The largest and most distinguished park in central Helsinki, laid out in the 1830s as a spa for visiting Russian aristocrats. The original spa building (Kaivohuone) is now a restaurant and summer club. The park slopes down to the southern shore, with views across the inner archipelago, and the embassy quarter occupies the streets immediately above.
A 1926 observatory at the top of the hill is open to the public on selected evenings (check the Ursa Astronomical Association website). Vappu (May Day) sees the entire park taken over for the city's biggest annual picnic. The Cafe Ursula on the shore is a year-round favourite.