The stone walls of Suomenlinna fortress on a rocky island, with a motorboat passing by

Helsinki, Finland

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

An eighteenth-century island fortress at the mouth of Helsinki’s harbour, a short ferry ride from the city.

Culture & heritage

About Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Suomenlinna was begun in 1748, when Finland was part of the Swedish realm, as a fortress spread across a group of islands guarding the approach to Helsinki. Its ramparts, tunnels and cannons are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and several hundred people still live on the islands.

Walk the ramparts and grassy bastions with views out to the Baltic, explore the museums and, in summer, step inside a Second World War submarine. Cafés and picnic spots make it an easy half day.

Public ferries run all year from the Market Square and take about fifteen minutes. Bring a windproof layer, as the islands are exposed to the sea breeze. Families enjoy exploring the old tunnels and cannons, and there are sheltered spots for a summer paddle.

Other things to see in Finland

Theme park

Santa Claus Village

Rovaniemi

Meet Santa in his office on the Arctic Circle, post cards from his main post office and step across the Arctic Circle line.

Discover

A team of huskies pulling a sledge along a snowy forest track in Lapland sunshine

Adventure

Lapland Husky Safari

Rovaniemi, Levi or Saariselkä

Drive your own team of huskies through snowy forest and across frozen lakes, after a short lesson from the mushers.

Discover

A reindeer pulling a wooden sleigh through deep snow among frosted trees in Finnish Lapland

Wildlife

Lapland Reindeer Sleigh Ride

Rovaniemi and Finnish Lapland

Glide through the snowy forest on a reindeer-drawn sleigh and learn about reindeer herding at a family farm.

Discover

Green Northern Lights swirling above snow-covered red wooden cottages in Finnish Lapland

Nature & scenery

Finnish Lapland Northern Lights

Rovaniemi, Levi and Saariselkä

Watch the aurora dance over snowy forest, on a guided hunt or from the warmth of a glass-roofed cabin.

Discover

The white columned facade and green domes of Helsinki Cathedral against a deep blue sky

Landmark

Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square

Helsinki

Helsinki’s white neoclassical cathedral with green domes, looking down over the grand Senate Square.

Discover

The interior of Temppeliaukio Church, with rough granite walls under a ribbed copper dome

Landmark

Temppeliaukio Rock Church

Helsinki

A church carved directly into solid granite, with rough rock walls and a copper dome ringed by skylights.

Discover

All of Finland

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