Biking, Swimming & Tennis

Biking, Swimming & Tennis

Biking

Helsinki and environs make for excellent biking through a decent network of trails, many traversing the downtown area and running through parks, forests, and fields. The free area sporting map ("Ulkoilukartta") gives details of all trails; pick up a copy at the tourist office.

Daily rentals, including mountain bikes, are available from Green Bike (Mannerheim. 13, 00100, Keskusta, Helsinki. 09/8502-2850). The shop can be difficult to find (it's not marked), but it's right across the street from the Parliament House. The city also has bikes with fluorescent wheels for free—drop a coin in the slot as a deposit, take a ride, and drop it off at any of 26 sites around the city.

Swimming

The best beaches in Helsinki are Pihlajasaari, Mustikkamaa, and Uunisaari. The beach at Hietaniemi is especially popular with young people. Among Helsinki's indoor pools and saunas, the oldest and one of the most famous is Yrjönkatu Uimahalli (Yrjönk. 21B, Keskusta. 09/3108-7400), which allows swimming and taking a sauna in the nude. The hall periodically closes during the summer months.

Tennis

There are some six tennis centers and 31 clubs in Helsinki. It's best to bring your own equipment, although rentals are available. For information and details about playing tennis in Helsinki, contact the Finnish Tennis Association (Myllypuro Tennis Center, Varikkotie 4, 00900, Myllypuro/Itäkeskus, Helsinki. 09/341-7151. www.tennis.fi).