Foto: Ehrensvärd-Seura r.y.
Foto: Nina-Maria Oförsagd
Foto: Ehrensvärd-Seura r.y.
Foto: Nina-Maria Oförsagd
Foto: Nina-Maria Oförsagd
Guided Tours
The best way to explore Suomenlinna is to participate on a guided walking tour.
Various tours with different themes are offered. There are approximately 50 skilled guides and the tours can be arranged in 15 different languages. Both regular daily tours and private tours are organised around the fortress area.
Authorised guides
Guides at Suomenlinna are authorised by the Ehrensvärd Society together with the National Board of Antiquities and the Governing Body of Suomenlinna. Only authorised guides are allowed to guide groups in Suomenlinna. By using only authorised guides the Ehrensvärd Society wants to ensure the quality and the right historical facts of the tour.
Contact us for an offer for programme, meals and boat transportation.
Guided regular tours
Guided regular tours are organized during the summer time daily and in the winter season on weekends. Regular tours are for individual visitors and no reservations is needed, you can just show up to Suomenlinna Visitor Centre and buy your ticket. Find out more information: Regular Guided Walking Tour.
For groups by reservation
We arrange guided walking tours for groups by reservation the year round. Tours can be arranged in 15 different languages. Below you can get to know to the different tours available.
Guided Walking Tour
The construction works of Suomenlinna fortress began in 1748 during the time Finland was a part of the Swedish Kingdom. The fortress, which was built on six islands, was considered invincible, but with the mysterious surrendering against the Russians in 1808, the former Swedish fortress fell under Russian rule together with the rest of Finland. During its over 250 years long history the fortress has lived through many different kinds of times.
The Guns and Tunnels of Suomenlinna
The bastion walls at Kustaanmiekka and Susisaari at the Suomenlinna seafortress hide over 200 years old tunnels and casemates. During this exciting tour of the tunnels and through the defensive hills with their cannons you will hear about the history of the fortress, and how the engineer troops constructed durable walls to protect one of the biggest sea fortresses in the world.
Suomenlinna- package
This unforgettable package consists of a guided walking tour of the fortress and the award-winning wide-screen presentation Suomenlinna Experience. Entrance to the Suomenlinna Museum and the Ehrensvärd Museum is also included in the price (during the museums' opening hours).
The Life of the Officer's in the 18th Century
During this tour you will hear about the luxurious and vivid life of the officers and their families in the 18th century during the Swedish era. Fashion, etiquette, arts and gentlemen's clubs filled the otherwise simple life of the officers. Our authorized guide will show your group around the Ehrensvärd Museum in the House of the Commander and the most important sights of the fortress, such as the English garden Piper's Park and the Great Courtyard. After the tour we recommend a visit to the Toy Museum with its large collection of toys and games, oldest of these originating from 19th century.
Russian Suomenlinna
After the fortress surrendered to the Russians in 1808, Suomenlinna became a part of Russia along with the rest of Finland. The fortress became more of a garrison town than a defensive fortress. This 110 years long period was very eventful with grand parties, wealthy merchants, the construction of the Nevski church, the bombardment of the fortress during the Crimean War, and the dramatic rebellion of Suomenlinna in 1906.
Picnic- tour
At the end of the Swedish era in the late 18th century, the officers' spare time could be easy and filled with amusements. Picnic trips to beautiful gardens, such as the Piper's Park, were popular in the summer times. During this tour our authorized guide will tell you about the life at the fortress in the 18th century and take you to the Piper's Park on a real picnic.