Mikkeli

Mikkeli is the urban center of Finland's lake district and a good base for a varied vacation. Between the outdoor activities and a solid cultural scene, the Saimaa lakeland works well for the whole family.

Key facts

• Population: 52,483
• Location: in the south of the Savo region
• Area: 3,229.07 km²
• Currency: euro

The Saimaa lakeland, outdoor fun for the whole family

Mikkeli lies on Savilahti Bay, an arm of Lake Saimaa. At around 4,370 km², Saimaa is Finland's largest lake.

The city's area is about half again the size of Luxembourg, which is a lot of land for so few people. Population density in Mikkeli is just 21 residents per square kilometer.

The whole region around the lakeland is a popular vacation area with plenty of outdoor activities around the labyrinth of islands.

In summer you can hike, cycle, go boating and fish; in winter the region is good for cross-country skiing, ice skating and ice fishing. In fall and winter you might even be lucky enough to see the magical northern lights.

The Hiidenmaa hiking trails run along the border between Mikkeli and Juva. You can start in Anttola or Siikakoski. The hike leads up to Neitvuori, the highest hill in southern Savo, where you're rewarded with a view over Lake Luonteri.

A boat trip on Lake Saimaa can be a highlight of a Finland vacation too. From Mikkeli you can travel to Savonlinna, for example, a town in the middle of the Finnish Lakeland. The Linnansaari and Kolovesi national parks and the Astuvansalmi rock paintings can also be reached by boat from Mikkeli. If you want to spot the rare Saimaa ringed seal, there are boat tours dedicated entirely to the seals.

Information about the various tours is available on the city's website.

8 things to do in Mikkeli

Mikkeli Cathedral

The imposing single-nave red-brick church rises 64 meters, towering over every other building in town. Mikkeli Cathedral was built in 1896 and is considered one of the purest examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Finland.

Mikaeli Cultural Center

Mikkeli's cultural center hosts concerts and congresses and is home to the city orchestra.

A special event is the Gergiev Festival Mikkeli, held every August. The classical music festival draws many international guests. The Mariinsky Theatre, a world-famous opera and ballet house, also performs here regularly under the direction of Valery Gergiev.

Visulahti

The amusement and water park is fun for the whole family. There are adventure pools, bungee jumping, paintball, minigolf and much more!

Ollinmäen Viinitila winery

Eighteen kilometers from Mikkeli is one of Finland's first wineries. Here you can taste and buy berry and fruit wines, cider and sparkling wines.

It's also possible to spend a few days on the shore of Lake Saimaa in the winery's villas, which come with a sauna, a terrace and their own child-friendly sandy beach.

Kenkävero vicarage

The former vicarage stands on charming grounds by highway 5 on the shore of Lake Saimaa. You can admire the handicrafts, browse the souvenir shops, enjoy a regional lunch buffet or stroll through the garden with its wide variety of plants.

Mikkelin taidemuseo

The art museum is directly opposite the cathedral. It mainly shows post-impressionist and expressionist works from the collection of Martti Airio, along with sculptures by the Finnish sculptor Johannes Haapasalo.

Suur-Savon museo

The Great Savo Museum maintains a cultural history exhibition with more than 8,000 objects that tell the story of the region and life in it.

Päämajamuseo

Mikkeli was the site of the headquarters of the Finnish army command in the Second World War. The museum is housed in the restored building, which is still in its original condition.

Car, train or plane, how well connected is Mikkeli?

Several main roads pass through Mikkeli, linking the country's largest cities. Highway 5 is an important north-south route, highway 13 runs from Nuijamaa to Kokkola, and highway 15 from Kotka ends in Mikkeli.

The city is also on the Savo railway line, which runs from Kouvola to Iisalmi. Passenger stations in the city area are Mikkeli's main station and the station in Haukivuori.

Mikkeli's airport has no regular scheduled flights.

Accommodation in the Mikkeli vacation region

Accommodation	Address	Description
Huoneistohotelli Marja	Jääkärinkatu 8, 50100 Mikkeli	In a former 19th-century barracks in a central location
Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna	Porrassalmenkatu 9, 50100 Mikkeli	4-star hotel, conference rooms, wellness area with whirlpool and 3 saunas
Scandic Mikkeli	Mikonkatu 9, 50100 Mikkeli	3-star hotel, whirlpools in the superior rooms, indoor pool, gym, sauna

Eating out in Mikkeli

Tertin Kartano €€-€€€

This lovely café and restaurant is on highway 5 toward Helsinki. The romantic manor house also has an adjoining farm shop in an old barn.

Eepin Grilli €

Mikkeli's popular fast-food joint serves various burgers and a few Finnish treats.

Kumari Nepalese Restaurant €€-€€€

In this small but excellent Nepalese restaurant, the owner himself waits on you. Many dishes are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Pruuvi €€-€€€

This restaurant with Scandinavian flair serves grilled specialties, but there are vegetarian and vegan options as well.

Other popular restaurants:

• Restaurant Vino, Mediterranean cuisine
• Mikkelin Satama Cafe & Bistro, fast food
• Dom Mikkeli, Italian cuisine

Shopping in Mikkeli

The Stella shopping center has everything a shopper could want. The cafés and restaurants inside work with fresh, local produce, and there are numerous boutiques and clothing stores, hairdressers, cosmetics shops and interior design stores.

The heart of the shopping center, though, is the lively market hall. This is THE place for food lovers. Regional treats, fresh baked goods, meat or cheese: the market hall leaves no culinary wish unfulfilled!

Conclusion

The Finnish city of Mikkeli has a rich cultural scene and is surrounded by a spectacular lake landscape. That makes it an ideal spot for a varied vacation built around Finnish culture and nature.

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