Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall Review a unique sauna swimming experience

Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall Helsinki

Yrjönkatu swimming hall is the oldest swimming hall in Helsinki, It opened in 1928 and is popular amongst the locals. It is unique for many tourists as wearing a swimming costume is mandatory ie you can swim in the nude and most people do. There are also saunas available to use at Yrjönkatu swimming hall depending on which ticket you opt for. The upstairs has an infrared, a wood burning and a steam sauna however the downstairs has two electric saunas. Both the upstairs and downstairs tickets have the use of the swimming pool.

Looking for another suana to try in Helsinki? Check out Loyly Sauna here. This is a modern-day suana with an “avanto” which is a plunge pool that’s in the sea.

Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall Opening Times

For Women:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

Times: 6.30 am to 8 pm

For Men:

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Times: 6.30 am to 8 pm

Yrjönkatu swimming hall how to book

You do not need to book in advance however there may be a queue to get in during peak times. I went on a weekday at 2 pm and it was still quite busy however there was a queue outside when I left.

All sessions are for two hours and there is a choice of upstairs or downstairs.

Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall Upstairs

The upstairs is more expensive as you get your own private cubicle, a towel, a bathrobe and a seat liner. In your private room, there is a bed with hooks and a bedside table with a drawer in which you can lock your valuables. The key is in a loop so you can pop it on your wrist or ankle while you use the pool or sauna. There is also a curtain to add a bit of privacy however it was pretty sheer and you can see right through it. Cubicles are numbered so you can easily find them.

I opted for the upstairs as I wanted to get the full experience. There are also many tables and chairs looking down to the swimming pool if you fancy a beverage or something to eat. There is a waiter who attends to you.

The upstairs has an infrared suana, a wood-burning suana and a steam sauna. You also have the use of the downstairs where there is a swimming pool and two electric saunas.

Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall Downstairs

Downstairs you will have use of the swimming pool and two electric saunas. One is a lot hotter than the other but other than that they are exactly the same. The cost of using just the downstairs is €5.80 which is pretty good.

You can wear a swimming costume if you prefer however hardly anyone wore one. Out of everyone in the pool, only one person wore a swimming costume so it is very normal to swim in the nude.

Yrjönkatu indoor swimming pool

As Yrjönkatu swimming hall has alternating days for women and for men allowing people to walk around in the nude and everything at Yrjönkatu swimming hall is indoors. There are many showers located in all the sauna rooms which include soap – another note is that most people will have a shower in the nude too.

The swimming pool was quite an experience as (you guessed it) you can swim in the nude and everybody does. I wondered when would I have a chance to swim in the nude ever again and just went for it (even though I was so self-conscious). You can swim in a swimming costume but weirdly you’d stick out like a sore thumb. When I went only one person was in a swimming costume.

They have different lanes in the swimming pool fast or slow and there is also a lane for aqua jogging. What is aqua jogging you may ask (and I thought the same thing) well you get a buoy that attaches to your waist that helps you float and you simply kick your legs to move. It is very slow however I found it quite enjoyable and rather relaxing so I would defiantly recommend giving it a try.

Suana and Swimming Pool Helsinki

If you are looking for a sauna and swimming pool in Helsinki then Yrjönkatu swimming hall is for you. It is truly an experience on its own and is the oldest swimming hall in Helsinki it definitely lives up to its expectations. If you are on a budget I would suggest going to the lower level for under €6 for two hours you can swim and use two saunas.

I had a relaxing time at Yrjönkatu swimming hall using all the saunas upstairs and even having a well-deserved lie down on my bed. I now fully understand why the Finns love their saunas as it has so many benefits.

Yrjönkatu swimming hall review

If you are looking for a very traditional swimming and suana experience I would recommend Yrjönkatu swimming hall. Seeing as it is very popular with the locals it is truly a unique experience for any tourist to give it a try.

Still not sure if Yrjönkatu swimming hall is for you? Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor here.