Helsinki between fortress islands and urban greenery
Accommodation in Helsinki
Helsinki offers different perspectives on the Baltic Sea: Suomenlinna’s extensive fortress complex spans six separate islands, while Seurasaari combines varied natural environments with an open-air museum. The city also has attractions for architecture enthusiasts, as well as Korkeasaari Zoo on a Baltic Sea island near the city center. Which of these experiences interests you most can help determine the focus of your stay in Helsinki.
Suomenlinna: A fortress on six islands
Suomenlinna is a district of Helsinki and extends across six separate islands. The fortress covers 210 hectares and includes 200 buildings and six kilometers of defensive walls. These figures give the complex a character quite different from that of a single structure: the fortifications extend across an island group and include extensive defensive walls as well as buildings.
Architecturally, Suomenlinna is an outstanding example of general fortification principles from the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly the bastion system. At the same time, the fortress has distinctive features of its own. Those interested in historic military architecture will therefore find both recognizable general principles and features unique to this complex. Its historical character contrasts clearly with Helsinki’s contemporary architecture.
An HSL ferry runs year-round from Helsinki’s Market Square to Suomenlinna’s main pier. The crossing takes about 15 minutes. The ferry connection is therefore a practical part of planning a visit; the stated duration refers to the crossing.
Seurasaari: Nature, an open-air museum and an island connection
Seurasaari is connected to mainland Helsinki by a pedestrian bridge year-round. This differs from the ferry journey to Suomenlinna. Seurasaari brings together a variety of landscape features: natural coastal forests, herb-rich forests, ponds, smooth rocks and a protected coastal meadow. The southern shore and the islets off Seurasaari form a nature reserve. Seurasaari is also Helsinki’s most diverse habitat for bats.
The open-air museum is also part of the island’s character. Founded in 1909, it comprises 88 buildings typical of various regions from the late 17th to the 20th century. This historical span and regional diversity give a visit to the museum a different focus from Suomenlinna’s fortress architecture. Seurasaari is also known for its Midsummer celebrations.
There is a public barbecue area at the festival grounds where visitors can grill their own food. The city regularly provides firewood; you should bring your own matches. This is a practical detail to keep in mind if you plan to spend time at the barbecue area during your visit to the island. In summer, you can swim at the rocky, sandy beach as well as in the sea; in winter, the bathing area is used for winter swimming. Nature, a museum visit and these seasonal bathing experiences make Seurasaari a varied island destination.
Urban architecture and other interests
The Oodi Central Library provides an architectural highlight in the city. It combines successful service design with contemporary Finnish architecture. Helsinki Cathedral is part of the city’s Empire-style center and was completed in 1852. The two sites represent different periods: Oodi showcases contemporary architecture, while the cathedral belongs to the historic Empire-style center.
Korkeasaari Zoo adds another dimension to the city’s attractions. It is home to more than 150 animal species and is located on an island in the Baltic Sea near Helsinki’s city center. When choosing what interests you, you can distinguish between fortress history, nature, wildlife and architecture without treating the island destinations and urban architecture as a single focus for your visit.
Other destinations in this overview: Tuusula, Nurmijärvi, Svartå, Hyvinkää, Ingå, Pernå, Nummi-Pusula.
For the broader travel overview: Uusimaa.
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