Annala Villa Park and Gustav Vasa Park

You can visit two parks in one go. They are located in the Vanhankaupunki area, close to each other.

Annala Villa Park

The history of the buildings, garden and oak forest of Annala Villa Park dates back to the early 19th century. The park provides a wide range of experiences all year round. Its verdant and diverse garden is known for its large perennial plantings and historic lilacs, among other things. The scent of lilacs in bloom takes over the park at the turn of May and June.
You can also enjoy fragrances in the theme garden area, which includes a kitchen garden, a herb garden, dye and medicinal plants and a butterfly garden, among other things. Houseplants and a collection of old pelargoniums grow in the orangery.

The park’s perennial plantings are abundant and varied in form. The flowering period lasts from spring to autumn, and the areas look spectacular in winter as well.

For more information about the history of the garden, see the information board next to Villa Annala. The texts are in Finnish, Swedish and English.

Gustav Vasa Park

A few hundred metres away, you can learn about the history of Helsinki in Gustav Vasa Park.

Monument commemorating the City of Helsinki’s 400th anniversary

At the northern end of the park is a monument commemorating the City of Helsinki’s 400th anniversary, featuring a portrait of King Gustav Vasa, the founder of Helsinki.

Monument commemorating the City of Helsinki’s 400th anniversary(Link leads to external service)

Kirkkorinne

The former church grounds of Kirkkorinne feature the stone foundation of the oldest church in Helsinki and a number of old graves. The texts about the history of the location on the information board are in Finnish, Swedish and English.

Kellomäki

Atop the bedrock of the Kellomäki hill stands a monument to Gustav II Adolf. The hilltop provides a great view in all directions.

Memorial to the Gustav II Adolf Diet(Link leads to external service)
 

The Annala Villa Park area is home to the Association of Useful Plants (Hyötykasviyhdistys ry), which organises garden tours, themed evenings, garden and plant related courses and events throughout the year. For the youngest visitors, the park also features a playground.

Playground Annala, location on the map(Link leads to external service)

For more information about events in the park, see the website of the Association of Useful Plants and the City’s event calendar.

Hyötykasviyhdistys ry(Link leads to external service) (website in Finnish)

City of Helsinki event calendar(Link leads to external service)
 

Villa Annala features a café, which is open on Sundays. There are also other cafés and restaurants within walking distance in the surrounding area. The rockier areas of Annala Villa Park make for good picnic spots. There are no toilets in the parks.

Annala Villa Park

The routes of Annala Villa Park, which covers more than ten hectares, consist mainly of wide sand roads. The rock can be accessed via paths. The routes and buildings of the park are marked on information signs.
The park is partly lit and has some benches along its routes. There is no winter maintenance on the routes.

Gustav Vasa Park

The routes of Gustav Vasa Park consist of wide sand roads, and the road through the park is maintained in winter. The park is partially lit. Benches have been placed in the church hill area and atop Kellomäki.

Park benches on the map (Helsinki Map Service)(Link leads to external service)
Park lighting on the map (Helsinki Map Service)(Link leads to external service)
 

The plants of the parks thrive when they are allowed to grow in peace. Please do not cut any branches or trample on any plantings.
Read about park rules and park etiquette on the following page: Visit parks responsibly | City of Helsinki.