Winter Getaways on Lake Saimaa, Finland
A WINTER WONDERLAND
Lake Saimaa is Finland’s largest lake. Dotted with over 13,000 islands surrounded by clear, fresh water, the scenic landscapes don’t go unnoticed. With rare wildlife and local delicacies along with an abundance of outdoor activities, it’s a beautiful destination to experience in winter.
I can only imagine exploring Saimaa throughout the year is like exploring two completely different countries. This is down to the vast contrast in seasons in Saimaa.
In winter you can ski over frozen lakes, snowshoe through forests and warm up in saunas. In summer you can go rare-seal spotting, forage for blueberries, and island-hop from your kayak.
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While on our trip around the impressive Lake Saimaa we stayed in some incredible resorts, tasted wonderful delights and experienced a lot of snow (and we mean… a lot!)
So below are a few suggestions for winter getaways in this beautiful part of the world. Lake Saimaa.
The world’s longest lake coastline- about 15,000 kilometres of shoreline
Filled with over 13,000 islands
Saimaa made the Wall Street Journal list of the five most beautiful lakes in the world
Home to the world’s most endangered seal, the Saimaa ringed seal
SAHANLAHTI RESORT
Where to stay: Sahanlahti Resort
This family-run resort, located in Puumala, is a true Winter Wonderland (be prepared for me to massively over-use this phrase while talking about Saimaa!) Built around an old sawmill, with wooden cabins dotted amongst the forest, cosy saunas, and multiple restaurants, this resort is a must while travelling around Saimaa.
Our first impressions of Finnish people were that they’re extremely friendly. Even the border control staff at the airport greeted us with a warm smile, (I’m sure they’re notoriously known for being grumpy!) When we arrived at our first destination, the Sahanlahti Resort, it was no different. The amazing Teemu was our receptionist, host, chef and waiter, all in one.
Where to eat: Restaurant Pajapirtti
The resort offers only the best when it comes to their restaurants, which is clear by the awards they’ve won. Local Finnish cuisine made from seasonal ingredients with lakeside views and a cosy atmosphere is a given here.
We sat in the fire-lit cabin and watched salmon cook over the open flames while we listened to our host’s experiences of European road trips and living in Finland.
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Sahanlahti is one of four Saimaa Gastronomy destinations.
Saimaa Gastronomy is a network of companies in the Saimaa lake region that are passionate about local food. They offer authentic flavours using fresh, high-quality, local produce while being dedicated to ethical and responsible farming. On the menus, you’ll see fresh fish caught from the lake, seasonal fruit and veg, and locally sourced meat. A wonderful marriage of nature and culture comes across with each dining experience.
This article includes three from the organisation - Sahanlahti Resort, Hotel Punkaharju and Tertti Manor.
Our top suggestions while at Sahanlahti
There is nothing more Finnish than a sauna, and the Sahanlahti Resort offers a unique experience of a sauna made from ice!
An ice sauna wasn’t actually on our bucket list at the time, purely because we didn’t know they existed! Walking in the snow, barefoot, approaching this box of ice, it was hard to believe it could keep us warm, but it did. Simply a refreshing way to start the day!
Read our article 10 HANDY TIPS FOR VISITING HELSINKI, FINLAND for tips when visiting Finlands captial city, Helsinki
Take a trip to Tertti Manor (just under an hour from Sahanlahti) and experience a Saimaa Gastronomy lunch.
Tertti Manor is a farm that has been owned by the same family since the 1800s. With their own eco-certified forest and herb gardens, their food is regionally and nationally renowned. The restaurant serves fresh, local food, mostly grown on their own land. They combine their strong heritage with creativity to offer the best Finnish tastes, which can clearly be experienced on your visit.
This was by far the fanciest lunch we’ve ever experienced in the most incredible, historical surroundings. To be able to eat fresh produce that was grown a stone’s throw away from the manor itself was something quite special.
While on our visit you could really feel that Tertti Manor was family-run. The walls were lined with family photos from decades back, portraits of the family dogs and certificates on the walls from top to bottom. We met the owner Matti, who’d been out that morning with their hunting dogs catching birds for the kitchen. Then we visited their delicacy cellar filled with preserves, wines and jellies all stored from the summertime in a mismatch of jars and bottles.
You can’t leave without buying something from the delicacy shop to take a piece of the manor’s history home with you. We took a blackberry jelly which we had with pancakes at home!
Other highlights in the area
Rent a bike and cycle on the award-winning 60km Archipelago Route
Hike the 13km Norppa circular trail
Rent equipment from the Sahanlahti resort. In winter you can rent snowshoes, skates and bikes
Visit the Kummakivi Rock (30 mins from Sahanlahti) which is an interesting geological formation. Located in the forest in Ruokolahti, the 7-metre long boulder miraculously balances
JÄRVISYDÄN RESORT
Where to stay: Järvisydän Resort
When you travel to destinations, you sometimes feel they’ve been industrialised. The supermarkets, the restaurants, the hotels. But it’s not until you look beneath the service that you find the family-run businesses that have kept these places running for decades. Filled with history, passion and hard work.
The Järvisydän Resort was a prime example of this.
Järvisydän, sitting at the entrance of the Linnasaari National Park, is a resort that’s been run by the same Heiskanen family since 1658. “Järvisydän” translates in English to “the heart of the lake”. The resort says they “offer a once in a lifetime experience for each day of the year” and provide an abundance of outdoor activities and unconventional accommodation.
With a hotel, villas, houseboats and panorama suits there are many types of places to stay. We stayed on one of the luxurious houseboats that offer incredible views of the water from the main floor, and on the terrace above.
These houseboats are docked at the lake but in the summertime you can drive these out on the water!
Where to eat: Viinikellari
Viinikellari bares a historical atmosphere in a fireplace-lit dining room in the Järvisydän resort. With the rustic brick walls and cosy lighting, it’s a romantic setting for a 3-course meal. There are two Fire Menus that change on alternating days and specialise in local and seasonal ingredients. These menus change five times a year according to the seasons for fresh produce.
“Viinikellari” translates in English to “Wine Cellar” so take a peek at their impressive wine collection. The cellar is carved into the rock behind a glass wall in the dining room.
Our top suggestions while at Järvisydän
Many Finns think you can’t fully experience Finnish culture without bathing in a sauna.
So while staying at Järvisydän, you must visit the spa to get the full Finnish lake wellness experience!
Known as “the most ecological lake spa in Finland”, the spa was built in the middle of the natural rocks overlooking Saimaa. Made with natural materials, the spa has a cosy atmosphere, with rugged walls and natural stone tiles, all being candlelit. There are six different styled saunas and five pools, two of which are outside. If you’re brave enough to jump into the icy waters, go for it!
We took a sleigh ride over the frozen lake to one of the islands across from the resort.
With the snow-covered expanse and visitors skiing beside you, you almost forget you’re riding over the ice! Our knowledgable guide Heikki, who’d worked at the resort since the 90s, had a true passion for outdoor adventures and wildlife.
Having lunch in the wild, cooked over an open fire was a true Finnish experience. Heikki taught us about the wildlife in Saimaa, Finnish culture, and how people who live and work in Saimaa adapt to the changing seasons. Everyone we spoke to who worked at neighbouring resorts knew of Heikki and he was known as “The Seal Whisperer” for his knowledge and experience with the wildlife in Saimaa.
Other highlights at the resort
Snowshoe through the forest of Porosalmi, learn to make a fire and cook sausages while learning the history of Järvisydän
Take an ice fishing trip to the Linnansaari National Park
Fish for your lunch on the lake and watch it be smoked on the spot at the M/S Puijo steamship restaurant docked in the water
Ice skate to the Kaarnetsaari Island and cook food over the fire
Rent a bike and cycle one of the many marked routes in the forest
Tip: One activity to definitely do in the summer is to go on a boat trip to spot the endangered Saimaa ringed seals. These are the rarest seals in the world with a population of around 430!
HOTEL PUNKAHARJU
“Punkaharju has been an internationally known tourist destination for two hundred years due to the unique natural beauty of its landscapes. Wintertime in Punkaharju offers many opportunities to relax and enjoy nature. Clean air, silence, and a particular ridge area cutting through Punkaharju and the famous lake district of Saimaa create excellent opportunities to explore nature. I highly recommend snowshoeing in the Punkaharju nature reserve, and ice skating on Saimaa is a must-try!”
Where to stay: Hotel Punkaharju
The location of Punkaharju was once called “The most beautiful place in Finland” by the famous Finnish author Zacharias Topelius.
The picturesque Hotel Punkaharju sits nestled in the pine forest of the Punkaharju ridge. Former international model Saimi Hoyer is the proud owner of the hotel, calling it “a place where love for the forest and lake nature combine with art and culture”. She spent her childhood summers in Punkaharju, saying her heart belongs here, so decided to purchase the historic building in 2016. Being one of the oldest establishments that offers accommodation in Finland, the hotel offers a beautiful stay. The ideal location to enjoy the peaceful, natural surroundings.
Where to eat: Restaurant Punkaharju
The culinary delights of the Punkaharju restaurant are made with local, seasonal products.
The fresh fish is caught by local fishermen, the meat and veg are from nearby farms and the berries and wild herbs are picked the very same day by the gatherers. All elegantly presented in the charming terrace looking out to the snow-laden trees. A pure feast for all the senses!
Our top suggestions while in Punkaharju
Take a guided snowshoeing trip through the fluffy snow from Kruunupuisto.
Our wonderful guide Mona showed us the ropes while explaining the history of the nature reserve we were exploring. We’ve always wanted to try this winter activity and we’re so glad we did! There's something so peaceful about walking through the snow surrounded by pine trees, with nothing but the sound of your shoes crunching through the snow.
While on your snowshoeing trip, take a break from the snow at the Inkeritalo waffle cafe. This log house on the lakeshore is famous for its waffles and a great stop to warm up and take in the views of frozen lake Saimaa.
While staying in this area you can’t miss the Punkaharju Ridge which is like no other road we’ve ever driven on. This photogenic road runs between Lake Puruvesi and Lake Pihlajavesi and is known as a natural Finnish monument. You can drive along the iconic road or there are several hiking trails that lead to scenic points along the way.
If you fancy a day out then head to Savonlinna, known as the pearl of Lake Saimaa. This historical city is just a half-hour drive from Punkaharju and is famous for the Olavinlinna Castle.
Olavinlinna Castle dates back to the 15th-century and is the northernmost medieval castle in the world. Sitting on a rocky islet, the castle is famous for the annual Olavinlinna Opera Festival and other cultural events. Take a guided tour of the historical building and visit the exhibition. Learn about Finnish history and what everyday life was like at the castle.
Along with wooden houses and quaint shops, Savonlinna is home to Cafe Saima. This family-run cafe and hotel boast a scenic view of the castle along with a welcoming atmosphere.
We met the owners David and Johanna, who manage the hotel and cafe. We tried David’s famous salmon soup and the traditional Finnish semla cake, which is only eaten over the winter period. Their cakes come from their local family-run bakery that’s been running for over 40 years. They were amazing (and I mean.. amazing.)
Other highlights in the area
Just a stone’s throw away from the Punkaharju Resort you can find 15km of skating tracks, 31km of illuminated cross-country skiing trails and 8 sign-posted snowshoeing routes in the park. So it’s easy to take a guided tour or rent the equipment you need
Kruunupuisto has a wide range of outdoor activities to choose from, whatever the season. From ice skates and fat bikes in the winter to canoes and rowing boats in the summer
Have a relax in Hotel Punkaharju’s beach sauna, located right on the lake! Chill in the sauna or hot tub, then take a refreshing dip in the cold water of Saimaa. We went at night as it was extra special to stargaze in the hot tub with the snow around us
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Lake Saimaa! If you have any suggestions or have any questions please let us know in the comments below!
Our trip to Saimaa was in partnership with the Finnish tourism board Visit Saimaa, who we went on assignment with to explore Saimaa, capturing the most beautiful spots and destinations along the way
Find out more about Saimaa at www.visitsaimaa.fi
