For two hundred years, nobody went to Vallisaari. Russian ammunition depot, Finnish military base, then abandoned — the forest grew through the bunkers, nature reclaimed 110 hectares without a single human footprint. When the island opened in 2016, researchers found over 400 plant species. Now there’s a wine bar, a sommelier, a DJ, and a salmon soup that people mention unprompted for weeks. The ferry from Market Square takes twenty minutes.
Getting There
The JT-Line ferry departs from Kauppatori (Market Square) in central Helsinki and arrives at Vallisaari’s Luotsipiha pier in 20 minutes. Ferries run from May through September, roughly once an hour. Suomenlinna ferries leave from the same Market Square — combining both islands in one day is easy.
The last ferry back leaves around 20:00–21:00. Write it down. Missing it means a water taxi costing 50–150 euros, and that story only gets funny a week later.
Tip: Buy tickets in advance. Weekend ferries fill up fast — on sunny days the queue stretches to the market. Arrive at the pier 10 minutes early. Full ferry guide
Restaurants
Two restaurants on the island, both open May through September. Card payment only. No reservations needed. Together they’re the reason some visitors spend an entire day on the island.
Cafe IISI is 100 metres straight from the ferry pier — Helsinki’s only island wine bar. Oliver Laiho built it because he believed a military island with a south-facing sea view deserved more than abandonment. Coffee, pastries, lunch, wine, and cocktails. The terrace faces south — that’s where the light is. This is where wine tastings happen, where the DJ plays, where everything starts. Hours: Mon–Wed closed · Thu 10:00–20:00 · Fri–Sat 10:00–21:00 · Sun 12:00–17:00
IISI Bistro is a ten-minute walk to Torpedolahti harbour. The chef makes a salmon soup there that has earned a 4.7 on Google — creamy, deeply savoury, served with fresh bread on a harbour terrace. Have a glass of white wine with it. This is the meal you’ll mention to friends for weeks. Hours: Mon–Tue 11:00–19:00 · Wed–Thu 12:00–20:00 · Fri–Sat 11:00–21:00 · Sun 11:00–19:00
Events
Oliver Laiho has built a summer programme of over 40 events from May through September, with the island itself as the stage. Small groups, personal contact, sea in every direction. All events and tickets: iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat
Wine Tastings (Fri + Sat): The sommelier selects five wines each week by theme — Italy, natural wines, Spain, France — and goes table to table telling the story behind each producer. A DJ plays between pours. 100 seats, about 2 hours. The Friday 1 PM session is less known and calmer — the sommelier lingers longer. Full tasting guide
Wine Dating (Thu): For singles who’d rather meet someone over a glass of wine. The sommelier runs the evening; wine opens the conversation. 30 men, 30 women. June through August.
DJ Sunset (Fri + Sat evenings): Deep house and funk on the terrace as the light turns gold. Free entry. The moment at 10 PM that makes people miss the second-to-last ferry deliberately.
Yoga (Sun): On the historic Aleksandersbatteri — an 1800s artillery battery with sea views in every direction. All levels.
Long Table Dinners: 30 guests, a long wooden table, 5 courses with wine pairings. Monthly, June through August. Sells out in days.
Nature and History
Vallisaari’s 200 years of isolation created something no city park can replicate: an island that reclaimed itself. Over 400 plant species on 110 hectares — biodiversity that developed for decades without human interference. Marked trails wind through forest, cliffs, and coastline — an island that invites quiet and digital detox. In the 18th-century powder cellars — brick vaults where the Russian navy stored explosives — moss and time are the only tenants.
On a Friday afternoon, you may have an entire trail to yourself. A tenth of Suomenlinna’s visitors.
Suomenlinna + Vallisaari: The UNESCO fortress is one kilometre away — you can see it from the terrace. Suomenlinna in the morning (history), Vallisaari in the afternoon (nature, wine) — the best day in Helsinki. Full island day guide
Practical Tips
Vallisaari is a car-free island, open May through September. Paved paths from pier to restaurants; nature trails are rougher terrain.
- Jacket: The island is windier than the mainland. Bring a layer, even in July.
- Shoes: Comfortable walking shoes. The trails punish anything else.
- Kids: Welcome at the cafés. Wine tastings are 18+.
- Dogs: Welcome, on leash.
Private Events
Weddings, corporate events, birthdays — up to 80 guests on an island accessible only by ferry. The kind of setting that makes the invitation itself exciting.
Contact: oliver@iisivallisaari.fi or +358 40 027 8849
Oliver Laiho · IISI Vallisaari · Updated for summer 2026 with AI assistance.