Activites
Whether you enjoy outdoor adventures, cultural experiences or simply relaxing in nature, Heinola offers activities for every season. Explore scenic hiking and cycling routes, spend time on the lake, visit local attractions and events, or discover the town’s unique history and culture. With beautiful natural surroundings and a wide range of leisure opportunities, there is plenty to see and do for visitors of all ages.
Disc Golf Park Kippis
Disc golf has become an increasingly popular sport in Finland, and Heinola has one of the world’s best ranked courses, Kippasuo.
Heinola Bird Sanctuary
The free bird sanctuary houses birds ranging from former pet parrots to injured local swans.
Heinola Museums
The museums of Heinola serve as the community’s collective memory by collecting, preserving, researching and showcasing local cultural heritage. Through their exhibitions, publications and events, the museums bring history to life.
Nature Trails and Geopark
There are dozens of forest and lakeside trails starting from both the town centre and surrounding areas, including Vierumäki. Visit Koskensaari to watch grazing sheep or explore UNESCO Global Geopark sites such as Pirunkirkko in the Salpausselkä Geopark.
Perhepuisto Bongari (Family Park)
Bongari Family Park offers activities and experiences for visitors of all ages. Development of the park began as a community volunteer project in autumn 2020 with the construction of a traffic park. Since then, the area has grown into a versatile recreational destination featuring a pump track, a parkour park and a hobby horse park.
Address: A. F. Airon katu 5, 18100 Heinola.
Public Beaches
Heinola offers several public beaches, ranging from a fully equipped beach in the town centre to smaller swimming spots in different parts of the city.
Located in the heart of Heinola on the banks of the Kymijoki River, Kylpylä Beach (Maaherrankatu 1a) is the city’s main swimming and recreation area. Often described as an oasis in the middle of town, it offers excellent facilities for visitors of all ages.
In addition to Kylpylä Beach, Heinola has several smaller public beaches, including Hevossaari, Jyränkö, Kaivanto, Kotajärvi, Myllyoja, Sinilähde, Uudenriihenlampi and Vihutjärvi.
Saunas
With around three million saunas, Finland is often called the land of sauna, and perhaps that is one of the secrets behind being named the world’s happiest country. Sauna has been an essential part of Finnish life for centuries. Traditionally, it was a place for washing, healing and even giving birth. Today, sauna remains a cherished part of everyday life and Finnish culture. Heinola has a special place in sauna history as the former host of the Sauna World Championships.
Most accommodation options in Heinola feature a sauna. Visitors can also enjoy public saunas and swimming opportunities at Kylpylänranta and Heinäsaari.
Spas
Relax and recharge in Heinola, a spa destination with traditions dating back to 1891. Modern spa facilities, lakeside surroundings and authentic Finnish sauna experiences offer the perfect escape from everyday life. For a memorable taste of Finnish culture, step into a traditional smoke sauna.
Vierumäki Sports
Vierumäki has facilities for sports including canoeing, ice skating, golf, and mountain biking.