Visitors from around the world

Over the years as international tourism has increased, Suomenlinna has come to attract visitors from all around the world. At the same time, the fortress has remained important for both residents of the Helsinki region and people from all over Finland.

Suomenlinna received around one million visitors in 2018. Most visitors arrive in the summer season stretching from May to September. In recent years, Suomenlinna has also drawn more and more winter-time visitors—nearly 300,000 in 2018. Suomenlinna’s visitor figures are tracked on the basis of the passenger volumes of ferries and waterbuses. Visitors arriving on their own vessels are added to this figure, and resident and commuter traffic is deducted from the total.

Visitors come from all corners of the world. According to the latest visitor survey, the five largest nationalities, apart from Finland, were Germany, the USA, the UK, Russia and Spain. The ratio between foreign and Finnish visitors varies in the winter and summer. In the winter, the share of foreign nationals increases. Of the total number of visitors, foreigners account for 67%.

The sea fortress’s appeal lies in its sights, nature and cultural heritage as well as its setting, which is ideal for spending time together.

Visitor survey every four years

Visitor surveys that provide more comprehensive data on visitors and their experiences in Suomenlinna are conducted once every four years. The latest survey, conducted in 2018, was carried out in cooperation with all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland.

Suomenlinna’s evolution into a tourist attraction

The fortress was already mentioned in several travel guides by 19th century.

Services open throughout the year

Suomenlinna has some 30 tourism service providers catering to visitors.

Kuvassa näkyy kustaanmiekan ammusvarastot, joita ympäröi keltaiset ukonpalkokasvustot. Taustalla näkyy meri

Principles of sustainable tourism

The Fortress of Suomenlinna strives to actively develop sustainable tourism, both at home and through efforts to help develop tourism at other World Heritage Sites in Finland and internationally. Together with other World Heritage Sites and national parks in Finland, Suomenlinna is committed to the principles of sustainable tourism.