Welcome to your final journey journey information for Lake Saimaa, Finland.
In the event you’re planning your Fiinish journey and looking for a unprecedented pure escape, someplace you’ll be able to bathe, swim and unwind beside clear recent waters, you’ve landed in the fitting place.
This journey information will reveal all the things it’s essential find out about visiting Lake Saimaa, together with the right way to get there, one of the best locations to remain, and the highest actions you’ll be able to’t miss.
I’ve simply returned from 4 days exploring this space of Jap Finland and I really feel SO replenished and impressed by the folks and landscapes of Lake Saimaa. It’s actually a gem and I can’t wait to share my suggestions with you!
Finland is a rustic famend for its gorgeous lakes and unspoiled wilderness and Lake Saimaa is an ideal instance of this. Spanning over 4,400 sq. kilometers, with over 14,000km of shoreline (the worlds longest lake shoreline), Lake Saimaa is Finland’s largest lake and the fourth largest in Europe.
Lake Saimaa is ideal for nature fans, journey seekers, and anybody seeking to unwind in a serene setting (assume cabins on lakes and foraging within the woods for dinner vibes).
Whether or not you’ve heard of Lake Saimaa for its lakeside cabins, its unbelievable fishing or as a habitat for the uncommon Saimaa ringed seal, this information will be sure to have all of the juicy suggestions and journey info to plan your good journey.
Are you able to discover one of the best issues to do in Lake Saimaa?
The Greatest Technique to Get To Lake Saimaa
Attending to Lake Saimaa is an journey, however contemplating you are feeling such as you’re in the midst of nowhere – it’s not that tough. It’s positively value it!
The closest main airport is Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, the place you’ll be able to take a commuter prepare to Tikkurila (a couple of minutes) after which change to Mikkeli (round 2 hours).
Alternatively, you’ll be able to hire a automobile for the scenic 3-hour journey to the lake area. Another choice is to fly to Lappeenranta Airport, which is nearer and gives direct connections from a number of European cities.
The Greatest Locations To Keep In Lake Saimaa
For lodging, the Lake Saimaa area boasts a spread of choices from cosy lakeside cottages and fashionable motels to distinctive houseboats and tenting websites. There’s a lot selection!
Staying in a lakeside cottage (domestically often known as a ‘mökki’) is very really helpful for an genuine Finnish expertise, providing the right mix of consolation and immersion in nature. Elsanranta Villas and Kanava Resort are two top-notch choices (that I stayed in) offering luxurious stays with gorgeous lake views and fashionable facilities.
Browse Lake Saimaa lodging right here.
One of the best time to go to Lake Saimaa
One of the best time to go to Lake Saimaa is determined by what you wish to do and expertise right here.
Summer season (June to August) is good for water actions, mountain climbing, and having fun with the midnight solar (yep a lot time for actions!). For winter sports activities fans, the snowy months of December to February provide alternatives for ice fishing, cross-country snowboarding, and experiencing the Northern Lights.
I visited in June and we had a combination of climate however delicate temperatures good for having fun with the outside in.
Discover Linnansaari Nationwide Park and spot the Saimaa ringed seal!
Linnansaari Nationwide Park is a must-visit for out of doors lovers and among the finest issues to do in Lake Saimaa in case you love journey!
The park is a labyrinth of a whole bunch of islands and gives glorious mountain climbing trails, kayaking routes, and tenting spots. One factor it’s essential to do is take a ship tour to identify the elusive Saimaa ringed seal, an endangered species distinctive to this area. Many corporations are providing it, we did ours with Kanava Resort.
We noticed an imposing Ospray too, properly our information did. They’re superb at recognizing the wildlife!
Keep at Landhaus Kekkola
Landhaus Kekkola is a pastel yellow colored, historic manor simply exterior town of Mikkeli (the right beginning location in case you get the prepare to Mikkeli from Helsinki!).
The property has Finnish-German hosts, Janne and Manuela, and their kids are actually a part of the expertise. You’re feeling such as you’re arriving to their house (you kinda are) and so they make you are feeling at house immediately.
Keep right here welcomes you to benefit from the basic rural lakeside environment of their household environment, it’s a really zen expertise. There are additionally a collection of actions and horse stables on the grounds.
My favorite half? The lakeside sauna and personal lake for swimming. E book right here.
Go to Olavinlinna Citadel
Olavinlinna Citadel is positioned within the city of Savonlinna and is one among Finland’s most iconic landmarks. This medieval fortress, constructed within the fifteenth century, sits majestically on a rocky islet in Lake Saimaa. A brilliant stunning location certainly and an opportunity to cube into some historical past.
I like to recommend you are taking a guided tour to study its fascinating historical past and revel in views from the towers.
Go on a canoeing or kayaking Journey
Canoeing on Lake Saimaa to benefit from the crystal-clear waters and numerous islands is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Lake Saimaa.
There are quite a few rental providers and guided excursions obtainable, catering to all talent ranges. You received’t be caught for selection!
Paddle via slender straits, alongside forests and uncover hidden seashores. Getting on the water is the right benefit from the peace of the Finnish wilderness.
Strive the fish caught within the lake!
In the course of the winter months, many will drink from the lake due to how clear the water is.
This makes for a wholesome ecosystem and a few of the freshest catches on the market. Two of the most well-liked (and plentiful) fish within the lake are Vendace and Pike.
A lot of the eating places we ate at in Lake Saimaa featured these locally-caught fish on their menu!
Probably the greatest issues to do in Lake Saimaa is to strive the native delicacies!
Chill out in a Conventional Finnish Sauna
No journey to Finland is full with out experiencing a conventional Finnish sauna. Severely.
Many lodging round Lake Saimaa provide personal saunas so alternatives are certain to come up in your journey. Alternatively you’ll be able to go to public saunas just like the distinctive floating sauna in Savonlinna.
After heating up, I at all times go for a refreshing dip within the lake – an invigorating custom liked by locals and guests alike.
Hike the Punkaharju Ridge
The Punkaharju Ridge is a pure marvel and one among Finland’s nationwide landscapes positioned just below 4 hours northeast of Helsinki. Punkaharju is a tranquil land of birch and spruce bushes, pristine waters and clear, crisp air – all the nice issues in reside (is it a marvel Finland have been voted the happiest nation on the earth 7 years in a row?).
This slender strip of land lies between two lakes and gives scenic trails for mountain climbing, strolling and biking. The views are stated to be outrageous!
The Harjureitti Path is a path you are able to do right here that’s 4 km lengthy and simply accessible for almost all of the route. The path will often elevate and provide gorgeous views of the Punkaharju nationwide panorama so to get completely different views on this marvel!
Expertise Ice Fishing in Winter
In the event you’re visiting throughout winter, ice fishing on Lake Saimaa is an expertise to not be missed. Native guides will offer you the entire crucial tools and experience that will help you catch fish via the thick ice. Fishing lover goals!
Ice fishing a singular and serene technique to join with Finnish tradition and the pure great thing about this frozen lake.
E book a spa day at Järvisydän
On the shores of Lake Saimaa, adjoining to Linnansaari Nationwide Park, you’ll discover a wellness lovers paradise within the type of Järvisydän.
We took a ship taxi from Kanava Resort (30 minute boat or 1.5 hour drive) and spent the day bathing within the exterior swimming pools, a number of saunas, rainforest bathe and steam rooms. I’ve to say, architecturally, its ones of essentially the most stunning spas I’ve ever been to.
They’ve weaved nature into each component with the vast majority of the spa and restaurant composed of wooden, stone and pure components.
Apart from the spa facilities, the resort additionally gives snug distinctive lodging in villas, Surroundings Suites, and houseboats so this can be a nice choice for lodging!
The historical past of the resort dates again to 1658 and has been handed down via the generations so the workers have many a narrative to inform!
Journey tip:
The lunch right here is buffet model and is WELL value staying for after your spa day.
Attend the Savonlinna Opera Competition
Held yearly in July, the Savonlinna Opera Competition is a cultural spotlight within the Lake Saimaa area so in case you’re planning your journey in the summertime – it is perhaps value including this to your itinerary!
The competition takes place within the historic Olavinlinna Citadel (the one on the island i discussed beforehand), providing a magical setting for world-class opera performances.
Kayaking at Pistohiekka Resort
Pistohiekka is definitely a part of the Saimaa UNESCO World Geopark and is without doubt one of the most interesting seaside resorts on the shores of Lake Saimaa.
The encompassing nature is uniquely stunning, providing a large number of actions to get pleasure from for days and even weeks. You’ll be able to take pleasure in mountain climbing, kayaking, biking, fishing, or crusing. Nonetheless, there may be additionally nothing incorrect with merely stress-free on the seaside and taking within the gorgeous surroundings.
The resort contains two primary buildings (see image beneath taken from the restaurant) and ten cottages for lodging. The seaside restaurant, boasting a incredible lake view, is famend for its Finnish wooden structure and is a well-liked attraction in its personal proper. Opened in June 2022, the resort has already been featured in main worldwide structure and design magazines – it’s not arduous to see why!!!
Observe: strive one among their Finnish cardamom buns!
E book your keep right here.
Keep at Elsanranta Villas
For an expensive keep and a retreat from the sounds of town, contemplate Elsanranta Villas. These weren’t low-cost however they had been INCREDIBLE. The eye to element was insane and I can think about coming right here for per week to only completely swap off in luxurious.
Every Elsanranta villa gives an unobstructed view of Lake Saimaa, permitting you to immerse your self in nature whereas stress-free within the villa, pool, or sauna.
The lounge space contains a luxurious double mattress a settee and all the main points to nourish your thoughts physique and soul. Theres a non-public sauna within the lavatory, a espresso machine with some unbelievable beans and… even a soda stream!!!
There was a B&O speaker to animate your keep and likewise a pair of binoculars on the desk whenever you arrive so you’ll be able to maintain a watch out for the uncommon Saimaa Ringed Seal.
The expansive deck is furnished with a seating space and a deluxe drop pool (pictured beneath), the place you’ll be able to admire the starlit sky and, if lucky, witness the northern lights.
It was a real pleasure to remain right here – the sort of place you don’t wish to go away.
Have dinner or lunch at Koskivahti Restaurant
Only a 5-minute stroll from the villas talked about within the earlier spotlight is that this attractive little lakeside restaurant. Sahanlahti Resort eating is based on high-quality, recent, native merchandise and a dedication to moral and accountable farming and it was evident in each mouthful we loved.
The talent and dedication of these rising and making ready your meals are evident in each dish served up. The restaurant is a five-star D.O. Saimaa ‘We Assist’ institution, and Koskivahti has been voted as having essentially the most stunning terrace view in Finland.
Beneath you’ll see the recent fish dish of the day, the INSANE tomato salad and the view from the surface deck.
E book a foraging expertise with Uhkua
While you guide a foraging expertise, Asta and Ilkka warmly welcome you to their charming lakeside farm Uhkua, the place you’ll be able to expertise the agricultural lifetime of the Lake Saimaa area. They reside right here off the grid with no water and have created a easy however nourishing life utilising the forests and soils that encompass them.
Throughout a guided wild meals expertise, you get to style the best delicacies the area has to supply and we cooked ours up on the out of doors hearth.
Chef Ilkka Arvola, a pioneer of native delicacies, is a patron of Finland’s first designation of origin label, D.O. Saimaa and guides the expertise seamlessly, sharing knowledge generously that will help you join with the land round you.
This was among the finest issues to do in Lake Saimaa – 100%.
Chill out at Kanava Resort
Kanava Resort gives an ideal mix of consolation and nature. Positioned proper by the water, the resort options cosy cabins, a restaurant with native delicacies, and numerous out of doors actions that you may interact in. Time right here for company is spent mountain climbing, fishing, or just stress-free by the lake, and your evenings? Unwinding within the sauna in fact.
We stayed in one of many lake entrance cabins right here and the personal saunas had been insane. Suppose floor-to-ceiling glass home windows with views throughout the lake.
My favorite half although, the way in which the beds are designed to face out to the forest and you’ll get up to the lake each morning. One in all my favorite locations I’ve ever woken up, see beneath!
This resort is the place we booked our Ringed seal boat journey and the place we took the boat over to the spa!
The restaurant, although quaint and quiet – served surprisingly fantastic meals!
Have you ever been to Lake Saimaa in Finland?
What are one of the best issues to do in Lake Saimaa? Something you’d add to this Lake Saimaa bucket checklist?
Love as at all times and joyful adventuring…
