Things to do & places to visit in Southern Savonia, Finland

Southern Savonia #6 destination in Finland 2023. The average rating score is 4.35 based on 2.713 traveler reviews, of 163 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Helsinki, current date and time: Sunday, April 28, 2024, 13:17.

Top things to do (39)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Lakeland GTE (216 reviews)
- Very good Saimaa Ringed Seal Cruise and exellent quide
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Boat Tours • Private Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing

We took part in Saimaa Ringed Seal Cruise (Norpparisteily) in Puumala. The goal was to see some saimaa ringed seal in nature. The cruiseboat was very cozy and silent. Our quide Arto was exellent. He gave us very good introduction of the area and seals. He was able to answer all of our questions (we had many :D). He also created relaxed athmosphere in the groop of people who didn't know each other. We were lucky and saw 2 seals. Seals didn't mind us (we kept the distance to them). We can recommend this trip to everyone who enjoys discovering the nature! See more..
5.0 Rock and Lake (17 reviews)
- Two weeks by lake villa - combination of nature activities and lazynes
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Boat Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Night Tours • Boat Rentals • Nature & Wildlife Tours

A perfect hide away villa by a quiet lake. Villa locates alone on an island (reachable with car): main villa 3br, a separate sauna building 1br, a car shelter and a shelter for open fire cooking. Nature activities on lake (SUP-paddling, rowing, fishing, canoeing, swimming from sauna) and in the countryside and surrounding forests (orienteering, biking, cross country skiing... ) . This is a gem for nature lovers! Great and friendly service by the host See more..
5.0 Lake Saimaa (11 reviews)
- Marvelous place!
Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water • Scenic Drives

Enjoy magnificent lake scenery by car or by bike. See Puumala archipelago road and its 11 islands two bridges and a free ferry (24/7). See more..
5.0 Neitvuori (11 reviews)
- Lovely spot for walk, view & berry picking
Spent 2-3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Lookouts • Scenic Walking Areas

Had a lovely day out with a few families and kids 6-10 years. Gentle walking routes with map in car park at start which is v helpful. View points are marked and longer and shorter options. Lots of blueberries to pick at end July. See more..
5.0 Kolovesi National Park (11 reviews)
- Canoeing trip for 5 days with friends
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent More than 3 hours National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas

We rented two canoes from Oravi company. One for two and one for three. We went the Koloveden kierros which was about 30km long. We started and finished from Kirkkoranta. There was self-service pickup for canoes and kayaks. You have to reserve the canoes first and pay them online. The campsites during the route were excellent. I've been around Finland in different campsites but these were in top three. All of them have fireplace, tentplaces, outdoor WC (huussi) & woods. It is forbidden to camp anywhere else than campsites. See more..
4.5 Olavinlinna Castle (648 reviews)
- Interesting tour behind the scenes of the Savonlinna Opera Festival
Castles

The building of Olavinlinna, castle of St. Olaf, began in 1475. The Danish-born founder of the castle, knight Erik Axelsson Tott, decided that a powerful fortification should be build to protect the strategically important Savo region. The castle was supposed to repel Russian attacks from the east and to guarantee the control of the Savo region for the Swedish Crown. The history of Olavinlinna is a mixture of medieval arms clashing, cannons roaring and every-day chores inside the security of the castle's thick walls. The changes in the ownership of the castle left their mark on Olavinlinna: this can be seen in the varied architecture of the castle. These days the castle's halls and rooms can be rented and used for all kinds of events. See more..
4.5 Kerimaki Church (141 reviews)
- Really Interesting and Beautiful
Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites

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4.5 Finnish Forest Museum Lusto (112 reviews)
- Prepare a couple of hours!
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Lusto – The Finnish Forest Museum focuses on Finnish forest culture and illustrates the interaction between man and the forest from the past to the future. The national museum responsible for forest culture is located in Punkaharju, in the most beautiful landscape of ridges and lakes in eastern Finland. Lusto’s exhibitions, events, work demonstrations and theme days provide a diverse and illustrative insight into the significance of forests in the life of Finns. Lusto is sure to appeal to visitors of all ages. See more..
4.5 Mikkeli Cathedral (70 reviews)
- Impressive brick church
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

Mikkeli Cathedral was built in 1896–1897 in the Gothic Revival style. The bell tower is very high. The interior is also strikingly beautiful. The big organ was built in 1956 by Kangasala Organ Factory. The altar painting "Crucified" was made by a known Finnish painter Pekka Halonen in 1899. See more..
4.5 Opera Festival in Olavinlinna Fortress (69 reviews)
- Great opera experience.
Operas

Fantastic opera festival in a beautiful setting. The operas are of very high quality and the service is out of this world. I am wheel-chair bound and the personnel meets you outside the medieval castle and pushes, drags and almost carries you into the stands. After the opera the same again in reverse. Everybody is friendly and this includes also the public. See more..
4.5 Savonlinna Provincial Museum (65 reviews)
- Go to the Opera Festival in Savonlinna
Speciality Museums

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4.5 Punkaharju Ridge (56 reviews)
- Tip for NON FINISH speaking visitors
Geologic Formations

Excellent trip, definetly worth the half hour drive from Savonlinna! Lots of parking stops and cafes along the way, next time we bring bicyces. If you do not speak English: follow the sign to turn right here (photo). This is the way along the scenic route, the GSP just takes you along the regular road. See more..
4.5 Linnansaari National Park (42 reviews)
- Wanted to see Saimaa ringed seal - and we did
National Parks

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4.5 s/s Punkaharju (37 reviews)
- A Savonlinna visit is complete without a steam cruise
Boat Tours

The historical steam ships s/s Punkaharju and Paul Wahl are gems in the crown of this delightful summer tourist town. Both ships will take one for a 1½ hour cruise, giving an idea of yesteryear transport when these ships worked scheduled long-distance services. The staff are extremely friendly, English is spoken, and coffee and cakes in the saloon make the trip really worthwhile. The lake scenery, including some narrow channels, is magnificent, and a chance sighting of a ringed seal can put icing on the cake. A trip not to be missed. See more..
4.5 Infantry Museum (37 reviews)
- Infantry Museum
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Mikkeli is a pleasant town to walk, there are several nice places where a person could go, a visit to Cathedral church is always interesting,also is nice to wander trough their square and streets, but if you are interested in the recent history of Finlandia or in the II W.W you should go to Infantry Museum. It is in old Finnish Army barracks. Inside the Museum is possible to see weapons and uniforms used by Germany and Finnish Army during II WW, and the Winter War against the USSR. You can see several documentaries in adittion to models where this Winter battles took place. In my opinion is an atarction who whorth be visited. After your visit, if you want you can buy a souvenir or maybe, go for a walk across the Museum Gardens, ending you visit drinking a beer or a coffe in the Museum coffee shop. See more..
4.5 Art Centre Salmela (33 reviews)
- Always enjoyable
Spent 1-2 hours Art Galleries • Civic Centres

Again really nice and inspiring exhibition in a beatiful atmosphere. Good service and not that crouded. See more..
4.5 The Astuvansalmi rock paintings (27 reviews)
- Beautiful nature experience spiced with prehistoric art
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Great way to see Astuvansalmi paintings is to take a cruise with MS/Kuutti and SSV! We took a boat from Anttolanhovi and it took 1 hour 15 minutes to get to Astuvansalmi. On the way you could get a nice picture about the Finnish lake scenery and enjoy the sun of course. When arriving to Astuvansalmi we had possibility to go and take a walk next to the paintings and have a closer look. After an 40 min break we returned to the boat and cruised back to Anttolanhovi. On the way we had a coffee break on the way. MS/Kuutti was cosy little boat, with very friendly and experienced skipper, who had many stories to tell. And there is actually something, you can see from the boat only: the profile of the face of Astuvan ukko, which means the rock formation which looks like a mans profile. We enjoyed every moment in Astuvansalmi and can recommend it as a destination for those who like outdoor activities and nature. See more..
4.5 Lietvesi Scenic Road (26 reviews)
- Just awesome road from Mikkerli to Puumala.
Scenic Drives

Take time, and drive thru this scenic route from Mikkeli to Puumala. Road is built beside lakes and bays, and there are several beautiful bridges. Place where you must stop is just before legendary Pistohiekka. Make a bonfire on the rock (if you have a wood), sit, drink cold drinks and enjoy the views. Old Pistohiekka camping area is also cool place, white sand beach calling to swim.... And finally when you are in Puumala, there is lot of things to see and do! From Puumala I recommed to drive to Imatra, where is great old hotel beside Vuoksi, and of course Finnish oldest tourist attraction, an old dam. And if you still want to do something cool, drive up to the North-Carelia, Joensuu, a place where people are genuine happy and friendly. After Joensuu there is still one place where to go... legendary place, Koli! See more..
4.5 Communications Centre Lokki (23 reviews)
- Memorial of WW2 and communication
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Military Museums • Speciality Museums • History Museums

The communication centre of the Finnish army's headquarters, which was located in Mikkeli, was known by the code name, Lokki, which means "seagull" in Finnish. During the Continuation War of 1941-1944, the Lokki Communication Centre was based in a cave blasted into the side of Naisvuori hill. It handled the headquarters' telephone and telex traffic. The adjacent cave housed the regional air surveillance centre, the signalling station for the German link-up garrison and the sleeping quarters for the communication centre's staff. In addition, the cave contained working premises for Commander-in-Chief Mannerheim and his immediate subordinates. In the early 1990s, the Lokki Communication Centre's premises were skillfully restored to their appearance during the Continuation War. See more..
4.5 Viewing Platform in Puumala (21 reviews)
- Beautiful place to visit.
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Spent a few days here in the summer. It a quiet place but if you just want to relax and enjoy the Finnish countryside then this is the place. The town has everything and lost of walks in the country. You can go boating or swimming in the lake and of course you can go up to the bridge to enjoy the view. Highly recommended. See more..
4.5 Pikkukirkko (15 reviews)
- Cozy, small church
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals

There were a small violin concert last time we visited this church. Old wooden building sounds well. So well that the cover of accompanied piano must keep closed. That is why during quiet moments the ventilation noise was a bit harmful. Anyway, this beautiful, quiet place is worth of visiting any time it is open. See more..
4.5 Park Mikkelipuisto (15 reviews)
- Beautiful exibition of gardens next to the beautiful bays of small lakes
Parks • Gardens

Excellent site for relaxation and walking around between different kind of designgardens, especially in the summertime. Playgrounds for kids plus fireplace fo barbiques. See more..
4.5 Puumalansalmen silta ja näköalahissi (13 reviews)
- Very nice scenic bridge
Spent < 1 hour Bridges

Scenic bridge that you can stop by or drive trough. There is also lift that you can use. Cool view of Saimaa. Beautiful landmark. See more..
4.5 Pieksämäen Veturitallit (8 reviews)
- Interesting Architecture
Spent < 1 hour Civic Centres

Worth a visit just to look at the architecture on display. This is a great example of what clever design and building can achieve. These used to be the railway locomotive maintenance workshops but after extensive refurbishment, now is available for exhibition, events etc and it also houses health and community services, a large gym and a cafe. One of our Finnish friends works here, so we had a guided tour. Impressive. See more..
4.0 Kenkavero (75 reviews)
- Nice place in summer
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Tasty lunch and a good setting for a cup of coffee. The design shops in the area are rather pricey, though. See more..
4.0 New Valamo Monastery (70 reviews)
- For every season
Spent More than 3 hours Religious Sites

This is the famous monastery here. It' 90 years old. There is a beautiful lake near the monastery and a nature trail. You can visit the monastery and have luch there. Then you can go for a walk - use MAPS.me, there is a rout on the map. You can reservation a room here, or make short visit. Here is really beautiful in all seasons, including winter. If you can, come here January, 7th - it's Christmas here and here will be really beautiful See more..
4.0 Headquarters Museum (55 reviews)
- Best experience in Mikkeli
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

The headquarters museum is now a part of the House of the War and Peace. Perfect place for all the family. Especially recommended or even obligatory for the military- and history-oriented visitors. Museum has media plots, including virtual reality rooms. In some places, at least a basic knowledge of the Finnish language is required. See more..
4.0 Savonlinna Cathedral (48 reviews)
- Good acoustics
Castles • Churches & Cathedrals

The organconcert of midday gives you a good possibility for rest in the midst of all the rush dooing good for your mind. See more..
4.0 Mannerheim`s Saloon Car (47 reviews)
- Interesting historic railway carriage
Speciality Museums

You can find this carriage next to the Mikkeli railway station. Marshal Mannerheim and his personnel used this 1930-built carriage in 1939-1946. The saloon car is open to the public once a year, on June 4. The day is both Mannerheim’s birthday and the Day of Finnish Defence’s Force. At other times, you can watch through the windows. See more..
4.0 Olavinlinnan Musta Pässi (39 reviews)
- Black ram
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Monuments & Statues

The statue of the black ram is located in front of Olav Castle. The story can be heard on guided tours of the castle. See more..