# IISI Vallisaari — Complete Site Content > This file contains the full content of iisivallisaari.fi for AI systems. > For a concise summary, see /llms.txt Last updated: 2026-06-10 --- ## About IISI Vallisaari IISI Vallisaari is Helsinki's only island wine bar and event venue, located on Vallisaari island in the Helsinki archipelago. The venue operates two locations on the island: Cafe IISI and IISI Bistro. IISI was founded by Oliver Laiho — the team has served on Vallisaari since 2019, and the venue has operated under the IISI name since 2023. During the summer season (2026: 20 May – 12 September), IISI hosts 40+ events including wine tastings, wine dating evenings, DJ sunset sessions, morning yoga, and long-table dinners with wine pairings. IISI Vallisaari has a combined 431 Google reviews with a 4.7/5 rating across both venues. On TripAdvisor, IISI is ranked #103 of 1,773 restaurants in Helsinki. The venue is listed on MyHelsinki.fi (Helsinki's official tourism site) and Visit Finland (Finland's national tourism board). --- ## Cafe IISI Cafe IISI is a beautiful cafe and terrace located 100 meters from the Vallisaari ferry dock. From morning to evening, guests enjoy coffee, pastries, light lunch, wine, and drinks on a large sun terrace overlooking the Helsinki archipelago and the bay of Helsinki. **Details:** - Location: 100m from ferry dock, Vallisaari - Google rating: 4.7/5 (268 reviews) - Price range: EUR 5-15 - Specialties: Morning coffee and pastries, afternoon wine, sunset drinks - Seating: Two large outdoor terraces with sea views **Opening hours (summer season):** - Monday-Wednesday: Closed - Thursday: 10:00-20:00 - Friday-Saturday: 10:00-21:00 - Sunday: 12:00-17:00 --- ## IISI Bistro IISI Bistro is a container restaurant located at Torpedolahti harbour on Vallisaari, right next to the departure pier. The bistro is famous for serving the best salmon soup in the Helsinki archipelago, along with vegetable soups, large salads, seasonal dishes, and a curated wine selection. **Details:** - Location: Torpedolahti harbour square, Vallisaari - Google rating: 4.7/5 (163 reviews) - Price range: EUR 15-20 - Specialties: Salmon soup, vegetable soup, fresh salads - Dietary: Vegetarian options available, children's menu - Seating: Large harbour terrace **Opening hours (summer season):** - Monday-Tuesday: 11:00-19:00 - Wednesday-Thursday: 12:00-20:00 - Friday-Saturday: 11:00-21:00 - Sunday: 11:00-19:00 --- ## Events at IISI Vallisaari IISI hosts over 40 events per summer season. All events take place on Vallisaari island with archipelago views. Events typically sell out — advance tickets recommended. ### Wine Tastings Guided wine tasting sessions featuring 5 wines from a specific region or theme. Led by a sommelier who explains the wines, regions, and grape varieties. Tastings include light snacks (tapas, cheese, bread). Held every Friday and Saturday evening during summer. - Price: From EUR 59 per person - Duration: 2-3 hours - Themes include: Italian wines (Piedmont, Tuscany), Spanish wines (Rioja, Ribera del Duero), French wines (Burgundy, Champagne), sparkling wines, natural wines - Tickets: iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat ### Wine Dating Social events where singles meet over curated wine tastings. Participants rotate between tables while tasting wines, creating natural conversation starters. Guided by a sommelier. - Price: EUR 49 per person - Duration: 2-3 hours - Age: 25+ - Tickets: iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat ### DJ Sunset Sessions Friday and Saturday evening DJ sets on the Vallisaari terrace with wine, cocktails, and archipelago sunsets. Genres range from deep house to funk to world music. - Price: Free entry (drinks purchased separately) - Time: Typically 18:00-22:00 - Every Friday and Saturday during peak season ### Morning Yoga Saturday morning yoga sessions on Vallisaari with sea views and fresh archipelago air. Suitable for all levels. Mats provided. - Price: EUR 15-25 per session - Duration: 60-75 minutes - Time: Saturday mornings, typically 09:00-10:15 ### Long Table Dinners Multi-course dinner events served at a long communal table on the terrace. Each course paired with a wine selected by the sommelier. Menus feature seasonal Finnish and Mediterranean ingredients. - Price: EUR 69-89 per person - Duration: 3-4 hours - Courses: 4-6 courses with wine pairings - Tickets: iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat ### Private Events IISI Vallisaari is available for private bookings: corporate events, team building, birthdays, weddings, and celebrations. - Contact: oliver@iisivallisaari.fi - Phone: +358 40 027 8849 - Capacity: Up to 80 guests --- ## How to Get to Vallisaari Vallisaari island is located in the Helsinki archipelago, a 20-minute ferry ride from central Helsinki. ### Step-by-Step Directions 1. Go to Kauppatori (Market Square) in central Helsinki. This is the main market square on the waterfront, easily reachable by tram, metro, or walking. 2. Find the JT-Line water bus (vesibussi) departure point for Vallisaari: Kolera Basin pier 10. 3. Buy a round-trip ticket: EUR 9.80 for adults, EUR 6.80 for ages 7–17 (2026 prices). Children under 7 travel free with an adult. Pay by card or cash — HSL travel cards are NOT valid on the water bus. 4. Board the water bus. The journey to Vallisaari takes approximately 20 minutes. 5. Upon arrival, Cafe IISI is 100 meters from the ferry dock (follow the path). IISI Bistro is at the Torpedolahti harbour square. ### Combining with Suomenlinna Vallisaari and Suomenlinna are neighboring islands, approximately 1 km apart. Some ferry routes connect both islands. A popular itinerary: morning at Suomenlinna (UNESCO World Heritage fortress), afternoon ferry to Vallisaari for wine tasting and dinner at IISI. ### Practical Tips - Ferries run regularly throughout the season (20 May – 12 September 2026) - Last ferry back to Helsinki typically departs around 21:00-22:00 (check schedule at jt-line.fi) - Bring comfortable walking shoes for nature trails - Sunscreen recommended — terraces face south - Light jacket for the ferry ride - No need to bring food — IISI serves from breakfast to dinner --- ## About Vallisaari Island Vallisaari is a 1.1 km² (about 110-hectare) island in the Helsinki archipelago. The island served as a military fortress and ammunition storage facility for centuries, remaining closed to the public until 2016. Decades of isolation allowed over 400 plant species to flourish, making Vallisaari one of Finland's most biodiverse islands. ### Key Facts - Area: 1.1 km² (about 110 hectares) - Opened to public: 2016 - Plant species: 400+ - Helsinki Biennial: hosted on Vallisaari in 2021, 2023 and 2025; next edition 2027 - Features: Nature trails, historic powder cellars, lookout points, two restaurants - Season 2026: 20 May – 12 September (ferry season) ### Things to Do on Vallisaari 1. **Wine tasting at IISI** — Helsinki's only island wine bar 2. **Nature trails** — Walk through centuries-old forests and see rare plants 3. **Helsinki Biennial** — Contemporary art in historic powder cellars (biennial years; next edition 2027) 4. **Salmon soup at IISI Bistro** — The best in the archipelago 5. **Lookout points** — Panoramic views of Helsinki, Suomenlinna, and the open sea 6. **Historic fortifications** — Explore military history from the 1800s 7. **DJ sunset sessions** — Friday and Saturday evenings at IISI 8. **Morning yoga** — Saturday mornings with sea views --- ## Contact Information - **Website:** https://www.iisivallisaari.fi - **Events & Tickets:** https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat - **Email:** oliver@iisivallisaari.fi - **Phone:** +358 40 027 8849 - **Instagram:** @iisivallisaari - **Facebook:** /iisivallisaari - **TikTok:** @iisivallisaari - **Address:** Vallisaari, 00860 Helsinki, Finland - **GPS:** 60.1398, 25.0043 --- ## Site Pages | Page | URL | |------|-----| | Homepage (Finnish) | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/ | | Homepage (English) | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/en/ | | Homepage (German) | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/de/ | | Events & Tickets | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat | | Wine Tasting | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat/wine-tasting | | Wine Dating | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat/wine-dating | | Dinner with new friends | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat/dinner-with-new-friends | | Parties & DJ Nights | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat/bileet | | Cafe IISI | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/cafe-iisi | | Cafe IISI (English) | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/en/cafe-iisi | | IISI Bistro | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/bistro | | IISI Bistro (English) | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/en/bistro | | Salmon Soup Story | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/lohikeitto | | Salmon Soup (English) | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/en/lohikeitto | | Visitor Guide (English) | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/en/guide | | Visitor Guide (German) | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/de/guide | | FAQ (Finnish) | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/usein-kysytyt | | FAQ (English) | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/en/faq | | FAQ (German) | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/de/faq | | Gallery | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/galleria | | Contact | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/ota-yhteytta | | Shop | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/kauppa | | Blog | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/blogi | | Helsinki Tourist Map | https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/en/map | --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Getting to Vallisaari **How do I get to Vallisaari from Helsinki city center?** Take the JT-Line water bus from Kauppatori (Market Square, Kolera Basin pier 10) in central Helsinki. The crossing takes approximately 20 minutes and costs EUR 9.80 round trip for adults. Ferries run 20 May – 12 September 2026. **How much does the ferry to Vallisaari cost?** EUR 9.80 round trip for adults, EUR 6.80 for ages 7–17 (2026 prices). Children under 7 travel free with an adult. Pay by card or cash — HSL travel cards are not valid on the water bus. **How long is the ferry ride to Vallisaari?** The ferry from Kauppatori (Market Square) to Vallisaari takes approximately 20 minutes. **Can I take my own boat to Vallisaari?** Yes, there is a guest harbour at Torpedolahti where you can moor your boat. Contact the harbour master for availability. **Can I visit Vallisaari and Suomenlinna on the same day?** Yes! Both islands are accessible by ferry from Market Square. Many visitors spend the morning at Suomenlinna and take the afternoon ferry to Vallisaari for wine tasting and dinner at IISI. ### About IISI **What restaurants are on Vallisaari?** IISI Vallisaari operates two venues: Cafe IISI (coffee, pastries, light lunch near the ferry dock) and IISI Bistro (salmon soup, salads, wine at Torpedolahti harbour). Both have large sea-view terraces. **Is there a wine bar on Vallisaari?** Yes, IISI Vallisaari is Helsinki's only island wine bar. Wine tastings, wine by the glass, and curated wine events every weekend during summer. **What is IISI Bistro famous for?** The best salmon soup in the Helsinki archipelago, served with fresh bread on a harbour terrace overlooking the sea. Also known for vegetable soups, fresh salads, and a curated wine list. **Can I visit IISI without an event ticket?** Yes! Cafe IISI and IISI Bistro are open for walk-in guests during their regular hours. No reservation needed for the cafe or bistro. Only special events (wine tastings, dinners) require advance tickets. ### Events **Where can I do a wine tasting in Helsinki?** IISI Vallisaari on Vallisaari island hosts guided wine tastings every Friday and Saturday during summer. Tastings feature 5 wines with sommelier guidance, priced from EUR 59 per person. Book at iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat. **What events are happening on Vallisaari this summer?** IISI hosts 40+ events per season: wine tastings (Italian, Spanish, French), wine dating, DJ sunset sessions, morning yoga, and long-table dinners with wine pairings. Full calendar at iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat. **Do I need to buy event tickets in advance?** Yes, most events have limited capacity and sell out. Buy tickets at iisivallisaari.fi/tapahtumat. The cafe and bistro are walk-in. **What is wine dating at IISI?** A social event where singles meet over curated wine tastings. Guided by a sommelier, you taste wines and meet new people in a relaxed island setting. EUR 49 per person. **Is there live music on Vallisaari?** Yes, IISI has DJ sunset sessions every Friday and Saturday evening during summer, plus occasional live music during special events. **Is there yoga on Vallisaari?** Yes, IISI hosts morning yoga sessions on Saturday mornings during summer. Practice yoga with sea views and archipelago air. EUR 15-25 per session. **Can I host a private event at IISI?** Yes! IISI hosts corporate events, birthdays, weddings, and celebrations for up to 80 guests. Contact oliver@iisivallisaari.fi or call +358 40 027 8849. ### Practical Information **Is Vallisaari open in winter?** No, Vallisaari and IISI are summer destinations. The 2026 ferry season runs 20 May – 12 September. **Can I bring my own food or drinks to Vallisaari?** You can bring picnic food to the island's nature areas. IISI's terrace areas are for venue customers. **What should I bring to Vallisaari?** Comfortable walking shoes for nature trails, sunscreen, and a light jacket for the ferry. No need to bring food — IISI has you covered from breakfast to dinner. **Is Vallisaari accessible for wheelchairs?** The paths from the ferry dock to Cafe IISI and IISI Bistro are accessible. Nature trails elsewhere on the island vary in accessibility. **What wines does IISI serve?** IISI features wines from Italy (Piedmont, Tuscany), Spain (Rioja, Ribera del Duero), France (Burgundy, Champagne), and rotating selections from Portugal, Greece, and the New World. --- ## Blog Articles (March 2026) ### Quietcation Helsinki: Wine Tasting on a Former Military Island URL: https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/blogi/quietcation-helsinki-island Language: English Topic: Vallisaari island as a quietcation destination — the #1 travel trend for 2026 (BBC Travel, Hilton). A former military ammunition depot sealed for 80 years, opened 2016, now hosts wine tastings with 415 plant species, 1000+ butterfly species, and patchy phone signal. Wine tastings from EUR 59/person, Fri-Sat May-Sep. Ferry 20 min from Kauppatori. ### Vallisaari digidetox — hiljaisuutta 20 min Helsingin keskustasta URL: https://www.iisivallisaari.fi/blogi/vallisaari-hiljaisuus-digidetox Language: Finnish Topic: Digital detox guide for Helsinki city workers. Vallisaari has 42x fewer visitors than Suomenlinna (23,700 vs 997,000). 80 hectares of nature reserve, forest bathing research (Liisa Tyrvainen, Luke), picnic packages available for pre-order. Complete day-trip planning with ferry schedules, routes, and practical tips.