Nallikari Beach is much more than a place to dip your toes in the sea. It is Oulu's favourite seaside destination – a long sandy beach, a holiday resort and an outdoor playground all year round. In summer, families, locals and travellers gather here for swimming, paddling and sunsets. In winter, the sea freezes and Nallikari turns into an Arctic landscape of snow and ice.
This guide tells you everything you need to know about Nallikari Beach: how to get there, what services you will find, what to do in summer and winter, and why it's one of the most popular beaches in Finland.
Where is Nallikari Beach?
Nallikari Beach is located on Hietasaari island, about 3.5 kilometres from Oulu city centre. The beach opens directly onto the Gulf of Bothnia and is known for its wide views and beautiful sunsets.
Getting there is easy:
- By bus: Bus 15 runs from Oulu city centre straight to the beach. The last stop is right next to the Nallikari Safaris rental shop.
- By bike: The cycling route from the city centre via Torinranta and Pikisaari takes only about 10–15 minutes.
- By car: There is plenty of free parking near the beach.
What is Nallikari Beach like?
Nallikari has a wide beach of fine, light sand. The water deepens gently, which makes it a great choice for families with small children. The beach is also known for its good water quality – in 2025 the beach was dredged to further improve the swimming water.
The beach faces west, so in the evening the sun sets straight into the sea. Bring a picnic and stay for the sunset behind the Nallikari lighthouse.
Lifeguards are on duty from around mid-June to mid-August. The lifeguard tower is in the middle of the beach.
Services at Nallikari Beach
Nallikari is Oulu's summer hotspot, and you will find everything you need on or right next to the beach:
- Changing cabins, showers and toilets
- Cafés and ice cream kiosks
- Guided activities and equipment rental by Nallikari Safaris
- Accommodation at Nallikari Holiday Village: the seaside Nallikari Aalto hotel, villas, cottages and a campsite
- Bistoria Patio beach restaurant
- Vauhtipuisto, a small amusement park for young children
- Barbecue areas, also accessible by wheelchair
- Beach volleyball courts, football goals and outdoor gym equipment
- A children's playground
Summer activities: paddling, SUP and fatbiking
Nallikari is part of the official paddling routes of the Oulu River Delta. The Mustasalmi channel starts right next to the beach and takes you straight into the calmest and greenest nature in the city.
Mustasalmi is a narrow, roughly one-kilometre-long waterway that crosses Hietasaari island. Along the channel you can find moments where you see only trees and waterbirds – not a single building. The water is shallow and sheltered, making it perfect for your very first paddling trip. The channel leads into the Oulu River Delta, where you can paddle around small islands, past Pikisaari, and see Oulu from a completely new perspective.
At Nallikari Safaris, right on the beach, you can:
- Rent kayaks, canoes and SUP boards
- Join guided kayaking and SUP safaris to the Oulu River Delta
- Rent a fatbike all year round
Nallikari in winter: the frozen sea
Most visitors only know Nallikari as a summer beach – but in winter it becomes something truly special. During the coldest months, the sea in front of Oulu freezes into a vast Arctic landscape where you can walk, ski and ride across the ice.
Winter experiences at Nallikari include:
- Northern Lights Camp on the frozen sea – walk to a heated Arctic camp and look for the aurora by the campfire [LINKKI: Arctic Northern Lights Camp]
- Ice fishing on the sea ice – drill your own hole and warm up by the fire
- Snowshoeing on the frozen sea and in the forests of Hietasaari.
- Tent sauna and ice swimming on the ice
- Rent sliding snowshoes, cross-country skis or a fatbike and explore on your own. More from here!
- In autumn, before the sea freezes, you can join our Aurora Stories by the Sea evenings around a campfire on the shore.
A short history of Nallikari
Nallikari has been a favourite recreation area for the people of Oulu for decades. In 1988, the Nallikari "lighthouse" was built on the beach, and it has since become one of Oulu's best-known landmarks – it has even been seen as a Windows 10 desktop background.
The area has grown from a small local beach into an international travel destination, yet it remains a meeting place for locals.
Nature trails nearby
Forest and seaside trails start right next to the beach and run through the park-like landscape of Hietasaari. About a kilometre away you will find the Hietasaari bird-watching tower. You can also explore Toppilansalmi, Pitkämölly and Pikisaari on foot or by fatbike, and ride along forest trails to the Letto nature reserve.
Where to stay
Nallikari Holiday Village offers villas, cottages and apartments right by the beach, as well as a campsite and caravan pitches. All rooms at the Nallikari Aalto hotel have a sea view, and some have their own sauna and hot tub.
Tips for a perfect day at Nallikari Beach
- Arrive early on sunny summer days – the most popular spots fill up quickly.
- Bring a blanket, sunscreen and a water bottle.
- Rent a SUP board or kayak and paddle to Mustasalmi.
- Grab an ice cream or have dinner at Bistoria Patio.
- Stay for the sunset behind the lighthouse.
- In winter, dress warmly and ask our staff about current ice conditions before heading out on the sea.
Visit Nallikari Safaris on the beach
Our rental shop and Experience Centre is located right in front of Nallikari Beach, on the street level of the Nallikari Aalto hotel building.
Address: Nallikarinranta 10, 90510 Oulu
Whether you are a local, a traveller or visiting Oulu for the first time, Nallikari offers unforgettable moments by the sea – in summer and in winter.