Location

Ecology of Soil Microorganisms 2025

Networking across scales

15.–19.6.2025, Helsinki, Finland

 

Location

Helsinki
Welcome to Helsinki, the capital of Finland, where innovation meets nature. A vibrant city known for its high quality of life, Helsinki boasts a rich history, stunning architecture, and a strong commitment to sustainability. Enjoy exploring our world-class museums, serene parks, and the stunning archipelago that surrounds our city. Welcome, and we hope you find both inspiration and enjoyment during your stay in Helsinki.

Venue
The meeting will take place in the Porthania building at the University of Helsinki. Completed in 1957, the Porthania building was named after Henrik Gabriel Porthan, a professor at the Royal Academy of Turku. The building is one of the major works of architect Aarne Ervi. Many of the technical solutions were brand-new: for example, concrete elements had never before been as extensively used in Finland. The preservation of the original architecture was the goal of a renovation completed in 2006. 
The venue is located (Yliopistonkatu 3, 00170 Helsinki) next to Senate square and Ateneum Art Museum in the Helsinki city centre.
How to reach the conference venue   
Porthania is in the centre of Helsinki, just a 7-minute walk from the main train station. Walking route on map.

There is a good cycle route network in Helsinki, and distances between conference venue, hotels and other important places are not too long. Bicycling is easy and practical way to move in the city. It is possible to register as a city bike user ( https://www.hsl.fi/en/citybikes) or hire a bike from a bike rental.

From the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport:

Helsinki Airport's train station is located under the terminal. There is an elevator and escalator connection from the departures and arrivals hall to the train station. Local trains I and P operate between Helsinki Airport and Helsinki Central Railway station. There are train departures approximately every 5-15 minutes (depending on the time of day). A train ride to Helsinki City Centre takes about 30 minutes.

The airport taxis pick you up in front of terminal. Taksi Helsinki taxis are available in lane 2. At the end of the lanes there are monitors that show the pricing of each company.
It is possible to pre-book a taxi to pick you or your guests up from the airport. Call number +358 100 0700 or book with our Taksi Helsinki App. The pre-booked taxis can be found in the further taxi areas in front of terminal. Please provide your flight number and estimated time of arrival when ordering. Pre-orders are subject to a surcharge of € 7.30, which is added on top of the normal taxi fare.

Public transport and tickets
Tickets for trains, buses, metros, trams and Suomenlinna ferry can be bought directly at the blue HSL ticket machines located at the stations or R-kiosks. Tickets are not sold on trams, trains or metros. You can also download a HSL Mobile ticket app to purchase your public transportation ticket. Link to the HSL journey planner.

TAXI
You can book a taxi from the Taksi Helsinki company by Taksi Helsinki App or by calling +358 100 0700 (Call rates 2,96 €/tel. + 1,54 €/min + lnc). The base fee is 5.50 - 8 € depending on the time and charge per km is 1.1 – 1,9 € depending on how many people are in the car. Minimum charge 13.90 Euros.

Specialities close to Porthania
The marine spa, just a stone's throw away from the Market Square, has three saunas, two warm water pools and one sea water pool, to which the water is pumped from nearby streams and filtered clean. There's also a café, restaurant Seagrill and Allas Sky Bar.
The Ateneum is the home of Finnish art and part of the Finnish National Gallery.
The popular Esplanade Park is the most famous park in Finland and the green heart of Helsinki. People come here to see and be seen, to listen to music and watch performances, and to enjoy picnics. 
Located at the South Harbour at one end of the Esplanade Park, the Market Square is Helsinki's most international and famous market. On the west side of the Market Square, close to the Esplanade park, stands the Havis Amanda fountain, by Ville Vallgren, one of the best known statues in Helsinki.
The Senate Square and its surroundings form a unique and cohesive example of Neoclassical architecture. The square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel (1778-1840): Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and the National Library of Finland. A statue of Alexander II (1894) stands in the middle of the Senate Square.
SkyWheel Helsinki, located in Katajanokka, is a 40-meter high observation wheel that provides a 360° view of Helsinki and its most important surrounding attractions.
Suomenlinna sea fortress is a Unesco World Heritage Site located on the coast of Helsinki and is easily accessed all year by public transport (HSL) ferry from the Market Square.
More information about Helsinki: VisitHelsinki