Winter (Ice) swimming is a popular bucket-list activity for visitors in Finland and a ritual for many Finns. Having a short dip into ice-cold water or even taking a quick swim helps to cleanse your body and soul – it alleviates stress, leaves you feeling fantastic, refreshed, and gives you an energy boost that lasts the rest of the day. Will winter swimming be your thing? There is only one way to find out, and plenty of locations to choose from!
Check Winter Swimming Areas' conditions here
Note: Please remember to have a friend with you while trying out this activity and follow safety guidelines.
Location: Watersport Center Laguuni
Photo: Kathrin Deter
Photo: Kathrin Deter
Laajalahti Winter Swimming Area
- The winter swimming spot is located in the Laajalahti marina area next to the Laajalahti Nature Reserve.
- The platform has a windshield, inside which there are thermal stairs and a thermal plate. A pump is installed in the opening, which creates a flow on the surface and keeps the opening open. The winter swimming area has no sauna or showers.
- The swimming area has a small, heated changing room. The winter swimming club Laajalahti Winter Swimmers is responsible for its use.
- The changing room key is subject to a fee and can be requested from the Winter Swimming Club contact person: anna.linjama@konservatorio.fi.
- Winter swimming season is from November to April.
Address: Ruukinrannantie 29,02600 Espoo
Contact: anna.linjama@konservatorio.fi
Watersport Center Laguuni Swimming Area
- Winter Swimming in Watersport Center Laguuni is possible when booking a sauna session.
- There are two floating saunas (wood-heated and electric saunas).
- 4 lightly heated changing rooms and a shower are available.
Address: Keilalahdentie 8, 02150 Espoo
Westend Winter Swimming Area
- The winter swimming area has heated changing rooms separated by a partition for men and women. The door code for the dressing rooms can be obtained from Lasse Raivio, phone +358 43 8249708, lasse.raivio@espoo.fi on weekdays between 8 am and 3 pm.
- The winter swimming area does not have a sauna, showers, or toilets.
- The long pier of the winter swimming area has a windbreak, inside which there are heating steps and a heating plate. A pump is installed in the opening, which creates a flow on the surface and keeps the opening open.
- Located by the Espoo Waterfront Walkway.
Adress: Westendintie 4,02160 Espoo
Contact: +358 43 824 9708
Haukilahti Winter Swimming Area
- Free to use for all.
- The winter swimming club is responsible for the changing rooms.
- Heated changing rooms for men and women.
- No showers.
- No sauna.
- Located by the Espoo Waterfront Walkway.
Adress: Mellstenintie 6,02170 Espoo
Contact: heini.heideman@gmail.com
Photo: Joni Viitanen
Matinkylä Winter Swimming Area
- The platform has a windshield, inside which there are thermal stairs and a thermal plate. A pump is installed in the opening, which creates a flow on the surface and keeps the opening open.
- The winter swimming area has heated changing rooms separated by a partition for men and women. Both changing rooms have their own entrances.
- The winter swimming club Matinkylä winter swimmers are responsible for the use of the changing rooms at the winter swimming area. The key to the locker room is for a fee and can be requested from the contact person of the winter swimming club: Ritva Hansen, +358 400 668 458.
- There are no showers in the winter swimming area, but you can find a private sauna container on the beach of Matinkylä, which can be booked for sauna sessions on the Löylykontti website.
- Winter swimmers can use the parking areas of Matinkylä swimming beach.
- Located by the Espoo Waterfront Walkway and seaside Café Nokkalan Majakka.
Address: Koukkuniementie 1,02230 Espoo
Contact: +358 400 668 458
Hanikka Winter Swimming Area
- The swimming area is warmed.
- Free of charge changing area with curtains separating the women's and men's areas (both have their own entry).
- No showers.
- No sauna.
- Ask for the free door code on weekdays between 8:00-15:00 from lasse.raivio@espoo.fi.
- Located by the Espoo Waterfront Walkway.
Address: Suvisaarentie 9,02380 Espoo
Contact: +358 43 8249708
Photo: Joonas Vinnari
Espoonlahti (Klobben) Winter Swimming Area
- Heated changing rooms.
- Bathing hut near the ice swimming hole with heated steps and heated carpet.
- No showers.
- No sauna.
- For the door code, ask sihteeri@pulahdus.fi.
- Located by the Espoo Waterfront Walkway.
Address: Soukanlahdentie 15,02360 Espoo
Contact: +358 43 824 9708
Laurilahti Winter Swimming Area
- The winter swimming spot is located at Laurinlahti Beach and Espoo Waterfront Walkway.
- The swimming area has heated, free changing rooms, which are divided by a curtain into men's and women's areas. Both changing rooms have their own entrances. The door code for the costume booth can be obtained on weekdays between 8 am and 3 pm from Lasse Raivio at +358 43 8249708, lasse.raivio@espoo.fi.
- The winter swimming area has no sauna or showers. The platform has a windshield, inside which there are thermal stairs and a thermal plate. A pump is installed in the opening, which creates a flow on the surface and keeps the opening open.
Address: Espoonlahdenranta 17,02320 Espoo
Contact: +358 50 320 9681
Kivenlahti Winter Swimming Area
- The pier has a windshield, inside which there are thermal steps and a thermal plate. A pump is installed in the opening, which creates a flow on the surface and keeps the opening open.
- The swimming area has heated changing rooms, which are divided into men's and women's areas by a curtain. Both changing rooms have their own entrances. The door code for the costume booth can be obtained from the Espoonlahti Winter Swimming Club Pulahdus: sihteeri@pulahdus.fi.
- There are no showers in the winter swimming area, but you can find a paid sauna container on the Kivenlahti beach, where you can book a sauna session via the Löylykontti website.
- Located by the Espoo Waterfront Walkway.
Address; Merivalkama 11,02320 Espoo
Contact: +358 43 824 9708; sihteeri@pulahdus.fi
Location: Löylykontti Kivenlahti
Photo: Kathrin Deter
Photo: Kathrin Deter
Kallvik Winter Swimming Area
- The platform has a windshield, inside which there are thermal stairs and a thermal plate. A pump is installed in the opening, which creates a flow on the surface and keeps the opening open.
- The heated changing room is divided by a curtain into a male and a female side.
- Entrance/exit via the door on your own site.
- No showers.
- No sauna.
- The locker room key is subject to a fee and can be requested from the Winter Swimming Club contact person: matsi21@gmail.com.
Address: Makasiinitie 25,02780 Espoo
Contact: matsi21@gmail.com
Oittaa Winter Swimming Area
- Oitta's winter swimming spot is located in a beautiful and peaceful location on the shore of Lake Bodom. After a dip, you can enjoy the relaxation of Oitta's sauna, and the outdoor recreation center also has a cafe-restaurant built in a stone barn.
- The pier of the winter swimming spot is equipped with thermal stairs and a heating plate. A pump is installed in the opening, which creates a flow on the surface and keeps the opening open. The long, U-shaped jetty of the swimming beach makes it possible to swim a little longer, even in winter.
- Oittaa winter swimming area has changing rooms and saunas for a fee.
- Oitta's outdoor recreation center has saunas and changing rooms for men and women that can be used for a separate fee. Access to the changing rooms and sauna facilities can be purchased at the Oittaa Outdoor Recreation Centre's Cafe-Restaurant cash desk.
- The winter swimming club Oittaa Uppo-Nallet operates at the winter swimming spot, which is responsible for the use of the swimming booths on the beach.
Address: Kunnarlantie 33-39,02740 Espoo
Contact: +358 50 441 0741
Location: Oittaa Recreational Area
Photo: Joonas Vinnari
Photo: Joonas Vinnari
Pitkäjärvi Winter Swimming Area
- You can find Pitkäjärvi's winter swimming spot at Laaksolahti Beach, located in the north part of Espoo.
- The platform has a windshield, inside which there are thermal stairs and a thermal plate. A pump is installed in the opening, which creates a flow on the surface and keeps the opening open.
- The winter swimming area has heated changing rooms for men and women. The winter swimming club Laaksolahti Winter Swimmers is responsible for the use of the changing rooms at the winter swimming area. The key to the locker room is for a fee and can be requested from the contact person of the winter swimming location: Tommi Laine, phone +358 41 3112553.
- The winter swimming area has no sauna or showers.
Address: Lähdepurontie 1,02720 Espoo
Contact: +358 41 3112553
Photo: Bella Table
