Spas in Helsinki - Which One Is the Best?
- By Niko Suominen
The term spa has many meanings in the Finnish language. Quite often, a place called a spa has pools for relaxing and different kinds of saunas. Treatments are available, but they don’t play the leading role. When a Finn tells you they are going to a spa, it usually means only relaxing in saunas and pools. The treatments are expensive, so Finns naturally prefer saunas over other therapies.
In Helsinki, a few day spas focus more on giving treatments. Usually, they are smaller and do not have pools, but they offer massages, beauty treatments, and sometimes saunas. Such services are provided especially by Finnish spa hotels targeting travellers.
Saunas play a significant role in Finnish spa culture. Finnish spas have Finnish saunas, but quite often, a steam sauna is also present to accommodate non-Finnish customers who prefer milder temperatures and a more humid atmosphere.
Spas in Helsinki with Swimming Pools
The Helsinki area has four cities: Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, and Kauniainen. The public transport network is good, and travelling between the cities is fast.
Flamingo Spa
Flamingo Spa is the easiest choice for a family. It has a waterpark for children and a closed spa area for adults. The adults’ area has many saunas, warm pools, and a restaurant where customers can buy alcoholic drinks and snacks. Treatments can be purchased separately for an extra charge.
Guests may dine in the mall’s restaurants or inside the spa. There is a small restaurant in the adult area of the spa, another on the waterpark side, and a fast-food restaurant called Hesburger. You do not need your wallet but pay when leaving the spa.
Flamingo Spa is a place for the whole family. Children cannot enter the adult area but can enjoy themselves in the waterpark. Adults are free to stay on any side. There are lifeguards on duty on the waterpark side.
Flamingo Spa is located in the basement of the Flamingo Hotel, just next to the Helsinki Airport, making it an excellent choice for a stopover guest.
The atmosphere in the adult area is peaceful.
- Price: 25 to 39 euros + treatments
- Location: In Vantaa, a few minutes from Helsinki Airport
We recommend Flamingo Spa for stopover guests, families and couples who love saunas and warm pools.
Allas Sea Pool
Allas Sea Pool is perhaps the best summer destination and an exotic winter destination. It has a heated (+26 degrees) open-air pool, a heated pool for children, and a non-heated seawater pool. All the pools are open all year round.
There are separate saunas for men and women and a unisex sauna. Allas has a restaurant serving food and alcohol. Treatments like massage are not available. Swimwear is accepted in Alla’s saunas.
- Price: 15 euros
- Location: In Helsinki Centre
We recommend Allas Sea Pool on sunny days. This open-air spa also offers a unique experience for evening swims in winter.
Helsinki Spas without Pools
Balance Wellness Spa
Balance Wellness Spa is a spa located in downtown Helsinki. It is easily reached by tram from the central railway station. According to Balance Wellness Spa, the place has a luxurious touch with friendly service. Customers can choose between relaxation and therapeutic massage. Treatments can also be tailored to match customers’ wishes.
Balance Wellness Spa is for people looking to relax and receive treatments in a hectic life. It does not have a sauna or pool.
- Price: depends on treatments
- Location: Helsinki Centre (Bulevardi 32)
We recommend Balance Wellness Spa for people who wish to receive treatments in a nicely decorated environment.
Kämp Spa Hotel
Kämp Spa is located in Kämp Hotel, one of the best 5-star hotels in Helsinki. This day spa is a natural choice for staying in the same hotel. No pools are available, but the spa has a Finnish and steam sauna.
Kämp Spa is a modern, fresh day spa in Helsinki. It is an excellent choice for treatments or for relaxing in the city’s centre.
- Price: depends on treatments
- Location: Helsinki Centre
Helsinki Day Spa
Helsinki Day Spa is similar to Kämp Spa, focusing on spa treatments. This spa does not have a pool or a sauna. It shares the premises with Klaus K Hotel.
Helsinki Day Spa serves snacks like bananas and peanuts in the lounge, which can be accessed before and after treatments. The spa is meant mainly for relaxing and receiving treatments. It is a stylish place to unwind, just in the middle of Helsinki.
- Price: depends on treatments
- Location: In Helsinki Centre
Siluetti Spa
Siluetti is a spa and hospital that offers aesthetic consultation and surgery. However, you can book a visit there only to use its spa services.
- Price: Depends on treatments
- Location: In Helsinki Centre
We recommend Siluetti Spa for people who wish to have an aesthetic consultation.
Beauty Salons and Massage Parlors
It is easy to find beauty salons and massage parlours in Helsinki. If you do not wish to try a sauna but want to have a treatment, one of these salons can be a good choice. Some Thai massage parlours may offer massages with unwanted extra services.
If you don’t want to try the Finnish sauna (which is sad), we recommend heading to a regular beauty salon or massage parlour.
Saunas in Helsinki
Instead of visiting a spa, why not try a public sauna? Even though there are about 2 million home saunas in Finland, public saunas have become popular again—people like gathering together and having a sauna. In Finland, a sauna is where shy Finns discuss with strangers.
Saunas in Swimming Halls
Public saunas do not need to be fancy. With a small budget, you can visit any public swimming hall or outdoor pool with at least one sauna, usually many more. A single ticket to a swimming hall is about 5 euros. If your budget is higher, new public saunas with restaurants exist, but older traditional public saunas are also available. New ones are more pricey, so visiting an older sauna may be a good choice. They are also more authentic.
Questions and Answers
Which is the Best Spa in Helsinki?
There is no single answer, but we can give you tips on finding your favourite spa. Luckily, there are many spas in Helsinki, so you can choose the one that best suits your style.
Flamingo Spa is the best place to try different saunas and relax in warm pools. The spa has everything you need, and the quality is good. This spa is also family-friendly and offers a place for adults and children. Unfortunately, the quality comes with the price.
We advise you to head to Helsinki Day Spa if you prefer treatments.
Instead of heading to Helsinki Day Spa for treatments, you may only wish to try a sauna. If budget is the primary concern, try visiting a public sauna with an affordable single-entry ticket (5€ —6€) in any public swimming pool in the Helsinki region. The sauna is a famous Finnish relaxing way, so don’t miss it.