Day Trip to Suomenlinna from Helsinki, Finland

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If you are in Helsinki and looking for a easy day trip, then head over to the Suomenlinna Sea Fort which is accessible by just a short ferry ride! This post covers how to enjoy a day trip to Suomenlinna from Helsinki. It also includes how to get to Suomenlinna and what to do there.

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Introduction to Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike. It consists of six inter connected and fortified islands, featuring historic fortifications, museums, parks, cafes and beautiful sea views.

History of Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna was established by the Swedes in 1748 and was called Sveaborg at that time. It was built to protect and defend against Russian expansion in the Baltic Sea. During the Finnish war, in the early 1899’s, Suomenlinna was taken over by the Russians. At this time, Finland became a part of the Russian Empire as an autonomous Grand Duchy and the Russians further expanded and fortified the fort.

In 1917, when Finland finally gained independence from Russia, the fortress was renamed Suomenlinna meaning “Castle of Finland”. Under Finnish rule it served as a military base, a prison camp during the Finnish Civil War, and later as naval barracks. Today, it is no longer a military base but is still considered to be one of the largest sea fortresses in the world!

Where is Suomenlinna?

Suomenlinna is located about 4 km (2.5 miles) southeast of Helsinki making a day trip to Suomenlinna from Helsinki relatively easy! The ferry ride just takes only 15 minutes!

What is the Best Time to Visit Suomenlinna?

You can visit Suomenlinna at any time of the year. Ferries run daily and throughout the year and they run from early morning until late night.

How to Get to Suomenlinna?

As I mentioned, getting to Suomenlinna from Helsinki is very easy. Simply get to the Market Square in Helsinki and then take the HSL Ferry to Suomenlinna. Suomenlinna is in Zone A. The ferry takes you to the main quay on the north side in Suomenlinna. There are several departures per hour in the summer and at least one per hour in the winter. See HERE for the schedule.

In the summer months (May until late September), there is also a water bus that operates from Market Square. In Suomenlinna, the water bus piers are at Tykistölahden on Iso Mustasaari and at Kuninkaanportti on Kustaanmiekka. You can buy tickets from the FRS Finland online store, directly on the water bus, or at the service point located at the pier during opening hours. HSL ferry tickets will not be accepted. This water bus is ideal if you are also looking to go to Lonna as it stops there as well. Lonna is a small island close to both Helsinki and Suomenlinna with a sauna and good restaurant.

I took the HSL ferry and it was smooth and easy. One note is that it may not be a bad idea to buy your return ticket at the kiosk at Market Square. The one and only kiosk on Suomenlinna at the ferry dock was a bit finicky. You can also buy tickets using the HSL app. If you get a 24 or 48 hour transport card via HSL, those work as well. So do day tickets and a Helsinki card. Note that you cannot buy tickets on board the ferry.

Getting Around Suomenlinna

Getting around during your day trip to Suomenlinna is very easy as the islands are pretty walkable. Don’t forget to wear a good pair of walking shoes. It’s also not a bad idea to bring a jacket even in the summer as it’s very windy here.

Places are also well marked. Your map from the Visitor Center along with these marked signs should help you get around easily.

Note that you cannot take your vehicle to Suomenlinna as it is a car-free zone. Suomenlinna only allows service traffic like vehicles delivering goods or supporting official events,

Things to Do on a Day Trip to Suomenlinna?

The best thing to do on a day trip to Suomenlinna is to follow the “Blue Route”. The Blue Route is a 1.5-kilometer walking trail from the main pier (Iso Mustasaari) to the King’s Gate at the southern tip. It takes you through some of Suomenlinna’s key historical landmarks, museums, and fortifications.

When you first get off the ferry, go to the visitor center and get a map of the island. This map details all the key sites and attractions in Suomenlinna. You can grab an audio guide and also watch an introductory video about Suomenlinna at the visitors center. Once you get a map, an audio guide and have watched the video, you can start on the Blue Route.

Places to See on the Blue Route

• Jetty Barracks – The main gateway to Suomenlinna’s Russian period. It is now home to the Finnish National Defense University.
• Suomenlinna Church – Built in 1854 as an Orthodox garrison church. It is now a Lutheran church. It also doubles as a light house which is very rare in Europe!
• Suomenlinna Museum – Showcases the history of the fortress for over 270 years.
• Dry Dock – Used for shipbuilding during Swedish and Russian rule and is considered to be one of the oldest functioning dry docks in Europe.
• Great Courtyard – Originally the heart of the fortress.
• Bastion Zander – Known as the flag bastion of Suomenlinna since the construction of the island.
• King’s Gate – Ceremonial gateway, built in the 1750s.

Other Places to Visit

Take a look at the beautiful cannons that face the sea – It maybe hard to find as it’s not on the Blue Route but here are the GPS Coordinates – 60.140408, 24.984502. Copy and paste this on to Google Maps.

You can also walk along the sea for some great views of the Baltic Sea. There are also some cute turf houses close by.

Guided Tours

If you prefer for someone else to take care of the logistics or want a guided tour for your day trip to Suomenlinna, then check out the tours below. One also includes the ferry ride while the other is just the tour so you will have to get yourself to Suomenlinna on your own.

Where to Eat and Drink in Suomenlinna?

There are a few restaurants and bars in Suomenlinna that you can check out for lunch or to enjoy a drink outside. Café Bar Valimo is a Suomenlinna classic. Located in a quiet setting this café and bar serves hot and cold drinks as well as alcoholic beverages and food. Order a glass of wine and sit outside if the weather is good.

Café Vanille is perhaps the most popular as it’s located very close to the visitor center. They serve homemade cakes, quiches, and light lunches. They are said to pack picnic lunches if asked. Café Silo is open year around and they serve sandwiches, soup, and desserts. Linna Bar was also lovely! They have a nice deck outside and a super cozy and comfortable indoor space.

Suomenlinnan Panimo (Brewery) is located near the main ferry pier and is another café that is open year round. They have an outdoor terrace with harbor views and serve burgers, salmon, sausages and vegetarian options. They also serve local beers which are brewed on-site!

Events and Opening Hours

See HERE for a list of daily events happening at Suomenlinna. This link also contains opening times for restaurants, bars and attractions.

Is a Day Trip Enough Time in Suomenlinna?

A day trip is more than enough time to visit Suomenlinna. Even a half day trip to Suomenlinna is still well worth it if you don’t have a full day.

Where to Next from Helsinki?

Are you going to Stockholm from Helsinki? Check out my detailed guide to Stockholm HERE!

Or maybe you are continuing on to the Baltic States? See below for more posts on the Baltics. Tallinn is a 2 hour ferry ride from Helsinki.

• Estonia
• Latvia
• Lithuania

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