Esplanade Park

Elongated in shape, Esplanade Park consists of three sections located between Eteläesplanadi and Pohjoisesplanadi. The park invites visitors for a relaxing stay or a shorter visit, even if just on the way through. In good weather, the lively and vibrant park is filled with picnic parties. The benches invite visitors to sit down with an ice cream or cup of coffee.
Esplanade Park was designed by the principle architect of Helsinki, Carl Ludvig Engel, and built in the 1850s. The plantings are clear in form and vary according to the seasons. Rows of linden trees line both sides of the park. In the winter season, the park is lit with seasonal lights.

Chapel Esplanade

At the Market Square end of the park is the Kappeli restaurant, built in 1867. Opposite the restaurant is the Espa Stage, built in the 1930s, which hosts music events from spring to autumn.

Runeberg Esplanade

In the central part of the park is a statue of the national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg, unveiled with great ceremony in 1885. It was the first public monument in Helsinki at the time. The statue is surrounded by seasonal plantings, and the square has columnar aspen trees surrounding it.

Other vegetation in the Runeberg Esplanade area includes shaped cotoneaster hedges, roses and decorative trees. The central walkway is lined with benches and lawn areas.

Johan Ludvig Runeberg’s Memorial(Link leads to external service)

Theatre Esplanade

The Mannerheimintie-side section of the park is dominated by the Teatteri restaurant and Svenska Teatern. This part of the park is shadier than the other parts. The old horse chestnut tree blossoms beautifully in June, and the area is enlivened by rhododendrons, azaleas and hydrangeas.

In the shade of the old trees are memorials to Zacharias Topelius and Eino Leino.

Fact and Fable, Memorial to Topelius(Link leads to external service)

Eino Leino memorial(Link leads to external service)
 

Esplanade Park provides a good setting for short visits and longer stays alike. The park is also a popular transit site.

Events in the park

Esplanade Park hosts a wide range of events. The park is at its busiest with events during the summer season and in particular in the Espa Stage area. For more information about events at the Espa Stage, click the link below.

Espa Stage(Link leads to external service)

Events held in the City’s parks can be found in the event calendar, where you can search for them.

Event calendar(Link leads to external service)

Esplanade Park and the nearby streets feature numerous cafés and restaurants. The park also has a public toilet.

Esplanade Park covers an area of nearly two hectares. The wide, sand-covered walkway in the middle of the park is lit and has benches on both sides. The park has winter maintenance.

The plants in the park thrive when they are allowed to grow in peace. Please do not cut any branches or trample on any plantings. Furthermore, be sure to collect your rubbish and place it in the park’s bins after your visit.

Read about park rules and park etiquette on the following page: Visit parks responsibly | City of Helsinki.