The Beaches of Helsinki: Hietaranta

Hietaranta beach is practically in central Helsinki. It is the most popular and best-equipped beach in Helsinki. The beach is also known as Hietsu and Hietaniemi beach.

It's debatable whether the longest beach in the metropolitan area is Hietsu or Aurinkolahti in Vuosaari.

These photos are from the end of August. In 2015, July wasn't kind weather-wise, but August was beautiful. The light already has autumn tones, even though the sea was still warm.

A few years ago, a stylish changing room and café building was completed.

There are also beach volleyball courts.

On the south side, there are impressive cliffs with views all the way to Espoo.

Lastly, a backlit photo. I'm not very skilled at this technique, but sometimes it works out. It worked even better a couple of years earlier when I was a few kilometers away, photographing Karhusaari beach in Espoo.

Basic information about Hietaniemi beach:
- Services: changing room, shower, toilet, fitness equipment, basketball court, beach volleyball court, café.
- Address: Hiekkarannantie 11, 00100 Helsinki