Accessibility

Arranging accessible passage can be challenging at times in the World Heritage Site. Regular accessibility surveys are conducted in Suomenlinna, based on which the site’s accessibility information is maintained and updated.

Suomenlinna can be a challenging place to move around. The roads in the World Heritage Site are paved with either stone, gravel, or sand. Uneven cobbled sections cannot be completely avoided. There are elevation changes in Suomenlinna’s terrain, and some routes are hilly. There are also sections with difficult lateral slopes. Weather conditions affect the smoothness and slipperiness of the pathways, but the maintenance of the Blue Route and the easier route is prioritized.

More Accessible Suomenlinna

To ensure smooth movement within the fortress, regular accessibility surveys are conducted, and information on the accessibility of key sites is compiled and updated accordingly.

A slightly easier route runs parallel to the Blue Route, allowing those with mobility aids or strollers to avoid some of the difficult sections.

In addition to this webpage, up-to-date accessibility information based on weather conditions can be obtained upon arrival at the Suomenlinna Visitor Centre during service hours.

From the ferry: The path from the ferry is a flat sand-covered route with a gentle incline up to the coastal path. The coastal path has a flat sand surface except for the cobblestone rainwater gutters at the edges. From the main pier, the route turns left towards the Suomenlinna Visitor Centre.

Easier route: The easier route starts from the main pier to the right when turning onto the coastal path. The coastal path changes from the corner of the Coastal Barracks to a short cobblestone section, which also has a smoother paved section. Walking on the smoother pavement is slightly easier with mobility aids.

From the coastal path to the main path: Turning left from the coastal path to the main path, there is an initial incline, but the path soon connects to the main path, which has a compact and easy-to-walk surface. At the small square near the Russian Merchant Quarter, the easier route turns right at the intersection and then passes by the Suomenlinna Church.

After the church: After the church, at the next intersection, the easier route turns right and goes through the arch on a light, flat stone pavement. After the tunnel, the route has a steep exit (16.1%).

Continuing the route: The route continues on a compact gravel surface and curves towards Artillery Bay, connecting to the main path of Suomenlinna at the intersection paved with smooth cobblestones. The cobblestones have the least lateral slope on the left side. It is advisable to move to the narrow compact sand path on the right side of the main path. The sand path is narrow, especially at the rainwater drain.

At the Suomenlinna Museum: At the entrance to the Suomenlinna Museum, it is easier to reach the museum via the smoother pavement through the cobblestone section.

There are no separate pedestrian paths in the World Heritage Site. Suomenlinna is being developed as a so-called car-free residential area, but due to maintenance drives and deliveries, there is occasionally heavy vehicle traffic on Suomenlinna’s routes.

Navigating the routes with poor vision can be challenging, and there are many places in the fortress area where there is a risk of falling. Moving through dimly lit tunnels is also difficult with poor vision.

The dimensions and equipment of the public toilets in Suomenlinna vary. The three public toilets listed below were surveyed for accessibility by Riesa Oy in November 2023, and the accessibility information below is based on that survey.

Jetty Barracks (Suomenlinna C1)

The public toilet located in connection with the Suomenlinna Visitor Centre, the ferry waiting area, Restaurant Suomenlinnan Panimo, and the HAA Gallery is available year-round during ferry operating hours.

Arrival: The main entrance is not at street level; accessible access is via a ramp next to the stairs. There is a rainwater gutter on the route to the ramp, and the platform in front of the ramp has a slight lateral slope. The ramp is made of non-slip material. The entrance door is heavy to use. The threshold of the entrance is 4.0 cm high.

Accessible toilet: The accessible toilet is located at the end of the ferry waiting area, directly from the entrance. The door of the accessible toilet is over 85 cm wide and has a horizontal handle. There is 75 cm of space on the left side of the toilet seat and over 80 cm of free space on the right side. The support rails are attached to the wall. There is enough free space in the room for a 1.5 m turning circle for mobility aids.

Adlerfelt (Suomenlinna B1)

The public toilet located in connection with Restaurant Adlerfelt is available year-round from morning to late evening.

Arrival: The actual entrance is to the left of the main entrance. There are two steps at the entrance, with a total height difference of 9 cm. The entrance door is heavy to use. The threshold of the entrance is 3.5 cm high.

Accessible toilet: The accessible toilet is located at the end of the corridor, directly from the entrance, on the left. There is a beveled 5 cm high threshold at the beginning of the corridor. The door of the accessible toilet is 82.5 cm wide and has a horizontal handle. There is 80 cm of free space on both sides of the toilet seat. The support rails are attached to the wall. There is enough free space in the room for a 1.5 m turning circle for mobility aids.

Suomenlinna Museum (Suomenlinna C74)

The public toilet located in connection with the Suomenlinna Museum café is available year-round during the museum’s opening hours. The museum is open every day except for a few public holidays. When the revolving door is in use during the museum’s opening hours, the staff will assist customers who need more accessible entry at the outer door.

Arrival: Accessible access is through the doors to the left of the main entrance. The entrance door is heavy to use.

Accessible toilet: The accessible toilet is located on the left side of the lobby, in connection with the Suomenlinna Museum café. The door of the accessible toilet is over 85 cm wide and has a horizontal handle. There is over 80 cm of free space on the right side of the toilet seat. The support rails are attached to the wall. There is enough free space in the room for a 1.5 m turning circle for mobility aids.

Suomenlinna Museum

The museum, open year-round, is on two floors. The exhibition spaces on the first floor are accessible. The second floor can be reached with staff assistance via an elevator in the office area, which has automatic sliding doors. The auditorium is accessible. The building has an accessible toilet.

Ehrensvärd Museum

The museum, open during the summer, is located on the Great Courtyard, on the second floor of the Commandant’s House, at the top of a long staircase. There is no accessible route to the museum.

Submarine Vesikko

The Submarine Vesikko, open during the summer, is not wheelchair accessible. A virtual tour of Vesikko can be accessed through this link, which opens in a new tab.

Military Museums’s Manege

The entrance is reached via an uneven and sloping ramp due to cobblestones, with level differences at the end (35 + 65 mm). The doors are large and heavy to open, but staff will assist when possible. The exhibition is on one floor, and there are seats in the exhibition space for resting. Mobility aids are available for loan from the main lobby of the museum (1 manual wheelchair and 2 rollators). The museum has an accessible toilet.

Tullimuseo

There are stairs at the entrance of the museum. Inside the museum, there are narrow spaces and high thresholds.

Services are listed in alphabetical order.

Bastion Bistro

There is a ramp at the entrance, and the restaurant has an accessible toilet.

Cafe Bar Valimo

There are level differences at the entrance, and assistance is needed. It is possible to move inside with a wheelchair. The narrowest doorway has a free width of 75 cm. The route through the restaurant hall is ramped. Some tables on the terrace are accessible by wheelchair. The restaurant has a spacious, moderately accessible toilet.

Cafe Silo

There are stairs at the entrance of the café.

Cafe Vanille

There are stairs at the entrance of the café.

Café Piper

The café is located in a park, on top of a hill. The road leading to the park has a gentle uphill slope. There is a staircase at the entrance. Some tables on the rock terrace are accessible by wheelchair.

Linna Bar

The route to Linna Bar mostly follows the easier route, but the final part is difficult cobblestones. The café is on one floor. There is a ramp at the entrance, and the bar has an accessible toilet.

Pizzeria Nikolai

Pizzeria Nikolai can be accessed by wheelchair with assistance via a steep ramp.

Restaurant Adlerfelt

The entrance is almost at ground level. The restaurant has an accessible toilet.

Restaurant Suomenlinnan Panimo

There is a ramp at the entrance. The facility has an accessible toilet.

Suomenlinna Centre’s Café

There is a level difference at the main entrance of the building, but it is ramped. The front of the building is paved and has benches for resting. The café is located on the first floor of the center. The building has an accessible toilet.

Viaporin Deli & Café