Helsinki will count visitors before deciding naturist beach’s future

Helsinki’s naturist beach on Pihlajasaari, Finland’s only official beach of its kind, will stay open at least through next summer while the city counts visitors before deciding its future, Yle reports.

The city had previously said it would close the beach and open the area to the general public next summer. It will now assess how many people use the beach and whether it needs to be developed before making a decision.

“A proper assessment is needed, including how many users there are and how popular the beach is. Since the assessment will be carried out next summer, the matter can be brought for a decision no earlier than the autumn a year from now,” said Helsinki Deputy Mayor Paavo Arhinmäki.

The decision would go to the city’s Sports and Leisure Committee. Arhinmäki said closing the beach would require the committee to overturn its 1990 decision to establish it.

He said any proposal to close the beach would need to be properly prepared, adding that the threshold for giving up Finland’s only official naturist beach was particularly high.

Nudity is also permitted at the swimming area on Seurasaari, but its naturist sections are separated for women and men. Pihlajasaari’s eastern beach is the only naturist beach in Finland shared by people of all genders.

Pihlajasaari is a popular recreational island owned by the city of Helsinki. It also has public beaches, a camping area and public saunas.