Linnanmäki
Linnanmäki (Swedish: Borgbacken) is an amusement park in Helsinki, Finland. It is the largest and most famous amusement park in Finland, and one of the most-visited in Europe.
Understand
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An amusement park was opened on 27 May 1950 and is owned by the non-profit Children's Day Foundation, which operates the park to raise funds for Finnish child welfare work. Of the all Nordic amusement parks, Linnanmäki has the most rides in relation to the number of visitors. As of 2024, the amusement park has more than 40 attractions.
Get in
[edit]The park is open from spring to autumn; the opening day is around May Day and the closing is in the third week of October.
Linnanmäki is situated in the Alppila sub-district of Alppiharju, 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) north of Helsinki's city centre. There are two entrances to the amusement park: the 1 main gate from the Tivolitie side and the 2 southern gate from the Sturenkatu side.
The park is easily accessible from the city centre by tram lines 3, 8, and 9, as well as bus line 23. Coming by train, Linnanmäki is situated about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) south of 3 Pasila Railway Station, and approximately 2.3 kilometres (1.4 mi) from the nearest metro station, 4 Sörnäinen.
Get around
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Once inside the park, everything can be done on foot. It's about 7.5 hectares big.
Only the entrance is free (with the exception of some festival events); you have to buy tickets or wristbands for the attractions. Single-use tickets are €11, wristbands €51.
See and do
[edit]Below are the most important attractions in the park.
Attractions
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Rollercoasters
[edit]- 1 Vuoristorata. This wooden roller coaster is not only the most famous in the entire amusement park, but also one of the oldest attractions, as it was built in 1951.
- 2 Linnunrata eXtra. An indoor roller coaster, with the addition of VR headsets that riders can wear on board.
- 3 Kirnu. First compact 4D roller coaster in Europe.
- 4 Salama. This steel roller coaster is built on top of Hurjakuru.
- 5 Taiga. This might be the tallest, longest and fastest roller coaster in Finland.
Carousels
[edit]- 6 Karuselli. This traditional carousel of German origin dates back to 1896, making it the park's oldest attraction. It arrived in the park in 1954.
- 7 Kahvikuppikaruselli. A carousel with the coffee cup theme.
Ferris wheels
[edit]- 8 Rinkeli. A large ferris wheel, which reaches as high as 34 meters.
- 9 Vankkuripyörä. A small ferris wheel with Western theme.
Rides
[edit]- 10 Hurjakuru. The 370-meters long water ride with tunnel and waterfalls. Be prepared to get wet!
- 11 Kyöpelivuoren hotelli. A dark ride with the witches and other creepy things.
- 12 Taikasirkus. A circus-themed ride with an animated characters.
Other attractions
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- 1 Sea Life Helsinki. An aquarium.
- 2 Panoraama. With the 53-meter height, this gyro tower is one of the best places to view the city of Helsinki.
Events
[edit]- iik!week: . F–Su (in September). A horror festival. Not recommended for children under 15 years of age. (date needs fixing)
- Carnival of Light: . F–Su (in October). A light festival. Entrance ticket €20. (date needs fixing)
Eat
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Drink
[edit]See also
[edit]- Amusement parks in Finland
- Särkänniemi – an amusement park in Tampere
- Suomenlinna – another attraction in Helsinki
