Getting around

Suomenlinna is meant to be seen on foot, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. Suomenlinna is a car-free zone where only service vehicles are allowed. There are no minibuses or trains, nor are there any bicycles for hire.

When you arrive at Suomenlinna, you land opposite the pink Jetty Barracks. The building houses the Suomenlinnan Panimo restaurant, Jetty Barracks Gallery, a kiosk and toilet facilities.

The blue main route runs across the fortress from north to south. All main sights are situated along this route, which starts at the main pier in front of the Jetty Barracks and terminates at the King’s Gate.

Distances at normal walking pace:

• Main pier – Visitor Centre: 500 metres (0.3 miles) (10 min.)
• Visitor Centre – Piper’s Park: 400 metres (0.25 miles) (10 min)
• Visitor Centre – King’s Gate: 1 kilometre (0.62 miles) (20 min)
• Visitor Centre – Great Courtyard: 200 metres (0.12 miles) (5 min)
• Main pier – Open-air theatre: 800 metres (0.5 miles) (20 min.)
• King’s Gate – Main pier: 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) (30 min.)

Information boards

The lit information boards provide information at all times, even when no guided tours are available or when the Visitor Centre is closed. More…

Accessibility

The Suomenlinna maritime fortress is a challenging environment for people with impaired mobility because of the fortifications and rocky terrain. Public facilities restored in recent years have been designed to be accessible. Streets in Suomenlinna are paved with cobblestones, gravel or sand. Uneven sections cannot be avoided completely.

The terrain is hilly and difficult in parts, so wheelchair users should be accompanied by a carer/companion. The weather may also make the footpaths uneven and slippery.

There are five accessible toilets in Suomenlinna. They are marked on the map. Many restaurants and museums also have accessible toilet facilities.

Perceiving where the footpaths run may be hard for visually impaired people. There are also several places where there is a real danger of falling from cliffs. Navigating through the tunnels may also be difficult for visually impaired people. More information for people with impaired mobility…

Please note!

All visitors move around Suomenlinna at their own risk. There are several dangerous cliffs in Suomenlinna which are largely unfenced. Passing vessels may cause dangerously high waves and strong currents on the waterfront. Parents must supervise their children.

No entry is allowed to construction sites and closed areas as they may contain collapsing structures.