Discover Savonlinna

When looking for a hotel in Savonlinna, you can start by considering which aspects of the city you want to shape your trip: cultural history, natural surroundings or activities on the water. Olavinlinna and Riihisaari offer different ways to explore history. The National Urban Park, panoramic cruises and Sulosaari turn your attention to islands, shorelines and waterways.

Islands, Shorelines and the Urban Park

Savonlinna’s National Urban Park extends from the island-dotted city centre to extensive shoreline forests, the archipelago and waterways. It protects valuable natural areas and habitats of the Saimaa ringed seal. This means that different landscapes come together within the park: the city centre, wooded shores, the archipelago and waterways. If nature is part of your travel experience, the urban park offers a focus of its own alongside the cultural attractions. Its combination of urban spaces and protected habitats makes it more than just a backdrop for visiting individual sights.

Castle and Museum

Olavinlinna is the heart of the National Urban Park and is considered Savonlinna’s most important tourist attraction. You can explore Olavinlinna on guided tours and through the stories of the castle. Since the castle also stands at the centre of the urban park, this is where the city’s cultural highlight meets its landscape.

Riihisaari – the Savonlinna Museum – is located in central Savonlinna and presents the history and nature of South Savo. Its themes include Saimaa water transport and islander culture. You can explore the museum on your own or with a guide. At Riihisaari, you can therefore choose between exploring independently and taking a guided tour; guided tours are mentioned for Olavinlinna. These offer two different ways to engage with the city’s cultural side.

City History in the Streets

Savonlinna’s history can also be explored beyond the castle and museum. Linnankatu is popular with visitors as a place to experience this history. Wanha Savonlinna, with its wooden houses and tree-lined avenues, lies at the foot of Olavinlinna Castle. Here, the focus is on houses and avenues rather than a museum visit or guided tour. If you are interested in the built environment, the wooden houses and park avenues offer another perspective on a trip to Savonlinna.

Panoramic Cruises and an Island Trail

Panoramic cruises depart from Savonlinna’s passenger harbour next to the market square. They travel either through the intricate island world or around Savonlinna, a city built on islands. Depending on the season, trips are offered on motorboats or nostalgic steamships. Check in advance which cruises are available during your travel dates. The routes offer different highlights: one explores the island world, while the other circles the city built on islands.

Sulosaari offers a way to explore an island on foot. You can reach the island via Casino Island, along a path past the car park and across a wooden bridge. There is a hiking trail on Sulosaari. Unlike a panoramic cruise, the focus here is on the trail on the island, not a journey through or around the island world. When planning, you can decide whether you would prefer to include a boat trip or a hiking trail.

Discover more destinations: Oravi, Ihamaniemi, Kumpuranta, Vuoriniemi, Piojärvi, Sulkava, Punkaharju, Kerimäki, Enonkoski, Kallislahti, Savonranta, Hiukkajoki, Putikko, Lötjölä.

For the regional travel overview: South Savo.