Rental apartments in Herttoniemi, Helsinki

Did you know that Herttoniemi is one of the oldest inhabited areas in the Helsinki metropolitan area? Permanent Finnish settlement probably arrived here as early as the 12th century. The name Herttoniemi, meanwhile, is thought to derive either from an Old Swedish word meaning duke or from the name of a 15th-century resident, Laurens Herthoge. Present-day Herttoniemi has its origins in the 18th-century manor estate, whose lands extended as far as Puotila, Malmi, Viikki and Myllypuro.

The metro gets you around and cycle routes beckon

For Herttoniemi residents, the metro is the easiest way to get around. The journey to the city centre takes just 10 minutes, while in the other direction the services of Itäkeskus are only a couple of stops away. Western Herttoniemi is also served by Siilitie metro station.

Several bus routes continue from Herttoniemi metro station, including services towards Laajasalo. For drivers, the location along Itäväylä makes it easy to travel both towards the city centre and eastern Helsinki.

Cycling is another convenient option in every direction. You can cycle towards the city centre via Kulosaari, while routes to the north continue through the scenery of Vanhankaupunginlahti towards Viikki. At the weekend, the outdoor routes in Kivinokka and Herttoniemi invite you to swap your commuter cycle for a more leisurely ride taking in the scenery.

Excellent everyday services

With 29,000 residents, Herttoniemi has all the shops you need for everyday life. At the local Hertsi shopping centre, you will find a library, sports facilities, restaurants and shops, as well as a wide range of everyday services from nail care to a car wash. Hertsi’s selection of grocery shops is complemented by Lidl, K-Market and S-Market near the metro station. And of course, you cannot talk about Herttoniemi without mentioning its most famous neighbourhood restaurant, Treffi Pub, whose burger meal has a devoted following.

Herttoniemi’s business district is a major employment hub, with around 5,000 jobs. One of the best-known companies in the area is Marimekko, whose headquarters and textile printing factory are also home to an outlet store where you can find some great bargains.

The City of Helsinki Youth Services organises activities at the Hertsi Youth Center, where young people can spend time, cook, make music or play games, among other things.

Endless routes for walking and running

The opportunities for enjoying the outdoors in this seaside area are endless. Great places for a walk include the leafy Sorsavuorenpuisto park, Laivalahti marina, the shores of Annikanpuisto park and the grounds of Herttoniemi Manor Park. Mustikkamaa and Korkeasaari are also just a quick cycle ride away.

The Viikki-Vanhankaupunginlahti nature reserve begins at Kivinokka and extends all the way to Saunalahti. The protected area features wonderful trails, gravel roads, lush shoreline woodland and a diverse range of trees. Explore the area along the Puumerkkipolku trail, for example, or climb the birdwatching tower at Fastholma to spot some birds.

Kivinokka is also home to Kulosaari Manor, built in the 19th century, and Kivinokka summer theatre for culture lovers. Fancy having a cottage in the middle of the city? Herttoniemi allotment garden offers an excellent opportunity, just a short walk from the metro. In summer, those who love swimming and soaking up the sun will find kindred spirits on Kivinokka’s sandy beach.

Herttoniemi charms all kinds of residents

Herttoniemi encompasses a surprisingly diverse range of neighbourhoods within a single district. Western Herttoniemi has a leafy and spacious feel. Built in the 1950s, it is one of Helsinki’s fine forest suburbs, where blocks of flats nestle among rocky outcrops, trees and parks. Around the metro station, the atmosphere becomes livelier and more urban, while Herttoniemenranta welcomes you with the sea and newer residential blocks.

Explore, for example, the Herttoniemenranta residential area, where SATO also has several bright rental apartments close to the sea, metro, shops, playgrounds and cosy neighbourhood restaurants.

The Herttoniemi Society helps foster a sense of community in the area and publishes the local Herttoniemeläinen newspaper. The society promotes enjoyable living in the neighbourhood and local culture and rents out allotment plots. Interested in winter swimming? The society offers that opportunity too.

Places similar to Herttoniemi

Are you moving to Herttoniemi from abroad? Would it help you to know that Herttoniemi is a bit like Hammarby Sjöstad in Stockholm, Ørestad in Copenhagen, Vauban in Freiburg, and Houten near Utrecht? They all combine green residential surroundings, excellent public transport, cycling-friendly everyday life, and easy access to both nature and the city. Nice, right? Welcome to Finland!