Villinki, Island in the eastern archipelago of Helsinki, Finland
Villinki is an island in the eastern archipelago of Helsinki, located in the Kaakkoinen suurpiiri district, and it is the largest villa island in this part of the city, covering around 140 hectares. The terrain shifts between old coniferous forests, rocky shores, and sheltered bays such as Kylänlahti and Kristallilahti.
Villinki has been inhabited since the 1500s, first by farmers and fishermen who made use of its shores and forests. In the 19th century, wealthy Helsinki families began arriving by steamboat to build summer villas, which gradually transformed the island into a seasonal retreat for city dwellers.
Villinki is recognized as a nationally important built heritage site, a status that is visible in the rows of old wooden villas with verandas and decorated gables dating from the late 19th century. These summer homes were built by wealthy Helsinki families who came here by steamboat, and walking past them today gives a clear sense of how that seasonal life once looked.
Boats depart from the end of Meri Perttilän polku near Regina von Emmeritz Park, and the crossing is organized by a restaurant operator since there are no city-maintained landings for visitors. Once on the island, there are no public toilets or shelters, so it is best to come prepared for a self-sufficient day out.
The neighboring island of Itä-Villinki, sitting just beside Villinki, is closed to visitors because it is used by the Finnish Defence Forces. This means that despite the closeness to Helsinki, the surrounding waters stay very quiet and the area sees far less boat traffic than most archipelago spots near the city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
