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Accessibility

Welcome to Helsinki Biennial! On this page, you’ll find information about the accessibility of the event.

Helsinki Biennial takes place at HAM Helsinki Art Museum, Esplanade Park, and Vallisaari Island. All artwork locations are marked on the map.

We update this information regularly. Feel free to send us questions or feedback at:
helsinkibiennial@hamhelsinki.fi

HAM Helsinki Art Museum

Address: Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8, 00100 Helsinki

HAM is located in the Tennis Palace in central Helsinki, right next to Kamppi shopping centre. It is easily accessible by public transportation from anywhere in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

Tennis Palace is fully accessible.

More detailed accessibility information for HAM

Esplanade Park

Address: Eteläesplanadi & Pohjoisesplanadi, 00170 Helsinki

Esplanade Park is located in the heart of Helsinki, just a few minutes’ walk from the Central Railway Station and Market Square. The park is easy to reach on foot, by bike, or by public transport.

There are no designated accessible parking spots in Esplanade Park.

The park itself is an accessible location.

There is a public toilet suitable for wheelchair users on the western side of the park.

Vallisaari Island

Vallisaari Island is only a 25-minute ferry ride from Helsinki’s Market Square, which is easily accessible by foot, bicycle, or public transport.

Ferries depart from Keisarinluodonlaituri at the Market Square. Information and ticket desks at the Market Square are equipped with hearing loops.

Access to the ferry boarding platform is via a wooden ramp. The paths leading to the dock are accessible, though inclines may vary with the water level.

The accessible dock on Vallisaari Island is located at Torpedolahti. The ferry first stops at Luotsipiha Pier, then continues to Torpedolahti, where accessible disembarkation is possible.

  • The metal ramp at the lower end of the Torpedolahti pier has a slope of 20 degrees, which varies with the water level.

  • The upper part of the ramp has a slope of 14.5 degrees.

Ferries

Two ferries serve Vallisaari Island: Isosaari II (off-season) and Gädda (during the Biennial). We recommend using Gädda as the more accessible option. Gädda has a larger entry area and accommodates electric wheelchairs more comfortably.

Ferry accessibility varies. Accessibility details will be updated on this page in June.

The ferry operator recommends bringing an assistant. Assistants travel free of charge.

Ferry operations are provided by FRS Finland. Timetables can be found on FRS Finland’s website.

For ferry accessibility inquiries, contact:
FRS Finland
Phone: +358 10 202 3780 (Mon–Fri 9 am–3 pm)
Email: info@frs-finland.fi

Getting around on Vallisaari Island

The routes are paved mainly with sand and partly with stone. Uneven paved stretches cannot be avoided. The biennial’s route has no outdoor stairs, but there are stairs at the entrances and indoors. The terrain is rough and hilly in places. Weather conditions also influence how even, hard, or slippery the routes are.

Guide and assistance dogs are welcome on Vallisaari Island just like any other dogs, but must be kept on leash. Dogs are not allowed indoors.

There are no induction loops available on Vallisaari Island.

Helsinki Biennial’s artworks are marked with signs. The signs have QR codes that take you to the biennial website for more information. Additionally, the Metsähallitus signs direct visitors on their route on the island.

Slope map of Vallisaari Island

Metsähallitus map of Vallisaari Island

Toilets on Vallisaari Island

Accessible toilets are available on Vallisaari Island and are marked on the map.

Picnic area toilet

  • The threshold is over 2 cm.
  • The toilet has free space for moving, 68 cm on the toilet seat’s left and 75 cm on the right side.
  • The toilet seat is 45 cm high.
  • There is 1.3 m of free space for turning with mobility aids.
  • A horizontal handle is at the height of 90 cm.
  • A coat hook is installed at a height of 1.4 m.

Torpedolahti and Luotsipiha toilets

  • The threshold is 2.5 cm.
  • The doorway width is 93 cm.
  • There is 1.3 m of free space for turning with mobility aids.
  • There is no space for moving on the left side of the toilet seat.
  • Toilet seat height is 45 cm.
  • Support rail height is 80 cm.
  • Sink height is 83 cm.
  • Knee-room depth is 40 cm, but a waste bin is placed below the basin.

Guided Tours

This year, Helsinki Biennial does not offer plain language tours.

Artwork sites on Vallisaari Island

There are 29 works on display on Vallisaari Island. Ten of them are located in indoor cellar spaces. Please note that the cellar spaces are dimly lit.

If necessary, Helsinki Biennial’s staff will help with the exhibition entrances’ stairs and thresholds.

Detailed information for individual artworks will be updated in early June.