Greatest issues to do in Lake Saimaa, Finland

Welcome to your final journey journey information for Lake Saimaa, Finland.

When you’re planning your Fiinish journey and searching for a unprecedented pure escape, someplace you may bathe, swim and unwind beside clear recent waters, you’ve landed in the precise place.

This journey information will reveal all the pieces it’s worthwhile to learn about visiting Lake Saimaa, together with methods to get there, the perfect 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 individuals 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 you have all of the juicy suggestions and journey info to plan your good journey.

Are you able to discover the perfect issues to do in Lake Saimaa?

The Greatest Method 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 troublesome. It’s positively 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 automotive for the scenic 3-hour journey to the lake area. An alternative 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 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 often known as a ‘mökki’) is very 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 trendy 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 need to do and expertise right here.

Summer time (June to August) is good for water actions, 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 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 probably the greatest issues to do in Lake Saimaa if you happen to love journey!

The park is a labyrinth of tons of of islands and gives glorious climbing trails, kayaking routes, and tenting spots. One factor you could do is take a ship tour to identify the elusive Saimaa ringed seal, an endangered species distinctive to this area. Many firms are providing it, we did ours with Kanava Resort.

We noticed an impressive 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 the town of Mikkeli (the right beginning location if you happen to get the prepare to Mikkeli from Helsinki!).

The property has Finnish-German hosts, Janne and Manuela, and their youngsters are actually a part of the expertise. You are 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 number 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 certainly one of 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 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 likely one of the greatest issues to do in Lake Saimaa.

There are quite a few rental companies and guided excursions accessible, catering to all ability ranges. You gained’t be caught for alternative!

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.

Attempt 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 considerable) fish within the lake are Vendace and Pike.

Many of the eating places we ate at in Lake Saimaa featured these locally-caught fish on their menu!

The most effective 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. Severely.

Many lodging round Lake Saimaa provide non-public saunas so alternatives are positive 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 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 marvel and certainly one of Finland’s nationwide landscapes situated slightly below 4 hours northeast of Helsinki. Punkaharju is a tranquil land of birch and spruce timber, pristine waters and clear, crisp air – all the great issues in reside (is it a marvel Finland have been voted the happiest nation on the planet 7 years in a row?).

This slender strip of land lies between two lakes and gives scenic trails for 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 provide gorgeous views of the Punkaharju nationwide panorama in an effort to get completely different views on this marvel!

Expertise Ice Fishing in Winter

When you’re visiting throughout winter, ice fishing on Lake Saimaa is an expertise to not be missed. Native guides will offer you all the mandatory gear and experience that can assist you catch fish via the thick ice. Fishing lover goals!

Ice fishing a singular and serene approach to join with Finnish tradition and the pure fantastic 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 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.

Other than the spa facilities, the resort additionally offers 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!

Attend the Savonlinna Opera Competition

Held yearly in July, the Savonlinna Opera Competition is a cultural spotlight within the Lake Saimaa area so if you happen to’re planning your journey in the summertime – it is perhaps price including this to your itinerary!

The pageant 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 likely one of the best seaside resorts on the shores of Lake Saimaa.

The encircling nature is uniquely stunning, providing a large number of actions to get pleasure from for days and even weeks. You possibly can take pleasure in climbing, kayaking, biking, fishing, or crusing. Nonetheless, there may be additionally nothing mistaken with merely stress-free on the seaside and taking within the gorgeous surroundings.

The resort includes two essential 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 isn’t laborious to see why!!!

Word: attempt certainly one of 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 the town, contemplate Elsanranta Villas. These weren’t low cost however they have been INCREDIBLE. The eye to element was insane and I can think about coming right here for every week to only completely change 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 encompasses a luxurious double mattress a settee and all the small print 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 in addition a pair of binoculars on the desk while you arrive so you may preserve 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 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 beautiful 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 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 Help’ institution, and Koskivahti has been voted as having probably 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 skin deck.

E-book a foraging expertise with Uhkua

Once 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 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 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 probably the greatest issues to do in Lake Saimaa – 100%.

Calm down at Kanava Resort

Kanava Resort gives an ideal mix of consolation and nature. Situated proper by the water, the resort options cosy cabins, a restaurant with native delicacies, and varied outside actions you can interact in. Time right here for company is spent climbing, fishing, or just stress-free by the lake, and your evenings? Unwinding within the sauna after all.

We stayed in one of many lake entrance cabins right here and the non-public saunas have been insane. Suppose floor-to-ceiling glass home windows with views throughout the lake.

My favorite half although, the best way the beds are designed to face out to the forest and you may get up to the lake each morning. Certainly 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 fantastic meals!

Have you ever been to Lake Saimaa in Finland?

What are the perfect issues to do in Lake Saimaa? Something you’d add to this Lake Saimaa bucket checklist?