Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
▲▲Seurasaari Open-Air Folk Museum
Inspired by Stockholm's Skansen, also on a lovely island on the edge of town, this is a col-
lection of 100 historic buildings from every corner of Finland. It's wonderfully furnished
and gives rushed visitors an opportunity to sample the far reaches of Finland without leav-
ing the capital city. If you're not taking a tour, get the €1.20 map or the helpful €6 guide-
book. You're welcome to bring a picnic, or you can have a light lunch (snacks and cakes)
in the Antti farmstead at the center of the park. Off-season, when the buildings are closed,
the place is empty and not worth the trouble.
Cost and Hours:
Free park entry, €8 to enter buildings; June-Aug daily 11:00-17:00;
late May and early Sept Mon-Fri 9:00-15:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00; closed mid-Sept-mid-
May; tel. 09/4050-9660,
www.seurasaari.fi
.
Tours:
English tours are free with €8 entry ticket, offered mid-June-mid-Aug generally
at 15:00, and take one hour (confirm times on their website).
Getting There:
To reach the museum, ride bus #24 (from the top of the Esplanade,
2/hour) to the end (note departure times for your return) and walk across the quaint foot-
bridge.
▲▲Suomenlinna Fortress
The island guarding Helsinki's harbor served as a strategic fortress for three countries: Fin-
land, Sweden, and Russia. It's now a popular park with several museums and a visitors
center located about five minutes from the boat dock. The free Suomenlinna guidebook
