Kivisaari, located in the East Helsinki archipelago, was opened to the public in summer 2024. The charming island also has a restaurant and a variety of accommodation options.
Kivisaari's mansion, Merilinna, was built by K.E. "Kalle" Kontro in 1918. Kontro spared no expense on the building project; the main building was designed by architect Eliel Saarinen. Merilinna is pure Art Nouveau. In addition to Merilinna, the island also has other accommodation buildings, a sauna, two piers, a barbecue area and a sports field.
Kontro also kept bear cubs on the adjacent Karhusaari and even built a footbridge there. Karhusaari is also part of the Kivisaari complex.
Kivisaari is accessed via the Eastern Island Route, and almost all of the starting points are located along public transport links. This special water route offers an inter-district island cruise, which gives you a taste of island life before arriving in the Kivisaari.
In May and September the Eastern Archipelago Route follows the route Kalasatama - Herttoniemi - Laajasalo - Vartiosaari - Kivisaari - Satamasaari - Iiluoto - Leikosaari - Vuosaari. And from June to August the route is Meritullintori – Kalasatama – Herttoniemi – Laajasalo – Vartiosaari – Kotiluoto – Kivisaari – Satamasaari – Rantapuisto – Malkasaari – Iso Iiluoto – Leikosaari – Neitsytsaari – Vuosaari. The route includes a great passage through the Degerö (Laajasalo) channel and the magnificent islets and coves of Kallahdenselkä.
