Things to do in Lappeenranta
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Hiekkalinna
In summer, sand artists from all over Finland gather to build the Hiekkalinna, a giant ‘sandcastle’ that uses around 3 million kilograms of sand. Previous incarnations of these huge art works have included themes such as a Wild West scene incorporating a gigantic steam train, and an outer space theme that brought together ET and Darth Vader. It’s great for kids with a small selection of rides (many free).
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Linnoitus & Museums
The fortifications in the Linnoitus (Fortress) area of Lappeenranta above the harbour were started by the Swedes and finished by the Russians in the 18th century. It's like a separate village; some of the fortress buildings are craft shops and galleries, while others have been turned into interesting museums. There are good views from the fortress over the harbour area.
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Cavalry Museum
The cavalry are honoured as Lappeenranta’s greatest heroes, which may seem odd for a port town. The town’s oldest building (erected in 1772) is the stately former garrison that houses the Cavalry Museum. The museum tells the story of how this band of red-trousered warriors began as the finest mounted forces in the Russian Empire and throughout the 1920s and ’30s became Finland’s national heroes. Exhibits of their trousers and skeleton jackets are a highlight along with their horseback armoury. Even today, dragoons are still garrisoned in Lappeenranta, and when they sweep down from the fort in regular parades throughout summer, you’ll see how powerful this land-based f…
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Lappee Church
Lappee Church is an adorable wooden church built in 1794 to an unusual ‘double cruciform’ floor plan. It’s barely on speaking terms with its bell tower, which is situated across the park and houses a cafe. South of the church stretches the graveyard, with an evocative war memorial, which features cubist and modernist sculptures commemorating Finns who died in the Winter and Continuation Wars. The most striking depicts a mother mourning her soldier son lost in battle, by Kauko Räsänen.
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South Karelian Museum
South Karelian Museum examines Karelia’s prehistory with Celticlike artefacts – look out for the reconstruction of an elk hunted on ski (literally). There’s a long look back at when Vyborg was part of Karelia with photos and oral histories from before 1939. It’s a source of much wistful nostalgia for most Finns and some older Finns have been known to be moved to tears by how effectively this exhibit brings the town back to life.
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South Karelia Art Museum
South Karelia Art Museum has a permanent collection of paintings by Karelian and other Finnish artists. Most of the works are modern and a large part of the space is devoted to temporary exhibitions, which often feature local artists. Unless one of the temporary exhibits takes your fancy, you can probably skip this in favour of better studies of Finnish art in Helsinki.
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Saimaan Matkaverkko
Saimaan Matkaverkko runs cruises to Vyborg and Petersburg with boat/bus combinations to mix up your trip. They can also organise a ‘cruise visa’ for EU citizens (€35) if you can provide them with a copy of your passport at least a week before departure (booking significantly in advance is advisable, as these cruises are heavily subscribed).
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Kahvila Majurska
If you can’t hop the border to a genuine Russian teahouse then this is as close as you’ll get in Finland. A former officer’s club (note the august portrait of Mannerheim and relic furniture), they still serve tea from the samovar and do a range of homemade pastries. The traditional serving maids outfits are a little too kinky.
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Wolkoff Home Museum
The home of a Russian family is lovingly preserved at Wolkoff Home Museum. Built in 1826, the house was owned by the merchant clan Wolkoff from 1872 to 1986, and the 10 rooms have been maintained as they were. You have to join hourly guided tours (around 40 minutes; leaving quarter past the hour) to view them.
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Tiglio
A pleasant find - an authentic Italian restaurant with reasonably priced meals, including a free starter buffet of fresh bread, Italian dressings, olives and vegetables. It's spacious enough to be informal but nice enough for a night out. There's a huge range of dishes; the wild salmon with shrimps is good.
reviewed
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Walking Tours
There are walking tours of the fortress daily from late May to mid-September, leaving from the Pusupuisto kiosk opposite the Patria hotel at 14:30. They last an hour, with children free. The tours are in Finnish and English. Some of the tours last a little longer, and have added narrative elements.
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Saimaa Risteilyt Cruises
Saimaa Risteilyt Cruises at the harbour offers two-hour cruises aboard the 95-passenger M/S El Faro, either around the archipelago or down the Saimaa Canal. Canal cruises depart daily at noon, with an additional 15:00 cruise and a 18:00 archipelago cruise from early June to late August.
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Café Aleksandra
This time-honoured favourite is an old-style Russian tearoom with antique furniture and snacks like meringues, quiches and sandwiches. Service gets a little brisk during busy lunchtimes but on a weekday afternoon you could easily plot a Dostoevsky novel here.
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Tassos
This is a fine Greek place, which is a bit pricier for dinner but has a good-value lunch special Monday to Friday. Dishes range from traditional mezedes and souvlaki to Greek lamb specialities, vegetarian dishes and a few Finnish game dishes.
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Kasino
Acclaimed as a favourite of Catherine the Great, this refurbished casino house has excellent Russian options like salmon blini and zakuska (light buffet), but also does more traditional European fare such as steaks and pork schnitzel.
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Barut Kebab
Finland is full of good kebab-and-pizza joints, but this one merits a mention for its comfy seating and seriously good house kebab, which comes on a bed of garlic potatoes, salad and chips, and smothered with yogurt and tomato sauce.
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Lappee Church
In the centre of town, the Lappee Church is a lovely wooden church (1794) built to an unusual 'double cruciform' floor plan. It's barely on speaking terms with its belltower, situated across the park and housing a café.
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War Memorial
South of the church stretches the graveyard, on one side of which is the evocative war memorial, which commemorates those Finns who died in the Winter and Continuation Wars and whose graves are now in Russian territory.
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S/S Suvi Saimaa
In summer, the S/S Suvi Saimaa , at the harbour, is a cheerful place to hang out. It has a terrace on shore and on the boat, and serves snacks and larger meals from noon to 20:00. Occasionally it disappears on cruises.
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Green Apple
Downstairs from Old Park, Green Apple is a recently opened pub which locals have taken to their hearts. It has a terrace, and hospital-bright lights, as well as a nightclub, Golden Apple, with a popular dancefloor.
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Säräpirtti Kippurasarvi
One of the more reliable restaurants serving lemin särä (roast mutton) is Säräpirtti Kippurasarvi, on the lakeshore. They serve it with thick rye bread and homemade kalja (beer).
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Restaurant Olé
This place does good Spanish fare, and even brings olives and bread with mains such as paella and hefty pastas. On weekends it has live music ranging from syrupy pan-European songs to flamenco guitar.
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Beach Sauna
There's a public beach sauna at Myllysaari, just east of the harbour area. Hours for women are 16:00 to 20:00 Wednesday and Friday, and the same hours Tuesday and Thursday for men.
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Old Park
This is the best pick in a compact central complex that runs over two floors. It’s a gently Irish-themed place (no shamrocks but plenty of hard rock) with a popular terrace.
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Karelia Lines Lake Cruises
Karelia Lines Lake Cruises has two-hour cruises on Lake Saimaa aboard the spacious MS Camilla at noon and 18:00 from Monday to Saturday, June to late August.
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