We’re happy to invite you to the annual Eurocities conference 8-10 June 2022 in Espoo, Finland!
Espoo ▼
We’re happy to invite you to the annual Eurocities conference 8-10 June 2022 in Espoo, Finland.
Espoo is the second-largest city in Finland and the next-door neighbour of the capital Helsinki. Downtown Helsinki is a 10 minute metro ride away from our conference main venue, Dipoli. The airport is also easy to reach by train or bus. The special feature of Espoo is an urban structure that relies on five different centres, dominated by detached houses that combine urban and close-to-nature living.
Getting to Espoo ▼
Espoo is easily accessible whether you are travelling by bus, train or metro. Espoo's location right next to the capital Helsinki and its international airport and ship terminals offers excellent connections by plane and ferry as well.
Helsinki Airport is located about 20 kilometres from Espoo and it takes around half an hour to reach Espoo by car.
The trip from Helsinki Airport to the conference venue Dipoli and the registration site takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes by public transport. You will need an ABC ticket for this trip. At the airport, take train P or I to the Helsinki Central Railway Station. From there, take the metro (either M1 to Matinkylä or M2 to Tapiola). You should get off at the Aalto University station. The metro station is an 11-minute walk (680 m) from Dipoli. Dipoli is located at Otakaari 24.
Taxi from the Helsinki Airport to Espoo
Helsinki Airport's taxi station is locaterd outside the Arrivals hall. Various taxi agencies operate between the airport and Helsinki city centre, and other nearby cities such as Espoo. Read more about taxis. Taxi from the Airport to Espoo can cost 40-50€.
Train from Helsinki Airport to Espoo
Helsinki Airport's train station is located in the Arrivals hall on floor 1. Local I and P trains operate at Helsinki Airport. To travel to Helsinki City Centre, you need the ABC-ticket. Local train tickets can be purchased from HSL's mobile app, or from the ticket machine at the train platform. Timetables, tickets and fares for local trains can be found on HSL.fi From the Airport to Espoo you need the ABC-ticket, which costs 4,10€ and it is valid for 90 minutes.
Hotels ▼
Radisson Blu Hotel Espoo, next to the conference venue. Prices are valid until May 10.
Code: Eurocities22 for email reservations.finland@radissonblu.com / phone +358 300 870 020
| Standard room: 187€/night / single room. 207€/night / double room. |
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| Junior Suite: 347€ / night / single room 367€ / night / double room |
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Tapiola Garden, one metrostop from the conference venue. Prices are valid until May 10.
Code: BEUCI22 for online https://www.sokoshotels.fi/en/espoo/sokos-hotel-tapiola-garden
Code: Eurocities22 for phone +358 300 870 000 / email sokos.hotels@sok.fi
| Standard room: 180€/night / single room. 200€/night / double room. |
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Hotel Matts, 4 metrostops from the conference venue. Prices are valid until May 17.
Code: ALLEUROCITIES for online https://www.hotelmatts.fi/en/
| Standard room: 146€/night / single room. 166€/night / double room. |
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| Superior room: 166€/night / single room. 186€/night / double room. |
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Hotel Hanasaari, 1,5 km walk to metro, then 2 metrostops from the conference venue.
Prices are valid until May 6. Rooms available June 8-11.
Code: Eurocities for email reception@hanaholmen.fi / phone+358 (0)9 435 020
| Standard room June 8-10: 144€/night / single room. 164€/night / double room. |
| Standard room June 10-11: 98€/night / single room. 124€/night / double room. |
Venues ▼
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Address: Otakaari 24, Espoo Designed by Reima Pietilä and Raili Paatelainen, Dipoli was completed in 1966 and served as the student house of Helsinki University of Technology for a long time. After that, Dipoli served as a conference centre for several decades. It was previously renovated in the 1980s. The second renovation of the 11 000-square-metre building took two years and was completed in summer 2017 as the Aalto University main building. Known for its multifunctional spaces, the building continues to function as a meeting place. In addition to being used for the university's own events, its facilities are also open to the public. Dipoli can host dinners for up to a thousand people or up to 30 separate events simultaneously. The bedrock and surrounding forest have inspired the sculptural copper and granite facade, which is a Finnish architectural gem. |
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The welcome event will take place at the Espoo Cultural Centre on Wednesday evening. Address: Kulttuuriaukio 2, Espoo The Espoo Cultural Centre is the main venue for cultural life and performed arts in Espoo. Designed by architect Arto Sipinen, the building "Moon Bridge" continues the tradition of Alvar Aalto's monumental buildings. With a high-class repertoire, the likes of Tapiola Sinfonietta, the Espoo City Theatre, the international festivals April Jazz and Espoo Ciné, and the biannual events Espoo Piano Week and Vocal Espoo have made the centre renowned across borders. In addition to concert, theatre and exhibition venues, the Centre also houses a library. |
Covid-19 information ▼
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Unfortunately, the pandemic is still going on, but we will follow the situation on a daily basis. The Finnish National Tourism Board Visit Finland has formed an internal recovery task force that gathers and shares practical information for leisure traveles and travel trade during and after the Coronavirus pandemic. These pages will be updated on an ongoing basis: Practical travel information for travelers to Finland during Coronavirus-pandemic (2.6.2022) Travel recovery information for Travel Trade If a visitor experiences symptoms of sudden respiratory infection such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, and/or has reason to suspect exposure to the coronavirus, medical advice should be sought without delay. Visitors are advised to first contact call the Medical Helpline number, 116 117. |
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The coronavirus situation in Espoo
The cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa recommend that everyone over the age of 12 start using face masks in municipal service situations in which it is difficult to avoid close contact. Customers of municipal services will be responsible for buying their own masks. Further instructions for mask use can be found in English on the THL website.
Further information: Regional situation in the coronavirus epidemic and issued recommendations | HUS
Public transport system ▼
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During conference registration, participants will receive a travel card that can be used on local buses, trains and the metro. Helsinki Region Transport, commonly known as HSL, is a joint local authority that provides public transportation for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. You can easily schedule your journeys with the Journey Planner(external link), Reittiopas. We recommend installing HSL mobile application(external link) on your phone for travel tickets and the Journey Planner. From spring to autumn, city bikes(external link) and electric scooters are fast, sustainable and convenient ways to commute in Espoo and Helsinki. In Espoo, there are a total of 105 city bike stations, mostly located near the metro line. |
Things to do in Espoo ▼
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Nuuksio National ParkNuuksio, located in Vihti, Espoo and Kirkkonummi, is one of Finland's most popular National Parks. It covers an area of 53 square kilometers and is a year-round destination with its rich nature featuring lovely lakes and ponds, green forests, swamps, and rugged crags. The unique national park can be explored both independently and by taking part in guided tours and excursions and is suitable for all ages. The easiest way to get to know Nuuksio National Park, is by hiking on marked trails. There are multiple nature trails, for both beginners and experienced hikers, with lengths from 1.5 to tens of kilometers. It is also possible enjoy the national park by bike as there are 30 kilometers of cycling routes. Bikes and other equipment such as kayaks can be rented for example from Natura Viva. Nuuksio has fireplaces and cooking shelters, which are perfect places for a break, whether it is time for picnicking or a good barbecue. There are also many amazing accommodation options for overnight stayers, and it is possible to choose from hotel, cottages, wilderness cabins, igluhuts, nights in the tree tent. |
Haltia - The Finnish Nature CentreThe Finnish Nature Centre Haltia highlights the best of Finland’s natural treasures from across the country. It is situated in Espoo’s Nuuksio National Park. The exhibitions at Haltia showcase Finnish nature and strengthen the visitors’ relationship with nature. The Centre also offers additional facilities such as hiking equipment rental and a gift shop. The restaurant Haltia, where you can enjoy lovely meals, and excellent meeting and sauna facilities, further offer visitors an opportunity to connect with the nature. On its opening day, Haltia was the first public building in Finland built entirely of wood; it is a combination of stunning architectural design and ultramodern ecological solutions. The building's heating and cooling systems are powered sustainably by solar panels and geothermal pumps.How to get there: You can reach the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia, and many other nearby attractions in the Nuuksio National Park, either by car or with bus 245 from Espoo railway station. |
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Exhibition Centre WeeGeeGet excited about culture! The Exhibition Centre WeeGee is a versatile center for museums, exhibitions, and events. The Exhibition Centre WeeGee is located in Tapiola and consists of two museums: EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art and KAMU Espoo City Museum. In addition to exhibitions, the museums offer guided tours, workshops, and various themed events. WeeGee also houses the museum shop and the Cafe Zoceria. The lobby, meeting and restaurant spaces can be rented out for meetings and festive occasions. EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern Art is one of Finland's most significant art museums and the largest by exhibition area with over 5,500m2. It presents domestic and international modernism, contemporary art and design and has eight to ten exhibitions a year and a wide and varied range of events. KAMU Espoo City Museum displays the history of Espoo from the Stone Age to the present day. The changing exhibitions bring a variety of historical themes under the roof of WeeGee. KAMU also offers workshops, guided tours, lectures and work demonstrations. At KAMU, you can look, touch and try! |
Gallen-Kallela museumThe beautiful surroundings and unique architecture of the Gallen-Kallela Museum provide a fine setting for a visit. Designed and built by the artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865 – 1931), the castle-like Tarvaspää studio and residence was opened to the public in 1961 as the Gallen-Kallela Museum. The museum’s temporary exhibitions present the art and life of the artist and his contemporaries and present-day works of contemporary art. The museum also provides a wide range of other activities and events.How to get there: Using bus 550 from Aalto university (direction Itäkeskus via Leppävaara) you should take exit Laajalahdenristi and then walk for 1.5km to the address Gallen-Kallelantie 27. |
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Cycling on a city bike on the Espoo Waterfront WalkwayThe forty-kilometer-long Espoo Waterfront Walkway "Espoon Rantaraitti" invites you to take a ride along hundred different point of interests which vary from historic hotspots to beautiful nature views. In addition to the swimming beaches and boat harbours, there are other interesting places along the path, such as scheduled archipelago boats - for a trip to the islands - and bird-watching towers. During the cycling season, you can use city bikes in Espoo. City bikes are an excellent way to more around in Espoo conveniently. You can find over a hundred city bike stations in Espoo, with many nearby the Espoo Waterfront Walkway. There are also several charming cafés and restaurants along the seafront, for example Nokkalan Majakka. |
Shopping Malls in EspooThere are great shopping opportunities in Espoo that are easy to reach by public transport. Shopping malls also have own parking facilities in case you arrive with by car. There are plenty of places to buy Finnish designer goods from brands such as Artek, Arabia, Iittala, Marimekko and Pentik. |
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Restaurants near OtaniemiLucy in the skyLucy in the sky is a rooftop restaurant and bar. Lucy serves contemporary bistro food along with a unique view on top of the Accountor Tower, the historical landmark building towering over the area of Keilaniemi in Espoo. Lucy's glass walls provide great views to all directions from diverse urban landscapes to natural parks. The airy space can be rented out for private functions and provides several cabinets and spaces that can be booked for bigger groups as well. All visitors are welcome to pop by for a drink (or five) at the bar or on one of the terraces spreading out on both sides of the building and you won' t find a single bad seat in the house. |
Restaurant PLATSPLATS is a restaurant where you can enjoy delicious Nordic cuisine while adoring the coastal archipelago. It is also a place where Nordic art and design meet world-class gastronomy. They offer holistic experiences that consist of quality, creativity, and innovation. You can enjoy the creations of high-quality kitchen while mesmerized by unique art and a classically beautiful interior. In the restaurant PLATS you will enjoy your stay on the spacious and sunny summer terrace or inside the large atmospheric hall illuminated by windows. |
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Fat LizardThe Fat Lizard Restaurant in Espoo has visually stunning, handmade, and abundant food. To top that they have a large and almost daily changing selection of Fat Lizard and other local craft breweries’ beers. Restaurant Fat Lizard is situated very close to the Aalto University metro station. In the restaurant they grill, smoke, fry and constantly bake new ideas while their genuine Italian wood-oven bears hands-down the best pizzas in all of Espoo. Seasons and tastes from all around the world are present on the menu. |
