Are you wondering what the top things to do in Savonlinna? Read further and find out!
Savonlinna is a beautiful city in Finland, located on the shore of Lake Saimaa. The majestic Olavinlinna Castle stands proudly overlooking the lake, making it one of the most visited attractions. As you explore the city, you’ll be mesmerized by its picturesque architecture, with old stone buildings and colorful wooden houses to admire. You can also take a boat ride around the lake and see some islands surrounding it.
Savonlinna offers plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy – from swimming or fishing in the summertime to participating in exciting winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. There are also several historical sites to explore, including beautifully preserved churches and museums telling stories about Savonlinna’s past. Foodies should also make sure to sample some local dishes such as fish soup or elk meatballs!
The surrounding area is a nature lover’s paradise – home to vast forests full of wildlife and fun outdoor activities like hiking and birdwatching. The region is also known for its numerous lakes – making Savonlinna an ideal destination for anyone seeking a peaceful escape from daily life. Whether you prefer exploring historical sites or taking in spectacular landscapes, there’s something here for everyone!
Where to stay in Savonlinna? Find awesome deals and book your hotel here!
Looking for a unique experience in Finland? Check this link to find great things to do!
Do you need help planning your trips? Start here!
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Experiences and top things to do in Savonlinna
Visit Olavinlinna Castle
Olavinlinna Castle is a must-see attraction and one of the main things to do in Savonlinna, Finland. It’s a stunning medieval castle located on Lake Saimaa island with a rich history dating back to the 15th century. The castle has been beautifully preserved and has several interesting exhibits and displays that offer a glimpse into its past.
The castle is open from May to September, and the opening hours vary depending on the time of year. You can check the exact hours on the castle’s website or by contacting the castle directly.
The entrance fee for the castle is €12 for adults, €10 for seniors, and €6 for children (ages 7-17). Children under the age of 7 are free. The fee includes access to the castle’s exhibits and a guided tour (available in Finnish, Swedish, and English). There are also discounted rates available for groups.
Where to stay in Savonlinna? Find awesome deals and book your hotel here!
Looking for a unique experience in Finland? Check this link to find great things to do!
Attend the Savonlinna Opera Festival
The Savonlinna Opera Festival is a world-renowned event every July in Savonlinna, Finland. It’s a must-see event for opera fans and music lovers, featuring performances by some of the world’s top opera singers. The festival takes place in a stunning setting, with the performances held in the courtyard of Olavinlinna Castle, a beautiful medieval castle located on an island in Lake Saimaa.
The festival has a long history dating back to the 1970s and has become an important cultural event in Finland. In addition to the performances, there are workshops, lectures, and other events held as part of the festival.
If you’re a fan of opera or classical music, attending the Savonlinna Opera Festival is a unique and unforgettable experience. The setting, the music, and the atmosphere all come together to create an unforgettable event.
Where to stay in Savonlinna? Find awesome deals and book your hotel here!
Looking for a unique experience in Finland? Check this link to find great things to do!
Explore the Finnish lakes and forests
Savonlinna is surrounded by beautiful lakes and forests, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The Finnish landscape is known for its stunning natural beauty; the lakes and forests around Savonlinna are no exception. There are many activities to enjoy in this picturesque setting, including:
- Hiking – The forests and hills around Savonlinna offer excellent hiking opportunities, with trails ranging from easy to challenging. You can explore the beautiful Finnish landscape on foot and take in stunning views.
- Biking – The lakes and forests are also great for biking, with trails suitable for all skill levels.
- Swimming – The Finnish lakes are known for their crystal-clear water, and they’re a great place to go swimming in the summer months.
- Boating The region has many waterways, making it a great place to go boating. You can rent a boat or join a guided tour to explore the beautiful Finnish lakes.
Exploring the Finnish lakes and forests is a great way to get in touch with nature and enjoy its beautiful surroundings. It’s an experience that you won’t forget!
Where to stay in Savonlinna? Find awesome deals and book your hotel here!
Looking for a unique experience in Finland? Check this link to find great things to do!
Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Visit the Savonlinna Provincial Museum
The Savonlinna Provincial Museum is a great place to visit if you’re interested in learning about the history and culture of the region. The museum is located in a beautiful historic building with exhibits and displays that tell the story of Savonlinna and the surrounding area.
Some of the things you can see at the museum include:
- Exhibits on the history of Savonlinna and the surrounding area, including the history of Olavinlinna Castle, the city’s most famous landmark.
- Displays the region’s natural history, including flora and fauna of the lakes and forests.
- Artifacts and documents related to the region’s history, including old maps, photographs, and documents.
Exhibits on the local culture and traditions, including traditional costumes and handicrafts.
The Savonlinna Provincial Museum is a great place to learn about the rich history and culture of the region. It’s an interesting and educational experience that is suitable for all ages.
Where to stay in Savonlinna? Find awesome deals and book your hotel here!
Looking for a unique experience in Finland? Check this link to find great things to do!
Take a boat tour of Lake Saimaa
Taking a boat tour of Lake Saimaa is a great way to see the beautiful Finnish landscape and possibly spot some of the lake’s famous Saimaa ringed seals. The lake is the largest in Finland and is known for its crystal-clear water and stunning natural beauty.
Many companies offer boat tours of Lake Saimaa, and the cost and duration of the tours vary. Most tours last several hours and include a stop at an island or a scenic spot on the lake. Some tours also include visiting a local attraction or a traditional Finnish sauna.
The best time to take a boat tour of Lake Saimaa depends on your interests and the tour you choose. The weather is generally warm and sunny in the summer, making it a great time to enjoy outdoor activities like boating.
However, the lake is also beautiful in the winter, frozen over and covered in a blanket of snow. In the winter, you can take a snowmobile or dog sled tour on the lake.
Where to stay in Savonlinna? Find awesome deals and book your hotel here!
Looking for a unique experience in Finland? Check this link to find great things to do!
Visit the Punkaharju Ridge
The Punkaharju Ridge is a beautiful natural feature in eastern Finland, not far from Savonlinna. It’s a popular spot for hiking and picnicking and offers beautiful views of the surrounding lakes and forests.
The ridge is part of the Punkaharju-Repovesi National Park, a protected area home to various plants and animals. The park is a great place to go hiking, biking, or paddling, and there are many trails and routes to choose from.
One of the highlights of Punkaharju Ridge is the Punkaharju Esker, a ridge formed by glacial erosion that offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The ridge is also home to the Punkaharju Visitor Centre, which has exhibits on the natural history of the region and is a great place to learn more about the park.
If you’re interested in nature and the outdoors, Punkaharju Ridge is a great place to visit. It’s an area of stunning natural beauty perfect for hiking or picnicking.
Where to stay in Savonlinna? Find awesome deals and book your hotel here!
Looking for a unique experience in Finland? Check this link to find great things to do!
Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
Visit the Art Museum Wanha Paukku
The Art Museum Wanha Paukku is a great place to visit if you’re interested in Finnish art. The museum has a collection of works by some of Finland’s most famous artists, including Albert Edelfelt, Eero Järnefelt, and Helene Schjerfbeck.
The museum is housed in a beautiful historic building that was once a granary. Several exhibits and displays showcase different artists’ work, and special exhibitions change throughout the year.
In addition to the art exhibits, the museum has a café and a gift shop, making it a great place to relax and enjoy Finnish culture.
If you’re an art lover or want to learn more about Finnish art and culture, the Art Museum Wanha Paukku is a great place to visit. It’s a small museum, but it has a lot to offer, and the exhibits are interesting and well-curated.
Where to stay in Savonlinna? Find awesome deals and book your hotel here!
Looking for a unique experience in Finland? Check this link to find great things to do!
Go fishing – one of the unique things to do in Savonlinna
Savonlinna is located in a region known for its excellent fishing opportunities. The region is home to many lakes, streams, and rivers, and these waterways are stocked with a variety of fish, including pike, perch, and trout.
Fishing is a popular activity in Finland, and Savonlinna is a great place to catch a big one. You can hire a guide to take you to the best fishing spots or go out on your own and explore the waterways.
Where to stay in Savonlinna? Find awesome deals and book your hotel here!
Looking for a unique experience in Finland? Check this link to find great things to do!
Visit the Savonlinna Market Square
The Savonlinna Market Square is a popular spot for shopping and dining in the city. Located in the center of town, the market square is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and other local businesses.
It is a vibrant and lively place worth visiting if you’re in the city. Whether you’re interested in shopping, dining, or just soaking up the atmosphere, market square has something to offer.
Where to stay in Savonlinna? Find awesome deals and book your hotel here!
Looking for a unique experience in Finland? Check this link to find great things to do!
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.
Take a tour of the Olavinlinna Brewery
The Olavinlinna Brewery is a popular attraction in Savonlinna, Finland. Located in the cellars of Olavinlinna Castle, the brewery produces a variety of locally-crafted beers using traditional methods.
A tour of the Olavinlinna Brewery is a great way to learn about the brewing process and taste some of the brewery’s delicious beers. The tours are in Finnish, Swedish, and English, typically lasting about 45 minutes. During the tour, you’ll learn about the brewery’s history and the castle, and you’ll get to see the brewery’s production facilities. At the end of the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to taste some of the brewery’s beers and learn about the different flavors and characteristics.
Overall, the Olavinlinna Brewery tour is a unique and enjoyable experience that is perfect for beer lovers and anyone interested in learning about the brewing process.
Where to stay in Savonlinna? Find awesome deals and book your hotel here!
Looking for a unique experience in Finland? Check this link to find great things to do!
Do you need help planning your trip to Finland? Here are my top tips!
- The Best Finland Travel Guide – My Finland overview, you’ll find everything you’d need to know about Finland.
- When is the best time to visit Finland for northern lights
- When is the best time to visit Finland – Monthly breakdown
- BEST Places to Visit in Finland and Best Cities in Finland – Cities, and towns you must not miss!
- Things to do in Finland, Finland Holidays to Experience, Tourist Attractions in Finland – Touristy stuff, but still worth reading! Finland, in general, offers pretty cool experiences regardless of how “hyped” it is.
- If you’re staying in Helsinki, you can book your hotel stay in Helsinki or near Helsinki airport.
- Cities to visit during a short visit: Helsinki, Porvoo, Tampere, Turku, Ålands, Hanko, and Vaasa.
- When to visit? Summer, Autumn, Spring, and Winter – Decide when to come and then base your activities on that!
- How to dress for winter in Finland – Always dress according to the weather. It will make your experience much better!
- Top tips and important info: Supermarkets in Finland, Budgeting tips for Finland, Tipping in Finland, What to wear in Sauna, Sauna etiquette, Public Saunas in Helsinki
- Finnish culture introductions: How to say hello, Finnish food and cuisine, Facts about Finland, Finnish Breakfast Guide, Finnish drinks
Where to stay in Savonlinna
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