The parks in Helsinki's public areas are for the recreation and enjoyment of all city residents. Please also consider other visitors in the parks.
Barbecuing in parks
You can barbecue in the city's parks by observing the following rules:
- In parks, you are only allowed to barbecue using barbecue grills that are not classified as open fire. One example of such a barbecue grill is a charcoal grill with legs, also known as a kettle grill.
- You must not light a fire in parks or other green spaces. Disposable barbecues may only be used at official, designated fire pits.
- Place the barbecue on a non-flammable, hard surface, such as sand. You must not place a barbecue on the lawn, even if it has legs. The kettle barbecue also radiates heat downwards, and the lawn dries out beneath it.
- Do not put hot rubbish in the bin. The bin will be damaged by the heat, and replacing the internal parts of deep bins, for example, is very expensive.
- Barbecuing is prohibited during a wildfire warning – including the use of kettle barbecues.
For more information on open fires, visit the Rescue Services website(Link leads to external service)
Check the current warnings on the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website(Link leads to external service) - You must not cut branches from trees to use as kindling. Please bring your own kindling.
- Please remember to take your rubbish with you.
- See the locations of barbecue areas and cooking shelters on the service map(Link leads to external service)
Barbecuing is prohibited in Suomenlinna and nature reserves
The making of open fires and barbecuing is prohibited everywhere in Suomenlinna, including in the park areas of the fortress. Barbecuing is also prohibited in the nature reserves of Helsinki. Helsinki nature reserves on a map (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)