Outdoor recreation services 

There are a few hiking lodges in the outdoor recreation areas in Helsinki and numerous cooking and barbeque shelters. There are numerous birdwatching towers that in, for example, Vanhankaupunginlahti. You can also find a range of saunas in the outdoor recreation areas and on the islands.

On this page

Lintubongari kiikaroi esteettömältä lintulavalta kohti ruovikkomaisemaa
Photo: Mira Lainiola

Hiking lodges, nature centres, huts and lean-tos on a map 

Hiking lodges, nature centres, huts and lean-tos in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area on a map. 

Hiking lodges, nature centres, huts and lean-tos on a map  - Open larger map(Link leads to external service)

Cooking shelters

Malkasaaren keittokatoksen vierellä on pöytäryhmä.
Photo: Mira Lainiola

Cooking shelters are located in several outdoor recreation areas and on several islands managed by the City of Helsinki. Cooking shelters and campfire places usually do not have firewood. 

Some outdoor recreation areas of other municipalities (Karjakaivo, Luukki, Pirttimäki, Salmi and Vaakkoi) have firewood for hikers. In the archipelago, firewood can be found at the cooking shelters of Kaunissaari and Pihlajasaari. You should bring your own firewood to the other islands. There is firewood in the campfire area of Seurasaari. 

Cooking shelters and other campfire sites on a map 

Cooking shelters in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area on a map. 

Cooking shelters and other campfire sites on a map. - Open larger map(Link leads to external service)

Birdwatching towers, birdwatching platforms and hides

Lapset katselevat kiikareilla lintupiilosta merelle
Photo: Mira Lainiola

Helsinki has several birdwatching towers, birdwatching platforms and hides. Birdwatching towers and platforms are located by the bird waters of Vanhankaupunginlahti, but also on the island of Harakka and Lauttasaari. Accessible birdwatching platforms can be found in Lammassaari, along the plank trail leading to the island, and at the end of the Kivinokka nature trail. Most of the towers and platforms are accompanied by bird-related information boards.  

Birdwatching towers, birdwatching platforms, hides and observation platforms on the map 

Birdwatching and scenic towers and platforms in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area on the map. 

Birdwatching towers, birdwatching platforms, hides and observation platforms on the map  - Open larger map(Link leads to external service)

Saunas

Pihlajasaaren rantasauna.
Photo: Maarit Hohteri

Camping

Camping is a comfortable and relaxed way to spend time in nature. In addition to a tent, you can spend the night in, for example, a hammock. See Camping -page few things you should consider when planning to go camping. Check alsothe top 5 camping places in the archipelago of the capital region.