Suomenlinna: English Guided Tour

Treat yourself to some Finnish and Northern European history the fun way at this UNESCO World Heritage site, spread across six islands off the coast of Helsinki. Suomenlinna is known as the Gibraltar of the North, and it's one of the biggest sea fortresses in the world!

Think car-free island beauty, bunkers, cannons, and what was once one of the biggest dry docks in the world. Your guide knows everything there is to know about one of Finland’s most important landmarks and attractions.

The construction of this behemoth Nordic fortress started way back in the mid-18th century, when Finland was still part of Sweden and Suomenlinna was just a collection of empty islands.

The best way to get to know the fascinating history is to join a walking, talking encyclopedia of knowledge. Your guide will whisk you through 270 years of eventful history in just one hour!

Explore old bunkers, snap some photos sprawled on ancient cannons, and learn what history unfolded amongst all the crumbling fortress walls.

You'll see the fortress's best bits, like the Great Courtyard and the Dry Dock, which in its day was one of the biggest dry docks in the world.

In the Ehrensvärd Museum in the former commander's home at Suomenlinna fortress, you'll find exhibits on 18th-century life, paintings, furniture, and ship models.

The best part is you can't get here without enjoying a scenic ferry ride. It takes just 15 minutes to get to Suomenlinna from the Market Square. Everyone likes a bit of island living. Don't leave Finland without seeing this!