Helsinki · Finland · Uusimaa · Gulf of Finland

Helsinki Beaches

Helsinki Beaches is City of Helsinki public bathing shoreline on the Gulf of Finland — central urban Hietaranta beach (also called Hietsu / Hietaniemi), eastern Vuosaari Aurinkolahti beach, and ferry-island Pihlajasaari beach on Läntinen Pihlajasaari. The City lists 25 free public beaches; this page covers these three.

HietarantaAurinkolahtiPihlajasaari

Choose your stretch

  • Hietaranta beach (Hietsu / Hietaniemi) — Hiekkarannantie 11, 00100 Helsinki · next to the centre · free City public beach
  • Aurinkolahti beach — Urheilukalastajankuja 1, 00990 Helsinki · Vuosaari · ~1 km from Vuosaari Metro · free City public beach
  • Pihlajasaari beach — Läntinen Pihlajasaari, 00150 Helsinki · summer JT-Line ferry from Merisatama and Ruoholahti · no lifeguard

Full stretch cards

Parking at a glance

Hietaranta: City notes a car park near the beach (nearest parking area within about 50 m; accessible parking noted on the City page). Sand entry is free. Check the street and lot signs on the day for current euro prices.

Aurinkolahti: City notes a large car park nearby and four accessible spaces under 50 m. Sand entry is free. Check the signs on the day.

Pihlajasaari: In season, JT-Line ferry from Merisatama (Merisatamanranta 10 / Cafe Carusel) and Ruoholahti (Kellosaarenranta 10 / Restaurant Faro). Check the street parking at the pier and your JT-Line tickets before you go. City marina: overnight €18/day; day visitors free.

City — Hietaranta · City — Aurinkolahti · City — Pihlajasaari · JT-Line — Pihlajasaari · HSL Journey Planner

Best stretches and who they’re for

Hietaranta beach (Hietsu / Hietaniemi)

City official name Hietaranta beach; MyHelsinki also calls it Hietsu / Hietaniemi. Address Hiekkarannantie 11, 00100 Helsinki — one of the most popular beaches next to the city centre. City lists changing shelters, showers, toilets, café / ice cream kiosk, outdoor gym, basketball, and beach volleyball; accessible swimming during lifeguard hours; car park nearby plus city bike / HSL. MyHelsinki notes a shallow swimming area. Lifeguards during City beach season 1 June–9 August 2026, duty hours 10.00–20.00. Café building toilets/dressing/indoor showers close 19:30; outdoor shelters and showers open 24 hours. Dogs not allowed on public beaches. Confirm facilities and hours on arrival outside peak season.

Aurinkolahti beach

Soft sand; one of the most popular; Vuosaari; about 1 km from Vuosaari Metro. Address Urheilukalastajankuja 1, 00990 Helsinki. City lists dressing rooms, showers, toilets, café, outdoor gym, SUP rental, light-water-traffic fairway, playground, and a large car park nearby. Accessible swimming during supervised hours; 2026 news notes a wheelchair access mat from the car park via changing rooms and water wheelchairs on loan at Aurinkolahti and Hietaranta during lifeguard hours 10.00–20.00. Dogs not allowed on public beaches.

Pihlajasaari beach

City public beaches address Läntinen Pihlajasaari, 00150 Helsinki. City islands page: public beach has no lifeguard; changing room, shower, toilet, playground, Rantabaari. Reached by summer-season JT-Line ferry from Merisatama and Ruoholahti (about 10 minutes by sea). 2026 scheduled ferry operated daily 16 May–30 August — ended as of mid-September 2026. JT-Line: dogs welcome onboard and on the island except beaches and kids play areas. City also notes a nudist beach on Itäinen Pihlajasaari.

Notes before you pack

  • Dogs: City of Helsinki — dogs are not allowed on public beaches (or children’s playgrounds, market squares, sports fields) unless specifically permitted. Four designated dog beaches exist elsewhere (Veijarivuori, Rajasaari, Tervasaari, Tuorinniemi — separate from Hietaranta, Aurinkolahti, and Pihlajasaari sand). JT-Line: dogs welcome on Pihlajasaari vessels and island except beaches and kids play areas. City — dogs and other pets · JT-Line Pihlajasaari.
  • Flags / lifeguards: City beach lifeguards during season (2026: 1 June–9 August, hours 10.00–20.00 while on duty). Pihlajasaari City: no lifeguard. Blue-green algae and water temperature via ulkoliikunta.fi Outdoor Exercise Map during beach season. Mid-September is outside City lifeguard season. Emergency: 112.
  • Water quality: Environmental Services monitoring season 15 June–31 August; as of 15 Sep 2026 City states no swimming restrictions currently. Swimming water quality.
  • Check the signs and apps for parking prices, and the JT-Line store for ferry fares.
  • Smoking: banned on public beaches under the Tobacco Act; follow on-site signs.

FAQ

What is there to do near Helsinki Beaches?

Near Helsinki Beaches: sunset sails and cruises, and dolphin and wildlife tours. See Off the sand for tours and tickets.

Beach safety — who to trust