Top 9 swimming places and beaches in Helsinki

Two women swimming in Katajanokka bay on a sunny summer's day, stop to throw peace signs at the camera.
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Whenever a heatwave hits in Helsinki, you’ll definitely want to take a refreshing dip in the water. Fortunately, there are plenty of amazing swimming places in and around the city. Here’s a list of 9 swimming places that are all very different from each other, yet equally interesting and refreshing – everything from a Functionalist outdoor swimming pool to a small lake in the wilderness. You can even try them all this summer!

Antti Huttunen
Retipaikka.fi
Antti Huttunen / Retkipaikka

Hietaranta Beach – a true classic 

You can’t begin a list of the best swimming places in Helsinki without this most classic of swimming beaches. On a hot summer’s day you should try to get to Hietaranta Beach nice and early, as it is one of the most popular beaches in the Finnish capital. Early birds can enjoy this pearl of a beach in splendid peace and quiet.

Hietaranta Beach also offers lots of services. You will find beach volleyball and basketball courts, exercise equipment, toilets, showers and changing rooms. There is also a playground for kids, and you can buy snacks and refreshments from the café. Lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer until mid-August. 
Hiekkarannantie, Helsinki 

Swimming Stadium – a slice of history 

Designed in the Functionalist style for the Summer Olympics, the Swimming Stadium is a particularly interesting place to go for a dip. The Swimming Stadium was originally built to host the 1940 Olympic Games, which had to be postponed due to the outbreak of war. The pools were then used to store herrings and vegetables for a while – think about that when you are gliding over the water! The stadium was finally completed in 1947 and hosted the swimming and diving events at the 1952 Summer Olympics.

In addition to the main 50-metre pool, there is also a wading pool, diving pool and children’s pool, as well as an exercise area, beach volleyball and basketball courts, and a kiosk. 
Hammarskjöldintie 5, Helsinki 

Kumpula – an outdoor swimming pool in idyllic surroundings

The Kumpula district is famous for its wooden houses and idyllic surroundings, where you will also find one of the most popular public swimming pools in Helsinki. Like the Swimming Stadium, the history of the Kumpula Outdoor Swimming Pool is also connected to the Olympics – it was in fact the practice pool. It is also one of the oldest outdoor swimming pools with tracks in all of Finland.

There is a 25-metre pool, a children’s pool, a wading pool and a diving pool. You will also find beach volleyball and basketball courts, a camping area and a café.
Allastie 1, Helsinki 

Behind a lifebelt and coastguard warning flag on poles, two people sit on the beach looking out towards the sea on a sunny day.
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Aurinkolahti – Finland’s Miami 

Aurinkolahti in the Vuosaari district is quite a unique beach for Finland, as it stretches for 700 metres and curves just as beautifully as any Southern European shoreline. So if you want to enjoy a beach vacation without leaving the city, this is the place for you! On top of all that, the sandy beach is also shallow, so it’s perfect for kids.

Close to the beach you will find a basketball court and exercise area. You can also enjoy the beauty of the beach from the sea by renting a SUP board. In addition, you will find a café and changing rooms, and lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer.
Aurinkoranta 15, Helsinki 

Mustikkamaa – sand and smooth rocks 

Helsinki Zoo on the island of Korkeasaari may be one of the top summer attractions, but did you know that the island of Mustikkamaa that you cross to get to the zoo also hides a beautiful swimming beach? The shallow beach is in a beautiful setting, making it popular among families and young people. In addition to the sandy beach, there are also lots of smooth granite rocks that you can lie on to soak up the sun, as well as private little areas where you can enjoy your own peace and quiet.

Mustikkamaa Beach has changing rooms and showers, and lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer. Mustikkamaa is an island where you can easily spend an entire summer’s day. There are lots of walking paths and exercise areas, as well as football fields and basketball courts and even public tennis courts.
Mustikkamaanpolku 1, Helsinki 

Iso-Parikas – a clearwater lake in the wilderness 

When the blue-green algae start to bloom, Nuuksio National Park comes to the rescue. Iso-Parikas and Vähä-Parikas are clearwater lakes in the northern section of the national park that are unaffected by blue-green algae. The swimming beach is a sandy bottom and gets deep gradually, making it suitable for kids. The lakes are situated in the Salmi recreational area and are just a short walk from the north gateway to Nuuksio National Park. In addition to the refreshing lake water, you can also enjoy the beautiful natural scenery with a picnic around a campfire, so long as there are no fire warnings due to dry weather. Best of all, these remote wilderness lakes remain quiet and peaceful even when the city’s other public beaches are bustling with sun worshippers.
Nearest parking area: Salmentie 100 B, Vihti 

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Myllyjärvi – Espoo’s well-kept secret 

The neighbouring municipality of Espoo also has refreshing wilderness lakes where you can cool off on hot summer days. One of its best-kept secrets is Myllyjärvi, which is almost impossible to stumble across by accident – you have to know how to get there. You have to walk down a steep hill for around a hundred metres to get to the lake, but it’s definitely worth it. The lake is surrounded by a nature reserve, so it is always peaceful and clean. There are even beach huts at the swimming beach on the south end of the lake. It’s worth taking a picnic basket full of snacks and refreshments with you.
Nearest parking area: Myllyjärventie 8, Espoo 

Mustasaari Island – a sheltered beach by the sea

The small beach on the island of Mustasaari is one of the most beautiful in Helsinki. Mustasaari is a recreational and summer camp island run by the Helsinki Parish Union. Even though the beach is on the sea, it is surprisingly sheltered thanks to the proximity of the neighbouring Hevossaari island, so you don’t have to worry about big waves. There are beach huts and a shower, as well as a playground and café.
Saarihuhdanpolku, Helsinki 

Vetokannas – a sandpit for people of all ages to splash around in

OId sandpits make excellent swimming beaches. You can find one such sandpit in Kaivoksela in the neighbouring municipality of Vantaa. Vetokannas Beach circles the entire sandpit and is suitable for people of all ages, as there is a shallow end for small kids and deep end for bigger kids. The lawn next to the beach is perfect for sunbathing and enjoying picnics. There are also beach huts and a toilet, as well as a playground.
Vantaanlaaksontie 3, Vantaa 

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Cool off on a hot day in and visit beautiful beaches around Helsinki. We have listed 9 popular swimming places around the city, which are worth experiencing.