Hire car Savonlinna Tips, Experiences & Comparison

Discover Savonlinna by Hire Car

In southeastern Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa Lake District, lies the city of Savonlinna.

Built on a chain of islands, Savonlinna’s cityscape harmonizes with the picturesque lake landscape, which is one of the largest lake systems in Europe.

Sights in Savonlinna

It’s worth visiting the old town; the market square is particularly worth seeing. As is common in many Finnish cities, Savonlinna’s market square is located right on the water and has a dock for ships. Those interested in the history of shipping on Lake Saimaa can visit three museum ships on the south shore.

Savonlinna is a popular spa town. A bridge leads north from the old town onto the Vääräsaari peninsula, which is home to the spa, an open-air stage and parks.

The most significant sight in Savonlinna is without doubt Olanvinlinna Castle. Founded in the Middle Ages by the Swedish viceroy, the bastion was intended to protect the country from Russian invaders. In the course of its turbulent history, the castle was sometimes in Swedish, sometimes in Russian possession, until it finally lost its military significance in 1809. Olavinlinna is one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Scandinavia and can be visited all year round.

A cultural treat is the international opera festival held in the castle courtyard every July.

Discovering the Savonlinna countryside

The beautiful lake landscape can be explored very well by hire car. A must is a trip to Kerimäki, about 15 km east of Savonlinna. There you will find the largest wooden church in the world, whose huge nave holds over 3000 visitors. During the opera festival, some concerts are performed in the church.