There’s a reason this route is one of my favorites: it captures the spirit of Helsinki in a single long, scenic stroll.

Start at Esplanadi, the city’s green living room. Two restaurants – the historic Kappeli and Teatteri – and their outdoor patios frame the ends of the park. Cafés spill onto the park; people walk slowly, talk quietly, enjoy their coffee in no rush. Soon you reach the Old Market Hall — warm, buzzing, full of pastries, fish soups, bakeries, and the comforting hum of everyday life.

Then the path bends toward the waterfront, and the city opens up.

In summer, you’ll see families eating ice cream, friends gathering on the rocks by the sea, and cyclists gliding effortlessly along the path. Ferries to Stockholm and Tallinn are anchored in the large piers, and small sailboat docks line the shore. In winter, the sea quiets down and the hills in the park are dotted with sled tracks — small streaks of joy in the snow.