South Karelia – Lappeenranta & Imatra region
Activities in South Karelia
Attractions in South Karelia
Highlights
If you like water views, then head towards Taipalsaari! Taipalsaari is an archipelago municipality, which offers great bicycle routes starting from ...
Saimaa Archipelago Route takes you to the lake sceneries. Lake Saimaa and it´s waterways river Vuoksi and Saimaa Canal are the highlights, as well ...
The Saimaa Canal Lock Route that takes you around the town of Lappeenranta and to explore as well nowadays operations and multi-staged history of ...
The cycling route connecting Lappeenranta and Imatra represent you the Saimaa Canal, Imatrankoski rapids and rural roads at the border between ...
Proposal for a longer route from Lappeenranta to Imatra. Fine beach and island destinations have been picked along the route.
A trail running along the riverbanks, via the Imatrankoski and Mansikkala bridges. Also for cyclists. The Vuoksi Nature Trail presents the local ...
By taking the Mellonlahti Nature Trail (Mellonlahden luontolenkki), you will be able to admire the Imatrankoski Rapids and the River Vuoksi in the ...
- Highlights
If you like water views, then head towards Taipalsaari! Taipalsaari is an archipelago municipality, which offers great bicycle routes starting from ...
Saimaa Archipelago Route takes you to the lake sceneries. Lake Saimaa and it´s waterways river Vuoksi and Saimaa Canal are the highlights, as well ...
The Saimaa Canal Lock Route that takes you around the town of Lappeenranta and to explore as well nowadays operations and multi-staged history of ...
The cycling route connecting Lappeenranta and Imatra represent you the Saimaa Canal, Imatrankoski rapids and rural roads at the border between ...
Proposal for a longer route from Lappeenranta to Imatra. Fine beach and island destinations have been picked along the route.
A trail running along the riverbanks, via the Imatrankoski and Mansikkala bridges. Also for cyclists. The Vuoksi Nature Trail presents the local ...
By taking the Mellonlahti Nature Trail (Mellonlahden luontolenkki), you will be able to admire the Imatrankoski Rapids and the River Vuoksi in the ...
- Highlights
Discover the region
Rural tourism and urban culture
Photo: Saku Suutari, goSaimaa
The region of Lappeenranta and Imatra consists of two cities and seven municipalities. The distances in the area are not long: the 35-km distance between Lappeenranta and Imatra is convenient by car, train or bicycle. From the port of Lappeenranta, it is easy to head to the waters of Lake Saimaa, to nearby nature trails, or to the Lake Saimaa archipelago route, on which you can go around the whole of Lake Saimaa by bike, thanks to the useful ferry connections.
Imatra, on the other hand, is one of the original touristic destinations in Finland, where the main attraction in summer is the Imatrankoski rapids and the rapids show. The Ukonniemi sports facilities in Imatra offer a setting for an active holiday: the cross-country skiing trail Ensilumen latu is directly accessible from the door of the accommodation (normally in operation from October to April).
Those wishing for a rural idyll do not have to head far from the city centres, as the countryside is near and perfect for day trips – and why not even longer. In South Karelia, you can get from one place to another in a very short time, from half an hour to an hour. For example, you can start from Savitaipale and continue to Lappeenranta, from where you can also conveniently reach Taipalsaari in just a quarter of an hour. Similarly, Ruokolahti is only half an hour's drive from Imatra. Add another half an hour, and you can reach the beautiful scenery of Rautjärvi.
The historical atmosphere can be sensed in Kotkanniemi, Luumäki, where the former Finnish president's, P. E. Svinhufvud's, home museum is located. In addition to cultural experiences, several historical sites offer stories from the past and the present and, above all, relaxed South-Karelian hospitality. In the area there are numerous different destinations to visit and cottages, holiday homes, apartment hotels, spa hotels and camping areas to stay in.
Recommended places to visit
Moving around in nature is free – which also means responsibility
In Finland, the so-called "everyman's right" is applied, but the freedom to roam also requires responsibility. Respecting nature, not littering, following your own carbon footprint, and making your own responsible choices are good starting points. In the Lappeenranta and Imatra region, we have begun to invest in responsible tourism by training tourism companies in responsibility and communicating about it.
Let's take care of the beautiful nature of Lake Saimaa together so that even future generations can enjoy it!
For nature lovers
Video: gosaimaa
Things to do all year round
In the Lappeenranta and Imatra region, there are things to do all year round. During the summer, you can observe nature from a variety of perspectives by bike, paddle, boat and walk, enjoy the gems of the forest, and listen to mystical sounds of nature's silence. In the autumn, you can try your luck and go berry or mushroom picking in the forest. In winter, you can go on the ice with skis, snowshoes, ice-skates or even a bike. Grab some ice fishing equipment and enjoy a good catch. In the spring, nature blossoms again: young spruce buds are one of the Finnish superfoods worth trying.
Find your own way of moving, take a local guide to the forest, and let your mind and body relax in the picturesque scenery of Lake Saimaa while enjoying the clean and authentic Finnish flavours.
