Crystal-clear water and fine sandy beach: this is Padva Beach on the Baltic Sea coast in Raseborg
In commercial collaboration with Visit Raseborg
Padva Beach in Raseborg in South-West Finland, is a crystal-clear dream where your toes can sink deep into sun-warmed, fine sand. The long, shallow shoreline and turquoise waters of the Baltic Sea invite you to swim and simply enjoy life. Visitors will find changing cabins, picnic tables, a summer kiosk, and dry toilets. The journey to Padva begins at the corner of Tenhola’s medieval church and winds about 30 kilometers through the scenic coastal landscapes of Bromarv.
- View on map
- Campfire site: No, campfires are prohibited.
- Accessible: No.
- Address: Padvantie 712, Raseborg.
- Arrival by public transport: Not possible.
- Please note: This is a nature conservation area. Pets and camping are not allowed.
Tenhola’s stone church was basking in the bliss of a sunny May Sunday as I met up with my hiking buddy Karoliina and her baby at its corner to begin our trip to the stunning Padva Beach. Karoliina was already familiar with the destination, but for me, it was my first time. I had my snorkeling gear with me and had heard glowing praise about the water’s clarity—needless to say, my excitement was sky-high.
A journey through a postcard
But from Tenhola village, it was still about a half-hour drive to Padva Beach. As we drove and listened to our own sighs of delight, I began to wonder whether this might just be one of the most beautiful roads in all of Finland. Definitely one of the prettiest in Southern Finland, hands down!
The quiet, winding road felt like it ran nearly all of its 30 kilometres through a painting or a postcard. It treated us to countless charming old wooden houses with lovingly maintained gardens in full bloom, sea views on the right, sea views on the left, and occasionally sea views on both sides at once. Oaks shaded the narrow lanes, apple and cherry trees were blossoming, bushes and wildflowers were blooming—and everything looked almost unbelievably beautiful. I had arrived in Tenhola via the historic ironworks village of Fiskars, and I couldn’t help thinking that Raseborg must have been generously blessed with beauty—more so than most places.
Padva Beach all to ourselves
It was a Sunday at the end of May. Clear skies, the temperature a mild 11 degrees Celsius, a light breeze from the sea dancing over the gentle ripples in the shallows. The rough-barked pines along the shore seemed to hum contentedly in the soft embrace of wind and sun. At their base, a small parking area and changing cabins welcomed us like private guests—there was no one else in sight. Through the pines, we could already glimpse the blue I had missed so much over the long Finnish winter—the Baltic Sea, whose waters had begun to warm again after the cold season.
A short path just a few dozen meters long led us from the parking area through the pine forest to the beach. Along the way were the dry toilets, changing cabins, and an area map with general visitor information.
A bright orange lifebuoy stood guard over the beach, while terns and swifts circled above, calling out as they competed for airspace. Yet the gentle murmur of the sea and the soft lapping of the waves seemed to harmonize with their cries, creating a perfect soundscape for an early summer day on the Baltic coast.
We stepped into the open landscape, down to the edge of the blue. Shoes and socks were off in a heartbeat—we freed our feet to enjoy the warm, velvety-soft sand of the shore. The sand felt almost unreal in its warmth compared to the cool breeze. This barefoot stroll on the beach felt like an essential and symbolic ritual to mark the true end of winter and the official beginning of summer. I couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful place for this celebration than Padva Beach.
This was my first time snorkeling in the sea this year, and I slipped into a changing cabin to get ready. The cabin was clean, neat, and sturdy—changing into my swimsuit there felt ceremonious, even luxurious. There were several such cabins along the beach.
Karoliina, who had long since tossed aside her shoes as well, carried her baby in a sling as they waded into the shallow water together. The sea smelled wonderful—salty, fresh, with a hint of bladderwrack. The gentle waves were soothing to walk through. The rippling sand beneath created an endless, living tapestry of light that shimmered in the summer sun, brighter and more mesmerizing than gold.
I waded further out, far enough to swim and snorkel. I’ll be honest—the water was still fresh. But dipping my head below the surface and taking those first breaths underwater felt great, and my breathing was deep and calm.
Below the surface, a school of tiny shrimps scurried across the bottom, darting away from my movements. Here and there, loose bladderwrack drifted in the waves, swaying just as I was. It felt wonderful to melt into the rhythm of the water—floating, letting the sea carry me, gently rocked by the tide, breathing slowly and deeply.
Underwater, the scenery was all turquoise water and golden sand. If it hadn’t been so chilly, I might have thought I was somewhere far away in the south.
Luckily, there’s no need to go far. Raseborg is all you need.
After coming out of the water, I lingered near the shore for a good while longer, unable to take my eyes off the sparkling clarity. When I finally managed to pull myself away from the sea, I changed into warmer clothes in the cabin and wrapped my wet hair in a towel. Then it was time for the second-best part of the outing: snacks.
Padva has a couple of picnic tables and a mixed waste bin. We had packed smart, so we only needed the table—we had already sorted out our trash at home. A large thermos was filled with softly fragrant coffee, and in a smaller one I had packed some soy milk to go with it. We also had cookies and grapes.
And what a view to enjoy them with! I think I ended up drinking three cups of coffee—there was no hurry to leave.
Just beside our picnic table, slightly tucked into the woods, a beach volleyball court lay waiting for players. Behind it, deeper in the pine forest and among the underbrush, a small red kiosk stood quietly, awaiting summer and its reopening. We enjoyed our snacks in peace, and before long, the breeze had dried the last drops of seawater from between our toes. I took one last barefoot walk on the sand—I truly had missed the feel of beach sand between my toes and the sight of sparkling water in the landscape—before finally putting my socks and shoes back on.
The youngest in our group dozed off in her stroller, rocked to sleep by the sea breeze, and I must say the rest of us were starting to feel rather drowsy ourselves after this beach excursion. There’s just something about the sea air—it makes you feel both powerful and invincible, and at the same time deeply relaxed and sleepy. After a day by the sea, sleep never takes long to come.
Nearby destinations worth visiting
Padva Beach itself is simply a beach—there are no marked nature trails or additional attractions on site. However, the surrounding area offers much more to explore. Depending on the direction you’re approaching Tenhola and Padva from, your route may take you near the following destinations:
- Gumnäs route and scenic seaside lookout point in Pojo
- Fiskars Ironworks Village
- Billnäs Ironworks Village
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