Pienten Helsinki
Published 2017, updated 4/2022
To Lauttasaari by the West Metro
With the West Metro, family-friendly destinations that were previously difficult to reach by bus are now much more accessible. Small Helsinki tips to Lauttasaari and the Espoo-side corners of the West Metro take you to, for example, museums, nature trails, playgrounds and a library. Espoo's investment in family services in recent years is visible in family services at shopping centers, beautiful playgrounds and amazing children's cultural offerings. Small Helsinki's "By Metro West!" series first part takes you to Lauttasaari and Koivusaari, Helsinki's westernmost metro stations.
Lauttasaari
With the metro, the journey to Lauttasaari from the city center or beyond is now even more convenient. The metro always accommodates strollers, and the location of Lauttasaari's metro station in the middle of the island makes it easy to get to many directions. Lauttasaari station has two entrances: the Otavantie entrance leads directly to Lauttis shopping center and the Gyldenintie entrance to the Lahnalahti playground area.
Lauttasaari is worth visiting year-round, but especially in summer, Lauttasaari's beaches are wonderful destinations for adventures with children.
Lahnalahti Playground
The location of Lahnalahti playground is ideal for metro visitors: it is right next to the metro's Gyldenintie exit. The playground's courtyard is spacious and there is also a separate, fenced area for younger children. Lahnalahti's indoor facilities are open on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and you can warm up your own refreshments indoors.
Many playgrounds in Lauttasaari
In addition to Lahnalahti playground, Lauttasaari has several other playgrounds. Next to the playground, along Tallberg Park Road, you'll find Nuori Suomi Park suitable for older children, and you can check other playgrounds on the City of Helsinki map.
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Lohiapajanlahti playground is suitable for small children.[/caption]
Casino Beach swimming beach and a large play ship
Casino Beach is a few hundred meters from Lauttasaari metro station (Gyldenintie entrance). The beach has a large play ship climbing structure and at least swings. The beach also has a café during the summer months. From Casino Beach, there is a walking route along the shore to both Katajaharju and Särkiniemi.
Southern tip of Lauttasaari
At the southern tip of Lauttasaari, in Vattuniemi, are the Särkiniemi and Veijarivuori outdoor areas, which offer magnificent open views of the sea and popular shipping lanes. The area has summer cottages as well as old war bunkers and cannons. Varied terrain, good walking trails and above all a spectacular sea landscape are good reasons to visit Särkiniemi. At the very southern edge of the outdoor park is one of Lauttasaari's swimming beaches, Veijarivuori, and a fenced playground next to the beach. The area operates year-round café-restaurant Paseo.
Secret island Sisä-Hattu
From the eastern edge of Särkiniemi, in the middle of the sea, you'll find a real secret island: a small rocky island Sisä-Hattu. You may be able to reach the island during low water even with dry feet, and very often by wading. In addition to admiring the landscapes from Sisä-Hattu, you can see up close the large cruise ships passing by and wonderful views of Helsinki's city center. This is absolutely an excellent summer adventure destination for slightly older children and certainly an unforgettable experience for everyone. When wading to the secret island, the Small Helsinki team recommends packing sandals or other water-resistant shoes, as wading on a rocky path is significantly more comfortable with shoes on.
Summer cafés
In addition to the café at Casino Beach swimming beach, the island has summer café Puhvetti from Länsiulapanniemi HKL's summer cottage area (operations ended in 2021). From the south end of Lauttasaari, Särkiniemi outdoor area operates café-restaurant Paseo. On the east shore, restaurant Blue Peter offers coffee along with food, and at NJK's boat harbor in Koivusaari you'll find the new café-restaurant Min Krog. It's worth checking the exact opening hours on the summer cafés' websites.
Provisions
At the other entrance of the metro station is Lauttis shopping center, which has two grocery stores, several restaurants and cafés. On the Vattuniemi side you'll also find several restaurants that accommodate strollers as well as three grocery stores.
Lauttasaari Library
Lauttasaari Library is located on Pajalahdentie, a short walk from the metro station. The library has a small children's section.
MLL Lauttasaari
An extremely active local MLL association operates in Lauttasaari. The association organizes events on a voluntary basis and runs a family café in youth center Apaja on Pajalahdentie, right next to Lauttasaari Library. The open family café meets weekly.
Open Daycare Tallen
A Swedish-language open daycare Tallen operates in Lauttasaari. Read more about Tallen's operations here.
Pyrkä Sports Park
Pyrkä Sports Park offers diverse sports activities for all ages. In winter, skating takes place on the field, in summer ball games, skateboarding, scootering and other sports are played. Pyrkä is within walking distance from both Lauttasaari and Koivusaari metro stations. The popular sports park also has its own Facebook page.
Koivusaari
From Koivusaari metro station you can easily access, for example, stroller walks on Lauttasaari's shores or to the Espoo side to Hanasaari or Karhusaari. Hanasaari is home to the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Center and a nice restaurant connected to it. Karhusaari, on the other hand, is a wonderful destination: hiking routes along the sea shore, beautiful nature, wonderful old buildings and a nice swimming beach. A pine tree lying on the sea is a sight to see!
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