Itineraries, prices and everything you need to know before you plan a road trip in Saimaa – my favorite region in Finland

A road trip in Finland is an adventure of a lifetime and visiting Saimaa is the cherry on the top of the ice cream. . Roads in Finland are in perfect condition and while the size and form of the lake can make several regions difficult to access, there is nothing more beautiful than driving along the coast and getting a long view of Lake Saimaa.

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Why Visit Saimaa?

Saimaa is Finland’s hidden gem, and the lake itself is the largest in Finland, covering an area of 4,400 square kilometers. The region is known for its picturesque scenery, with tranquil lakes, rolling hills, and dense forests. Saimaa is also home to unique wildlife, including the endangered Saimaa ringed seal, which adds a rare eco-tourism opportunity to your visit.

Saimaa is the perfect destination for those who appreciate untouched nature and are keen to explore Finland’s countryside. Whether you’re a hiker, kayaker, or simply want to relax by the lake, the area’s peaceful charm and natural beauty are magnetic.

Road Trip costs in Finland

Total Estimated Costs for a 7-Day Road Trip in Saimaa:

• Budget trip: 800 – 1,000 EUR (with basic accommodations and self-catering)
• Mid-range trip: 1,100 – 1,500 EUR (comfortable hotels and mixed dining)
• Luxury trip: 1,700 – 2,200 EUR (premium accommodations, boat trips, and fine dining)

Tips for Travelers:

• Wild camping is allowed in Finland under “Everyman’s Right,” but be respectful of nature and local guidelines.
• Plan fuel stops accordingly, as rural areas may have fewer gas stations.
• Seasonal Variations: Prices may fluctuate during peak summer months, particularly in July during the Savonlinna Opera Festival. Booking in advance is advisable for accommodations.

The best route for a road trip in Finland

My trip started in the city of Lappeeranta. This is not only the most accessible city in the Saimaa region but a good spot to rent a vehicle and start a road trip around the lake. Several rental companies are located right at the Lappeeranta airport and with competitive prices all year long, it’s just matter of simple booking skills until you find a good bargain to start your adventure.

From there, I simply ventured into the wilderness. Driving around this part of Finland is more about reconnecting with nature and having the plan of no having plans. Horrible plan for a road trip no? Don’t worry. For this trip, I planned a route in the area between the cities of Mikkeli and Joensuu.

If you check Google Maps now, this area looks more like a puzzle, than a map. That is why this road trip was very different than any other road trip I did in the past. In this road trip, I had several accomodations booked in the lakeside and a bit isolated from the cities. These were my sanctuaries and from there, I traveled around the region with the car and checked what makes Saimaa probably the most relaxing destination in Europe and Finland the happiest country in the world.

How to Plan the Perfect Road Trip in Saimaa, Finland

Planning your road trip in Saimaa requires mapping out your itinerary to make the most of your visit. Here are some tips to help you plan:

• Best time to visit: Summer is the most popular season for a road trip to Saimaa, offering long daylight hours and perfect weather for outdoor activities. Winter provides an entirely different experience with frozen lakes and snow-covered landscapes for activities like ice fishing and snowshoeing.
• Length of trip: A 3 to 7-day trip is ideal for exploring Saimaa. A shorter trip gives you a taste of the highlights, while a longer journey allows you to dive deeper into the region.
• Route suggestions: Begin your journey in Lappeenranta or Imatra, making your way to Savonlinna and then onto Punkaharju and the surrounding nature reserves.

Best Routes for a Road Trip in Saimaa

I stayed for a week in Saimaa, but for those who want to plan something different than just relaxing next to the lake, here are a couple of route options depending on the length of your stay:

3-Day Itinerary

• Day 1: Start in Lappeenranta, visit Imatra Rapids, and drive to Savonlinna for the night.
• Day 2: Explore Olavinlinna Castle in Savonlinna and spend the afternoon in Punkaharju Ridge.
• Day 3: Drive through the Saimaa Nature Reserve and make your way back to Lappeenranta.

7-Day Itinerary

• Day 1-2: Start in Lappeenranta, visit Lappeenranta Fortress, and stop by the Saimaa Canal Museum.
• Day 3-4: Drive to Savonlinna, explore the town and Olavinlinna Castle, take a lake cruise on Lake Saimaa.
• Day 5: Continue to Punkaharju and hike the nature trails. Overnight in a lakeside cabin.
• Day 6: Visit Kerimäki Church and Retretti Art Centre.
• Day 7: End the trip with a relaxing day on the lake in Rantasalmi.

Best Places to Stay During Your Saimaa Road Trip

Whether you prefer camping, rustic cabins, or luxury hotels, Saimaa has a range of accommodations to suit your needs:

• Lakeside Cottages: For a true Finnish experience, rent a cottage by the lake. These cottages come equipped with saunas and private docks. Try Punkaharju Villas or Oravi Lakeside Cottages.
• Hotels in Savonlinna: If you prefer more modern comforts, Spahotel Casino and Original Sokos Hotel Seurahuone offer excellent services.
• Eco-friendly Stays: SaimaaLife Eco Lodge offers eco-friendly cabins that prioritize sustainability, located near Punkaharju.

Down here is a photograph from the hotel & spa resort järvisydän. I had the opportunity to stay there once many years ago.

Outdoor Activities You Must Try in the Saimaa Region

The Saimaa region is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of activities all year round:

• Kayaking and Canoeing: Paddle through the calm waters of Lake Saimaa and explore its countless islands. Rentals are available in Savonlinna and Punkaharju.
• Hiking: Saimaa offers a network of well-marked trails. Punkaharju Ridge is a popular hiking destination, known for its breathtaking views over the lakes.
• Fishing: Lake Saimaa is a fisherman’s paradise. Popular catches include pike, perch, and salmon.
• Cycling: Rent bikes in Lappeenranta or Savonlinna and follow designated bike paths around the lake.
• Swimming: Take a refreshing dip in the clean waters of Lake Saimaa at one of the many beaches dotted along the shoreline.

Discovering Saimaa’s hiking routes

Although Saimaa is mostly known for its stunning lake and water activities, there are several hiking routes that can´t be underestimated. Finland is a land of enchanting forests and fairies and while there is not a big chance you will encounter a fairy or find a pot of gold along the way, mushrooms and berry picking are some of the most common activities you will see locals do.

Trees filled with hundreds of little and delicious blue, black and lingonberries are located all over Finland and with the law allowing pickers to go foraging anywhere in the country (including summer houses, surrounding forests, city parks, and national parks), fruit picking is one of the most entertaining ways to wander through the forest.

Mushroom picking is also a fun outdoor activity locals love. This is one of the most cultural traditions in the Nordic communities and every weekend you will see dozens of families gathering in parks and forests with their mushroom baskets. There is an interesting appeal for the Finnish to get back to nature and live a simple and healthy life.

While fruit and mushroom picking are some of the most Finnish activities you can do while visiting Saimaa, take into consideration that some of these fruits are poisonous and eating them can be very dangerous.

While in Trinidad, I was able to find the best prices available for any hotel at Booking.com and Agoda. These are the two largest platforms to compare hotel prices.

Several tour operators along the Saimaa region offer mushroom and berry picking tours. These guided tours are ideal for travelers, who don´t know much about the local flora, want to learn more about this part of Finnish culture and at the same time are afraid of getting lost in the wilderness or accidentally picking poisonous fruits.

With the flexibility of having a vehicle, we were able to completely skip the city life and get in direct contact with nature. We did not only select the best places for berry picking but also stayed in the cottages and lakeside hotels along Lake Saimaa. These types of accommodation not only offered a first-class view of the lake, but they also organized most of the activities we did.

Cottages and lakeside hotels in Saimaa

A full Saimaa experience can´t be complete without staying in one of the very charming and cozy cottages along the lake. This is one of Finland’s most popular traditions during Summer and the best way to disconnect from the city life.

These cottages can be as luxurious or simple as you like and with most of them being located right next to the lake, these are a must place to stay if you are visiting Saimaa.

Finns love them and anytime they can, they will spend some days at their own cottage or simply rent one. This is one of the things you can only do while having a vehicle to drive around and although in private cottages you will have to bring your own food, many hotels along Saimaa offer their own cottages including their restaurant services at the hotel facilities.

Some hotels would even offer food tours, where you will be able to catch your own fresh salmon and pick up the berries for the drinks.

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Since we were going on a road trip, we stayed in several types of cabins along the road. Some of them were located in the middle of charming forests and were perfect for applying our new knowledge in berry and mushroom picking, while others offered scenic views of little islands located at Lake Saimaa. There are many options and no matter how many people you travel with or how large your budget is, there is a cottage for you.

Here is another photograph from the family suites at the Hotel Anttolanhovi.

The highlight of Saimaa is the calmness of the lake

There are more than 3500 islands in Saimaa and with approximately 4,400 km2, Lake Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland and the fourth largest natural freshwater lake in Europe. It is the perfect place to get a kayak or a wooden boat and relax while navigating to one of the many little inhabited islands (many of these are not larger than an Olympic swimming pool) or simply row around the lake while enjoying the sun.

Most cabins and cottages have kayaks for you to simply use during your stay and while watching the sunrise from Saimaa’s coastline sounds wonderful, there is an incomparable charm when you do it from the middle of the lake.

If you want to compare prices with all companies together, check the different options at DiscoverCars and RentalCars

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With the sunrise happening very early in the morning and never experiencing a complete dark sky at night, we had the daily ritual of waking up early and kayaking at the lake to watch the sunrise. Every day we glimpsed numerous tones of pinks, purples and blues being reflected at the calm waters of the lake. The sunlight at the early mornings turned the lake into a giant multicolored surrealist painting, in which we were just characters in the middle of a different world.

Being at the lake should be your highlight in Saimaa, and while there are lots of small cruise ships offering several tours exploring the beauty of the lake, visiting the lake and its hiking routes on your own is a very personal and extraordinary activity that is worth way more.  I felt closer to nature and after some days at Lake Saimaa kayaking, stargazing or picking up fresh berries in the morning, I felt end up being my biggest concerns during the day. Saimaa brought me back to nature like any other destination has done it before.

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What should I take into consideration before planning a road trip in Saimaa?

Saimaa is a very large region and due to the particular form of the lake, going from one city to another can take a lot of time. Plan your itinerary ahead and check out on google maps how long does it take to get from one place to another. We underestimated several times the distances and end up driving until late hours of the night just to reach our accommodation.

Accommodation along the lake should not be an issue. However, booking in advance is recommended. There are several Airbnb options along the lake that will make your experience more unique. At the same time, most hotels have also private cabins for you to rent.

Traveling in Saimaa in Winter vs. Summer: What to Expect

Winter in Saimaa (December – February)

• Activities: Ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and even ice swimming.
• Landscape: Frozen lakes, snow-covered forests, and magical winter lights.
• Advantages: Fewer tourists, serene and untouched landscapes.
• Disadvantages: Colder temperatures and shorter daylight hours.

Summer in Saimaa (June – August)

• Activities: Boating, kayaking, hiking, cycling, and swimming in the lake.
• Landscape: Lush forests, warm weather, and long daylight hours thanks to the midnight sun.
• Advantages: Ideal for outdoor activities, longer days, more events and festivals.
• Disadvantages: More tourists, higher accommodation prices.

When should I plan my road trip in Saimaa?

There is no doubt that Summer is the best time to visit the region. You will experience almost 24 hours of sunlight and the weather is warm enough that you can swim in the lake almost every day. However, Summer is high season in Finland and prices all over the country tend to be more expensive than during the rest of the year.

If berry-picking season is your priority, take into consideration that it begins in mid-July and ends around October when autumn sets in. Mushroom season starts around mid-May when the first mushrooms begin to emerge, but it´s only until mid-Summer when you start seeing hundreds of mushrooms everywhere around Finland’s forests.

I visited Saimaa end of August. Rental prices were lower and finding accommodation was not as difficult as it can be in mid-Summer. At the same time, the sun was setting down quite late and although it was not the hot Summer weather you have in Spain or Italy, I found very refreshing getting into the lake early in the morning or right after sunrise – especially after doing Finland’s national activity: sauna.

Want more of Finland? Check out my gallery with 10 photographs of Finland’s beauty