Hometown Secrets: Espoo

Espoo. Picture: Visit Espoo, Pintaram.

Espoo is the most intelligent community in the world according to ICF and the second largest city in Finland, right beside the capital. That is where I come from. I’ve lived in Helsinki for multiple years now because of studying at the University of Helsinki but I still imagine myself as an Espoo gal.

Map of Finland. Picture: The World Factbook.

Espoo during midsummer. Picture: Radisson Blu.

Espoo has been noted around the world. Intelligent Community Forum’s (ICF) founder describes Espoo as such: "Espoo’s holistic philosophy of humanizing every aspect of its technology and teaching innovation as a way of life was extremely impressive. Espoo's citizen engagement rates are extremely high, which democracies need, and its economic output speaks for itself. The city is a hidden gem in Finland. Now they have been found out!". A couple of companies have noted Espoo too such as Nokia, Rovio, KONE, Microsoft and Neste, just to name a few.

Nuuksio National Park. Picture: Wallhaven.

Finland has chosen Espoo as the “travel region of the year 2018”. When visiting Espoo, there are a few things I encourage you to do. Stroll the Museum of Modern Art “EMMA”, see horseracing while shopping at a flea market in Vermo and camp in Nuuksio National Park. If you are up for it, maybe you can also check out the Aalto University calendar, since the technical, art and business students throw quite a few parties. There are multiple highly respected craft beer breweries that I warmly recommend looking into. You can also chill with reindeer and have husky rides in Espoo if your schedule won’t let you travel north but want to escape the hustle of Helsinki for a bit. Espoo has surprisingly a lot of nature for a city.

Nuuksio Reindeerpark. Picture: Discovering Finland.

Husky sledding. Picture: Kaptain Kenny Travel.

The stereotypical people of Espoo drive Audi's, own houses, have kids and a golden retriever, mow lawns and do Nordic walking. This is absolutely true (I'm kidding.). Espoo has malls, free parking, cute lakes, golf courses, a mediocre hockey team and 3-course dinner parties. Espoo doesn't really have to prove itself. If you want the luxuries of a city with the beauty of the nature, Espoo is definitely your go-to.

Espoo lakes. Picture: Visit Espoo Blog.

Author: Susanna Numminen, the intern at the Embassy of Finland in Australia.