Parties

Suomenlinna offers versatile activities for family meetings, class reunions or summer outings of associations. First-time visitors will enjoy a basic tour of the fortress, while history enthusiasts may appreciate the various themed tours.

For example, you can focus on the customs of the 1700s or the Suomenlinna naval dock. If you are putting together your visit independently, these pages will help you. You can also order a complete package from the Ehrensvärd Society.

Programme suggestions

One of the easiest ways to get to know Suomenlinna is to book the group a guide, who will introduce the group to historical and present-day Suomenlinna and guide them around the outdoor areas of the fortress. Many groups watch the popular widescreen show at the Suomenlinna Museum before the guided tour. The show presents the history of Suomenlinna through old photos and stories. A good way to end the walking tour is to stop by one of the many cafés and restaurants in Suomenlinna, where lunch or coffee can be reserved in advance for small and big groups alike. There are many different ways to travel to and from Suomenlinna using water transport.

When planning a group visit to Suomenlinna, it is a good idea to get to know the available sights in advance, for instance by reading the seasonally updated winter or summer brochure. The fortress is home to six museums, many of which offer annually changing exhibitions. In addition, visitors can enjoy the Jetty Barracks Gallery, which hosts various different contemporary art exhibitions throughout the year.

Accessibility

Suomenlinna is great place to visit, even for the elderly or people who use a walking aid. During the summer, it is best to travel to the Visitor Centre pier on the JT-Line waterbus. For those using a wheelchair, the Helsinki City Transport ferry is the recommended way to travel to Suomenlinna. The Visitor Centre, located close to the pier, offers the visitors the opportunity to get to know the history of the fortress through a widescreen film show. The 25-minute show gives a comprehensive picture of the eventful history of Suomenlinna. Dinner and coffee can be arranged only a short distance away, on the other side of the Tykistölahti bridge, in the restaurant Café Chapman or the Chapman’s Cottage in the restaurant‘s garden. Read more on the accessibility of the fortress here.