This European Island Is Now a 'Phone-Free' Zone for Tourists

The initiative is part of an effort to encourage visitors to connect more authentically with nature.

ulko-tammio hiking trails phone free island finland
Photo by Annika Ruohonen, courtesy of Visit Kotka Hamina
Photo by Annika Ruohonen, courtesy of Visit Kotka Hamina

In a travel-influencer-nightmare turn of events, a European island declared itself to be a phone-free zone this summer.

Forget about posting your National Geographic-worthy pics and Instagram stories, and say goodbye to creating nostalgic vacation TikToks. The island of Ulko-Tammio in Finland, one the nation's 41 national parks, is shaking its head and stopping you right there: the answer is no.

Or better, it is hoping you embrace the warm suggestion. In an effort to encourage visitors to disconnect from their phones and truly enjoy nature, Ulko-Tammio is issuing a voluntary digital detox across the entire island. It goes without saying that the island, which is located in the Eastern Gulf of Finland, is uninhabited by residents, and is only home to gorgeous natural landscapes and rare local fauna.

"The island of Ulko-Tammio, which is located off the coast of Hamina, will be a phone-free area this summer," Mats Selin, an expert in island tourism at Visit Kotka-Hamina, said in an official statement. "We want to urge holidaymakers to switch off their smart devices and to stop and genuinely enjoy the islands."

Do not fret—you won't be left helpless in case of emergency. Since participation in the initiative is voluntary, there is a functioning mobile network across the island. However, the company managing Ulko-Tammio, named Parks & Wildlife Finland, is encouraging visitors to not get tempted, and truly connect with the surrounding nature as well as other visitors for a truly unique and authentic experience.

ulko-tammio island finland phone free hiking trail
Photo by Annika Ruohonen, courtesy of Visit Kotka Hamina
Photo by Annika Ruohonen, courtesy of Visit Kotka Hamina

"Switching off your phone, exploring nature and meeting people face-to-face are bound to boost your mood and well-being," Sari Castrén, psychologist and research manager at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, said in an official statement. "We spend countless hours scrolling our social media feeds, so taking a short break from them means you have more time for new experiences."

The available experiences on Ulko-Tammio are perfect for this sort of digital detox, too. As Euronews notes, the island offers both tents and a cabin that visitors can stay in, while they enjoy well-marked hiking trails and a bird-watching tower. The island is accessible by private boat, sea cruises arranged by MeriSet, or a water taxi from nearby Varissaari can be ordered from the restaurant Vaakku. Transport details can be found here.

The Eastern Gulf is said to be a destination growing in popularity among Finns who are looking to disconnect from life on the busy mainland. Kaunissaari Island is another popular destination that even features an archipelago museum, a shop, a cafe, and sales outlets when smoked fish and crafts can be purchased. Other popular island destinations in the region include Svartholm Sea Fortress and Haapasaari.

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Serena Tara is a Staff Writer on the News team at Thrillist. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.