The School Park with its circa 1,000 plant species, is renowned both as one of the most northerly botanical gardens in the world and for its classical park architecture.
Kittholmen Forest by the Old Harbour, with its century-old pines, is a legacy from the year 1729, when tree-felling was banned in order to protect the harbour from harsh north winds.
Aspegren´s Garden is a newly restored parsonage garden from the mid-18th century. It is a baroque-inspired model garden that is without comparison in Finland.
Villa Sveden with its idyllic garden and restaurant makes an ideal day-trip destination, right outside the city centre. Small-scale events like art exhibitions and music evenings are held both in the house and in the park during the summer months.
Besides these, several smaller, well-ordered parks and greens contribute to the character of the city, such as Runeberg Park, Concordia Park, The Station Park and Sibelius Square. The old graveyard and Biskopholmen’s old cemetery grounds, with its memorial stones, are also worth a visit.
The Green Heritage of the city is a tradition that is being carried on. A new park is being planned in the lush green passage along the canal, between the city centre and the old harbour / Kittholmen. This so-called “Djurgården” area will be the first addition of this century to a park tradition that stretches over four centuries, from the 1700’s into the future.
