Now in its fourth year, the Maritime Helsinki event series has expanded further in terms of water transport, outdoor activities, culture and food.
"The themed weekend programme perfectly reflects what maritime Helsinki has to offer throughout the summer, with a diverse range of activities and experiences on the islands and beaches, both free and subject to a charge," says Special Planning Officer Minttu Perttula at City of Helsinki Sports Services.
There will be events on the mainland, on the islands and on the water during the weekend. In addition to the beaches and ships, you will find a variety of activities on Suomenlinna and the islands of Vallisaari, Harakka, Pihlajasaari, Vartiosaari, Malkasaari, Mustasaari and Läntinen Neitsytsaari. On the new event website hel.fi/merellinenhelsinki, you can browse the programme in a handy map view.
The stars of the event weekend are the maritime entrepreneurs and other operators who have enthusiastically joined in on making the event happen. The programme includes both free activities and activities subject to a charge. The free events include water transport to Pihlajasaari island, a mobile library visit to the beach and guided activities at the outdoor gyms on the beach.
Culture, sport try-outs and nature trips
The weekend programme will include a celebration of the new stop on the Western Archipelago Route in Lauttasaari. As far as we know, there has been little in the way of regular water services to Lauttasaari since the completion of Lauttasaari bridge, which means that water transport is returning to Lauttasaari after a break of some 90 years. There will also be a wide range of themed cruises, including canal and paddlewheel vessel cruises. If you are not tempted to take to the water, you will have the chance to explore both a 100-year-old schooner and a modern luxury yacht at Pohjoisranta pier.
The event will offer a wide range of marine sport try-outs and demonstrations, such as kayaking, windsurfing and immersion suit floating. Visually striking foil sports – pumpfoil, scootfoil, windfoil, SUP-foil and downwind-foil – will be on display during the weekend in Lauttasaari.
The joint Museum Day of Suomenlinna’s museums is celebrated annually on Gustavus Day, 6 June. The museums on the island will be open on Saturday 6 June from 11.00 to 20.00, and admission will be free. At the Ehrensvärd Museum, for example, you can see nautical charts, the oldest of which date back to the 15th century. There will be guided tours of the Military Museum and Submarine Vesikko, and historical guests such as King Gustav III will be touring Suomenlinna to mark the occasion. There will also be events and special offers at Suomenlinna’s restaurants throughout the weekend.
On Harakka island, you will be able to visit exhibitions by artists working on the island and take part in guided tours of the island.
Several maritime restaurateurs will be offering specials during the weekend, such as Pirate karaoke and pike pizza. On Vallisaari island, you will have the chance to celebrate the opening of the summer season by enjoying a wine tasting and performances by artists.
Pihlajasaari invites you to enjoy island atmosphere
There will be a free water bus service to Pihlajasaari island throughout the weekend on 5–7 June. On the island you will be able, for example, to bathe in the Aalto sauna designed by architecture students, embark on a guided nature tour and enjoy salmon soup.