Helsinki, the happiest capital of the world, has unveiled the world’s first-ever sightseeing tour created especially for its shaggy four-legged friends – dogs! The “Doggy Route to Happiness” welcomed more than 1,000 dogs on the grand opening day, aligning its launch with the 2025 World Dog Show in Helsinki.
The park’s territory includes a stick-built dog statue, “Stickelius Monument,” inspired by the world-famous Sibelius Monument and created to honour local rescue dog Neris, known for collecting branches and transforming them into public art. Those same sticks now form a tribute to one of Finland’s most iconic sculptures devoted to composer Jean Sibelius, created by Eila Hiltunen.
The highlight of the itinerary is Rajasaari Island, a dog-only island in the city’s maritime heart, open year-round and free to visit. There, four-legged explorers have room to run through trails and forests, roll around on the beach, and swim in the Baltic waters with a front-row, premium view of the residences of Finland’s president and prime minister.
The new site also features “Café Dogatta,” a playful “pup-up” dog café near the popular seaside Café Regatta, and even special advertising aimed at four-legged visitors. Among the most popular stops was a dog photography station, where more than 200 pets posed for portraits with “dogographer” Fanny Haga.
Dogatta and Rajasaari will remain in Helsinki permanently. That way, shaggy citizens will always have a place where they can joyfully roam, play, and wag their tails to their hearts’ content. Some visitors even suggest keeping the “Stickelius Monument”, praising it as both a playful and respectful tribute to the original Sibelius Monument.
“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,” said Soila Lehkonen, the Head of Brand & PR in Helsinki Partners.
Helsinki is home to around 40,000 dogs — with more than 800,000 living across Finland — so it’s safe to say that life here has plenty of paws and wagging tails, making everyday routine a little furrier and a lot happier. The city already counts over 90 dedicated dog parks, several specialised beaches, a 50-hectare forest reserved just for dogs, and even “library dogs” who patiently listen to children reading aloud. Dogs ride public transport for free, and many shops and cafés happily welcome them inside, with some restaurants even serving them a special menu.
For a city that’s regularly ranked the happiest in the world, perhaps it’s no surprise that its dogs now have their very own sightseeing route. After all, in Helsinki, happiness clearly comes on both two legs and four paws.
