Welcome to your final journey journey information for Lake Saimaa, Finland.
For those who’re planning your Fiinish journey and in search of a unprecedented pure escape, someplace you may bathe, swim and unwind beside clear contemporary waters, you’ve landed in the best place.
This journey information will reveal the whole lot you have to learn about visiting Lake Saimaa, together with get there, the very best locations to remain, and the highest actions you may’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 not 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 fanatics, 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 the very best issues to do in Lake Saimaa?
The Greatest Option to Get To Lake Saimaa
Attending to Lake Saimaa is an journey, however contemplating you are feeling such as you’re in the course of nowhere – it’s not that troublesome. It’s undoubtedly price it!
The closest main airport is Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, the place you may take a commuter prepare to Tikkurila (a couple of minutes) after which change to Mikkeli (round 2 hours).
Alternatively, you may 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 provides 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 may be a lot selection!
Staying in a lakeside cottage (domestically referred to as a ‘mökki’) is extremely beneficial 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.
The very best time to go to Lake Saimaa
The very best time to go to Lake Saimaa is dependent upon what you wish to do and expertise right here.
Summer time (June to August) is right for water actions, mountain climbing, and having fun with the midnight solar (yep a lot time for actions!). For winter sports activities fanatics, the snowy months of December to February supply 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 best issues to do in Lake Saimaa in case you love journey!
The park is a labyrinth of a whole bunch of islands and provides wonderful mountain climbing trails, kayaking routes, and tenting spots. One factor you will need 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 impressive Ospray too, nicely our information did. They’re superb at recognizing the wildlife!
Keep at Landhaus Kekkola
Landhaus Kekkola is a pastel yellow colored, historic manor simply outdoors the 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 residence (you kinda are) they usually make you are feeling at residence instantly.
Keep right here welcomes you to benefit from the traditional 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. Ebook right here.
Go to Olavinlinna Citadel
Olavinlinna Citadel is situated 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. An excellent stunning location certainly and an opportunity to cube into some historical past.
I like to recommend you are taking a guided tour to find out about its fascinating historical past and luxuriate 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 accessible, catering to all ability ranges. You gained’t be caught for selection!
Paddle by way of slim 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 number of the freshest catches on the market. Two of the preferred (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!
Among the best issues to do in Lake Saimaa is to attempt the native delicacies!
Chill out in a Conventional Finnish Sauna
No journey to Finland is full with out experiencing a standard Finnish sauna. Severely.
Many lodging round Lake Saimaa supply non-public saunas so alternatives are certain to come up in your journey. Alternatively you may 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 situated 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 great issues in stay (is it a marvel Finland have been voted the happiest nation on this planet 7 years in a row?).
This slim strip of land lies between two lakes and provides 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 sometimes elevate and supply gorgeous views of the Punkaharju nationwide panorama so to get totally different views on this marvel!
Expertise Ice Fishing in Winter
For those who’re visiting throughout winter, ice fishing on Lake Saimaa is an expertise to not be missed. Native guides will give you all the obligatory gear and experience that can assist you catch fish by way of the thick ice. Fishing lover goals!
Ice fishing a singular and serene strategy to join with Finnish tradition and the pure fantastic thing about this frozen lake.
Ebook 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 outdoors swimming pools, a number of saunas, rainforest bathe and steam rooms. I’ve to say, architecturally, its ones of probably the most stunning spas I’ve ever been to.
They’ve weaved nature into each ingredient with nearly all of the spa and restaurant composed of wooden, stone and pure parts.
Other than the spa facilities, the resort additionally offers snug distinctive lodging in villas, Surroundings Suites, and houseboats so this can be a nice possibility for lodging!
The historical past of the resort dates again to 1658 and has been handed down by way of the generations so the employees have many a narrative to inform!
Journey tip:
The lunch right here is buffet fashion and is WELL price staying for after your spa day.
Attend the Savonlinna Opera Pageant
Held yearly in July, the Savonlinna Opera Pageant is a cultural spotlight within the Lake Saimaa area so in case you’re planning your journey in the summertime – it could be price 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 take pleasure in for days and even weeks. You may take pleasure in mountain climbing, kayaking, biking, fishing, or crusing. Nevertheless, there’s additionally nothing fallacious with merely stress-free on the seaside and taking within the gorgeous surroundings.
The resort contains two fundamental buildings (see image beneath taken from the restaurant) and ten cottages for lodging. The seaside restaurant, boasting a improbable 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 exhausting to see why!!!
Observe: attempt one among their Finnish cardamom buns!
Ebook your keep right here.
Keep at Elsanranta Villas
For an opulent keep and a retreat from the sounds of the town, think about 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 every week to simply completely change off in luxurious.
Every Elsanranta villa provides 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 encompasses a luxurious double mattress a settee and all the small print to nourish your thoughts physique and soul. Theres a personal 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 in addition a pair of binoculars on the desk if you arrive so you may hold an eye fixed 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 may admire the starlit sky and, if lucky, witness the northern lights.
It was a real pleasure to remain right here – the type of place you don’t wish to depart.
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, contemporary, native merchandise and a dedication to moral and accountable farming and it was evident in each mouthful we loved.
The ability and dedication of these rising and getting 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 probably the most stunning terrace view in Finland.
Under you’ll see the contemporary fish dish of the day, the INSANE tomato salad and the view from the skin deck.
Ebook a foraging expertise with Uhkua
If you e-book a foraging expertise, Asta and Ilkka warmly welcome you to their charming lakeside farm Uhkua, the place you may expertise the agricultural lifetime of the Lake Saimaa area. They stay 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 can assist you join with the land round you.
This was among the best issues to do in Lake Saimaa – 100%.
Chill out at Kanava Resort
Kanava Resort provides an ideal mix of consolation and nature. Situated proper by the water, the resort options cosy cabins, a restaurant with native delicacies, and varied out of doors actions you can have interaction in. Time right here for friends 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 non-public saunas had been insane. Assume 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. Considered one of 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 great meals!
Have you ever been to Lake Saimaa in Finland?
What are the very best issues to do in Lake Saimaa? Something you’d add to this Lake Saimaa bucket record?
Love as at all times and comfortable adventuring…