[Photo from visithelsinki.fi]

This summer visitors to Helsinki will be able to visit a new recreational island destination in the archipelago. Lonna is now open to the public.

The island Lonna has an interesting history. In the 1880s it was used by the Russian Navy to store mines, in the 1920s it was used as a base for clearing mines, and in the post-war period ships were demagnetised there.

Enjoy a picnic on Lonna

This May a café and restaurant will open on the island. The café will be open daily, and visitors will even be able to purchase ready-packed picnic baskets. The restaurant will be open initially only on weekends, but from mid-June onwards it will also be open on weekdays.

A playground is planned for children, as well as a guest harbour for boats. In the future it may also be possible that a mobile ice-cream kiosk on rails will be introduced if the historic railway lines can be used.

Events, meetings and yoga in the future

By 2015 the historic mine warehouse on Lonna will be converted into an event venue that can host events and meetings for up to 100 guests. Even receptions for up to 200 guests will be possible. A public sauna is also planned for the island, as well as wellness services such as yoga and pilates.

Connections:

You can get to Lonna in summertime aboard the JT-Line waterbus to Suomenlinna (L service only) with departures approximately once every hour. The waterbus departs from the Market Square and stops at Lonna on the way to Suomenlinna.