Esplanadi Park

Esplanadi Park, usually called the Esplanadi, is a tree-lined boulevard park in the Kaartinkaupunki district of central Helsinki, Finland, running between Market Square (Kauppatori) by the harbour and Mannerheimintie near the Swedish Theatre. The park is flanked by two streets, Pohjoisesplanadi to the north and Eteläesplanadi to the south, and the central green strip holds lawns, linden and elm trees, flower beds, statues and a bandstand area that hosts free summer concerts. Laid out in the 19th century, the Esplanadi is the city's classic promenade, lined with elegant buildings, cafes and shops. The Kappeli restaurant, a glass-and-iron pavilion from 1867, anchors the middle of the park and is a well-known place for coffee and for live music in summer. The surrounding streets are home to flagship stores for Marimekko and Stockmann department store, as well as design shops, galleries and the Svenska Teatern. A statue of the national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg stands in the park, and the Havis Amanda fountain at the harbour end is one of the city's best-known sculptures. The park is open 24 hours and entry is free. A walk from end to end takes 30 to 60 minutes, longer with a stop at a cafe. Summer afternoons are lively, with office workers, tourists and street performers filling the benches and lawns, while winter evenings bring Christmas lights and a quieter, atmospheric mood. The best photo angles are along the central path looking toward the harbour with Market Square beyond, and from the Kappeli terrace. Trams 2, 4 and 5 stop at Kauppatori or Erottaja, and Market Square is a 5-minute walk from the east end.