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Municipality in South Savo, Finland
Photo: User:Mikko Paananen, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Savonlinna (Swedish: Nyslott) is a small city in South Savonia province, Eastern Finland, close to the Russian border. Savonlinna is one of the iconic tourism destinations of Finland with traditions of hospitality going back to the 19th century. The town has been attracting visitors with its spa, lake nature including two national parks. In summertime the town offers rich variety of lake cruises, many still operated with old lake steamers.
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Olofsborg
Medieval Olavinlinna is the city's symbol and main attraction. Built in 1475 by Danish knight Erik Axelsson to protect the eastern border of the Swedish-Danish Kalmar Union, it was named after the patron saint of knights, St. Olaf. The Russians were soon on the offensive, but the castle withstood several sieges before capitulating in 1714. The Swedes recaptured it in 1721, but lost it again in 1743, and it stayed in Russian hands until Finnish independence. This explains why it has stayed in such good shape: for the Russians, it was far inland and militarily useless, and hence not a target for the enemy either. Today, Olavinlinna is the world's northernmost medieval stone castle and easily Finland's best-preserved and most attractive castle, and it's quite a sight perched on the shores of the lake. The interior, though, is surprisingly small and sparse (virtually all furniture and decorations were lost in fires around 1870), and free guided tours take one hour. There are small exhibits inside the castle. Guided tours in English run every hour in summer (enquire in advance at olavinlinna@nba.fi in other seasons), but you can also visit the museums and courtyards on your own (entrance to some areas only on a tours.
Provincial museum Riihisaari
On Riihisaari island you can learn more about the cultural history and the nature of the region around Lake Saimaa and also visit the natural exhibition of the governmental forest service.
Savonlinna Cathedral
The cathedral is Savonlinna's main church, opened in 1879. The church had a bishop in the years 1896–1924 and hence gained the right to bear the name cathedral.
Little Church of Savonlinna (Pikkukirkko)
Built as an Orthodox church in 1846, transformed into a Lutheran church in 1938. The church was returned to the orthodox parish in 2022.
The Casino islands
Islands close to the city centre, a popular place among the locals for getting out in the nature. Hiking paths and places for swimming and barbecuing.
Bell tower of the old church of Sääminki from 1773, surrounded by a quiet graveyard. A place for meditation.
A nice way to see the city and its surroundings is from a small cruise ship. There are cruises of an hour or an hour and a half around the city or the surrounding archipelago, leaving every half an hour or so all day, some with old steamships, some with modern ships. Most have a café of sorts or even restaurant, some are accessible with wheelchair (not necessarily including the toilet). Some have multi-language commentary on the route. There are also longer cruises, even to Kuopio and Lappeenranta.
A small island on the other side of the Kylpylä Hotelli Casino, as seen from the city centre. A very picturesque and quiet place for a stroll.
Oravi Village
Activities and access to lakes and national parks by boat or canoe. Guided tours. Transport by boat to Linnansaari National Park is available from here. Equipment rental, restaurant and hotel.
A labyrinth of islands with rocky cliffs by narrow channels. Ancient rock paintings and the Saimaa ringed seal. Best explored with a canoe. Motor boats are off limits in most of the park.
Lush islands and rocky islets. Best explored by boat or canoe, but there is a boat service to the main island and taxi boats available. Nature trails, an old croft, Saimaa seals and osprays. Tour skating in winter.
The spa is equipped with a recreational pool, a spa tub, and a children's pool. There is a hot water outside and a gym nearby.
Tanhuvaaran urheiluopisto
Football hall, ice rink, ballroom, gymnasium, ski trails, tennis courts, mini golf, beach. Spa has wellness pool with hydromassage points, a hot tub, cold water pool, a combined paddling pool slide for small children and a water slide.
Spot cemetery worker and folk artist Marko Ruuskanen's artistic birdhouses on a self-guided tour in Savonlinna city centre. Also, have a look at other trail and tours in Savonlinna on outdooractive.com.
Kerigolf course is located in a varied forest landscape, which brings certain difficulties and variety into the play. The first-class services meet even the requirements of an experienced player. The golf course, famous for its natural beauty, is individually constructed in every detail. You will meet the symbol of Kerigolf – the bear – several times during your play round. A state-of-the-art restaurant serves you here.
Savonlinnan Oopperajuhlat
The city is renowned for its yearly Opera Festival organized within St. Olaf's Castle. There are arrangements to accommodate a few wheelchairs, book a wheelchair seat if relevant.
Savonlinnan Musiikkiakatemia
The Music Academy concerts are one of the most extensive classical music festivals in Finland. It is based on world-class professors giving master classes for students from all over the world and making music together. It is probably the least advertised festival in Finland, but provides the most memorable moments especially in chamber music.
Pizzeria run by a local family with tradition.
Ranks among the best kebab restaurants in Finland. Buffet including kebab, pizza and salads.
The ubiquitous Finnish fast food chain.
Restaurant school serving quality lunches.
Restaurant serving typical Finnish lunch with a bountiful and fresh salad buffet included in price.
Italian restaurant.
Italian.
Nepalese restaurant.
Brewery restaurant serving dishes prepared on a charcoal grill.
Serving Opera Festival guests with its famous fish buffet. Other times pampering guests by reservation.
Offers pastries, cakes and light lunch during daytime. Also a boutique hotel.
This is the must place for Savonlinna people who savour delicious bakeries and visit here for the popular inexpensive breakfast in the morning.
Widest variety of beers in town.
Night entertainment. Karaoke.
Concert and entertainment venue, restaurant.
Club and restaurant featuring a rich variety of interesting programmes by various organizers. Jazz, folk, theatre... you name it, or organize an event of your own.
Now a Sokos hotel. All rooms fully renovated, the traditional feel probably gone. If you want to a treat, reserve a luxurious suite with cool Nordic design. Some twin rooms allow for two extra beds. Also "apartments" (the standard ones just a room with water heater, some with living room and kitchen) in a building 300 m away. Free Wi-Fi.
Nice rooms in beautiful surroundings, on an island by the city centre.
Cosy family run hotel. The art deco style building was designed by the famous Finnish female architect Wivi Lönn.
City hotel.
Charming boutique hotel.
Kartanohostel Anna Catharina
Hostel style cosy accommodation in a peaceful village.
Southern Savonian handicrafts such as hand forged metal items and local herb products are sold in an old wooden building at the lake.
Locally produced meat, fish and cheese delicacies.
On Castle street leading to the Olavinlinna castle you can find many small shops selling souvenirs and design items.
By train
As of 2016, there are 3–4 trains daily from Parikkala (70 minutes) where they meet intercity trains from Helsinki (altogether 4¼ hours) and from Joensuu (altogether 2¼ hours).
By bus
There are three daily direct coaches from Helsinki (4½–5½ hours) and five daily buses from Mikkeli (1½ hours) with connections from other destinations.
By car
Savonlinna is about equidistant (about 100 km) from each of Mikkeli, Varkaus and Imatra, and a little longer from Joensuu.
By boat
Lake Saimaa can be reached by yacht (height max 24 m) from the sea through the Saimaa Canal.
By bus
The town maintains information on local buses. There is a route planner for local transport trips.
By taxi
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Savonlinna · Regional · SVL
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