LakeDistrict Saimaa
5
Day Itinerary •
Finland
Five days in the Finnish Lake District and Saimaa gives you the full extraordinary depth of the largest lake system in Europe, from the remarkable Olavinlinna Castle and the extraordinary Lake Saimaa ringed seal watching to the fine Linnansaari kayaking, the remarkable Astuvansalmi Stone Age rock paintings, and the extraordinary Saimaa Canal cruise to the Russian city of Vyborg. This extended route covers Saimaa completely. Savonlinna and the castle on Day 1, Linnansaari kayaking and smoke sauna on Day 2, Lappeenranta and Imatra on Day 3, the remarkable Mikkeli Winter War history and extraordinary Astuvansalmi rock paintings on Day 4, and the fine Retretti underground art centre and the extraordinary Saimaa Canal cruise on Day 5.
Best Time To Visit
June to August for lake activities, seals and canal cruises
Getting There
Train or bus from Helsinki to Savonlinna, 4 hours
Getting Around
Hired car essential throughout the lake district.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 200 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, kayaking and walking options
DAY 1
SAVONLINNA
MORNING
SAVONLINNA AND OLAVINLINNA CASTLE
The extraordinary Olavinlinna Castle in Savonlinna, the finest medieval castle in Finland, rising from a rocky island in Lake Saimaa where the remarkable 15th-century stone towers and the extraordinary curtain walls are surrounded entirely by water. Founded in 1475 by Erik Axelsson Tott to protect the eastern border of the Swedish realm, the remarkable castle is the best-preserved medieval fortress in northern Europe. Entry approx 10 EUR. The extraordinary Savonlinna Opera Festival held inside the castle in July is the finest outdoor opera in the world. 15 min walk
MIDDAY
LAKE SAIMAA ARCHIPELAGO BOAT TOUR
The extraordinary Lake Saimaa archipelago boat tour, navigating the remarkable labyrinth of forested islands, fine bays and the outstanding rock outcrops of the largest lake system in Finland and the fourth largest in Europe. The remarkable Saimaa ringed seal, one of the rarest freshwater seals in the world found only in Lake Saimaa, is occasionally visible on the extraordinary granite rocks. The fine 2-hour boat tour from Savonlinna gives the finest lake panorama in Finland. Tours approx 25 EUR. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
PUNKAHARJU RIDGE AND NATIONAL LANDSCAPE
The extraordinary Punkaharju ridge, a narrow 7km glacial esker between the lakes of Puruvesi and Pihlajavesi, the finest natural landscape in Finland and the first ever landscape declared a national landscape by Finnish royal decree in 1803. The remarkable pine forest on the extraordinary narrow sand ridge between two lakes, with the fine road running along the crest, creates the most extraordinary Finnish lake landscape accessible by car.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Saimaa ringed seal, a remarkable Ice Age relic species found only in Lake Saimaa, is one of the rarest freshwater seals in the world with only approximately 400 individuals remaining. The remarkable Linnansaari National Park in the central Saimaa archipelago is the finest place to see the extraordinary seal in its natural habitat. Guided seal-watching boat tours from Oravi approx 40 EUR. The finest wildlife experience in the Finnish Lake District. ourhiddenearth.com
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Savonlinna cafe Outstanding traditional Finnish breakfast in Savonlinna. Fine rye bread and remarkable Finnish kahvi before the castle. | Lunch: Savonlinna market Outstanding fresh vendace lake fish and remarkable Finnish crayfish at the extraordinary Savonlinna harbour market in summer. | Dinner: Majakka Restaurant, Savonlinna Outstanding traditional Finnish restaurant. Extraordinary Saimaa pike-perch and fine Finnish forest mushroom dishes.
DAY 2
LINNANSAARI
MORNING
LINNANSAARI NATIONAL PARK KAYAKING
The extraordinary Linnansaari National Park in the heart of Lake Saimaa, the finest kayaking destination in Finland, where the remarkable granite island archipelago, the outstanding old-growth forest and the extraordinary clarity of the lake water create the finest paddling experience in northern Europe. The remarkable osprey nests on the islands, the fine white-tailed eagles soaring above the lake and the outstanding possibility of seeing the extraordinary Saimaa ringed seal on a rock are the finest wildlife encounters in the park. Kayak hire approx 35 EUR. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
KERIMAKI CHURCH AND COUNTRYSIDE
The extraordinary Kerimaki Church, the largest wooden church in the world built in 1847 with a remarkable capacity of 3,300 worshippers, in the fine East Finnish countryside 20km from Savonlinna. The remarkable scale of the extraordinary wooden construction, the fine 27-metre dome rising above the flat lake landscape and the outstanding interior with its gallery seating are unlike any wooden building in Finland. Entry free. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
LAKE SAUNA AND SWIMMING EXPERIENCE
The extraordinary Finnish smoke sauna experience on the shore of Lake Saimaa, the finest cultural institution in Finland, where the remarkable ancient smoke sauna heated for 6 hours with no chimney fills the extraordinary wooden cabin with fine heat before the sauna stones are cleared. The outstanding tradition of the whisking with birch branches, the remarkable lake plunge and the fine beer and sausage grilled over the sauna fire create the most extraordinary Finnish cultural experience.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Retretti Art Centre in the remarkable underground cavern carved into the granite at Punkaharju, a fine art museum in a natural limestone cave system, is the finest underground art gallery in Finland. The remarkable combination of the extraordinary cave acoustics, the fine light filtering through the granite and the outstanding contemporary Finnish art makes this the most unusual museum experience in the Lake District.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cottage breakfast Outstanding Finnish breakfast at the remarkable lake cottage. Fine rye crispbread, remarkable quark and excellent Finnish coffee. | Lunch: Oravi village Simple fine lunch near the extraordinary Linnansaari park. Fresh lake fish and remarkable Finnish summer soup. | Dinner: Lake cottage sauna dinner Extraordinary traditional Finnish sauna sausages grilled over the fire with remarkable Finnish beer at the lake shore.
DAY 3
SOUTH KARELIA
MORNING
LAPPEENRANTA FORTRESS AND SAIMAA CANAL
The extraordinary Lappeenranta, the finest fortified city on the western shore of Lake Saimaa, with the remarkable 18th-century Linnoitus fortress containing the fine South Karelian Museum, the outstanding Orthodox church and the remarkable craft workshops of the oldest working fortress in Finland. The extraordinary Saimaa Canal from Lappeenranta to Vyborg on the Russian border, dug in 1856, is the finest historic waterway in Finland. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
IMATRA WATERFALL AND RAPIDS
The extraordinary Imatrankoski rapids in Imatra, the most powerful rapids in Finland and one of the finest natural spectacles in the country, where the remarkable Vuoksi River was historically uncontrolled but is now released in a spectacular daily torrent for visitors in summer. The fine Art Nouveau Imatran Valtionhotelli on the rapids shore is the finest hotel building in Finland. Daily water release in summer approx 30 minutes, check local timetable. 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO SAVONLINNA OR ONWARD
The extraordinary final drive through the remarkable South Karelian landscape of pine forests, fine lake reflections and the outstanding hayfields of the Finnish summer countryside. The remarkable straight Finnish forest roads through the extraordinary lake district are the finest driving in Finland.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lusto Forest Museum 10km from Savonlinna at Punkaharju, the finest forest and forestry museum in Finland, tells the remarkable story of the extraordinary Finnish relationship with the forest from hunter-gatherer times to the present. The fine building in the remarkable pine forest, the outstanding scale model of the Lake District and the extraordinary diorama of Finnish forest history are the finest in any Finnish regional museum. Entry approx 12 EUR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lappeenranta cafe Good breakfast near the extraordinary Lappeenranta fortress. | Lunch: Imatra riverside Outstanding fresh lake fish at a fine Imatra riverside restaurant. Extraordinary Vuoksi pikeperch. | Dinner: Savonlinna return dinner Fine farewell Finnish dinner at Majakka or Paviljonki in the remarkable Savonlinna harbour.
DAY 4
MIKKELI AREA
MORNING
MIKKELI AND ST MICHEL AREA
The extraordinary Mikkeli, the headquarters of the Finnish Army in the Winter War of 1939 to 1940, where the remarkable Headquarters Museum in the town's railway carriage and the outstanding Mannerheim's Headquarters in the fine Mikkeli town give the most extraordinary insight into Finland's remarkable defence against the Soviet invasion. The fine Mikkeli market square with its remarkable traditional vendors is the finest small-city market in the Saimaa region. 45 min drive
MIDDAY
RISTIINA AND ASTUVANSALMI ROCK PAINTINGS
The extraordinary Astuvansalmi rock paintings on the shore of Lake Yovajarvi near Ristiina, the largest Stone Age rock painting site in the Nordic countries, where remarkable red ochre figures of humans, elks and extraordinary abstract symbols painted 4,000 to 6,000 years ago are visible on the extraordinary lake-shore granite cliff face. The remarkable accessibility by kayak or on foot through the fine forest makes this the most extraordinary hidden site in the Saimaa lake district. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
PUUMALA AND SAIMAA ISLANDS EVENING
The extraordinary Puumala, the finest small town in the western Saimaa lake district, connected to the mainland by the remarkable 1.3km Kietavansalmi bridge over the fine Saimaa waterway. The outstanding evening light on the extraordinary Lake Saimaa from the Puumala hillside viewpoint, with the remarkable forested islands stretching to the horizon in every direction and the fine evening colour on the extraordinary Finnish midsummer sky, is the finest lake view in Finland.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Winter War of November 1939 to March 1940, when Finland resisted the Soviet invasion with remarkable success against overwhelming odds, is the most significant event in modern Finnish history. The fine Finnish soldier, the extraordinary sisu spirit, and the remarkable defence of the Mannerheim Line are explained at the Mikkeli headquarters better than anywhere else in Finland.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Mikkeli hotel Good breakfast before the Mikkeli market and headquarters museum. | Lunch: Ristiina village Simple good Finnish lunch near the extraordinary Astuvansalmi rock paintings. | Dinner: Puumala lakeside restaurant Outstanding fresh Saimaa lake fish. Extraordinary pikeperch and fine Finnish mushroom soup with lake views.
DAY 5
SAIMAA CANAL
MORNING
RETRETTI ART CENTRE AND UNDERGROUND GALLERIES
The extraordinary Retretti Art Centre carved into the granite at Punkaharju, a remarkable underground art gallery in a natural cave system with fine contemporary Finnish art displayed in extraordinary limestone chambers with remarkable acoustics and the outstanding natural light filtering through the granite rock. The finest underground art experience in Finland. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SAIMAA CANAL CRUISE TO VYBORG
The extraordinary Saimaa Canal day cruise from Lappeenranta through the fine canal locks to the remarkable Russian city of Vyborg 60km away, crossing the extraordinary border between Finland and Russia on the historic waterway dug in 1856. The fine Vyborg Old Town with its remarkable medieval castle on the bay and the outstanding Alvar Aalto-designed Vyborg Library from 1935 are the finest cultural sights accessible from the Saimaa region. Visa may be required, check current requirements. 4 hours return
AFTERNOON
LAKE DISTRICT FAREWELL AND COTTAGE EVENING
A final extraordinary evening on the shore of Lake Saimaa watching the remarkable Finnish summer sky over the fine water, with the outstanding smoke sauna for a last Finnish cultural experience and the extraordinary silence of the lake district broken only by the fine calls of the common loon and the remarkable splash of the Saimaa pike rising in the shallows.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lusto Forest Museum 10km from Savonlinna at Punkaharju, the finest forest and forestry museum in Finland, tells the remarkable story of the extraordinary Finnish relationship with the forest from hunter-gatherer times to the present. The fine building in the remarkable pine forest, the outstanding scale model of the Lake District and the extraordinary diorama of Finnish forest history are the finest in any Finnish regional museum. Entry approx 12 EUR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lappeenranta cafe Good breakfast before the Saimaa Canal cruise departure. | Lunch: Vyborg or packed lunch On the extraordinary Saimaa Canal cruise. Simple provisions or Vyborg riverside restaurant. | Dinner: Lake cottage farewell Extraordinary Finnish sauna sausages and remarkable Finnish berry dessert for the finest lake farewell.
Where To Stay
Savonlinna Hotel Casino or Hernesaari. Lake views. Approx 80 to 200 EUR per night. Lake Cottages Traditional smoke sauna cottages on the lake shore. Approx 100 to 300 EUR. Budget Guesthouses in Savonlinna and Lappeenranta. Approx 50 to 90 EUR per night.
Top Tips
1. Book the Savonlinna Opera Festival months ahead if visiting July. The finest outdoor opera in the world.
2. The Saimaa Canal Vyborg cruise requires checking current visa requirements for Russia.
3. Book smoke sauna cottage in advance. The finest Finnish experience in the Lake District.
4. Seal watching tours run May to August from Oravi. Book through the Linnansaari nature centre.
5. The Astuvansalmi rock paintings are accessible by kayak or forest trail. Bring waterproof footwear.
6. Finnish crayfish season is August. The extraordinary crayfish parties on the Saimaa lake shores are remarkable.
Total Budget
120 to 495 EUR/day