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Activity Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki’s Island Fortress: An Audio Tour of Suomenlinna

3.0 (2 reviews) 2–3 hours Free cancellation Private tour
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Helsinki’s Island Fortress: An Audio Tour of Suomenlinna

About this activity

Suomenlinna is one of the world’s largest sea fortresses, and it sprawls across a series of six small islands. On this walking tour, I’ll show you around, and share the rich history of the island that’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.

You'll see the Jetty Barracks which were designed to accommodate 250 soldiers in peacetime, the Suomenlinna Church which was once an Orthodox garrison church and is now an Evangelical-Lutheran church, and the Great Courtyard where you’ll find Augustin Ehrensvärd's grave. As you make your way around the island, I’ll tell you about the Mortuis Memorial Stone, the Military Museum of Manes and the 1918 Prisoner-of-War Camp Memorial which marks the spot where 8,000 prisons were held.

While this two-hour tour is perfect for those who want to find out more about the island fortress’ history, we’ll also share some interesting facts about Helsinki and Finland with you. Did you know, for instance, that there are more saunas than cars in Finland?

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At a glance

Duration
2–3 hours
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Your group only
People per booking
1–15
Audio guide
English
Written guide
English
Operated by
VoiceMap Audio Tours

Ages: Adults (6–99 years)

What is included

Included

  • Included: Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
  • Included: The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
  • Included: Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Included: Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  • Included: Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Not included

  • Not included: Smartphone and headphones
  • Not included: Transportation
  • Not included: Food and drink
  • Not included: Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Itinerary

  1. Stop 1

    Passing by

    Suomenlinna is one of the world’s largest sea fortresses, and it sprawls across a series of six small islands. On this walking tour, I’ll show you around, and share the rich history of the island that’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.

  2. Suomenlinna Church (Suomenlinnan kirkko)

    Passing by

    On this self-guided tour, you'll see the Jetty Barracks which were designed to accommodate 250 soldiers in peacetime, the Suomenlinna Church which was once an Orthodox garrison church and is now an Evangelical-Lutheran church.

  3. Stop 3

    Passing by

    On this self-guided tour, you'll see the Great Courtyard where you’ll find Augustin Ehrensvärd's grave. Listening to the story of Augustin Ehrensvärd, whose mission during the war was to increase the artillery’s capacity and to expand Hamina city’s defences

  4. Stop 4

    Passing by

    As you make your way around the island, you'll find out about the Mortuis Memorial Stone, the Military Museum of Manes and the 1918 Prisoner-of-War Camp Memorial which marks the spot where 8,000 prisons were held.

  5. Stop 5

    Passing by

    As you make your way around the island, you'll find out about the Mortuis Memorial Stone, the Military Museum of Manes and the 1918 Prisoner-of-War Camp Memorial which marks the spot where 8,000 prisons were held.

  6. Stop 6

    Passing by

    On this tour, you'll relive King Adolf Frederick’s first time walking through the King’s Gate in 1752.

  7. Stop 7

    Passing by

    On this tour, you'll pass by several bastions, including the Gyllenborg Bastion and the Bastion Hårleman, part of the island’s outer ring of defences.

  8. Submarine Vesikko

    Passing by

    On this audio tour, you'll learn about the submarine Vesikko which was launched from the Crichton-Vulcan dock in Turku and used during World War II.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

  • The tour starts at the Suomenlinna, päälait. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

  • The tour starts at the Suomenlinna, päälait. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

Using your ticket

VOICEMAP CODE

───

Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour. 

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

───

1. Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

2. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app

3. Create an account

4. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes

5. Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

───

You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.

This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.

When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.

Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT

───

For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%

Good to know

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

  • Please bring your own smartphone and headphones

Traveller ratings

3.0 out of 5 · 2 reviews
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Helsinki’s Island Fortress: An Audio Tour of Suomenlinna

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