If you are arriving to Helsinki and want to also enjoy the lake scenery, Finnish culture and history at the same time you should definitely visit Tuusula. Lake Tuusula is located only half an hour from Helsinki and 15 minutes from Helsinki-Vantaa airpor

Lake Tuusula area is a vital part of Finnish history. Many of our greatest artists in the nineteenth century; writers, painters, musicians spent time here together. They built or bought villas around the lake and thus created a community at the time when the Finnish national spirit was at its peak. You must remember that at this time Finland was still part of the Russian empire.

The best way to get to know Lake Tuusula area is to rent a bike and enjoy the  Finnish summer and the stories and villas around the lake. This is what we did, lifeof2men Raul and Hannu Medina. These are pictures then during the summer 2019.

This page in Spanish. La pagina en Español.

www.visittuusulanjarvi.fi/en

Hotel Krapi

Hotel Krapi is the main point in Tuusula. The peaceful setting makes it the perfect place for vacationing couples. The hotel’s staff is friendly and helpful aiming to make your stay as comfortable as possible. The atmosphere in the hotel, built within the sturdy brick walls of the old stables, is down-to-earth and relaxing. The hotel is also member of the We Speak Gay Community thus welcoming all LGBTQ customers.

Hotel Krapi offers authentic experiences
Hotel Krapi offers authentic experiences

Krapi estate was first operating as a dairy farm and today as a hospitality business offering authentic experiences.

Restaurant Krapihovi

The restaurant is where you can enjoy delicious Finnish meals made out of Finnish seasonal ingredients. This is also where the breakfast is served every morning.

The beautiful and newly renovated restaurant Krapihovi
The beautiful and newly renovated restaurant Krapihovi

 

Restaurant Krapihovi both cherishes and creates new Finnish culinary tradition in an idyllic villa setting.
Restaurant Krapihovi in an idyllic villa setting.

Restaurant Mankeli

In restaurant Mankeli you can enjoy Finnish summer days and light summer evenings. There is a big terrace and patio for relaxing and enjoying a drink or lunch. The restaurant is open during summer from the beginning of May until the end of September.

Lifeof2men enjoying the nice atmosphere of Restaurant Mankeli
Lifeof2men enjoying the nice atmosphere of Restaurant Mankeli

 

More info in https://krapi.fi/en/

Experiencing the culture and the museums

The best way to get to know Lake Tuusula area is to rent bikes from the hotel. This is free of charge. All the historical buildings, villas and museums are quite close to each other around the lake.

Best way to experience the lake Tuusula is by renting a bike
Best way to experience the lake Tuusula is by renting a bike

 

 J.H. Erkko's home Erkkola is currently open for public.
J.H. Erkko’s home Erkkola is currently open for public.

Erkkola is a small yet charming wooden villa, and it is one of the area’s artists’ homes which is open for public. J. H. Erkko was a poet and his home was built in 1902 on the Rantatie museum road. It was designed and built by local artist, Pekka Halonen (of Haloseniemi) together with his brother Antti.

The cottage of Aleksis Kivi
The cottage of Aleksis Kivi

Aleksis Kivi Memorial Cottage. This is where the Finnish national writer died. You can also have a relaxing stroll in Fjällbo Park close to the cottage. Admire the views over the lake, and dip your toes in the water.

Ahola, Juhani Aho's former residence currently used as a museum
Ahola, Juhani Aho’s former residence currently used as a museum

 

The home of Aino and Jean Sibelius.

Ainola was the home of world-renowned composer Jean Sibelius and his family from 1904. This timber-built villa was designed by the famed Finnish architect, Lars Sonck

Kallio-Kuninkala summer cafe
Kallio-Kuninkala summer cafe

Kallio-Kuninkala summer cafe is a perfect place to reflect on the historical sights you’ve seen toda

In front of Krapin Paja after the bike tour
In front of Krapin Paja after the bike tour

In the evening you can check the program in the Krapin Paja During the summer you have a club evening every week with mostly Finnsh artists. The place can also be reserved for a private events.

The Summer Theatre

Finnish summer theater is a phenomena. This is also available in the hotel yard. It might be difficult to understand the Finnish language but most of the time the plays are light and comedies. We went to see the play Tankki täyteen which is originally made for the Finnish TV. The summer theatre in Krapi is produced by the local theatre Keski-Uudenmaan teatteri. Below you can see some pictures from the play Tankki täyteen in summer 2019.

 

More info about the theatre in https://www.kut.fi

Our Festival

Out festival (in Finnish Meidän festivaali)  is the local festival event in Lake Tuusula area. The festival was first held in 1997 as Chamber Music by Lake Tuusula and is now an annual event. The Festival seeks new perspectives on musical encounters and concert practices, with an aim to give the audience an experience that simply is not available elsewhere. The concerts are very intimate and they are spread along the shores of Lake Tuusula.

Enjoying an intimate concert outside in the forest

More info about the festival in https://meidanfestivaali.fi/eng/

Lifeof2men bloggers Hannu and Raúl