Helsinki may be Finland’s capital and busiest region, but it still offers some of the country’s most rewarding opportunities for nature and wildlife photography. Surrounded by forests, islands, and wetlands, the city and its neighboring areas—Espoo, Vantaa, and Kirkkonummi—provide countless locations to observe animals in their natural environment. If you’re eager to explore the wild side of southern Finland, here are some of the top spots to bring your camera.
1. Seurasaari, Helsinki
Just a short distance from the city center, Seurasaari Island is a haven for both people and wildlife. Known for its open-air museum and scenic walking paths, the island is especially popular with birdwatchers during spring and autumn migration. Here, you can encounter species such as mute swans, grebes, Canada geese, terns, woodpeckers, and small songbirds. Many of them are accustomed to humans, and it’s not unusual for great tits to perch on visitors’ hands in exchange for seeds. Alongside birds, you may also spot red squirrels, foxes, and the occasional yellow-necked mouse. Early mornings and evenings often reward patient photographers with magical light and memorable wildlife moments.
2. Hanasaari, Espoo
Located on the border of Espoo and Helsinki, Hanasaari is a small but charming island that attracts a variety of birds. Ducks, geese, swans, chaffinches, and woodpeckers are frequent visitors, while spring and autumn bring large cormorants to the area. If you’re lucky, you might even witness dramatic encounters between raptors and crows, a reminder that nature is full of surprises.
3. Viikki and Lammassaari, Helsinki
Viikki is a protected wetland in central Helsinki, making it one of the city’s most unique wildlife habitats. Elevated wooden paths guide visitors through reeds and grasslands toward Lammassaari, where a bird tower provides excellent views of the reserve. Barnacle geese, coots, goldeneye ducks, and greylag geese are common here, while cranes occasionally appear during the spring season.
4. Suomenoja Lintuallas, Espoo
This artificial pond, originally built for industrial purposes, has transformed into a rich birding site. Black-headed gulls nest here in impressive numbers, and Eurasian coots are often seen defending their territories. Other visitors include pochards, tufted ducks, grebes, wagtails, and shovelers. Beyond birds, patient observers might encounter muskrats or even European hares emerging at dusk.
5. Lauttasaari, Helsinki
Lauttasaari is an island district where the seashore becomes particularly lively in early spring, just as the ice begins to break. Swans can be seen engaging in elaborate courtship displays, and territorial disputes often erupt dramatically. Photographers are treated to unforgettable scenes of these elegant birds moving gracefully through icy waters at sunset.
6. Suomenlinna, Helsinki
Best known for its historic sea fortress, Suomenlinna is also a fantastic location for wildlife enthusiasts. Easily reached by ferry, the island offers opportunities to photograph seabirds such as cormorants while also enjoying sweeping views of central Helsinki from across the water.
7. Laajalahti, Espoo
Laajalahti Bay is another hotspot for waterbirds. Canada geese, mergansers, and the majestic whooper swan—the national bird of Finland—can be seen here, particularly in spring. Woodpeckers are also frequent around the forests bordering the shoreline.
8. Porkkalanniemi, Kirkkonummi
Roughly an hour’s drive from Helsinki, Porkkalanniemi is renowned for its population of deer. White-tailed deer and roe deer are most active at dawn and dusk, and the best way to photograph them is often from the safety of a car. During migration seasons, whooper swans gather in the area, and with some luck, you might even glimpse a moose wandering through the misty forests at sunrise. Foxes also inhabit the region, adding to the diversity of wildlife you might encounter.
Final Thoughts
Helsinki and its surroundings prove that you don’t need to travel far from the city to immerse yourself in nature. From wetlands and islands to coastal cliffs and quiet forests, each location offers something unique for wildlife photographers. Whether you’re hoping to capture the elegance of swans on ice, the curiosity of red squirrels, or the quiet presence of deer in the woods, southern Finland provides endless inspiration.
