Greater Helsinki has several areas that are unknown to tourists and that offer a new perspective on the city. Hermanni, next to Vallila, is a good example.
It is easy to take a city break suitable for adults and children in Hermanni, as the area is surrounded by things to do and the transport links are excellent. Visitors can dine in the Slaughterhouse District, which is a lively and pleasant area, despite its name.
A good way to begin your holiday in Hermanni is by taking a walk around the immaculately preserved wooden Vallila area, which is like entering another reality out of reach of the busy capital city. The district has also hosted communal street parties and pop-up cafés.
The Kumpula Botanic Garden, a short distance northwest of Hermanni, is suitable for summer visitors: it is open from the beginning of May to the end of September, and it is a verdant oasis in the middle of the capital. The garden hosts Finnish plants as well as plants from far afield. Admire the beautifully tended plant beds and learn about herbal medicine traditions. It is easy to take a cheap holiday in the Hermanni area, particularly if you go for a picnic on the lawns of the Botanical Garden.
City holidaymakers are sure to enjoy the Slaughterhouse District, which really is a former slaughterhouse. It hosts a large number of free events, and visitors can grill food for free in the courtyard. There are other modern urban culture activities in the area, such as the Make Your Mark Garage/Gallery. Visitors looking for a more traditional, family-friendly attraction can head from Hermanni to the Tropicaro, a tropical reptile aquarium in the Vallila district with snakes and lizards.
A weekend break in Hermanni offers plenty to do and experience for families, as the district is superbly situated for Linnanmäki and Sea Life Helsinki. The popular Linnanmäki theme park is full of rides and games, and it also hosts the Peacock theatre. Sea Life Helsinki, located by the theme park, is an aquarium that is open all year round, displaying more than 100 water-dwelling species.
Hermanni has good bus links to central Helsinki. Kalasatama metro station is right on the southeast edge of Hermanni, so it is easy to get around, even in large groups.
