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Physical activities and nature

Physical activity and spending time in nature is good for everyone. 

This website contains free or affordable services and activities organised by the City of Helsinki and organisations in person in Helsinki and online. 

Two people on a cliff in sunny weather.
Image: Jussi Hellsten

Being physically active and spending time in nature supports health, coping and mental well-being. Take a walk or just breathe in some fresh air. Even small activities support your well-being.  

Think about the kind of incidental and everyday physical activity you have in your life now or have had in the past. If you wanted to add physical activity into your life or try something new, what would it be? 

Be active at home or go outside today! 

Explore sports and leisure services

Sports and recreation – City sports services
The website summarises sports facilities, events and hobbies in Helsinki. Discover your way to get active!
Find hobbies
The harrastukset.hel.fi/en website compiles hobbies in the Helsinki region conveniently in one search service.
Outdoor activities, parks and nature destinations
Helsinki’s outdoor recreation areas, parks, nature, islands, boating, fishing, hiking and beaches, all in one place.
Physical activities in organisations | Lähellä.fi
Nonprofit organisations arrange various kinds of physical activities. Explore and participate.

Spend time outdoors and be active in nature

Walking paths on the Service Map
Walking is an excellent way to be physically active. Here, you can find walking paths in Helsinki on the Service Map.
Guided nature tours
Get to know nature tours in Helsinki and the metropolitan area.
Luontoon service | Metsähallitus
You can find information on all outdoor recreation destinations, trails and services throughout Finland on the Luontoon service. 
Outdoor Exercise Map
The Outdoor Exercise Map has current information about outdoor exercise areas and their condition.
Helsinki-Uusimaa Outdoors / UUVI
A summary of the diverse outdoor recreation and hiking areas in Uusimaa.
Gardening in the city
The allotment garden farming and summer lodge areas are recreational areas open to everyone. You are allowed to walk on the routes and other public areas in these places.

Get moving

Swimmers in a pool.
Swimming halls
A disc golf basket in a park.
Disc golf
Fitness stairs in Malminkartano.
Fitness stairs
Two people exercising at an outdoor gym.
Outdoor gyms and outdoor exercise areas
A cyclist on a metro platform.
Bicycling
Playing Mölkky.
Borrowing outdoor games from libraries (in Finnish)
Skates on ice.
Borrowing exercise equipment from libraries (in Finnish)

Participate in guided exercise

Sports courses for adults
Every year, the city organises dozens of exercise courses for working-age people. Registration is for the season.
Sports courses for the elderly
Sports courses for the elderly are meant for people aged 64 and older. Elderly people can also participate in sports courses for adults.
Free recreational exercise for 16–22-year-olds
You can participate in Puhti sports at any time during the season. There is no commitment requirement. The sports are selected on the basis of wishes from the young people.
Group exercise classes for a one-time fee (in Finnish)
No advance registration is needed for city-run group exercise sessions offered for a one-time fee—just drop in and join us
Regional exercise services
Regional exercise services are provided by Helsinki Sports Services to support the well-being of people in certain districts. You need a regional exercise service pass to participate.
Sports groups at service centres
Service centres offer a diverse selection of physical activity and sports. The services are meant for the retired and unemployed.
A person admiring the blooming in the Rhododendron Park while moving on an electric scooter.
Photo: Maija Astikainen

Green Hearts

Green Hearts is the City of Helsinki’s park website, which takes you for a walk in the capital’s charming and varied parks. Embrace nature!

Get to know Helsinki's parks

Let nature refresh you at home

Feel good with forest walk videos (in Finnish)
MIELI Mental Health Finland’s four-season forest walk videos take you on a relaxing forest walk even when you cannot spend time in nature in real life.
Luontosivusto (in Finnish)
Miina Sillanpään Säätiö foundation’s Luontosivusto contains nature experiences, information and activities. Use the service to feel refreshed by yourself, with your loved ones or with a group. 

Counselling and coaching to start being physically active

Liikuntaluuri phone service
Liikuntaluuri provides you with information about being physically active in Helsinki.
Coaching for beginning exercisers | Omaolo.fi
How do you start moving when physical activity is not yet a way of life? By adding movement to your day, even in shorter amounts, you improve your energy levels.
Well-being from nature | HUS (in Finnish)
This programme contains information about the significance of nature for well-being.
Sports and health guidance at service centres
The service is meant for the retired and unemployed who need instruction or counselling to promote functional capacity and well-being or to start physical activity.