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Helsinki Attraction: Snow-white Suomenlinna Island during Winter Season
Winter in Singapore is nowhere near possible, which is why a Suomenlinna winter is what we should be dreaming about this festive season. One of Finland’s World Heritage Site, Suomenlinna Island, is definitely beautiful and picturesque picnic-ready all year round, and this includes Christmas. It’s actually an inhabited sea fortress built on distinctive six islands namely: Kustaanmiekka, Susisaari, Iso-Mustasaari, Pikku-Mustasaari, Länsi-Mustasaari, and Långören. Suomenlinna (Castle of Finland) is easy to get to, especially since there is a ferry service provided by the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority.
Home to a number of famous museums and the last surviving Finnish submarine, Vesikko, the Suomenlinna area would take anyone at least more than half a day to enjoy. Because of the fortress and the rich history of the place though, you’ll observe the distinctive influences of the Swedish, Russian, and every other culture that has influenced the place throughout the years. It’s a blast from the past kind of journey, with all the different main sights that you can enjoy in this borough of Helsinki. Upon paying the entrance fee and reviewing the overall map to see which specific place you want to go first – tourist information, restaurants, cafes and brewery, shopping and art, or just the museums, or even the outdoor areas – there’s something for everyone’s liking.
Suomenlinna is a car-free zone and is meant to be seen on foot – which is why it’s particularly beautiful to explore in winter – the snow covered landscape makes everything look as if you’ve stepped into a new dimension of splendor. There are guided tours, and there are also ways to get around easily like a prop - all the main sights are situated along the Blue main route, which runs across the fortress, and shown on the information maps. I mostly liked our walk, even if I almost could not feel my toes wiggling. Lol. And of course, I also liked the free introductory exhibition that gives visitors all the good stuff background about the place.
When I arrived in this place, on a cold-cold-cold Friday afternoon FYI, I managed to find a spot just at the edge of the island, where I saw this massive ship moving slowly. Right there and then, I knew Finland is where Santa Claus is (probably driving the ship? Lol). But seriously, as an Asian living in a tropical city like Singapore, this kind of view is a breath of fresh (cold) air! It’s a landscape that I wouldn’t mind looking at.
This fortress of Finland’s main quay, the pink Rantakasarmi (Jetty Barracks) building is one of the best preserved of the Russian era according to Lonely Planet. Naturally, one would visit this place to see what’s in here – but for me though, what I really liked the most is the “sunset” part of the place, it’s worth finding a spot to watch the enormous Baltic ferries pass through the narrow gap between islands.
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