Finland's Most Heartfelt Nature Experience!
Lake Saimaa, the biggest lake in Europe, invites you to explore a unique landscape where shimmering blue waters meet lush green forests, and history comes alive amidst castles, manors, and ancient rock paintings. From the shadows of Olavinlinna to the realm of the Saimaa ringed seal and the tranquillity of national parks, unforgettable experiences await – from fishing trips and kayaking adventures to the warmth of lakeside saunas and the charm of evening campfires. Discover the Saimaa region and let its natural beauty captivate you!
Welcome to Lake Saimaa. In the happiest corner of the happiest country in the world - all year round.
Saimaa Travel is a regional DMC, which helps tour operators in sales and production. We focus on Lake Saimaa region - Savonlinna, Mikkeli, Varkaus, Lappeenranta and Imatra, but we do round trips for whole Lakeland area. The values of our operations are common to Saimaa: Hospitality, sustainability and cooperation. For this site, we produce content and information for the use of tourism companies and tour operators in our region and our other important stakeholders. Saimaa Travel is owned by Savonlinna Travel Ltd, a regional DMO.
Get to know the Lake Saimaa Region and its accommodation and activity options through our latest Product Manual.
The Savonlinna region is the first region consisting of several municipalities to receive the STF label in Finland.
We have created a website showcasing the unique destinations and activities in the Savonlinna region. You can explore the Savonlinna area seasonally or based on your interests. Whether you are interested in culture or nature, discover what we have to offer through the pages. You can also use the website to your advantage when presenting the region.
The northernmost medieval castle in the world, the iconic Olavinlinna Castle has for centuries attracted travellers to Savonlinna. The castle is best known as the stage for the world-famous Savonlinna Opera Festival. The castle and its museum are open all year round, and guided tours ere organized daily.
Savonlinna is one of the few places in the world where it is still possible to go on a cruise on these ships that used to carry tar on the waves of Lake Saimaa over 100 years ago. Nowadays they are takin travellers out to enjoy the archipelago scenery. You can also stay overnight on some of the ships and rent them completely for your own use and create your own kind of luxury trip to the waves of Saimaa. In Riihisaari museum, old steamships restored for museum use can be visited for the price of a museum ticket. Riihisaari also organizes guided tours.
Read more and book your cruise Steamships in Riihisaari museum
Daily cruises by motorboat from the harbor are a good way to get to know the city of Savonlinna and the Saimaa archipelago. in the summertime, little skippers have their own cruise twice a week, and various themed cruises are also organized during the season. The most traditional are the Saimaa ringed seal cruises in May, Midsummer bonfire cruises June, and e.g. yoga cruises. During opera time in July, it is possible to combine a cruise with an opera and get to experience a different kind of entrance to this already wonderful experience in Olavinlinna
Read more and book your cruise Read more about our sustainable cruise operator
From Savonlinna region you can find two rare water national parks Linnansaari and Kolovesi. They are known for their breathtaking scenery and as the home of the endangered Saimaa ringed seal, norppa (Pusa hispida saimensis). Punkaharju, one of the oldest nature conservation areas in the world, has always inspired artists with its beauty.
In Kerimäki you can find the worlds biggest wooden church. There is seating for more than 3,000 people and standing spaces for around 4,000-5,000 people. It is said that the large size of the church was due to a miscalculation during construction (the architect had apparently worked in centimeters, which the builder understood to be inches, which are 2.54 times larger). However, the reality is that the church was actually intended to be as large as it is so that half the population of the area could fit into the church at one time.
Lake Saimaa is known as the home of the endangered Saimaa ringed seal (in Finnish Saimaannorppa). There are approx. 480 individuals in Saimaa area. The protection of the spieces is taken seriously, and in winters, local volunteers plough snow drifts to help seals nest safely. The Saimaa ringed seal has adapted to living underwater and only visits dry land on occasion. The best chance to spot this rare animal are guided excursions in Linnansaari National Park during the open water season. Our professional guides are committed to principles of sealfriendly tourism.
Saimaa ringed seal tours in our area Conservation of the Saimaa ringed seal Principles of sealfriendly tourism
In the Savonlinna region, you can enjoy the peace of nature by exploring on your own. We have put together different routes for hiking, cycling and kayaking. The area's extensive winter outdoor trails also offer a variety of things to do all year round. If you wish, you can also access the routes with a guide, and you don't even need your own equipment, you can rent them here.
A local folk artist and cemetary worker Marko Ruuskanen makes artistic birdhouses for the pleasure of the townspeople. There are already almost 200 different birdhouses in the Savonlinna Region, the most recent of which are miniature models of destroyed significant buildings in Savonlinna. You can explore the birdhouses on your own or on guided tours, where the history of the area unfolds in an interesting way while admiring these inhabited miniature models.
Read more about the birdhouse tour
