This was probably the coolest thing we did in Helsinki. You take a ferry to the island. There are a lot of trails, we mostly stayed on the blue line with only a couple deviations. The River that cuts through the middle was awesome. Near the end you can walk up a hill toward some cannons. Don’t miss this!! There are little mounds that look like a hobbit city!! It’s a really cool landscape you can explore. You get great views of Helsinki from the cannon area too! We went into an art shop on the way back and they had some REALLY cool stuff that the locals that LIVE on the island make. Very talented people!! Loved this excursion!!

one of the best tourist attraction near Helsinki. it was a castle built to protect capital from foreign forces. very accessible via ferry from Helsinki port. make sure to keep extra clothes when taking ferry as it could be very windy, specially in winter. also get yourself 4-5 hours to explore it fully.

We visited in autumn, and this island makes for a good half to one day trip from Helsinki. There are many different museums here (you need to pay per entrance if you don't have the Helsinki card), but our personal favourite was the World War 2 submarine and war museums. There are also historical buildings you can visit, and you can also get scenic views of the sea here. Everything is within Walkable distance, takes about an hour to two to walk non-stop from one end to the other end. There are also different restaurants here for food if you want to try it out, but nothing caught our eye. We did try an ice cream stall that sold 1 cone for 4.50 euros. As this is a tourist spot, expect things here to be pricey if you're spending money, even the church charges an entrance fee. Otherwise you can also bring your own food and have a picnic here, the King's Gate is quite a good place to sit and chill. Do check the weather before coming here though, as it was raining when we were here and that somewhat affected our experience as most of the places are unshelthered. Overall an interesting attraction to visit with different activities. Highly recommended as a half to full day excursion from Helsinki. You can reach this place via a public ferry that departs every 20 minutes from the Market Square.

Nice fortified island in front of the old Helsinki port. It's just 15 minutes ferry ride to it from Kauppatori quay. Take your time to walk around the island after visiting the fort museum. Be mindful though of the residential areas in which people live, indicated by a small blue sign with a house in it.

Suomenlinna fortress is one of my favourite places in Finland. Such a beautiful place. The Suomenlinna fortress is located on the coast of Helsinki and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. I loved everything about this place. You can spend a few good hours walking and exploring the sea fortress. It is a must visit for everyone. I highly recommend it. There are a few restaurants and coffee shops. There's no entry fee to the fortress but you'll have to take a ferry from Helsinki to Suomenlinna fortress. The tickets have different options. For example, buy a single ticket or all-day tickets. The good thing about the tickets is that they can be used for any public transport.

Short ferry ride (20min) and nice to visit for a couple of hours or more. Would I prioritize this over other tourist points in Helsinki: no. I recommend seeing it but not above other things and especially during the winter. Count about 30min to cross the island on foot and about 3hrs when doing the full tour.

Really lovely place. Definitely recommend a visit to walk around and enjoy the nature. Best time is during the summer when the weather is warm and sunny and all the places are open. However during wintertime this little island has a totally different vibe which is also interesting to experience.

A piece of history and a piece of Finland. Perfect place to visit on a sunny day and can easily spend half a day here or more if you visit all the sights and museums. There are also restaurants and cozy cafes, guided tours and beaches too. Everything you might need. Easy to get here by ferry and walk around. Maybe more challenging with kids or for elderly because of the cobble stones.

This island is protected by UNESCO because its story and probably its fortress. The island is surrounded by nature and birds. I liked it, but nothing special. Anyway, if you come to Helsinki you should visit it. If you have the daily transport ticket you can take the boat for free. If not, the single ticket should cost 2.80 € to go and 2.80 € to come back.

Absolutely stunning in the winter. The colored buildings give a lovely view against the white backdrop. It’s super nice to walk around. I recommend to walk all the way to Kings gate and back. And a great bonus, there’s a supermarket near the ferry stop!

Really beautiful way to spend a few hours! A great work around the island seeing some historical points and experiencing some enjoyable views. Also had some coffees from different spots on the island which is always welcome.

a captivating sea fortress near Helsinki. The island's rich history and charming cafes make it a wonderful destination. Enjoy exploring!

Awesome thing to do while in Helsinki for a work trip and arrived with a day to spare. I visited in February and the ferry ride included quite a bit of ice to ride through, first time in my life experience, really neat! The island is beautiful and full of history, well done signage, maps, and museums all there. Could spend a single hour, or up to several, depending on what you want to do.

Visited on Sunday. The ferry ticket was included in the day traffic ticket which is convenient. It is a good and historic place to visit and spend around 2 hours. The brewery is closed on Sunday, what a pity. Bought local beer Karhu in the market, loved it.

If you are visiting Helsinki you def need to go for a nice walk on this island. You take the ferry from Market Square, they departure every 30-40 minutes and you get there in a quick 10-15 mins ride. I went there in winter on a rainy day and the small ice blowing into your face mostly near the King's Gate. Beautiful little town with nice cafes, bars and restaurants. I've tried the local soup of the day in one small but lovely place and it was fantastic.

Beautiful islands with lovely views. There is a lot to see: old military facilities, landscape, art exhibitions, historical and cultural. You would need more than couple of hours to enjoy it all. Take a walk around and have fun!

Small island just south of Helsinki. Nice walking trip, you can see the whole island in under 2 hours. Transport is easy too as the boat journey is only 15mins and you can purchase tickets from the station. Weather was cold and rainy unfortunately but the island was still amazing. A great day trip when in Helsinki

Very nice island to visit. It’s free of charge (except you want to go inside the museums), You can reach it by the ferry from Market Square. The ferry is a part of the transport system, so the standard fare applies (3.10€ per person). You can buy the ticket at the machine next to the harbour. Try to go there on a sunny day. I bet it’s much nicer than the rainy weather we had.

This was a really cool experience for me, went with a friend during the week and the best part the transportation was included in my 5 day city transport pass. One of the coolest things on the island to see are the cannons, the shipyard and the surrounding views. It's just a really nice place for a chill walk.

A beautiful fortress island. It’s a great place to go on a picnic or enjoy a coffee in one of the many Cafe’s on the island. If lucky, you might also get to watch a big cruise passing by very close to the island!

Amazing place to hang out for half a day (or more). Many places to climb on, canons and views! The military museum is a must visit!

A short ferry ride from the city will take you to this lovely island. A large bastion fort spreads across 6 islands, joined by little bridges. You can explore the islands and go into parts of the fort. The paths are covered in small grit, so I'd recommend closed in footwear to avoid any discomfort from small bits getting in your sandals.

Super beautiful place with lots of history and amazing scenery. Take the boat out to this place and have yourself a picking. You won't regret it. Just amazing place.

A ~20 mins ferry ride to the calm, serene and a wonderful island with breathtaking views!! If you are planning this place in winters, just a warning as it’s a lot to walk and it can get difficult to walk because of the ice. But I would want to visit this island in summers when I visit Helsinki again!

Take the ferry from near the Helsinki cathedral and in 10 minutes you’ll be at the suomenlinna It is a very nice island with lots of options. It is a world heritage site with lots of places and nice things to see. Finnish people go there for picnic, gatherings, sitting and enjoying the sea.

Finland's #1 tourist attraction and for good reason. There's so much to see and do here, the review would be TLDR if I listed them all. Just get yourself a guide from the ferry over and take your pick - and you'll not get to see everything in one visit.

UNESCO world heritage site Absolutely worth the short trip from Helsinki and a MUST DO if you’re in Helsinki At least spend half a day The nice scenery, the fortifications and the cafes

If you have to visit one thing whilst in Helsinki then this should be at the top of your list. A mere 20 mins ferry ride from the Helsinki harbour front you will find Suomenlinna. Tickets for the ferry can be purchased at the pier. It is a preserved site, township and fortress. Absolutely stunning things to see all over the island with information scattered across each famous landmark so it is easy to self tour the place yourself. Several museums available to visit too. Most of the houses are private residential areas so it is important to respect their privacy. Spent a good 2.5 hours there just roaming around and taking in all the sights and surroundings. Cafes, restaurants and souvenirs are also available. Must see so don't miss this place.

Great day spent at Suomenlinna. A must see if in the Helsinki area. 20 minute ferry ride is beautiful. Our 6yr old loved the underground tunnels. Spectacular views everywhere. Great cafes around the island.

Suomenlinna is a small island that you need to get a ferry from mainland Helsinki. It has a lot of walking trails and I came here during summer time where everyone was swimming in the ocean. It was such a nice experience, the views overlooking the ocean were spectacular. I would definitely recommend to anyone coming to bring some extra clothes and make sure to dedicated at least 4-5 hours exploring the area.

The most beautiful and charming place of Helsinki! With lovely cafes, spirit of history and the most amazing views all around the island it definitely is a must see! Don't think just go there! ♥️

A cool fortress just a short ferry ride away from Helsinki. Interesting preserved architecture and nice views of the surrounding area. An interesting museum can also be found on the island. The views of Helsinki from the ferry are also great. Definitely worth a visit. In February the island was covered in snow and ice, but was still a great experience.

It was awesome place. Small little island and it was basically the defence point . There are lot of small tanks located inside and it’s quiet greenery over here. The transportation from Helsinki to Suomenlinna is quiet easy every 10 to 16 minutes a ferry arrives from Helsinki. This place is worth visiting..Felt one of the most attractive place.

A very interesting place to visit. We went in September, so I think it was not as crowded as it would be in the summertime. A must see for a tourist or any Helsinki visitor.

May be a perfect getaway for locals but for tourists from outside the place is a waste of time. There is nothing special about the place as far as I saw. But its a perfect spot for locals for a small picnic.

Great place to visit. Good prices. very quiet.

Absolutely beautiful place with amazing nature, historical places and cafes! It’s also great that you can get on the island for only €2.80. The nature in autumn is just breathtaking! When in Helsinki, definitely don’t miss the opportunity to come to Suomenlinna!

Nice island! Great place to take a walk or have a picnic. (Or just sit down and enjoy the nature) Some museums are not open or open until not very late, so I haven’t went to anyone of them. Hope to visit some for the next time:)

A nice getaway. The great part is you can travel with the ferry with the same HSL card used in Buses, Metros and Trams. Obviously i was looking for something more than what the island offered.

A picnic-style getaway for the weekend. You can use the travel card to purchase the ferry ticket.

If you buy 8€ daily public transport ticket, then this is included and you can come here as well! It's definitely a must see in Helsinki! 🇫🇮🇫🇮

Take the ferry from Helsinki to this beautiful conserved fortress island in the Helsinki archipelago. Walk around and visit the museum on the island. Not really crowded.

Small island with lots of history located just a couple of kilometers away from the main city of Helsinki. Easily accessible via ferry departing from the port close to Esplanadi / Uspenski cathedral. You can easily plan a day trip here but during winter some of the museums are closed and the weather is quite often not the best, windy and cold because of it’s location. There’s guided tours which are the best way to go around the island and learn about it’s long history. Definitely worth a visit while in Helsinki.

One of the best places to visit in Helsinki, very interesting and it's free to visit. The cool ferry included in the daily ticket is a plus.

It's a great place to walk, enjoy the beautiful landscape, visit museums and have a good coffee (there are some restaurants, but they weren't open when we visited the island). We went in the afternoon and spent 3h there, but I'd say it's worthy spending more time.

In winter time this is a frozen place, blown by the wind. After the visit, your last wish is a cup of hot coffee. However, this deserted atmosphere is still fascinating me and makes me think about the glorious days of this place, more than two hundred years ago.

A must to go place! Walk around, check the map so you won't lost, see museums, check the front defense system and much more! You can go from the morning and keep until the night. Only if you are a culture enthusiastic. You can get food exactly where you leave the boat. You will find a map and on your left there is a perfect restaurant with the name "Viapori Deli & Café" perfect for a midday lunch. Go read their story, see with your eyes and listen...

Place to enjoy at least one whole day. Several ferries to Helsinki city also after midnight. Several museums on the islands (maybe, the more interesting is the military one), but generally, nice to stroll around the fortress.

Nice historical display of a part of Finnish history.

The most remarkable features of this castle are located in the northern part of the site near King's Gate. The castle is inhabited by local residents; therefore, there is no admission charge. The grounds are well kept and the walk is easy. The castle has many beautiful viewpoints and sceneries which provide lots of photo opportunities.

One of the amazing areas in the Finland. Everything has its own history and you can enjoy every minute of it.