Meadow.
Wine. Island.
Free.
IISI Vallisaari · Weekends · Summer 2026
How it works
Ferry
20 min from Market Square by JT-Lines ferry. Picnic awaits.
Picnic basket
Curated picnic basket: breads, cheeses, snacks and a sommelier-selected wine. Spread your blanket on the meadow or terrace.
Sun goes on
No rush. Stay as long as you like — terrace and bar stay open.
This summer, picnic means Vallisaari
Helsinki has plenty of parks. But you don't want a park — you want an island.
Vallisaari is a 20-minute ferry ride from Market Square, but it feels like another world. No cars. No noise. Just a meadow, the sea, and the moment you open the basket.
Every picnic basket is hand-assembled that morning. Fresh breads, artisan cheeses, seasonal delicacies and a sommelier-selected wine. Spread your blanket on the meadow or at the forest's edge. Sit on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Or reserve a private spot that others won't find.
Last summer, guests stayed until the last ferry. Many came back the following weekend. One couple came three times.
Summer 2026 is the summer of picnics. Vallisaari is the main stage.
Choose your spot
Every location has its own character. Click the map or a card to explore.
What kind of day is it?
Every basket is packed with quality food — bring your own bottle.
The Island Crew
Come to eat, drink, and forget the city exists. Nothing more required.
Warm-smoked reindeer from Lapland
the good cut — not what they export
Squeaky cheese & lingonberry
Finnish cheese that squeaks when you bite it
Chips, nuts & marshmallows
because it's that kind of day
Also in your basket: grapes, watermelon, cherry tomatoes, cheeses, salami, archipelago bread, fruit salad, dark chocolate, lemonade & surprises
Island Classic
Finnish island life as it has always been — just better.
Squeaky cheese & cloudberry jam
cloudberries ripen for two weeks a year — this is them
Traditional smoked whitefish
alder-smoked, not industrially produced
Sealed envelope & island foraging map
open only after the ferry leaves the dock
Also in your basket: grapes, watermelon, cherry tomatoes, cheeses, salami, archipelago bread, honey, olives, fruit salad, dark chocolate, birch lemonade & surprises
Family Picnic
Kids explore. Adults breathe. The basket handles the rest.
Cinnamon rolls & fresh juice
kids' favourites, done properly
Squeaky cheese & lingonberry
the whole family tries something new together
Island activity card for kids
find 5 things, draw the fortress, collect a leaf
Also in your basket: grapes, watermelon, cherry tomatoes, cheeses, bread, butter, fruit salad, dark chocolate, juice & surprises
Girls' Day
The ferry leaves. Phones into pockets. The basket is full of everything good and beautiful.
Gravlax, cured 48 hours in-house
our own recipe, mustard vinaigrette on the side
Fresh berries & three cheeses
goat cheese, brie & smoked cheese — seasonal berries on top
Flowers in the basket & cinnamon rolls
someone takes the photo, someone else opens the bottle
Also in your basket: frozen grapes (wine cooler!), watermelon, cherry tomatoes, salami, crackers, fruit salad, dark chocolate, smoothie, wine glasses, postcard & surprises
Date Night
The sealed envelope tells you where to go. After that it's your island, your evening.
Cold-smoked reindeer from Lapland
more refined than anything grilled
Gravlax & mustard vinaigrette
48-hour cure, soft and deeply flavoured
Squeaky cheese & cloudberry jam
dessert that needs no explanation
Also in your basket: frozen grapes, watermelon, cheeses, salami, olives, crackers, dark chocolate, sparkling juice, wine glasses, sealed envelope & surprises
Forest Bathing
Before you eat, there is a task. The basket contains a map and an instruction. You will find it when you look.
Wild herb butter & archipelago bread
the herb comes from the island — maybe found by you
Smoked whitefish & honey
traditional fish, Finnish honey
Foraging mission & nature card
one thing to find before eating — it makes the meal better
Also in your basket: frozen grapes, watermelon, cherry tomatoes, cheeses, hummus, nuts, fruit salad, kombucha, birch sap, wine glasses & surprises
Sunset
The last ferry leaves at nine. Before that, there is time. Sunset is on schedule.
Gravlax & three cheeses
the golden hour spread — brie, goat cheese & smoked cheese
Cold-smoked reindeer
from Lapland, for this moment
Berries & dark chocolate
sweet things as the sun goes down
Also in your basket: frozen grapes, watermelon, olives, crackers, salami, fruit salad, sparkling juice, wine glasses, sunset time card & surprises
Birthday
Someone is turning a year older. Someone else booked this basket. Both are heroes.
Cake slice or cupcakes
because a birthday without cake isn't a birthday
Gravlax & cheese board
a proper celebration spread, on an island
Sparklers & birthday card
because this needs to be celebrated
Also in your basket: frozen grapes, watermelon, cherry tomatoes, cheeses, salami, crackers, fruit salad, dark chocolate, smoothie, wine glasses & surprises
Island Escape
Your host is already on the island. She will take you the wrong way first — there is something you need to see before you sit down.
Vendace roe on warm buckwheat blinis
Helsinki's finest restaurants serve this — you eat it on a cliff
Cold-smoked reindeer & honeycomb
Lapland meat, Finnish honey in the comb
Full grazing spread, served by your host
five cheeses, gravlax, charcuterie — your host tells the story of each
Also in your basket: frozen grapes, watermelon, fresh berries, archipelago bread, crackers, fruit salad, dark chocolate, smoothie, flowers, cushions & handwritten closing card
4.9 · 150+ guests
Summer 2025 picnics
“Perfect weekend day. The basket was full of great things and the wine was an excellent choice.”
Satu L.
June 2025
“Left on the last ferry. That's the best measure.”
Janne V.
July 2025
“Took my girlfriend for a birthday picnic. She wanted to do it again the very next weekend.”
Kalle H.
August 2025
The picnic basket
Every picnic basket is hand-curated: fresh breads, artisan cheeses, seasonal vegetables, dips and a sommelier-selected wine. Add champagne or cocktails from the terrace bar if you like.
Read our story →FAQ
Summer 2026 picnic packages drop soon
Get notified when picnic packages and dates are announced.