Lake Saimaa, the fourth biggest lake in Europe, is the jewel of Finnish Lakeland. A labyrinth of pure, clear waters dotted with 14 000 islands, Lake Saimaa has more shoreline than France! Only 2,5-hour drive from Helsinki, Lake Saimaa is purest Finland. 72-hour visa free cruises to St Petersburg from the Saimaa region make a great connection for you to experience the culture of both east and west on the same trip.

Saimaa is where Finns relax. Relaxing at a lakeside cottage is an essential part of life at Saimaa – it is an institution. The ways to relax are individual – for some it is doing nothing, for others it is doing lots – but all things you love and enjoy. With miles of clean shoreline with only peace and quiet for company, it is easy to see why locals and visitors long for a break at a lakeside cottage at Lake Saimaa. Taking a dip in the refreshing waters of Lake Saimaa after sauna is wellbeing at its best – all year around! 

The region's many cultural attractions and local delicacies made from fresh, natural ingredients add their own flavour to the ultimate experience of Finland. Pick wild mushrooms and berries, join the locals at a barn dance or enjoy the opera at the northernmost medieval castle in the world.

Saimaa region is also home to two magnificent National Parks and several geologically renowned sites. Giving Saimaa another one of its unique aspects, is the endangered Saimaa ringed seal - one of the rarest seals in the world, with only around 400 of them surviving today. Local volunteers work extremely hard to help the seals with their birthing every year by building snowbanks for the seals to use during winters to protect their pups.