,500 rubles and above.
What is interesting about the city of Vantaa?
Vantaa is not only an airport and the headquarters of large companies. Here the tourist will find a lot of interesting things for himself. The main attractions of Vantaa are popular science complexes, museums, parks, recreational centers and ancient temples.
Near the railway station there is a city local history museum with rich exhibitions. It is located in a beautiful old red brick building designed by architect Karl Edelfelt. In Vantaa, you should definitely visit the old church from the mid-15th century. This is one of the most popular wedding venues in all of Finland!
In the vicinity of the city there is a unique village of Sotunki. By going there, you can see with your own eyes the real rural life of Finland. There is a sculpture park, a tractor museum, and an animal farm for children. In addition, the village organizes regular ecological walks through forests and lakes.
Science can be simple!
One of the main attractions in Vantaa is the Heureka Science Museum. It is located in the city's Tikkurila area. At the time of its opening (1989), it was the only popular science center in all of Scandinavia.
The interactive museum “Eureka” sets itself one single goal - to develop in children (and adults too) a genuine and lively interest in science. It contains over two hundred exhibits from various fields of scientific knowledge. Among them are both the simplest and very complex models. Each visitor can personally participate in one of the scientific experiments here.
The Eureka Museum houses a first-class planetarium and arboretum, as well as a magnificent collection of minerals and rocks from the Scandinavian Peninsula.
Every day a dense flow of tourists from Finland and other countries passes through Vantaa, but they do not see Vantaa at all. The fact is that the Helsinki-Vantaa airport is located in this satellite city of the Finnish capital. It would never occur to most travelers that Vantaa could be interesting in its own right. But if circumstances call for you to stay in Vantaa longer than required to change flights, you will definitely have something to do here.
The first written mention of Vantaa dates back to 1351. The Royal Road, which was once used by postal couriers, passed through the territory of the current city. Today it is the most important tourist route for travel through the Scandinavian countries. The Royal Road runs from east to west along the old route laid by the Vikings. Mail carriages and messengers drove along it at full speed, bringing news from Stockholm to Turku and St. Petersburg. The same path was connected with the great castles of Turku and Vyborg. Part of the old road is still preserved: along it you can get to Vantaa from Espoo, and from Vantaa to Sipoo.
The Royal Route passes into Vantaa via a wooden bridge from 1876 (on the Vantaa River at Vantaankoski) and a stone bridge from the 1890s. (via Kerava to Hakkila).
One of the most interesting places in Vantaa is the Eureka Science Museum. Opened in 1989, it was the first of its kind in the country and continues to be Finland's leading popular science museum.
How to get there
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is located right in the city and receives flights from dozens of airlines, including from Moscow and St. Petersburg. By train from the center of Helsinki to Vantaa it takes about 20 minutes.
Search for flights to Helsinki (closest airport to Vantaa)
Entertainment and attractions in Vantaa
One of the most interesting places in Vantaa is the Eureka Science Museum. Opened in 1989, it was the first of its kind in the country and continues to be Finland's leading popular science museum. Museum exhibitions are located not only in the main building, but also in the open air around it, and the total number of exhibits exceeds 100 pieces. The museum cannot be called purely for children: here you can see both simple popular science installations illustrating the interesting laws of the universe, and exhibits that, from a theoretical point of view, to this day it is not very clear how they work. Eureka has its own planetarium, botanical garden and mineralogy department with a national collection of specimens.
The legendary Formula 1 driver Mika Häkkinen was born in Vantaa.
Another interesting object in Vantaa is the Royal Road, along which the route of postal couriers once ran. Today it is the most important tourist route for travel through the Scandinavian countries. The Royal Road runs from east to west along the old route laid by the Vikings. Mail carriages and messengers drove along it at full speed, bringing news from Stockholm to Turku and St. Petersburg. The same path was connected with the great castles of Turku and Vyborg. Part of the old road is still preserved: along it you can get to Vantaa from Espoo, and from Vantaa to Sipoo.
The historical parish village of Helsinki, located in Vantaa, is very interesting. This is one of the best preserved villages with churches in the region. Once a week during the summer season, group excursion tours take place around the village, but at other times you can explore it with a guide by reservation. And in general, the Vantaa River, which gave its name to this entire area, with its valley and adjacent lands represents the largest untouched cultural landscape in the entire capital region.
Modern amusement park SuperPark in Vantaa
There is also an interesting church in Vantaa that definitely deserves attention. St. Lawrence Church is not only the oldest building in the Helsinki region, but also the most popular church for weddings in Finland. In the country-famous church on the street. Chirrikoti often hosts concerts and other events.
Several galleries with changing exhibitions and theaters are responsible for cultural life in Vantaa. For example, Gallery “K”, two theaters in Vantaa or the Tikkuril Theater.
There are also several museums open in Vantaa. The Finnish Aviation Museum boasts several historical aircraft, as well as a selection of photographs and documents related to the history of flight. Vantaa City Museum occupies the oldest station building in Finland, built back in 1861 by Karl Albert Edelfelt (former Tikkurila station on Hertaxenti Street). Rotating exhibitions are held here. The Agricultural Museum displays artifacts from the ancient Helsinki Parish Village. And the Vantaa Art Museum in Miirimäki hosts temporary exhibitions of a variety of contemporary Finnish and foreign art.
A full-fledged attraction of Vantaa is the Flamingo entertainment center. The largest in Scandinavia, it brings together under its roof a variety of restaurants and specialty shops, as well as a hotel and spa (adults only), cinema, water park, bowling alley, golf center and health centre.
There is an adventure park called HopLop for children in Vantaa.
As for those who came to Finland primarily because of nature, the Kuusijärvi active tourism center operates for them in Vantaa. Here, both Finns and foreign visitors are offered a huge variety of outdoor activities, including saunas and beaches, ice swimming, hiking and wilderness treks, group sports classes, etc.
Popular hotels in Vantaa
Vantaa area
The village of Sotunki is located approximately 7 km from Vantaa. Here, in a small river valley, ancient trees, roads and farms have been preserved. On the territory of this cultural village there are several attractions, united by the common theme of national history and culture. The Nissbacka Manor Sculpture Park is a collection of works by Professor Laila Pullinen, exhibited in the former granary building of the manor, as well as in the surrounding open-air area. These are bronze and granite sculptures, as well as graphics and drawings. The collection is open for viewing during the summer months on Wednesdays and Sundays. Another sculpture park in Sotunki, Parque Leonardo da Vilu, offers visitors the opportunity to discover steel works by contemporary artist Risto Vilunen, as well as other sculptors, and is also open in the summer.
During the summer season, Sotunki operates a small bed and breakfast with only two rooms.
Also on the territory of Sotunka is the Museum of Agriculture and Tractors, where you can learn not only about agricultural machinery, but also the methods that were used in the old days by a variety of Finnish artisans. Another similar museum, Orkola, tells the story of daily life on the farm and, in particular, the creation of products from birch bark. Here you can see a church boat made in 1927.
- Where to stay: The capital status of Helsinki gives you every right to say that if you want to travel around southern Finland, you can base yourself here for your entire vacation. The benefit of hotels and inns - for any choice. Close to the capital, but quieter - this is about Espoo. Porvoo has a peaceful and intimate semi-rural atmosphere, and local hotels match the mood. Vantaa hotels are a good choice for those who are flying through Finland with a stopover for a couple of days, but have already been to Helsinki. Lohja - “the city of a thousand apple trees”. To travel here in September, it is worth booking a hotel in advance - at the end of the month there is a big apple festival.
- What to see: Ideal - wave along the entire coast from
