FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

The fortress can be reached by HSL ferry from the Market Square all year round. The trip takes about 15 minutes. From the beginning of May to the end of September, there is also a water bus service to Suomenlinna, with stops at the Artillery Bay pier in the middle of the fortress and at the King’s Gate. The water bus ride takes about half an hour. Boaters are served by the Suomenlinna guest harbour, which is the only docking place at the World Heritage Site.

In Suomenlinna, you can buy a ferry ticket from the machines by the main pier or from the HSL app. In Helsinki, tickets can also be purchased at other HSL ticket sales points.

The last ferry leaves from Suomenlinna at 2 a.m. Suomenlinna is home for about 800 people, and so the HSL ferry runs every day all year round from around 6 a.m. until 2 a.m.

Passing through the Suomenlinna tunnel is permitted only for emergency and maintenance use. For safety reasons, access to the tunnel is not granted for other purposes.

We recommend following the Blue Route. It will lead you to the main sights of the fortress, including Suomenlinna Church, the Great Courtyard, the dry dock, the Kustaanmiekka sandbanks and cannons as well as the King’s Gate. Many of the tunnels open for public are also located along the Blue Route. In addition to the main sights, Suomenlinna also has five interesting museums.

Suomenlinna is a district of Helsinki and, like all other districts, is open and accessible every day of the year. Some of the services at the fortress are only open during the summer season from May to September, but many services and attractions are open all year round.

No, you do not need an entrance ticket for Suomenlinna. The main sights are located outdoors and can be visited free of charge, with the exception of Suomenlinna Church, which has an entrance fee from June to August. If you want to visit the museums, all of them have an entrance fee except for the Customs Museum. Museum tickets can be purchased directly at the museums.

We recommend following the Blue Route. It will lead you to the main sights of the fortress. When arriving with the HSL ferry, you can start the Blue Route by going through the archway under the clock tower of the pink Jetty Barracks. The Blue Route is marked with blue signposts along the route and with a blue line on maps.

The Blue Route takes into account the privacy of the residents and the sensitive architecture and environment of the fortress.

You get around Suomenlinna mainly on foot. Bicycles, pushchairs or wheelchairs are not available for rent at the fortress.

The routes of the protected World Heritage Site are gravel roads or cobblestone paths, which can be difficult to navigate, for example, with a wheelchair or pushchair.

Suomenlinna is a car-free zone where only maintenance traffic is allowed. Cars may be brought to the island for the purpose of transporting goods or organising a party, for example. Transporting cars on the ferry is subject to a separate charge.

The Blue Route from the main pier of Suomenlinna to the King’s Gate is approximately 1.5 kilometres one way. The walk from the main pier to the King’s Gate located on Kustaanmiekka Island takes around 30–45 minutes. In seasons other than summer, you also have to return to the main pier. In summer, you can take a water bus from the King’s Gate pier back to the Market Square. The walk takes approximately 1–1.5 hours in total, but if you want to explore the services and sights of Suomenlinna at your leisure, you should allow extra time for your visit.

The entire area is part of the sea fortress. Walls and other fortification structures, are visible all around the islands. The most important parts and the key historical sights of the fortress are located along the Blue Route.

Suomenlinna is a sea fortress, and so there is no actual castle. You can learn more about the special characteristics of the fortress here:

There are no caves in Suomenlinna, only tunnels built in connection with the fortress. Some of the tunnels are open to visitors, who access the tunnels at their own risk. You should bring a flashlight, especially for longer tunnels. The tunnels are located on Kustaanmiekka and Susisaari Islands. The tunnels are marked on the visitor map.

Angling is everyone’s right with no permit required. Spin casting requires that the national fisheries management fee has been paid.

There are many restaurants, cafés and bars in Suomenlinna. All are open during the summer season between May and September, but many of the restaurants and cafés also serve visitors all year round.

Check out opening hours here:

Overnight stays are possible all year round at Hostel Suomenlinna and Villa Silo. Additionally, a cottage with a sauna is available from spring to autumn. 

Learn more about the services in Suomenlinna:

Camping or setting up a tent at UNESCO World Heritage Site Suomenlinna is prohibited.

There is no official lost property office in Suomenlinna. It is best to enquire about lost property directly from the service where you believe you left the item. For items left in the outdoor areas of Suomenlinna, please contact the Suomenlinna Visitor Centre. For items left in Suomenlinna’s event facilities, please contact the sales service for the event facilities.

There is no service for storing items in Suomenlinna and, therefore, you should pack light. Warm and windproof layered clothing and sturdy walking shoes are good for exploring the cobblestone paths of the fortress. In case of rain, a raincoat works better than an umbrella in island conditions. During sunny weather, sunglasses and sun protection are recommended.

Unfortunately, you cannot. The bicycles in Suomenlinna belong to residents and employees. The best way to get around Suomenlinna is on foot.

Cycling is allowed in Suomenlinna, but only on the gravel roads. Cycling on the ramparts and gunpowder magazines is strictly prohibited, as they are protected fortifications. Bicycles can be transported on both the ferry and the water bus for a separate fee.

There are no cash machines in Suomenlinna, but K-Market Suomenlinna offers a service for withdrawing cash.

Open fires and barbeques, including disposable grills and camping stoves, are prohibited throughout the Suomenlinna area at all times of the year by the landowner’s administrative decision. Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a very high conservation status. It is a cultural heritage site of inestimable value on a global scale in terms of its landscape and buildings. Endangered and vulnerable habitats are also found in the Suomenlinna area. The ban is based on risk assessments and the challenging island conditions in terms of rescue operations and the weather. It is not possible to provide instructions on the careful use of grills and camping stoves, and there are no safe designated areas for this purpose.

Suomenlinna residents may grill in their private yards and rented patios in areas designated for grilling.

However, you can bring your own snacks or purchase some from the shops or cafés in Suomenlinna. Please help to keep the fortress clean by picking up after yourself!

Yes, the same rules apply to dogs in the fortress as elsewhere in Helsinki. Dogs must be kept on a leash and are not allowed in children’s playgrounds or on the beach. The owner or person responsible for the dog must also pick up the dog’s waste. Assistance and guide dogs are welcome at all Suomenlinna sites and you can visit many of the services with dogs.