Helsinki & Suomenlinna eco-friendly tram and ferry tour

Tram through the city center, then inside the walls of a six-island fortress

This five- to six-hour guided tour of Helsinki and Suomenlinna uses public tram and ferry to move between the city's main landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage sea fortress. You start at Central Station, ride the tram past the Olympic Stadium, Sibelius Monument, Senate Square and both Helsinki Cathedrals, take a lunch break, then ferry to Suomenlinna to walk inside the fortress walls before ending at Market Square. The guide speaks English, and all transport tickets and the Suomenlinna ferry are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Helsinki Central Station15m
2. Helsinki Olympic Stadium15m
3. Sibelius Monument15m
4. Senate Square10m · entry included
5. Helsinki Cathedral15m · entry included
6. Uspenski Cathedral15m · entry included
7. Esplanadi Park15m
8. Suomenlinna Fortress1h · entry included
9. Market Square15m

Explore Helsinki and Suomenlinna Fortress

• Meet at Helsinki Central Station
• City tour by tram
• Visit Helsinki Olympic Stadium
• See Sibelius Monument in Sibelius Park
• Visit Senate Square
• Visit Helsinki Cathedral
• Visit Uspenski Cathedral
• Walk through Esplanadi Park
• See Amanda statue (Little Mermaid)
• Visit Old Market Hall
• Ferry to Suomenlinna Fortress
• Tour Suomenlinna Fortress and church
• Return by ferry to Market Square
• Free time at Market Square

The experience

The tour kicks off at Helsinki Central Station, the busiest station in Finland, where your guide meets you and the city tram ride begins. You'll pass the Olympic Stadium (recently renovated and reopened in 2020), and head toward Sibelius Park to see the monument to the Father of Finnish Music. The tram carries you through Senate Square and past both the Helsinki Cathedral and the Uspenski Cathedral, the Orthodox church that stands out visually from the rest of the city. A walk through Esplanadi Park, one of Helsinki's most prosperous neighborhoods, rounds out the morning before you break for lunch.

After lunch, the tour shifts to water. You'll take the ferry to Suomenlinna, one of the world's largest sea fortresses, spread across six small islands and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide leads you inside the heavy fortress walls, explaining its military history and the role it played in Finland's past. You'll also visit the Suomenlinna Church while you're there. The fortress itself is the centerpiece here: walking its grounds and hearing the stories behind them is what makes the stop worthwhile.

The ferry brings you back to Helsinki Market Square, where the tour ends. The Old Market Hall has been operating since 1889 and sells everything from fresh fish and shellfish to cheese, vegetables, fruit, spices and coffee. You'll have free time to explore the vendors and the square itself, so the day doesn't end abruptly. It transitions into your own exploration of the city. Sightseeing stops may shift depending on the season and opening hours of each site.

What’s included

• HSL public transport ticket fare for the tram.
• English-speaking guide.
• round-trip ferry to Suomenlinna with guided fortress tour.
• access to Suomenlinna Church during the visit.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Helsinki Tour

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying without a car or near the city center. It starts at Central Station and uses public tram and ferry, so you don't need to arrange separate transport or navigate the city on your own. The fixed route and guide mean the day holds together without you building it.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Suomenlinna and why is it worth the ferry ride?

Suomenlinna is one of the world's largest sea fortresses, built across six small islands and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour takes you inside the fortress walls to walk the grounds and learn its military history from your guide, which is the main reason for the ferry portion of the day.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the starting point?

The tour begins at Helsinki Central Station, and all transport during the tour (the city tram and the round-trip ferry to Suomenlinna) is included. You only need to get yourself to Central Station to meet your guide.

Is there time to eat during the tour?

Yes, there's a lunch break built into the itinerary. You'll have time to find food on your own during this break. The tour does not include a meal, but you'll be in the city center where options are available.

What if I want to spend more time at Market Square or explore on my own afterward?

The tour ends at Market Square, and you'll have free time there to visit vendors and explore at your own pace. Many travelers use this as a starting point for their own further exploration of Helsinki.

Can I enter the Helsinki Cathedral during the tour?

The tour visits the Helsinki Cathedral, but entry sometimes isn't possible if a service is taking place inside. Your guide will let you know if that's the case on your particular day.