Hesperia Park

Hesperia Park stretches along the western shore of Töölönlahti bay between Finlandia Hall and the Finnish National Opera, with diverse tree species and walking paths throughout. The green space frames the water and offers views of the cultural buildings that border it.

The area was the largest agricultural land of Töölö village until the 1800s, when it transformed into a residential district with an outdoor restaurant. This shift from farmland to recreational space shaped how the place is used today.

The park features notable artworks, including the Larin Paraske statue from 1949 and the Opera Ophidia serpentine sculpture made of steel and rocks. These pieces shape how visitors experience the space as they walk through.

A 2.2-kilometer (1.4-mile) recreational path circles the bay with dedicated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. The entire route offers complete wheelchair accessibility for all visitors.

The name comes from ancient Greek mythology, where Hesperia referred to western lands and the Hesperides nymphs guarded a garden of golden apples. This mythological connection gives the modern park an unexpected historical layer.