Helsinki’s best spas – places where you can simply unwind

Tucked away on the ground floor of the luxury Hotel St. George in central Helsinki is one of the city’s most refined wellness havens, St. George Care. While undeniably elegant, it’s refreshingly unpretentious – service is warm, friendly and genuinely human, just as it should be. There’s a warm pool, a refreshing cold plunge, two saunas and a treatment menu ranging from classic massages to holistic facials and body treatments. The atmosphere feels like a modern hammam, blending striking architecture with plenty of Nordic minimalism – and, of course, deeply indulgent spa treatments.

Time Out tip: Make time to linger – St. George Care is at its best when you’re not in a rush.

Lönnrotinkatu 4. Entry with treatments or hotel stay. Age limit 16.

Located right in the heart of the city along Mannerheimintie, within the NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa hotel, Usva Spa by Terhen is a place where it’s incredibly easy to unwind. Rooted in Finnish sauna traditions, the spa offers not only classic facials, body treatments and massages, but also experiences you won’t find everywhere: sauna whisking, herbal baths and DIY treatments. Guided whisking with a sauna therapist is a memorable experience even for Finns, and afterwards you can finish your relaxation in the cold plunge or steam room. Best of all, stretch out on the spa’s heated loungers, either to relax or to catch up with a companion. The space is fairly compact, which helps keep the atmosphere calm, but it’s best to secure entry with a reservation in advance.

Time Out tip: Take advantage of the gym access included in your visit and fit in a workout before heading to the spa. Usva Wellness Club offers excellent facilities for a varied training session.

Mannerheimintie 5. Spa and gym €39. Age limit 16.

Located in central Helsinki, Hilla Helsinki is where the city’s busy pace gives way to the calm of a Finnish forest. The scents, music and interiors are all inspired by nature – even the gua sha combs are made from Finnish birch. The treatments use Unna Nordic products, made just over seven kilometres away in Herttoniemi, with the spa’s staff involved in their development. We tried a back and hot stone massage as well as a hand massage, all delivered with skill and care. The location is easy to find, and the welcome is warm and clear.

Time Out tip: After your treatment, head next door to St. George Bakery for a moment of calm and an excellent selection of pastries.

Yrjönkatu 11. Facials from €89.

Head a little outside central Helsinki and you’ll find rooftop bathing at Valo Hotel & Work in Ruskeasuo. A popular conference hotel and co-working space, its wellness area doubles as a place to catch your breath between meetings or unwind after a working day. The terrace features a cold plunge, a hot tub and two log saunas with views over the city. Indoors, there’s a swimming pool and a steam room. On Friday and Saturday evenings, there’s also a bar serving spa-goers. The log saunas bring a cosy cabin feel, while the cold plunge recalls an icy dip – a very Finnish experience. Up on the rooftop, you’d never guess the busy Mannerheimintie runs just below.

Time Out tip: The terrace and saunas are fairly small, so if you’d rather avoid crowds (like most Finns), visit during weekday daytime hours.

Mannerheimintie 109. €25–35. From 19.30 age limit 16. On Friday evenings and all day Saturday, the wellness area is reserved for hotel guests only; at other times, entry is available with a ticket.

Chi Wellness Spa is an Asian day spa with two locations right in central Helsinki. The menu includes massages, facials and spa treatments, and you can also book a couples’ massage. The massage we tried was fully holistic, working from toes to earlobes, with just the right amount of pressure to ease tight muscles. The highlight? A head massage at the end that melted away the last traces of tension. The softly lit treatment room and calm Asian music create an atmosphere that transports you straight to sunny Asia. The facilities are clean and polished, and after your treatment, water and tea are offered.

Time Out tip: Don’t rush off – stay a while to enjoy a cup of tea and the calm before stepping back into the city buzz.

Bulevardi 32. Massages from €48.

While visitors flock to Allas Pool in search of the ultimate Helsinki sauna experience, locals come for exactly the same reasons: it’s one of the few places where you can enjoy saunas and swimming alongside a central location and beautiful seaside views. There’s a year-round heated pool at 27°C and a seawater pool that matches the temperature of the sea – pleasantly mild in late summer, but bracing at other times of year. In summer, a children’s pool, sun deck and sandy beach with loungers are also open. There are several saunas: the public panorama sauna and corner sauna, as well as floating saunas overlooking Market Square. These include a unisex sauna (swimwear required) and separate men’s and women’s saunas where you can enjoy the experience Finnish-style without swimwear.

Time Out tip: Bring flip-flops. You can walk barefoot around the pool area, but they make moving between saunas and pools much more comfortable.

Katajanokanlaituri 27 A. Entry €19 on weekdays, €24 at weekends.