Things to do and see in Savonlinna

Welcome to Savonlinna and Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone. We recommend you explore the city and the services found in the neighbouring areas. We have put together a few tips on things you can do at our hotel and in Savonlinna during your stay. If you wish to tour the city by bike, you can rent one at our reception at an affordable price.

Recommended for families

In the summer, you might want to go on a scenic cruise aboard a genuine steam boat departing from the Passenger Harbour. Lake Saimaa with its labyrinth of thousands of islands and inlets, the medieval Olavinlinna Castle, the national parks and the habitat of the Saimaa ringed seal – experience all this aboard a cruise boat, enjoying a summer's day!

Lusto Finnish Forest Museum in Punkaharju introduces visitors to the past, present and future of the Finnish forest culture through changing exhibitions.
http://www.lusto.fi/

Recommended for culture lovers

Located within a walking distance from Seurahuone, the medieval castle of Olavinlinna is definitely worth seeing and experiencing. This 15th century castle in Savonlinna stands on a rocky island surrounded by the waters of the Kyrönsalmi strait that connects the lakes Haukivesi and Pihlajavesi. The castle was initially known as the "Castle of Savonia" or the "New Castle". The internationally renowned Savonlinna Opera Festival takes place every summer in the great courtyard of Olavinlinna Castle.
http://www.nba.fi/fi/museot/olavinlinna

The Savonlinna Provincial Museum stands next to Olavinlinna Castle on the island of Riihisaari. Riihisaari is a meeting point and home to an exhibition centre. Riihisaari offers great experiences and information about the cultural history and nature of the Savonlinna region – for the entire family, all year round. The island is quite unique thanks to its historic setting and the beautiful natural landscapes of Lake Saimaa. Riihisaari hosts exhibitions of the Savonlinna Provincial Museum, and it also houses the Nestori – Saimaa Nature Exhibition centre run by Metsähallitus. In addition, the centre provides information for hikers. During the summer, museum steam boats Ahkera, Mikko and Salama, moored at the Riihisaari pier, as well as passenger boat Savonlinna at the Passenger Harbour, are open to visitors.
http://www.savonlinna.fi/museo/

Lusto Finnish Forest Museum in Punkaharju introduces visitors to the past, present and future of the Finnish forest culture through changing exhibitions.
http://www.lusto.fi/

While in Punkaharju, make sure you visit the Punkaharju Esker, which is a narrow ridge formation about seven kilometres long that in places divides into several chains of ridges. The highest point on the esker ridge, Runeberg Hill, lies 25 metres above Lake Saimaa's surface. In the ridge area, there are dozens of Kettle Holes of different sizes. These are depressions left by the melting of ice blocks buried in glacial outwash drift. Other signs of the Ice Age include fissures left by the glacier on the surface of the bedrock, as well as boulders. Ancient shoreline embankments reflect water level changes after the Ice Age.
You can travel through the Punkaharju Esker by car, by bicycle or on foot. Well worth a visit.

The world's largest wooden church can be found in Kerimäki, a mere 25 kilometres from Savonlinna. The church was completed in 1848 at Whitsun. But why such a large chuch? The explanation does not lie in a mix-up between feet and metres, since the metric system was not introduced until towards the end of the century. There was no mix-up with the plans, either, for the original plans can still be found in the parish archives. The explanation is that Rev. Fredrik Neovius, who held office in the 1840s, was of the opinion that half of the townsfolk should be able to meet for religious worship at one time.
http://www.kerimaenseurakunta.fi/kirkko.html

The theatre package includes accommodation in the comfort of Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone. The theatre programme (in Finnish) is available at http://www.savonlinnanteatteri.fi/

Savonlinnasali plays host to superb concerts throughout the year. http://www.savonlinnasali.fi/

Recommended for sports and exercise enthusiasts

The city centre has a number of routes for outdoor exercising. The bicycle and pedestrian lanes along the new parallel road, for example, hug the waterfront throughout.

To tour the city, hotel guests can rent Jopo bikes at the reception for a few hours or the entire day at an affordable price.

Is golfing your thing? Book a room and a green fee with us and enjoy a round at Kerigolf! The 18-hole Kerigolf course is designed by Ronald Fream, who was taken aback by the natural beauty and the height differences of the area. The unique Kerigolf course is your chance to enjoy a challenging game of golf amidst stunning natural landscapes. Kerigolf is located a mere 15-minute drive from Seurahuone.
http://www.kerigolf.fi/pelaaminen/kentan-esittely/

In the winter, you can go tour skating on natural ice in Punkaharju and Oravi. Please ask the hotel reception about the current ice conditions.

Ski slopes await you at the Ruunarinteet ski centre just nine kilometres from Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone. http://ruunarinteet.fi/

Cross-country skiing is available at the Aholahti ski centre or on trails maintained by the city. A map of cross-country skiing trails can be found at http://www.savonlinna.fi/asukas/liikunta_ja_ulkoilu/luontopolut_ja_kuntoradat/latukartat

Recommended for keen shoppers

You can find diverse shopping at the Sokos department store in the heart of Savonlinna. All guests staying at the hotel can enjoy a 10% discount at Sokos.

Savonlinna's calendar of events can be found at
http://www.savonlinnanyt.fi/

Welcome to Savonlinna!