Welcome to your final journey journey information for Lake Saimaa, Finland.
In the event you’re planning your Fiinish journey and searching for a rare pure escape, someplace you possibly can bathe, swim and unwind beside clear contemporary waters, you’ve landed in the correct place.
This journey information will reveal all the things you have to learn about visiting Lake Saimaa, together with the best way to get there, the very best locations to remain, and the highest actions you possibly can’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 individuals and landscapes of Lake Saimaa. It’s really a gem and I can’t wait to share my suggestions with you!
Finland is a rustic famend for its beautiful 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 lovers, journey seekers, and anybody trying to unwind in a serene setting (suppose 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 you 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 Strategy to Get To Lake Saimaa
Attending to Lake Saimaa is an journey, however contemplating you’re feeling such as you’re in the course of nowhere – it’s not that troublesome. It’s positively value it!
The closest main airport is Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, the place you possibly can take a commuter prepare to Tikkurila (a couple of minutes) after which change to Mikkeli (round 2 hours).
Alternatively, you possibly can hire a automotive for the scenic 3-hour journey to the lake area. An alternative choice is to fly to Lappeenranta Airport, which is nearer and affords direct connections from a number of European cities.
The Greatest Locations To Keep In Lake Saimaa
For lodging, the Lake Saimaa area boasts a variety of choices from cosy lakeside cottages and trendy lodges to distinctive houseboats and tenting websites. There’s a lot alternative!
Staying in a lakeside cottage (regionally referred to as a ‘mökki’) is very really helpful for an genuine Finnish expertise, providing the proper 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 beautiful lake views and trendy 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 will depend on what you need to do and expertise right here.
Summer season (June to August) is right for water actions, climbing, and having fun with the midnight solar (yep a lot time for actions!). For winter sports activities lovers, 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 mix of climate however gentle 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 outside lovers and among the best issues to do in Lake Saimaa when you love journey!
The park is a labyrinth of a whole lot of islands and affords glorious 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 imposing 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 exterior town of Mikkeli (the proper beginning location when you get the prepare to Mikkeli from Helsinki!).
The property has Finnish-German hosts, Janne and Manuela, and their youngsters are really a part of the expertise. You are feeling such as you’re arriving to their dwelling (you kinda are) and so they make you’re feeling at dwelling instantly.
Keep right here welcomes you to benefit from the basic rural lakeside ambiance 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 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 lovely location certainly and an opportunity to cube into some historical past.
I like to recommend you’re taking a guided tour to find out about 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 companies and guided excursions out there, catering to all talent ranges. You gained’t be caught for alternative!
Paddle by way of slim straits, alongside forests and uncover hidden seashores. Getting on the water is the proper 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 among the freshest catches on the market. Two of the most well-liked (and considerable) 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 finest issues to do in Lake Saimaa is to attempt the native delicacies!
Calm down in a Conventional Finnish Sauna
No journey to Finland is full with out experiencing a conventional Finnish sauna. Significantly.
Many lodging round Lake Saimaa provide non-public saunas so alternatives are certain to come up in your journey. Alternatively you possibly can go to public saunas just like the distinctive floating sauna in Savonlinna.
After heating up, I all the time 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 surprise and one among Finland’s nationwide landscapes situated just below 4 hours northeast of Helsinki. Punkaharju is a tranquil land of birch and spruce timber, pristine waters and clear, crisp air – all the nice issues in reside (is it a surprise Finland have been voted the happiest nation on the planet 7 years in a row?).
This slim strip of land lies between two lakes and affords scenic trails for climbing, strolling and biking. The views are mentioned 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 provide beautiful views of the Punkaharju nationwide panorama with the intention to get completely different views on this surprise!
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 mandatory gear and experience that can assist you catch fish by way of the thick ice. Fishing lover goals!
Ice fishing a singular and serene solution 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 probably the most lovely spas I’ve ever been to.
They’ve weaved nature into each factor with the vast majority 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 it is 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 type and is WELL value 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 when you’re planning your journey in the summertime – it could be 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 International Geopark and is without doubt one of the most interesting seashore resorts on the shores of Lake Saimaa.
The encircling nature is uniquely lovely, providing a large number of actions to get pleasure from for days and even weeks. You’ll be able to take pleasure in climbing, kayaking, biking, fishing, or crusing. Nonetheless, there may be additionally nothing fallacious with merely enjoyable on the seashore and taking within the beautiful surroundings.
The resort includes two most important buildings (see image under taken from the restaurant) and ten cottages for lodging. The seashore restaurant, boasting a implausible 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 isn’t exhausting to see why!!!
Observe: attempt one among their Finnish cardamom buns!
E book your keep right here.
Keep at Elsanranta Villas
For an opulent keep and a retreat from the sounds of town, take into account 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 only completely swap off in luxurious.
Every Elsanranta villa affords an unobstructed view of Lake Saimaa, permitting you to immerse your self in nature whereas enjoyable within the villa, pool, or sauna.
The lounge space includes a luxurious double mattress a settee and all the main points to nourish your thoughts physique and soul. Theres a personal sauna within the rest room, 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 if you arrive so you possibly can 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 under), the place you possibly can admire the starlit sky and, if lucky, witness the northern lights.
It was a real pleasure to remain right here – the form of place you don’t need 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 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 probably the most lovely terrace view in Finland.
Under you’ll see the contemporary 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 ebook a foraging expertise, Asta and Ilkka warmly welcome you to their charming lakeside farm Uhkua, the place you possibly can 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 outside fireplace.
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%.
Calm down at Kanava Resort
Kanava Resort affords an ideal mix of consolation and nature. Positioned proper by the water, the resort options cosy cabins, a restaurant with native delicacies, and varied outside actions which you can have interaction in. Time right here for company is spent climbing, fishing, or just enjoyable 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. One among my favorite locations I’ve ever woken up, see under!
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 checklist?
Love as all the time and comfortable adventuring…
