In the summer

During the summer months the fortress hosts various events and offers a wide range of services. Ferries may be full in beautiful weather but fortunately they run frequently, sometimes as often as every 15 minutes. You can also take the waterbus.

Guided tours take place five times a day, so summer is the perfect time to explore the fortress and its history with an experienced guide. Almost all restaurants and places of interest are open during the summer, so allow plenty of time for your visit. Check the calendar of events to see what’s on during your visit.

Remember to allow time for some shopping! Unique presents made by the Suomenlinna craft designers are available in the summer shop b34 and souvenirs can be bought in the Suomenlinna Museum shop. The Toy Museum shop has a wonderful selection of books, games and teddy bears for sale.

You should wear good, comfortable shoes because the streets in the fortress are cobblestoned and distances between the sights may seem long if you are wearing high heels or thin-soled sandals.

If you are planning on bringing a picnic, please remember that barbeques or open fires are not allowed anywhere on the fortress. There are several restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy meals and snacks at various prices. You can also buy picnic food in the shop near the main pier or order a picnic hamper from Café Vanille or Café Piper (min. 10 persons). The hamper should be ordered at least two days before your scheduled visit.

Many Suomenlinna restaurants and cafés have sunny terraces. The beer garden of the Restaurant Suomenlinna Brewery is located near the main pier, the terrace of the Walhalla Gourmet provides a lovely view onto the open sea, the Café Bar Valimo terrace at the guest harbour is great for watching passing sailboats and the Café Chapman terrace provides shelter from the heat.

Up-to-date weather information.

Three to four hours to spend in Suomenlinna

• Visit the Suomenlinna Museum and watch the widescreen show (about 45 min).
• Take a short coffee break (15 min), explore the Kustaanmiekka island and walk to the King’s Gate (15 min) OR get souvenirs in the summer shop b34 (15 min).
• Take a guided tour to learn about the history of the 260-year-old fortress and see all the main sights, such as the Great Courtyard and the dry dock (60 min).
• Enjoy lunch in one of the nine restaurants or cafés (45–60 min).

Open-air theatre and evening meal

• Take a waterbus from Kauppatori to Tykistölahti.
• Watch an open-air theatre production. Remember to book in advance or contact Lippupalvelu to enquire about tickets on the day.
• Enjoy an evening meal in the atmospheric Walhalla restaurant, located in the fortress. Remember to make a reservation in advance! (60–90 min).
• Enjoy coffee and cognac on the JT-Line waterbus from Kustaanmiekka to Kauppatori (20 min).