There are guided tours of the island in English, Swedish and German. Invalid taxis do not need special permits. Suomenlinna Suomenlinna is an island fortress in front of Helsinki. It is definitely worth a visit, especially in summer. Suomenlinna is a beauty spot just fifteen minutes by ferry from Market Square, in the centre of Helsinki.
Ferries operate regularly all year round and accept local transport tickets.
It is easy to spend a whole day in the museums, caf s and restaurants of Suomenlinna, or strolling on the cliffs. Suomenlinna is a good place to learn about the history of the Baltic or enjoy the natural beauty of the islands, but it is also a living part of the city, with art exhibitions, restaurants and its own inhabitants. The history of Suomenlinna goes back more than 250 years to 1746, when the Swedes decided to fortify the island against the growing menace from Russia. The building of the fortress caused little Helsinki to expand and was a decisive factor in the later decision to make Helsinki the capital. You can get acquainted with the phases of the island's history at the Coastal Defence Museum, situated in an eighteenth century powder magazine at Kustaanmiekka.