Description

This walking tour starts with the essential sights and stories of Helsinki and Finland, takes you to taste the fresh local ingredients and ends at the beautiful fortress right in front of Helsinki. The Taste of Helsinki & Suomenlinna Tour includes many of those must-to-do’s in Helsinki.

We will stop at the Old Market Hall where you can experience Finnish cuisine displayed in all its color, tastes, scents and nuances. We sample some essential Finnish flavors and you have a possibility to purchase more for later.

For the brief historical review, we walk to the Senate Square, which has been the central gathering place for centuries. Also see the main sights in the surrounding old Helsinki area such as Uspensky Cathedral, President’s Castle, Allas Sea Pool and the Market Square.

The Tour continues with a 20-minute ferry ride to Suomenlinna, the no 1. attraction of Helsinki. This Sea Fortress has been in key role in development of Helsinki since 1700s. Your guide will reveal the secrets of this mysterious place.

Suomenlinna Island is home to around 800 locals, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This, one of the world’s largest sea fortresses, dates back in the mid-18th century and has been upgraded many times ever since. Built to be one of Stockholm’s outposts against the Russians, then conquered by them
without even a shot and later having served as a prison – this island has had many faces.

The excursion ends on Suomenlinna Island, where you can stay as long as you wish and travel back with your ferry ticket (the one is given to you at the beginning of the tour). Hopefully you are not in rush after the tour, because the island has sites to offer at least one hour or so after the tour. The ferry runs until very late so you can spend as long time as you wish on the island.

The tour is organized in co-operation with Ehrensvärd-seura and your guide will be an authorized Suomenlinna guide.