Public beaches

Helsinki has 24 public swimming beaches monitored by lifeguards daily from 10:00 to 18:00 (until 20:00 at Hietaranta and Aurinkolahti).

List of public swimming beaches

Water temperature

To keep our coastlines safe and pristine, the City of Helsinki enforces a few non-negotiable summer bylaws.

Before you lay out your towel, here is the quick local etiquette playbook.

🚫 The Strict Bans

To avoid fines and keep the sand clean, three activities are completely banned right on the beach:

• 🚭 No Smoking: Illegal on all public beaches from May 1 to September 30. Use designated zones entirely outside the beach boundary lines.
• 🐾 No Pets: Dogs and other animals are strictly banned from swimming areas for hygiene. Use official koirien uimaranta (dog beaches) instead.
• 🔥 No Open Fires: Barbecuing or setting up disposable grills on the sand is prohibited. The only exception is the fixed grilling station at Kallahdenniemi beach.

🏊 Safety Basics

1.Check the Depth Profile: Read the Entrance Board.

Review the warning boards at the path entry to scan for sudden bottom drop-offs or location-specific currents.

2.Swim Inside the Buoys: Stay Guarded.

Always stay within the floating boundary markers. This zone is fully surveyed for hazards and tracked by lifeguards.

3.Swim Parallel to the Shore: Save Energy.

Never swim straight out into the deep sea. Swim sideways along the coast so your feet can hit the bottom if you tire out.

Helsinki’s public beaches

Helsinki has 25 public beaches that are free of charge for residents and visitors to Helsinki to enjoy. In the summer, there are lifeguards on duty at the largest beaches. Most of the beaches are located on the seashore.

City of Helsinki

⚠️ Water Quality Tip: Avoid swimming at Vantaa River beaches (Pikkukoski, Pakila) for 3 to 5 days after heavy rainfall due to temporary stormwater runoff. Check live algae and water temperature maps before heading out atulkoliikunta.fi.