Visit Helsinki: Allas Sea Pool -

In commercial collaboration with Helsinki Partners

One of our absolute favourite things about our first trip to Helsinki was falling in love with the Finnish Sauna at Löyly. Long after our return home the children spoke about the sauna with such excitement and so on our return trip we knew it was something we were desperate to experience again. Although we were fortunate enough to have an amazing sauna in our apartment, the experience of a public sauna is very different and so we headed to the Allas Sea Pool, one of Helsinki’s most recognised landmarks by the sea, and it did not disappoint.

Allas Sea Pool is described as a sea spa and urban oasis for wellbeing and is open all year round so you can experience it from one season to the next. The building itself is perfectly designed to compliment the surrounding landscape with the multi levels creating an impression of the waves crashing against the harbour. Inside you will find a large unisex public sauna, changing facilities and showers, where as outside you will find Nordic design floating sauna for both men and women as well as extra changing facilities and showers.

Obviously the main attraction, and something which adds a unique edge to the sauna, is the sea pools with three separate pools for warm water, sea water and a children’s pool. The warm water pool and the children’s pool are both heated to 27°C which was very much needed during our visit with the temperature below zero outside. The sea pool temperature differs depending on the time of the year and yet during the winter this will be incredibly cold so only the bravest will dare to take a dip. You can imagine our absolute amazement when Eva jumped in straight from the sauna and didn’t even flinch!

Whether you come here to swim, to socialise or to take a moment alone to relax, there is nothing quite as refreshing as immersing yourself into the pool and looking out at the endless sea and feeling the weight of the world lift from your shoulders. In the evening Allas offers moonlight swims where the pool is lined with lanterns and candles are lit to create the most magical experience as the sun sets. I can’t even put into words how special it was to swim with the children under the light of the moon in a city that has completely stolen our hearts.

Upstairs you will find the Allas Restaurants which is just the perfect way to spend an evening after relaxing in the sauna. Allas offers three dining options with the Allas Cafe & Terrace serving from morning until night, the Seagrill restaurant offering the most delicious seafood and meats prepared straight from the grill, and the Allas Sky Bar which boasts the most incredible views to enjoy as you eat. We were booked in at the Seagrill restaurant and after working up our appetite with all of that swimming, we couldn’t wait to see what was on the menu.

Seagrill is designed as a beach house & sea food restaurant and the industrial style decor compliments this perfectly. Despite dining with three young children, the restaurant has such a laid back atmosphere and nothing was too much trouble as our waiter came over, recommended some cocktails for Gaz and I, and pointed out his favourite dishes on the menu. Although there is no specific children’s menu they can offer smaller portions of any main dish as well as variations to your request which was great to hear with one very fussy child!

Gaz went for his go to dish – a cheese burger with chips – and said it was cooked to perfection. When you love burgers as much as Gaz does the bar is already set so high and so it’s high praise when he gives it full marks all round. Megan also had a burger which she wolfed down in no time – all of that sea air makes you so hungry!

Eva, Harry and myself all went for the steak which was just incredible! The combination of flavours with the carrots and the jus was amazing and as has been the case in every restaurant we have dined in during our stays in Helsinki, the quality of every single ingredient was fantastic. We often joke that our visits to Helsinki have ruined every dining experience going forward as no matter where we have travelled in the world, nothing has ever come close to the continuous high standards here in the city.

Despite being so full after our mains we couldn’t resist the dessert menu and together we shared banana pancakes with blueberry sorbet and a chocolate pistachio tarte. The desserts were every bit as delicious as you can imagine and again, as is with the case throughout the restaurant scene in Helsinki, the presentation is immaculate. I will never get over their use of garnishing dishes with flowers as they do, it completely epitomises the saying “it looks too good to eat!”.

After our meal we headed up to the Allas Sky Bar which was closed during our visit but the manager was keen for us to take in the views and have the full experience. I loved the thought of the Sky Bar in the Summer and drinking a cocktail listening to music whilst looking out to sea as the sunsets. I imagine the atmosphere is incredible and should our next visit coincide with the Summer months, we will be heading straight there.

From the Sky Bar you get the best view of the Sky Wheel where it stands at 40 metres tall just a stones throw away. The kids loved spotting the SkySauna – the worlds first sauna on a Ferris wheel which opened to the public in 2014. We all decided that this was another experience to add to our bucket list for our return visit!

If you’re visiting Helsinki and looking to experience a public sauna then the Allas Sea Pools is such a great place to start. Not only do you get that full sauna experience but it’s the very best spot to take in the views of the heart of Helsinki and enjoy the most incredible meal afterwards. We absolutely loved it and it’s another memory we will never forget.