The Beaches of Helsinki: Rastila

Rastila beach is located in eastern Helsinki, near Vuosaari. The metro brings you close, the beach is great, there's grass, and there's a campsite next to it. No wonder the beach is popular on a sunny summer day.

The beach deepens gradually, which is great for traveling with children.

There is also a pier, and you can jump off the end of it. I didn't jump myself, but while I was taking pictures, the lifeguard took a jump. Either the water is deep enough, or the lifeguard's training was insufficient.

There are alternative beaches available. Directly across the bay is Puotila beach, which is also great.

I started thinking if these two are the closest beaches to each other in the entire metropolitan area. Toppelund and Mellsten in Espoo's Haukilahti come close. However, the distance between them is about half a kilometer, with a bonus of a nice beach trail and swimming spots along the way.