- Type
- Island beach
- Environment
- Outdoor
- Age
- 3-12 years
- Price
- Free
- Estimated visit
- 180-360 min
Pihlajasaari is a popular Helsinki summer island reached by ferry from Merisatama and Ruoholahti. Families can combine sandy beach time, rocky shores, the nature trail, snacks, cooking shelters, and a playground into a longer summer outing. The island has services, but the beach has no lifeguard and the ferry timetable sets the rhythm of the visit.
At a glance
- Age fit
- 3-12 years
- Price snapshot
- Free
- Opening season
- 16 May to 30 August 2026
- Duration
- 180-360 min
- Toilets
- Yes
- Accessibility
- Partial
- Stroller-friendly
- Partial
- Parking ease
- Difficult
- Travel estimate with HSL from my location
- Accessibility
- The island has sand roads, beaches, rocks, and ferry access. Prams may work in parts of the island, but the island outing is not fully accessible.
Plan your visit
- Practical notes
- The ferry leaves from Merisatama in front of Cafe Carusell, Merisatamanranta 10, and from Ruoholahti beside Restaurant Faro, Kellosaarenranta 10. Check JT-Line schedules and tickets, plus swimming water and blue-green algae information before a beach day.
- Opening-hours notes
- Pihlajasaari is a summer-season destination. JT-Line runs the ferry from Merisatama and Ruoholahti to Pihlajasaari daily 16.5.–30.8.2026.
- Booking notes
- A normal day visit does not require booking. Ferry tickets can be bought in advance from JT-Line's online shop or, if needed, on board. Saunas and rental spaces are booked separately.
- Price notes
- A day visit to the island is free, but the ferry ticket is paid. JT-Line's return ferry ticket to Pihlajasaari costs EUR 8 for adults and EUR 5 for children aged 7-17 and discount groups. Children under 7 travel free with an adult. Camping, saunas, and other separate services may cost extra.
- Age notes
- Best for families who can manage a summer ferry and beach outing. With young children, the unsupervised beach requires constant adult supervision.
- Seasonal notes
- The best use season is summer, when the ferry, beaches, restaurant services, and island facilities are operating.
- Weather notes
- The island outing is weather-sensitive. Wind, rain, cool weather, blue-green algae, and swimming-water quality can change the plan quickly.