Ehrensvärd Museum
Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland, 00190
One of six museums in Helsinki’s Suomenlinna Fortress, the Ehrensvärd Museum occupies the Commander’s House in the fort’s main bastion. It's named after Augustin Ehrensvärd, a Swedish admiral who founded the fortress, and it recreates an 18th-century upper-class home, with period dress, furniture, portraits, weapons, and model ships.
Practical Info
The Ehrensvärd Museum is located in the Suomenlinna fortress on Suomenlinna Island and is only accessible by water. Regular ferries and waterbuses run from the Market Square in Helsinki and take around 20 minutes.
The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm, but opening hours can vary during the winter months – check the website for the full schedule. Adult admission is 5€ or free with the Helsinki Card.
The basics
It’s not necessary to book advance tickets to visit the Ehrensvärd Museum. Most travelers visit independently as part of a day trip or half-day trip to Suomenlinna. As well as offering insights into everyday life in Finland, then under Swedish rule, the museum shows the space's adaptability. The airy dining room windows could convert into crenels to fire at attackers, for example. The Ehrensvärd Museum is a good choice for history buffs and military fans.
Things to know before you go
Allow 30 minutes to one hour to explore the compact museum.
There’s a charge to visit the Ehrensvärd Museum, with discounts for children. Helsinki Card holders enjoy free entry.
Not all of the signage is translated into English.
The museum is on the first floor and is reached by a long staircase. It’s not accessible to travelers who rely on wheelchairs or have significant mobility issues.
How to get there
The Ehrensvärd Museum sits at the heart of the Suomenlinna Fortress. Ferries, which are free with the Helsinki Card, run from Market Square to Suomenlinna several times an hour in summer and less frequently in winter. Water buses only run from Market Square from May–September.
When to get there
The museum is open daily in summer (generally from early May to the end of August) and on weekends in September. It closes for winter.
About the Suomenlinna Fortress
Augustin Ehrensvärd started building the Suomenlinna Fortress on a group of small islands in 1748, and today the sprawling complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of Helsinki’s most popular tourist destinations, the fortress is home to six museums, including a submarine, plus a wealth of cafés, bars, and restaurants: It even has its own brewery.
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