Things to do in Savonlinna
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Rauhalinna Villa
This romantic Moorish-style wooden villa was built in 1900 by Nils Weckman, an officer in the tsar's army, as a wedding-anniversary gift for his wife. It features an intricate wooden lattice trim and has a serene lakeside setting.
These days Rauhalinna warrants a visit for its café and fine restaurant, complete with banquet hall. For a real treat, try the excellent buffet. Rauhalinna also houses a summer hotel. The villa is at Lehtiniemi, 16km by road north of Savonlinna. The best way to visit is by boat from Savonlinna passenger harbour. Alternatively, there are two to three buses (destination Lehtiniemi, 25 minutes) from the Savonlinna bus terminal to within 500m of the…
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Huvila
This noble wooden building was formerly a fever hospital then a mental asylum, but these days writes happier stories as an excellent microbrewery and smart restaurant just across the harbour from the town centre. The food focuses on fresh local ingredients, and one of the delicious beers will match your fare perfectly, whether it be fresh, hoppy Joutsen, traditional sweet sahti, or the deliciously rich dessert stout. The terrace is a wonderful place on a sunny afternoon; there are also two cosy, compact double attic rooms (€120 during opera festival, €65 at other times).
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Majakka
This restaurant has a deck-like terrace which fits the nautical theme (the name means ‘lighthouse’). Local meat and fish specialities are tasty, generously sized and fairly priced and the select-your-own appetiser plate is a nice touch. It’s child-friendly too, and opens late during the opera festival when it buzzes with good cheer.
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M/S Lake Star Lake Cruises
In summer, the Savonlinna passenger harbour is one of the busiest in Finland. There are a number of scenic cruises to choose from, with dozens of daily departures during the high season. M/S Lake Star offers one-hour scenic cruises in the Savonlinna area with six departures daily from June to the end of August.
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Olutravintola Sillansuu
Savonlinna’s best pub by a long shot is compact and cosy, offering an excellent variety of international bottled beers, a decent whisky selection and friendly service. There’s a downstairs area with a pool table and during the festival amateur arias are sometimes sung as the beer kegs empty.
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Olavinlinna Castle
Standing haughtily on a rock, this castle is one of the most spectacular in northern Europe. As well as being an imposing fortification, it is also the spectacular venue for the month-long Savonlinna Opera Festival, comfortably seating 2300 within its sturdy walls.
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S/S Punkaharju Lake Cruises
In summer, the Savonlinna passenger harbour is one of the busiest in Finland. There are a number of scenic cruises to choose from, with dozens of daily departures during the high season. S/S Punkaharju offers four to five lake cruises daily from late May to late August.
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MS Ieva Lake Cruises
In summer, the Savonlinna passenger harbour is one of the busiest in Finland. There are a number of scenic cruises to choose from, with dozens of daily departures during the high season. MS leva offers five to seven one-hour guided lake cruises daily.
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Oopperakellari
This underground restaurant has lavish pre- and post-opera dinners, with music, arias from the staff, and perhaps even some of the stars answering questions or singing. Book in advance via Savo Center, based at Savonlinna Travel, or online.
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Provincial Museum
The provincial museum, in an old Russian warehouse near the castle, tells of local history and the importance of water transport to the area. There are plenty of old photographs and models and a changing art exhibition.
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Hilpeä Munkki
Alongside the museum in a delightfully ramshackle wooden building, this terraced restaurant gets back to basics in medieval style. Waiters dressed as monks bring out beer in tankards and meat on skewers. Views of the castle are superb.
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Craft Shops
Linnankatu, the quaint back street running up towards the castle, is lined with old wooden houses, some of which are craft shops and studios selling local handicrafts at hefty prices. There's some good quality here though.
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Liekkilohi
This bright red pontoon anchored just off the kauppatori specialises in ‘flamed’ salmon, a delicious late-night dish. It also does tasty fried muikku. During the day they put on an excellent fish buffet (€34).
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Sinikka
Run with a motherly air, this people-recommended cafe puts on a great breakfast buffet (between 7am and 11am Monday to Friday), and does salads, lunches, decent coffee and excellent cakes.
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Cycling
The area around Savonlinna, with its quiet country lanes and gently sloping hills, is terrific for bicycle touring. Bikes can be carried on board local ferries for a small fee.
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Handicrafts
The kauppatori has a particularly lively summer market with good handicrafts and souvenirs on sale alongside the fresh berries, baked treats and garden produce.
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Mimosa
Large shaded terrace. Salads, cakes and light meals. Also has 12 hotel rooms, some with lakeside balconies, available June to August (€90 to €100).
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Juanita Bar & Café
This place, upstairs in an arcade off Olavinkatu, does reasonably priced burgers, fajitas and Tex-Mex, and is a popular bar later in the night.
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Blue Outdoor
Blue Outdoor, by the harbour, organises water-based activities including canoeing trips, jet-ski jaunts and fishing.
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Pizzeria Capero
This is the best place in town for an uncomplicated and tasty feed of pizza. It's just west of the bridge by the kauppatori.
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