The notebook of Savonlinna and Lake Saimaa
Let the sea spray awaken the trip.
Island castle, forests and the maze of the Saimaa make up the large lakescape of eastern Finland.
At your own pace
Identity summary
4 to 8 days
Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Recommended car
City · Lake · Island · Forest
Good accessibility
Sweet rhythm
General presentation
Savonlinna and Lake Saimaa
Island castle, forests and the maze of the Saimaa make up the large lakescape of eastern Finland.
Olavilinna, Lake Saimaa and Punkaharju give the most telling landmarks of Savonlinna and Lake Saimaa. Together, they form a destination where urban life, shores and lakes, island landscapes and forests meet, with atmospheres that change over the course of the stages rather than just one uniform decor.
See all
For a stay of 4 to 8 days, a quiet rhythm works well. Also to be anticipated: variable influx depending on the season. A car is usually the easiest way to connect the different sectors. The main sites are generally easy to access.
Strengths and constraints
Strengths
- Olavinlinna
- Lake Saimaa
- Punkaharju
Before you choose
- Variable frequency depending on season
- Parking to anticipate in the center
Places worth visiting
A selection to start dreaming and organizing the stay — not an exhaustive list of everything there is to see.
Place indismissible
Olavinlinna
Olavinlinna is a 15th century castle built on a rocky island to control a disputed border; its towers welcome every summer a renowned opera festival.
Lake
Lake Saimaa
The Saimaa is an immense network of lakes, channels and islands, rather than a single body of water; it is home to the rare ringed Saimaa seal, which can only be observed with distance and caution.
Place indismissible
Punkaharju
The ridge of Punkaharju is a narrow, pine-covered glacial cord that separates two arms from the Saimaa; road and trails follow this natural relief which has become a Finnish national landscape.
Practical tips
This information helps know if the destination matches the planned trip before starting a fuller search.
To go further
More activities
Restaurants, walks, culture, leisure and outings to search without leaving the destination card.
The nearest destinations
The closest ideas on the map, to extend your trip.
Similar destinations
Same landscapes and the same pace of travel, elsewhere in the world.
