[Photo from visithelsinki.fi]

Suomenlinna (Viapori/Sveaborg) fortress is one of the biggest sea fortresses in the world. Founded in 1748 and built by Augustin Ehrensvärd on islands off the coast of Helsinki. Suomenlinna one of the most popular attractions in Finland and a place where people live. It was included in Unesco’s World Heritage List in 1991 as a unique monument to European military architecture. An important part of any visit to Suomenlinna is a good meal or a welcome break at one of the cafés. The fortress has a selection of restaurants and charming cafés. The Visitor Centre, situated in the middle of the fortress at Tykistölahti bay, is a base and information point for visitors and is the starting point for the walking tours. It also contains the Suomenlinna Museum exhibition. Suomenlinna is explored on foot. During the summer months there are daily guided tours in English, Swedish and Finnish around Suomenlinna. In the winter there are tours in English during the weekends.

Address: Suomenlinna FI-00190 Helsinki

Opening hours: Suomenlinna island is open all year round. Suomenlinna visitors centre and museum and some other services are open also during winter. No entrance fee for the island.

Telephone: +358 (0)9 684 1880/tourist information, (0)9 684 1850/Ehrensvärd Society

Website: www.suomenlinna.fi

Email: info@suomenlinna.fi

Accessibility: There are many cobbled sections of road on the islands, where the use of a wheelchair or baby carriage may be somewhat difficult.