Hidden Gems Places To Visit in Southern Savonia, Finland

1. 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..
   
2. 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..
   
3. 4.5 Savonlinna Provincial Museum (65 reviews)
   - Go to the Opera Festival in Savonlinna
   Speciality Museums
   
   
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4. 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..
   
5. 4.5 Linnansaari National Park (42 reviews)
   - Wanted to see Saimaa ringed seal - and we did
   National Parks
   
   
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6. 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..
   
7. 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..
   
8. 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..
   
9. 4.5 The Astuvansalmi rock paintings (27 reviews)
   - Beautiful nature experience spiced with prehistoric art
   Monday: 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..
   
10. 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..
    
11. 4.5 Communications Centre Lokki (23 reviews)
    - Memorial of WW2 and communication
    Monday: 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..
    
12. 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..
    

What's a Hidden gem?

We call places hidden gems that are new, extremely good, but are not that popular yet - you should check them out. The criteria is to have a rating of 4.5 or more and more than 20 reviews and less than 100 reviews.