The aim is to strengthen the recreation potential of the eastern archipelago of Helsinki and implement the management and development plan for the area. Transferring the access rights to Uuvi will facilitate public use of the saunas on the islands in a responsible manner.
Uuvi was granted the right to open the sauna on Western Neitsytsaari for public use already in 2025, and as this cooperation proved successful, the access rights to the sauna will be expanded to include the saunas of Malkasaari and Kotiluoto untill 9 June 2031, in addition to the Western Neitsytsaari sauna.
Western Neitsytsaari, Malkasaari and Kotiluoto are located in the vicinity of Pikku Leikosaari and Kalliosaari, which are part of the Uuvi area network, and the islands form a unified recreational complex.
The saunas can be reserved for an hour at a time for €8 per reservation. The reservation calendar for the Western Neitsytsaari sauna will open by the end of May. The saunas on Malkasaari and Kotiluoto will open later in the summer, once the woodsheds and dry toilets required for sauna operations have been built. Recreational use of the eastern archipelago and use of its saunas will also be boosted by the Eastern Archipelago Route, the water transport connection that was provided last year as well.
“As the maintenance of the islands is transferred to Uuvi, Helsinki Sports Services will be able to allocate its maintenance resources for these islands to the development of other sites. Uuvi’s activities support the Helsinki Maritime Strategy and promote physical activity and outdoor recreation. Additionally, the development of the eastern archipelago will further strengthen the attractiveness of the eastern city districts,” comments Special Planning Officer Minttu Perttula from Helsinki Sports Services.
“The City of Helsinki is an important partner for Uuvi, and we are very happy to get to improve the recreational opportunities of Helsinki residents in the local archipelago and develop these fine island destinations. Our network of island destinations in Helsinki is now quite significant, and we hope that more and more people will discover these great islands,” says Executive Director Tapio Lepikkö from Uuvi.
Helsinki-Uusimaa Outdoors (Uuvi) is a joint municipal operator whose task is to create diverse opportunities for recreation, exercise and leisure activities in nature. Uuvi carries out its duties through a network of more than 40 sites in Uusimaa. The services of Uuvi are intended for everyone interested in outdoor recreation, across municipal boundaries. The aim of Uuvi’s activities is for recreation and leisure activities in nature to provide people with a good feeling, positive experiences and human good.
