Area guide to Inkoo & beyond
Our favourite restaurants, cafés and activities near Hilltop Forest in Inkoo
Restaurants & Cafés around Inkoo
If you feel like venturing out during your stay, the surrounding area offers a small but carefully chosen selection of cafés, restaurants, shops, and local experiences, which we have gathered below. It is worth noting that there are no services within walking distance. The closest places are about a 10-15 minute drive away.
Small tip: Opening hours are often seasonal, especially in winter, so we recommend checking ahead before visiting.
Café & tiny farm shop, Mustio
Ekkulla
If you are lucky enough to visit during summer or Christmas weekends, Ekkulla is a must visit. Open only on selected days, this beautifully styled café and tiny farm shop, run by a lovely young couple, draws visitors from far and wide for its visually inspiring atmosphere and signature baked treats.
Tip: Ekkulla is a 40 minute countryside bike ride from Hilltop Forest and makes a perfect summer outing. The historic grounds of Mustion Linna are located right next door and are also well worth a visit.
Archipelago summer restaurant, Barösund
Restaurant Scola
Scola is our go to summer restaurant for archipelago sea views, classic Nordic seafood, champagne, and slow afternoons spent watching boats pass by. Open only during the summer season, it offers a relaxed yet special setting right by the water.
Tip: A 20 minute drive including a short and easy ferry crossing. On Barösund island, you will also find a paddle court and hidden swimming spots. If you want to make a day of it, continue on to Elisaari-island to explore scenic trails with grazing sheep and cows.
Traditional strawberry farm & bakery, Inkoo
Lill-Breds
A local institution and a much loved stop during the summer season. Family run, the strawberry farm and bakery offers fresh berries, seasonal vegetables, and baked goods, alongside a small café with a traditional finnish countryside feel. This is also where our Hilltop breakfast comes from, and their cinnamon buns are a must try. In summer, there are bunnies and a small play area for kids.
Tip: Located right next to Road 51, just before the turn off to Hilltop Forest, Lill-Breds is the place to pick up fresh vegetables, berries and treats.
Fine dining with archipelago views, Barösund
The Berg
The Berg is a modern fine dining restaurant located at the Barö Hotel, with stunning views over the forest and archipelago. The menu is served as four to seven course set menus built around local produce and seasonal flavours. This is the place to dress up a little, enjoy a longer dinner with drinks, and settle into a refined dining experience.
Tip: Look out for chef’s table evenings, visiting chefs, champagne tastings, and Saturday lunch or weekend brunch.
Historical Manor & Bistro, Mustio
Mustion Linna
Linnankrouvi is the bistro style restaurant at the historic Mustion Linna. Located just a 10 minute drive from Hilltop Forest, it is a nice option for lunch or dinner. The restaurant serves set lunches and a relaxed bistro style dinner menu in a classic manor setting.
Tip: The restaurant is set within the beautiful grounds of Mustion Linna, with ponds and parkland that are well worth a stroll before or after your meal.
Local lunch cafe, Inkoo
Café Wilhelmsdal
A local favourite located in the town centre of Inkoo. Café Wilhelmsdal offers a casual weekday lunch, café treats, and relaxed brunch on weekends. It is an easy place to stop by when exploring the town centre or if you are looking for a no fuss meal close by.
Tip: While visiting Inkoo town centre, take time to browse the small local shops and second hand stores nearby, such as Kiurunpesä, The Art Story, and Rosalinda. In summer, walk down to the pier and stop for a drink at The Pier Bar, a container style waterfront bar with cocktails and occasional live music on summer weekends.
Everyday essentials and local tips
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The closest and nicely stocked grocery store is S-market Inkoo, about a 10 to 15 minute drive away.
For a wider selection, the largest supermarkets are in Lohja, ca. 25 minute drive away. K-Citymarket Lohja and Prisma Lohja both offer a wide range of groceries, household goods and cosmetics. Citymarket has a slightly more premium food selection, while Prisma Lohja is open 24 hours a day.
If you are arriving from the airport or the Helsinki region, it is easiest to stop on the way, with several well stocked Citymarkets along the route, including K-Citymarket Kirkkonummi.
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In Finland, wine and stronger alcohol are only sold at the state owned alcohol shops called Alko.
The closest is Alko Inkoo, about a 10 to 15 minute drive away. Opening hours and selection are fairly limited, so it is a good idea to check ahead. Larger Alko stores with a wider selection can be found in Lohja and Kirkkonummi.
Beer and cider are available in grocery stores, but note that alcohol sales in grocery stores end at 9 p.m. in the evening.
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If you would like to swim at a public beach, there are two lovely options about a 10 minute drive away. Mustion Ruukki Beach is a calm and scenic spot, while Björnviken Beach is the most popular swimming beach among locals in Inkoo.
Very close to Hilltop, about one kilometre away, there is a beautiful pond that locals consider a hidden gem. It is not a public beach and swimming is done directly from the rocks, which makes it especially lovely for a calm morning or evening dip. As the spot is not suitable for small children and is something of a local treasure, we share the exact location only with your arrival information.
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The closest town, Inkoo, has a pharmacy, but opening hours are more limited, so it is worth checking ahead.
Pharmacies in Kirkkonummi and Lohja usually offer slightly longer opening hours. If you need a pharmacy that is open 24 hours, the only option is in Helsinki at Yliopiston Apteekki.
The nearest hospital and emergency room is in Lohja Hospital, about a 20 minute drive away.
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It is good to know that taxis around Inkoo and Hilltop Forest usually need to be ordered in advance, as on demand availability is limited. Booking the day before is recommended.
The main local taxi service is LähiTaksi, and Uber also works well when pre ordered. A pre ordered Uber from Hilltop to the airport is roughly 150 euros, while coming from the airport towards Hilltop you can usually get an Uber for around 70 to 80 euros without pre booking.
If you are travelling as a group or prefer a more premium option, we recommend contacting Rolly, through which you can also pre-order an airport transfer.
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Unfortunately, there is no public transport directly to Hilltop. If you prefer to travel part of the way by public transport, you can take a bus from Kamppi Shopping Centre in Helsinki to the town of Inkoo. From there you will be about 10 kilometres away, and we recommend pre booking a taxi for the final leg of the journey. Bus schedules can be found online at Matkahuolto.
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Hilltop Forest does not have electric vehicle charging on site. The closest charging point is the ABC Inkoo charging station, located in the parking lot of S-Market Inkoo, about a 10 to 15 minute drive away.
places to visit around Inkoo
Hilltop Forest is not really about ticking off activities, it is about slowing down and enjoying and exploring the forest around you. If you feel like venturing out to more clearly marked and longer routes by the sea, Kopparnäs is a true coastal gem. And within a 30 minute drive, you will also find two historic ironworks villages, Fiskars Village and Billnäs Village, perfect for a relaxed summer day or a cosy Christmassy outing with cafés, shops and restaurants to explore.
Coastline trails and campfires sites, Inkoo
Kopparnäs recreation area
Kopparnäs is a great choice if you are looking for clearly marked paths, especially longer routes that follow the coastline by the sea. There are options for different levels, from easy and flatter walking routes that suit families well to longer hikes and trail running routes for when you want to move a bit more. Along the way you will find fire pits that make it easy to stop for a break or a simple outdoor lunch. It is an easy nature escape about a 25 minute drive away when you feel like fresh air, sea views and well maintained trails.
Tip: For families, an easy option is the Brändöskatan Bulevard trail at 2.9 km, while those looking for a longer walk can continue on to the Råbergets Runda loop at 4.3 km. Both routes start from Sandfjärden beach (Råbergintie 22, 10160 Inkoo), where you will also find toilets and a campfire area.
Old ironworks, Fiskars Village, Raasepori
Fiskars village
Fiskars Village is a charming historic ironworks village that has grown into a hub of creativity, design and local culture. With its collection of boutiques, artisan workshops, galleries and cafés tucked into old industrial buildings by the river you can browse handmade ceramics, textiles and Finnish design pieces at your own pace, stop for a coffee or meal, or simply wander and take in the atmosphere. There are also museums, occasional events and scenic nature paths around the village that make it a lovely day trip if you want a mix of food, shopping, culture and gentle outdoor time about 30 minutes from Hilltop.
Tip: Shop for Fiskars, Arabia, Hackman and Iittala classics from the Fiskars shop, join a beer/wine tasting at The Old Knife Factory and dine at Restaurant Kuparipaja.
Old iron works, Billnäs Village, Raasepori
Billnäs Chocolate Class
Billnäs Chocolate Factory is a fun and tasty stop if you enjoy good food and hands on experiences. Artisan chocolates are made on site and you can watch the process through glass windows while browsing the shop or enjoying a tasting. If you want to do a bit more, their chocolate classes and discovery sessions offer an easy and playful way to learn about flavours and how chocolate is made from bean to bar.
Tip: Located in Billnäs Village, about a 25 minute drive away, the village itself is a lovely historic ironworks community with galleries, cafés and small shops to wander through while you savour your chocolate adventure.