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Sea Fortress Suomenlinna
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Sea Fortress Suomenlinna

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Sea Fortress Suomenlinna
4.5
8,244 reviews
#7 of 478 things to do in Helsinki
Military Museums • Historic Sites • Military Bases & Facilities
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00:00 - 23:59
Monday
00:00 - 23:59
Tuesday
00:00 - 23:59
Wednesday
00:00 - 23:59
Thursday
00:00 - 23:59
Friday
00:00 - 23:59
Saturday
00:00 - 23:59
Sunday
00:00 - 23:59
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2-3 hours
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The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1,227 within 5 kms
Cafe Vanille
137
0.1 km€€ - €€€ • Cafe • European • Scandinavian
Restaurant Suomenlinnan Panimo
166
9.9 m€€ - €€€ • European • Scandinavian • Vegetarian Friendly
Viaporin Deli & Cafe
58
32 m€€ - €€€ • Quick Bites • Cafe • European
Cafe Silo
34
58 m€€ - €€€ • Dessert • Cafe • European
Bastion Bistro
105
0.1 km€€ - €€€ • Bar • European • Scandinavian
Cafe Bar Valimo
74
0.3 km€€ - €€€ • Cafe • European • Pub
Linna Bar
6
0.4 km€€ - €€€ • Bar
Restaurant Lonna
149
0.7 km€€ - €€€ • European • Contemporary • Scandinavian
Café Samovarbar
12
0.5 km€€ - €€€ • Quick Bites • Cafe
Adlerfelt
15
0.5 km€€ - €€€ • European • Scandinavian
See all
Attractions
432 within 10 kms
Haa Gallery
20 mArt Galleries
Suomenlinna Church (Suomenlinnan kirkko)
175
0.2 kmReligious Sites
Military Museum's Manege
107
0.4 kmMilitary Museums • Speciality Museums
Suomenlinna Museum
108
0.4 kmSpeciality Museums
Toy Museum Suomenlinna Helsinki
133
0.5 kmSpeciality Museums
Ehrensvärd Museum
14
0.5 kmMilitary Museums • History Museums
Tullimuseo
2
0.5 kmSpeciality Museums
Kaivopuisto
257
1.5 kmParks
Submarine Vesikko
112
0.8 kmMilitary Museums • Speciality Museums
Mannerheim Museum
298
1.7 kmSpeciality Museums • Historic Sites
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
8,244 reviews
Excellent
4,557
Very good
2,858
Average
715
Poor
91
Terrible
23
Dodger52
Wollongong, Australia579 contributions
Fascinating bit of history
Feb 2023
The fortress is located on a island about a 20 minute ferry ride out of Helsinki harbour. The ferries are pretty regular so there is no problem getting there and back. Tickets are purchased from a kiosk at the jetty and both ends. The island is fascinating, allow at least a couple of hours to wander around and see the various fortifications and views. It has about 800 permanent residents staying there. There are several eating places close to the port area. Just be wary it can be very cold if the weather is suspect , so rug up. You should spend a little time in the visitors centre before you move out, they will give you a great overview of the history and what you will see.
Written 8 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Suomenlinna_official
Dear Dodger52, Thank you for your review. Suomenlinna sea fortress consists of eight small islands. To explore the fortress and to see the main historical sights, we recommend following the blue route. You can check this route in our online guide. As you mention, Suomenlinna ferry goes regularly to the fortress and the ferry ride takes only 10-15 minutes. You can catch the ferry from Helsinki Market Square. It is easy to visit Suomenlinna in all seasons as the ferry operates every day of the year. All seasons offer a different experience. We recommend following the blue route to explore the fortress and to see the main historical sights. In winter and autumn, dress warmly in layers and don´t forget good walking shoes. To learn more about the interesting history of the fortress you can visit Suomenlinna Museum and watch a short film on display there, or join a guided walking tour. Thank you for recommending the visitor centre (Suomenlinna Tourist Information). You can find us at Jetty Barracks, the pink building in front of you when you get out of the ferry. We are happy to give you a nice overview and the best tips of the day. Hope to see you soon again in Suomenlinna! Best regards, Annamaria/ Suomenlinna Tourist Information
Written 13 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David_R_Silva
São Paulo, Sp807 contributions
Don't miss it in the summer/fall
Nov 2022
The fortress is a stunning architectural masterpiece with a series of fortifications, tunnels, and walls built to defend Helsinki. Explore the fortress on foot with stunning views of the sea and the city skyline from the top of the walls. By the end of the fall, the shops and restaurants close, so get informed before going in the winter time.
Written 5 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Suomenlinna_official
Dear David_R_Silva, Thank you for giving us a review. The construction of Suomenlinna sea fortress started in 1748 when Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden, so the fortress was built then to protect Sweden against Russia. We recommend following the blue route to get to know the fortress and to see the main historical sights. This route is safe and well maintained throughout the year. You can find the blue route and check opening hours for services in our online guide. Some shops and restaurants stay open all year round. At Suomenlinna Tourist Information (in front of the main ferry quay) we are also happy to give you the best the tips of the day. Welcome again to Suomenlinna! Best regards, Annamaria/ Suomenlinna Tourist Information
Written 13 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AngloItalian78
Aylesbury, UK369 contributions
Definitely worth the ferry trip…
Feb 2023 • Couples
Suomenlinna is an amazing group of linked islands that is definitely worth the visit.

First bit of advice is to wrap up if you go in winter. We went on a midweek morning when it was -12c with wind chill as you’re exposed in the Baltic Sea, so it felt like -20c and was freezing as well as being very slippery in places but this made it all the more special in many ways. The blue skies contrast beautifully to all the white snow & ice.

Your journey starts at the main harbour in Helsinki between the Esplanade & the Sky Wheel, and if you have a day travel card or similar the ferry is included in that which is great, as it’s a really simple 15 minute journey and even in winter the ferries go around every 40 minutes in both directions. The views on the ferry are wonderful, you get to see some incredible views of tiny islands with single dwellings, the full stretch of Helsinki city old and new from West to East and many of the key landmarks like the two main cathedrals.

There is plenty to see and do on these islands which are based around an old military fortress protecting the city of Helsinki. There are cafes and restaurants (although many have limited opening times or only in summer), a pretty church, a visitor centre and shop, plenty of toilet facilities, lots of maps and information in Finnish & English as you walk around and you can basically spend as long as you want here to explore by yourself. I imagine in the summer many locals would come to enjoy picnics etc. There is even a convenience store to buy snacks, drinks etc.

All in all, this is a fascinating place to come for anything from 90 minutes to a whole day depending on how much walking you want to do, what interests you & how much time you have. The views are great in all directions and as I said, the ferry breaking through ice in both directions made it a fascinating journey to & from these lovely islands.

Highly recommended as a must-see in Helsinki!
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vwalters94
Nottinghamshire, UK20 contributions
Lovely views, would recommend the guided tour
Feb 2023
We visited in winter and the views were wonderful with everything covered in snow. Some surfaces were slippy, so take care! It was also freezing, particularly walking around the top to Kings Gate, so make sure to bring lots of layers.

We took the guided tour and it was very informative, but just to be aware it starts at the visitor centre (5-10min walk from the ferry landing) and ended at a different place, near the canons.

Not everything is open during the winter, opening hours can be found on the official website, they also have a good map of the site and what to see which we found useful during our visit. Keep an eye on the ferry times for the return journey.

I am not sure if they are always available, but we had a blueberry donut in the cafe by the visitor centre and it was really delicious.

While waiting for the next ferry back, we went into one of the cafes and sampled some of the beer made in the island’s brewery (the brewery itself was closed during our visit).
Written 26 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Suomenlinna_official
Thank you for visiting Suomenlinna and giving us a review! The weather conditions in the archipelago can be quite harsh, especially on a windy day. It is a very good tip to wear warm clothing when visiting Suomenlinna in winter. Surfaces may be slippery in winter as you mention. We recommend following the Blue route which is maintained all year round. It’s also the best route to follow to see all the key sights of the fortress. In winter the ferry runs every 40-60 minutes. While waiting for the ferry, it’s a great idea to have a taste of the beer made in Suomenlinna. Another option is to visit an art gallery located just beside the ferry pier. Welcome again to Suomenlinna! Best regards, Eeva/ Suomenlinna Tourist Information
Written 13 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Myo M
Coquitlam, Canada22,927 contributions
An island trail with a "serene charm" :)
Aug 2022
On the fortress grounds along its "sightseeing trail" for about 4 hours (straight walk on the way back for just about half an hour) after arriving at the "ferry dock" with the nearby Visitor Center (just with a few info displays for a few minutes inside), in the "sequential order" of visit and just at a fairly short walk from one to the next was a total of "5 stops": firstly at the "small church" with not much inside but outside some interesting scene of "giant iron chains" (like those used for ship anchors & such) in crisscrossed patterns and also where I saw later on (on my way back) the wedding of some naval officer in progress outside the church; secondly at the "two-storied museum" which is just a pretty modest one in size but with an "adequate number" of displays I would say to learn about the history of this fortress starting from the time of its building by the Swedes in the 1700's known as Sveaborg back then (and yes also with a sizeable souvenir shop with some good variety of postcards & keychains specific to this fortress); thirdly at the "house of the fortress commander" which is also somewhat of a house museum but not much info to read and mostly with "room displays" along with their luxurious furniture & decorations (& also some prototype human models) as it was in the days when the house was occupied by the fortress commander; fourthly at the "bastion area" which is just a pretty wide-open landscape & like a gently-rolling terrain "overlooking the sea" and where apart from the great sea view are really "quite a number" of these big naval cannons (all kind of positioned "towards the sea") spread out all over that sizeable ground area and where also after going "all the way down" are 2 smaller areas (a fair-sized rocky beach but which is just a perfectly flat one & a clearing ground with like a "ring of cannons" each in its own small alcove with one side open); and lastly at the gate structure called The King's Gate with a semicircular ground "right by the sea" after going through that gate (and where I guess I was in good timing to see not too many but a nice number of pleasure yachts in the Harbor).

And yes, for all its being nicely scenic (as mentioned above) and also being kind of "rural & rustic" (with all unpaved paths but totally easy ones to walk along, small bridges to go over between the waters along the trail & a number of these small "cave-like" stone structures to enter briefly alongside the trail), this "greatly serene" site (as I would describe it) is just about a 20-minute ferry ride from the "downtown waterfront" with also likely in the "nearest zone" of A & B from the city center (to select on the ticket machine at the downtown ferry dock).
Written 19 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frank M
Nuremberg, Germany204 contributions
A must see for every tourist in Helsinki
Oct 2022
The Islands of Suomenlinna may not be missed when visiting Helsinki, summers or winters. You can take nice long walks and visit the old fortifications and military complexes here. Just beautiful.
Written 16 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Suomenlinna_official
Dear Frank M, Thank you for your review and for recommending us. We totally agree that Suomenlinna is a great destination to visit in all seasons. Suomenlinna ferry operates all year round and it is easy to catch it from Helsinki Market Square. We recommend following the blue route to get to know the fortress and to see the main historical sights. You can check this route along with other useful information in our online guide. Welcome again to Suomenlinna! Stop by Suomenlinna Tourist Information where we are happy to give you the best tips of the day for your visit. Best regards, Annamaria/ Suomenlinna Tourist Information
Written 17 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RiSha
London, UK390 contributions
Very cool to visit!
Feb 2023
Came here recently with friends as one of the main things to do in Helsinki. It's a short ferry ride, which is included with the public transport pass. Unfortunately it was really foggy on the day we were in the city, so it did ruin the visit, and quite a few things were closed. But still, it was really cool to explore the ruins while it was quiet. Worth visit while you're visiting the city, but better to do when there's better weather!
Written 15 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Suomenlinna_official
Dear RiiShaaa, Thank you for giving us a review. As you mention, Suomenlinna ferry belongs to the local public transport network and the ferry ride to the sea fortress is short, only about 10-15 minutes. The ferry also operates every day of the year so it is easy to visit Suomenlinna in all seasons. We are sorry to hear that the foggy weather affected your visit in a negative way. To check opening hours of the day for services (cafés, restaurants, museums and s on) you can benefit from our online guide. Additionally, stop by Suomenlinna Tourist Information where we are happy to give you the best tips of the day. When visiting the fortress in not ideal weather, we suggest visiting one of the museums or enjoying a nice cup of coffee or tea at one of the cafés. Remember also to dress warmly in layers and to wear comfortable walking shoes. Hope to see you soon again in Suomenlinna! Best regards, Annamaria/ Suomenlinna Tourist Information
Written 17 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scott P
Beaverton10 contributions
Impressive!
Feb 2023
Helsinki Tours offered a five hour city tour with an excellent guide. The Suomen-Linna was the final place we visited after the city highlights. Although it was a Swedish defense installation originally, its long history makes it a fascinating visit. Very close to the city via a 12 minute ferry ride.
Written 10 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Suomenlinna_official
Dear N6937SHscottp, Thank you for giving us a review. Nice to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Suomenlinna. As you say, the fortress was originally built in 1748 for defence purposes, to protect Sweden against Russia. Back then, Finland was a part of the kingdom of Sweden. Nowadays Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a monument of military architecture, plus home for about 800 people. To learn more about the interesting history of the fortress, we recommend visiting the Suomenlinna Museum where a short film in different languages is also shown. Guided walking tours are also organised regularly.. As you mention, the ferry ride to Suomenlinna is quite short, about 10-15 minutes. Suomenlinna ferry operates all year round and you can get it from Helsinki Market Square. Hope to see you soon again in Suomenlinna! Stop by Suomenlinna Tourist Information to get the best tips of the day for your visit. Best regards, Annamaria Suomenlinna Tourist Information
Written 27 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Conor
4 contributions
Sunrise <3
Feb 2023 • Solo
Highly recommend going early to watch the sunrise. I have no clue what else is on the island but this alone was worth the visit. I arrived around an hour before sunrise and left 5 minutes after as I was freezing xD Be prepared for the cold.
Written 9 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Suomenlinna_official
Dear Dream46180530543, Thank you for your review. Warm thanks for recommending us! If you prefer to visit the fortress at a more peaceful and quiet time of the day, watching the sunrise here is surely a good choice. Suomenlinna is a lovely destination for photography lovers and you can take great photos here any time of the day and year. We recommend following the blue route to get to know the fortress and to walk along a safe and well maintained route. You can find this route in our online guide. Dress warmly and in layers when visting in winter or in cold weather, plus wear comfortable walking shoes. Welcome again to Suomenlinna! Stop by Suomenlinna Tourist Information where we are happy to give you the best tips of the day for your visit. Best regards, Annamaria/ Suomenlinna Tourist Information
Written 27 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brandi D
The Entrance, Australia10 contributions
Worth checking out
Feb 2023
So I had 1 full day to spend in Helsinki (the other days were flying days) and I wanted to make the most of my time here. After reading the reviews, I decided to spend an hour or so here in the afternoon. I was a bit unsure if it was my thing, but I am really glad I came to check it out. I think its worth visiting, and depending on how much you like this type of thing, depends on how long you stay.
I went around 430 and it wasnt too busy which was nice, I think I spent about an hour walking around (the weather was starting to turn) and I still enjoyed it. Would recommend, even if its for just a short walk around.
Written 6 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Suomenlinna_official
Dear Brandi D, Thank you for your review. We are happy to hear that you managed to visit the fortress as part of your short stay in Helsinki, and that you enjoyed it. We recommend following the blue route to get to know the fortress and the main historical sights, walking along a safe and well maintained route. You can check this route in our online guide. To learn about the interesting history of the fortress, we suggest visiting the Suomenlinna Museum and watching a short film about the history there. Hope you get a chance to come to Suomenlinna again! Stop by Suomenlinna Tourist Information where we are happy to give you the best tips of the day. Best regards, Annamaria/ Suomenlinna Tourist Information
Written 27 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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SEA FORTRESS SUOMENLINNA (Helsinki) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Sea Fortress Suomenlinna
Sea Fortress Suomenlinna is open:
  • Sun - Sat 00:00 - 23:59
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