Arrive in Matinkylä and rent a kayak or SUP board from Natura Viva. A wide range of services await: go on a day trip to seaside Espoo.
Matinkylä is located on the doorstep of the Espoo archipelago. It's easy to get here by metro or bus, and you can enjoy the whole day. A wide range of restaurants and cafés await you near Matinkylä beach, and in the centre of Matinkylä stands the Iso Omena shopping centre, where you'll find a comprehensive range of shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as entertainment facilities, including a cinema.
The most convenient way to reach Matinkylä is by metro from Helsinki. The metro journey from Helsinki city centre takes about 20 minutes.
When you arrive in Matinkylä, first head towards Matinkylä beach. This seaside area is located about one kilometre south of Iso Omena and the metro station. At the beach you will find Natura Viva's Matinkylä Beach paddling point, where kayaks and SUP boats are available for rent.
Nokkalanniemi
Nokkalanniemi is located next to Matinkylä beach. Here all visitors can enjoy the Nokkala Lighthouse, a restaurant and café, and a summer concert venue aivam by the sea.
A water bus runs from Nokkala's guest marina to Iso Vasikkasaari, one of Espoo's most famous yachting islands. City dwellers fled the heat of the stone city here as early as the 19th century. You can also paddle to Iso Vasikkasaari: it's about a kilometre and a half in each direction, and the kayaking route is sheltered and relaxing.
Matinkylä's beach cafés
In addition to Nokkala Lighthouse, there are several cosy beach cafés in the area. Café Merenneito is right next to the Natura Viva kayaking point on Matinkylä beach. Nokkala Ice Cream Shop serves ice cream lovers in Nokkalanniemi and La gelateria next to the Natura Viva paddling point on Matinkylä beach.
The Villa Pentry restaurant is a few kilometres' walk away in Nuottaniemi. The summer restaurant Gula Villa and the café in Iso Vasikkasaari are located in Iso Vasikkasaari.
And as you head east from Matinkylä beach towards Haukilahte, you'll come across several cafés and restaurants. A day out in Espoo is not complete without a cup of coffee, a dose of ice cream or a cold drink.
Swimming spots in the Matinkylä area
Matinkylä has a number of bathing areas along the shore. The beach invites you to take a dip both in Matinkylä and in neighbouring Nokkalanniemi. Matinkylä beach is also served by the Löylykontti and the open-air swimming area at the end of the pier.
Nuottaniemi beach park is located in Nuottaniemi, where you can also get wet in the gentle waves of the Gulf of Finland. Haukilahti beach is located east of Matinkylä beach. Similarly, Isossa Vasikkasaari has an idyllic beach.
Other services and activities in Matinkylä
There are many parks in Matinkylä. In addition to Nuottaniemi Beach Park, good picnic spots include Leijonapuisto north of Matinkylä Beach, Nuottamiehenpuisto in the lanside of Matinkylä, Matinkylä Residents' Park between Iso Omena and Matinkylä Beach, and Malminniitty east of Iso Omena. The Lepsukka skate park is also located here.
