WHEN HELSINKI DECIDED DOGS DESERVED THEIR OWN SIGHTSEEING TOUR
- Amelia Taylor
- Dec 23, 2025
- 3 min read
In a world where cities compete over walkability, wellbeing and liveability, Helsinki has quietly leaned into a different kind of urban advantage: designing happiness with dogs in mind.
The Finnish capital, regularly ranked among the happiest cities in the world, has long treated dogs as part of everyday urban life rather than an afterthought.
From free public transport to forests, beaches and cafés that welcome four-legged visitors, dogs are woven into the city’s culture.
So perhaps it was inevitable that Helsinki would eventually become home to what is believed to be the world’s first sightseeing route designed especially for dogs.
Built entirely from sticks, it quickly became a favourite among visitors and passers-by alike, with some even calling for it to become a permanent installation.
Many described it as a playful yet respectful homage to the original sculpture by the late artist Eila Hiltunen.
The Stickelius Monument is curated by Neris, a local rescue dog who has become something of a national treasure for collecting sticks and turning them into public art installations known as the Stick Gallery.
For this project, those sticks were assembled into a monument honouring composer Jean Sibelius, designed to mirror the original's proportions at 1:4 scale.
The route also included Café Dogatta, a “pup-up” café located beside the much-loved seaside Café Regatta, offering a social stop for dogs and owners alike.
But the crown jewel of canine happiness in Helsinki is Rajasaari Island, a rare dog-only island located in the city’s maritime heart. Open 24/7 and accessible on foot, the island offers forests to roam, beaches to sprint along and waters to swim in.
Dogs enjoying the island have rather distinguished neighbours too, with the Finnish President and Prime Minister living just across the water.
While some elements of the route were created as temporary installations, highlights such as Dogatta and Rajasaari remain part of Helsinki’s urban fabric, continuing to bring joy to local dogs and their humans.
In Finland, a nation of 5.6 million people and around 800,000 dogs, pets are widely regarded as family members.
Helsinki alone is home to an estimated 40,000 dogs, and Finland is often cited as having one of the highest dog populations per capita in the world. It raises a compelling question: could dogs be part of the reason Finns consistently rank among the happiest people on the planet?
Helsinki’s dog-friendly credentials run deep. The city offers more than 90 dedicated dog parks, several dog beaches, dog training fields and even a 50-hectare forest reserved solely for dogs.
Dogs are welcome in most shops, cafés and restaurants, some of which offer special menu items just for them. They travel free on public transport and even feature in libraries, where trained “library dogs” help children practise reading.
“Pets boost happiness. This time, we wanted to bring attractions to some of the city’s most beloved outdoor spots – places that both dog owners and their dogs can enjoy together. We are delighted to see so many people and dogs experiencing familiar landmarks from a dog’s perspective,” says Soila Lehkonen, Head of Brand & PR at Helsinki Partners.
With the Doggy Route to Happiness, Helsinki has taken its reputation for wellbeing one step further, proving that in a happy city, joy is designed not just for those on two legs, but for those on four as well.
