Be careful walking around Suomenlinna, 12. In the center of Suomenlinna there is also a port for guests, reserved for those who arrive and depart with their own boats. Its too little time really to see everything but it can be done if youre really stuck for time. I have created lots of travel resources and guides to help you out with your travels in Helsinki! You may just sit back and enjoy a glass of complimentary champagne and other drinks while you experience it all at once. Its a beautiful historic fortress and we want to keep it that way for years to come. Just remember the ferry schedule as they run four times an hour. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Migratory birds find this area to be an attractive spot especially in summer. Suomenlinna fortress was built by the Swedes during the time that they ruled over Finland. HSL Public Transportation 5-Day Pass is included in this tour as a welcome gift! Discover this 18th-century sea fortress and learn about several historic events that has shaped the fortress over the years with a guided walking tour. Quickly access bookings. Discover Helsinki as you take in the historic landmarks dotted around the city and observe the modern art pieces at the Kiasma contemporary art museum. The public ferries do pack out in summer, so to avoid big queues I would aim to get here early morning to start your day. Search experiences that may have limited interaction with crowds. It is located in Helsinki, Finland. This authentic experience is one one a kind forming memories you will remember long after. Youll then take a ferry to the UNESCO-listed Suomenlinna Island, where youll see its main attractions including Great Courtyard.. Book a sightseeing cruise through the beautiful Espoo archipelago. A visit to Helsinki wouldn't be complete without seeing Suomenlinna, Helsinki's iconic sea fortress that stretches over several separate islands. What's the best way to experience Suomenlinna Fortress? Buy a 24-, 48- or 72-hour card and simply show your card to enjoy free public transport around the city (and in the whole metropolitan area with Helsinki Card Region), plus complimentary admission to many of top Helsinki museums and attractions, including Suomenlinna Sea Fortress or Amos Rex. Suomenlinna C 40, 00190 Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki City Museum Or Helsingin Kaupunginmuseo. Attracting over one million visitors a year, Linnanmki is Finland's most popular amusement park. Please check the opening hours and exceptions at: Suomenlinna Museum, Adults 8 , students and pensioners 5 , children 7-17 years 4 , Free entry with: Museum Card, Helsinki Card, Ehrensvrd Seura Ry
Click here to see a whole list of cafs and restaurants. It doesnt stop at any other part of the island. A must-see in near Helsinki ! Get the most out of your time in Helsinki by combining a city sightseeing tour with a ferry ride and a walking tour of Suomenlinna Island. After a harbor pickup, a guide will show you many of Helsinkis top sights including Esplanade Park, and Market Square. So, go careful, and when in doubt only stick to the recommended routes. They have some really quaint souvenirs in their gift shop here with vintage Suomenlinna postcards, collectible magnets, pens, and some Finnish souvenirs too. Learn about the underground Temppeliaukio Church and other landmarks from an audio guide, and perhaps hop off to visit the bustling food stalls of Market Square. You will book a time with a guide that soon will become your new friend in a foreign city. On the third day, you will have a daytour to Tallinn by ferry! Along the way you will come across old barracks, officers' quarters and the various garrisons, now museums, restaurants, shops and homes. It then became a Finnish Artillery with military units based thereandcontinued as an army base until around 1970 when it became under civilian administration. Over the years, Childrens Day Foundation has donated over 120 million euros to this important cause. But, I loved seeing it without all the tourists, summer can see thousands of people a day on one tiny island. I'm a UK based solo female travel blogger. We have been able to provide in 99% of times, the solutions that users were looking for when consulting our page. Suomenlinna's is one fortress built on a path that exceeds two kilometers. Pipers caf looks like something out of a fairytale! But, the only difference is that this particular island is one of Helsinkis most historic attractions. Suomenlinna is on a lovely set of islands just off the coast of Helsinki. Although this wont affect your visit in any way, its important to be mindful of residents living on the island. This ferry is run by HSL (Helsinki Regional Traffic) and so if you have a Helsinki transport cardor have purchased a Helsinki Card that allows you to use public transport and enter attractions too, you can board the ferry for free. Get to know Helsinki on this city sightseeing tour. Love this? The best ways to experience Suomenlinna Fortress are: Helsinki Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko) Tours & Tickets, Helsinki Music Centre (Musiikkitalo) Tours & Tickets, Helsinki Zoo(Korkeasaari) Tours & Tickets, Helsinki City Hall (Kaupungintalo) Tours & Tickets, Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Kirkko) Tours & Tickets, National Museum of Finland (Suomen Kansallismuseo) Tours & Tickets, See more Virtual Experiences around the globe, Helsinki and Suomenlinna Sightseeing Tour, Money Saver: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Sightseeing Boat Tour, Sightseeing Boat Tour in Archipelago of Helsinki, Private Helsinki tour with ParisRio Local Guide, Shore Excursion- City sightseeing and Suomenlinna from Helsinki Harbors, Helsinki in Nutshell: Suomenlinna & City Highlights by Eco-Friendly Ways, Eco-Friendly 2-Day Helsinki and Porvoo Guided Tour, 5-Day Cultural Capital Tour in Helsinki, Porvoo, and Tallinn, Helsinki Highlights & Suomenlinna Walking Tour, City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, Classic style boating & Island experience with BBQ, Helsinki Private city tour and the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Private Helicopter Sightseeing Tour in Helsinki, Private Taste of Helsinki and Suomenlinna, 4-Day Helsinki + Porvoo Comfort Combo Tour, Half-Day Helsinki and Suomenlinna Walking and Ferry Guided Tour, 4-Day Baltic Capital Tour in Helsinki and Tallinn. I think it would be so cool to stay on the island for a few days. The permanent exhibition of the Suomenlinna Museum unveils the history of the fortress from the 18th century to the present day, through the Swedish, Russian and Finnish eras. On the third day, the guide take you to the medieval Porvoo by inter-city bus. I had barely any phone signal on Suomenlinna but the visitor centre has WiFi in their caf if you need to stay connected. Camping is strictly prohibited on Suomenlinna, so dont try it! The operator whose product is featured here may pay Viator more. Its also really well signposted, so you have no fear of getting lost along the way! Travel by tram, foot, and ferry as your guide takes you around the citys landmarks, sharing information about Finlands history and culture. The ferries run all times of day around four times an hour and you can check their timetables here. See sights including Suomenlinna Fortress, ice breakers, Submarine Vesikko, the Silo 648 light installation, and clothing-optional community sauna Sompasauna. Fancy a good night's sleep after a tiring day? Your tour ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours after first use. Get an overview of the Finnish capital's most important landmarks, then visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sea Fortress. You will have a guided tour as well as some free time in this lovely Old Town during the day. Free WiFi is available on-board for your comfort. Then there are cannons, walls, an Orthodox church and even one of the submarines which patrolled the Baltic last century, which can be visited in the summer. If you have a Museum Card, its valid here. People from all over Finland and the world make a day trip here, so I would recommend getting here early in the summer. No worries, we will answer in your language instantly by message. It melted in the mouth! To help you explore Suomenlinna island easily, theres a blue tourist route you can follow that lets you pass along the main sights of the island. Explore Helsinki at your own pace and save money as you sightsee with the great-value Helsinki Card or Helsinki Card Region. Whats even better is its completely FREE to visit. Find tickets & tours worldwide. Wear walking shoes as you will have to walk around the island a lot. Although the Suomenlinna fortress is a UNESCO world heritage site, as its a protected area there havent been many changes made to the fortress walls or the cobbled streets. Enjoy this experience with a private local, discover everyday life of a local and learn where the city gets its characteristic ambience from. Stopping at 18 locations around the capital, the bus tour allows you to sightsee at your own pace, hopping on and off whenever you like. It was renamed Suomenlinna or the Castle of Finland as it was handed back to where she rightfully belonged. Save time, avoid the crowds and experience even more than on any other tour leaving you the time to explore the city more. You will arrive and check-in at a 3-star hotel in the very centre of Helsinki city on your own. On the third day, you will have a guided tour to the medieval Porvoo by inter-city bus. The WeeGee Exhibition Centre is a former printing house in Espoo, Finland, that now houses four museums on its premises. Admire Helsinki and her islands from the water on a relaxing 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise. Bring comfortable shoes as the island is filled with cobbled streets and embankments youll need them. The first Visitor Center point is located in the middle of the journey and therefore, it is good to have collected all the information on the site, and a possible map to orient yourself, before embarking to reach the archipelago. The wide-screen presentation, Suomenlinna Experience, brings the past of the fortress to life in 25 minutes. Be sure to explore the island thoroughly during your visit. Fast forward a century later and Finland was then occupied by Russia and formed part of the Grand Duchy of Finland. Stay toasty warm whatever the weather with whole-body suits, jackets, lifejackets, and even goggles, as your captain opens up the throttle on the water. There is also a dry dock for the ships which is worth a look. Its also really important to respect the rules and regulations on Suomenlinna. It sails by only inches next to you through the strait. The boat passes by the many residential areas and offers a nice way to see different districts of Helsinki by the sea. A guided tour while walking through the cobbled streets in Helsinki Senate square, visit the Helsinki Market Square, the Helsinki Cathedral the symbol of the city of Helsinki. Audio Video Visit to Suomenlinna, Helsinki: How to get there, prices and advice, Christmas 2021 in Rovaniemi: Offers, program and tips, Getting around in Helsinki: info, costs and advice, What to see in Helsinki and surroundings in 7 days, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, Historical notes, curiosities and practical info: what to know in brief, every day from 10:00 to 18:00 during the summer season (2 May - 30 September). That means sticking to the safe routes, using the public transport to get here, not dropping rubbish on the island, respecting residents, not throwing parties without permission, and visiting local businesses to support them! Well, Suomenlinna Island has a long and important history for the Finns. It did start to snow however and as its an open island the wind that came with it was FREEZING. In 1991, it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most popular attractions in Finland! Get in touch with the Nordic wildlife in Nuuksio Reindeer Park and explore Helsinki on a guided sightseeing tour. These arent tourist attractions but their way of life. Click here to book! But, its good to note that some of these are closed off in winter. The wide-screen presentation is screened at the Suomenlinna Museum auditorium every 30 minutes during the museum's opening hours. This was on my international UK SIM but If you have a Finnish SIM card on a local carrier this may be different. Also, I would maybe pack a picnic or try to reserve a table where possible in their restaurants. See the best sights of Helsinki and hop on and hop off as you please at any of the 22 stops on the itinerary. Obviously, its within limits, you wouldnt see someone swimming in your back garden or anything! On the second day, you will have a guided walking tour in the Helsinki Design District in the morning, and visit Suomenlinna, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, by round-trip ferry in the afternoon. So, take your time to have a look around. Even by 12pm, I saw barely any other tourists walking around. Spread over six islands in the Helsinki archipelago, Suomenlinna Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular destination for picnicking and leisure activities. There is a Suomenlinna Hostel on the island, 13. But, it does mean you have free passage to roam in public places in Finland. 800 lucky residents really do get to call Suomenlinna home. This little slice of heaven is an island that transports you back in time a few hundred years. Youll find traditional Scandinavian wooden houses on the lake, big canons on the artillery banks, and a church that used to be Russian Orthodox and is now a lighthouse. I loved exploring Suomenlinna as it seems that in a mere one kilometre from the main ferry dock to Kings gate I strolled by so much history! Please select a date to get detailed pricing information. I loved getting this ferry. On the last day, you will have some own free time to explore Helsinki city a bit more before the departure. Youll learn all about the city through the multilingual audio guide, too. There is also a dry dock with historic boats, the Kings gate, ancient tunnels to walk through, and a grand courtyard with an 18th-century manor house. It was informative but rather boring. This post may contain affiliate links. Save your favorites. the entrance to the fortress is free while the various museums located inside are subject to charges. Very particular are the buildings used as a deposit for the equipment of the guards, similar to hills with an entrance door. Hop aboard a comfortable sightseeing boat, settle on deck or inside the cozy cabin, and absorb the key sights of Helsinkis shorelines and surrounding archipelagos of beautiful islands. You will have a guided tour with some own free time in this old town. These include EMMA Espoo Museum of Modern Art, KAMU Espoo City Museum, Finnish Toy Museum Hevosenkenk, and the Finnish Museum of Horology. HSL Public Transportation 4-Day Pass is included in this tour as a welcome gift! If you have any questions about any attractions. Enjoy a RIB speed boat cruise through the Helsinki archipelago and stop at an island for lunch in this tour that will have your adrenaline pumping. You have the chance to fire up the barbecue with wood and when the dancing flames turn to embers you are ready to grill some tasty food! This is the tour in Helsinki you don't want to miss! People also prefer to start their day with Suomenlinna. On the first day, you will visit the most highlight spots in Helsinki with a guided tour by tram. Book a 50-minute sightseeing cruise in Porvoo with interesting commentary about the city and the history of Finland. Starting from here, your guide will pick you up from the hotel lobby to start the 4-day tour in Helsinki & Tallinn! Suomenlinna actually comprises of six islands and each of them has something different to discover! Today, Its a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the more popular attractions in Finland! The really cool part about the park? Its important to have a sustainable visit to Suomenlinna fortress, Final tips for a visit to Suomenlinna fortress, You can see more about vehicle transport here, Prepare for all weathers as Suomenlinna is an island, although it may feel warm on the mainland the breezes here can make you chilly. You will arrive and check-in at a 3-star hotel in the very centre of Helsinki city on your own. The Sea Fortress which was initially known as Sveaborg spans over the islands and a brilliant system of fortification made these islands an excellent strategic location in the olden days. If you have extra time, there are lots of museums to explore as well along with a route that takes you around the whole island along the fortress walls and cobbled streets. Although the ferry does have room for two cars at a time. Tickets are 8 Euros and have a small introductory film with interactive displays. On the first day, you will visit the most highlight spots in Helsinki with a guided tour by tram. You will have a guided tour by car to the highlights in Helsinki, including the Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, Rock Church, Old Market Hall, etc and more! We have Combined our city tour of Helsinki with a ferry journey to Suomenlinna Island on this half-day excursion. There are picnic areas for this, just remember to clean up after to protect the site. I arrived at 9 am and it was deserted! The wide-screen presentation tells about the construction of the sea fortress, the people who made it all happen and the centuries in the service of three different states. In fact, it made me jump as it was approaching when I was near Kings Gate. You can only reach Suomenlinna fortress overseas, The public Suomenlinna Ferry from HSL (Katajanokka). The museum is open all year round. These are only valid for the Suomenlinna ferry and cannot be used for any other ferries or transport that day. These can be read in Finnish and English are straightforward to use! But cang blame my guide as history can get dull and boring. Our guides are flexible to show you things you are actually interested and not only the main sights. Do not miss to take the ferry and visit this wonderful place. Take the hassle out of a day trip across Finland by car with this small group guided tour to Turku. Check the questions of our users and the answers of our experts. Listen to guided commentary while exploring the highlights of Helsinki such as Esplanade Park and The Senate Square. Another peculiarity of Suomenlinna is given by the sunsets, so spectacular both in winter and in summer, that the later they occur, the greater the number of ferries in circulation. No stress, no waiting, just one click and its done. Some of the artillery banks and walkways are quite steep, rocky, and can be slippy, especially with ice! You're free to request certain stops according to your interests or let the guide offer you a plan of your tour. These islands are accessible by ferry and a refreshing getaway from the city. Audio guide can be listened online (or) offline. They also run separate services to Villisaari and Vasikkasaari too. it must be sopeaceful! We offer a private tour and every guide adds a different twist to it. Its special architectural character makes it a draw for sightseers and Christian pilgrims visiting the Finnish capital. I love writing about the weird, wonderful, magical, and historical on my blog. This is a 2-Day Guided Tour package for you if you are staying in Helsinki for a few days. If you didnt fancy buying food on Suomenlinna, you can bring a packed lunch for a picnic to save cash. Check out where to stay in Helsinki and book an accommodation of your choice. This is open from May September and you can moor overnight there too. It allows you to go as per your own convenience of time, pace and location; skip the content that doesn't interest you, and listen longer to content that does interest you. On the last day, you will have some own free time to explore Helsinki city a bit more before the departure. Pickup and drop-off at any Helsinki location included. Cruise through the Helsinki archipelago for lovely city views in addition to a lesson in Finnish history. Sadly, as I was here in April I couldnt go inside. Its one of the most popular attractions in the whole of Finland, 6. Also, when visiting at night its respectful to keep the noise down, people are trying to sleep! So, the Suomenlinna fortress is part of those islands on the Baltic Sea. The water bus by JT-Line is only available from May September and picks you up at the Esplanadi park dock near the market square, dropping you off at the main Suomenlinna dock. As it was a chilly April day, it was nice and heated inside if you fancied staying warm. Rather than being stuck on crowded bus tours, this private tour offers a more personalized experience. There are 800 residents living on Suomenlinna, 7. With thanks to My Helsinki for sponsoring my trip to Finland. In this tour, you will receive a 2-day HSL ticket pass, you can use it to go anywhere in the Helsinki area freely by this pass. Combine a city tour of Helsinki with a ferry journey to Suomenlinna Island on this half-day excursion. Not necessary to download any location tracking apps. Youll save hours researching and planning your itinerary by having everything organized for you. Starting from here, your guide will pick you up from the hotel lobby to start the 4-day tour in Helsinki! Explore Helsinki and the Suomenlinna fortress on a private tour that takes you around the city capital and discover the history of the sea fortress. Here is the list of unmissable attractions: Suomenlinna fortress was built by the Swedes with financial support from the French between 1748 and 1798, to defend Helsinki from Russian occupation. So, lets go! Suomenlinna is one the largest sea fortresses in the world, in the past nicknamed the Gibraltar of the North. Youll visit sites including the Olympic Stadium, Sibelius Park, Uspenskin Cathedral, and the 18th-century Suomenlinna Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to get an essential experience of Helsinki. The captain is from Lapland and he is reminded of the magical nature from his childhood when visiting the island. As one of the most popular attractions in the whole of Finland, you can expect this to be busy. Also thanks to the presence of numerous museums inside, today it is one of the major tourist attractions in Finland, and attracts about 700 visitors a year. Nevertheless, it has been upgraded constantly over the years, and in addition to its many traditional amusement rides, it features modern roller coasters, arcades, thrill rides, activities, restaurants, and games. Highlights of this Self-Guided Audio Tour On the second day, you will have a guided walking tour in the Helsinki Design District in the morning, and visit Suomenlinna, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the afternoon. People normally club together Linnanmaki Amusement Park and Esplanade Park while planning their visit to Suomenlinna. HSL Public Transportation 4-Day Pass is included in this tour as a welcome gift! Click below to read some of my articles for more travel advice; Why do you need to visit a Moomin Caf in Helsinki, Tourist tips for beginners using a Finnish sauna, The best food and drink spots in Helsinki. guidebooking@suomenlinnatours.com. Enjoy free cancellation on thousands of experiences. - Walking tour lets you get to know the city on foot. This experience is showcased by Viator and has met our quality standards. With a choice of 22 bus stops, you can choose to spend time at the places that interest you most, while skipping those that dont. Theres also the photo-worthy Caf Silo which is by the main dock and a few ravintola restaurants like Susisaari. So, dont sweat too much in the off or shoulder seasons about the crowds. Suomenlinna B 40
This will incur a mooring fee, you can check details here. Book this combo tour including a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Helsinki and a sightseeing cruise! But, its such a beautiful place I knew I just had to make my way over there. And again, in summer, inside the open-air theater, some famous theatrical works are staged: the shows are frequent and the tickets are accessible. Since then, the Suomenlinna fortress has served under three states being used as a sea fortress of defense against various enemies of the day.