Lappeenranta – fortress, lake nature and vibrant urban culture
Lappeenranta
Lappeenranta is known for its cheerful Karelian people and magnificent harbour. This event city on the southern shore of Lake Saimaa offers tourists experiences all year round.
A city in the embrace of Lake Saimaa
Lappeenranta, which was granted city rights in 1649, has grown on the border between Western and Eastern culture. The former centre of the tar trade, with its cobbled streets, is a fascinating mix of modern and old urban culture. The historic buildings of Rakuunamäki, the city centre and the fortress are bursting with new life, including cafés and microbreweries, and the lakeside trail continues all the way to LUT University and the Myllysaari sauna.
The city centre is home to small boutiques, human-sized shopping centres with theatres, charming cafés and high-quality restaurants. This green city respects its clean environment and invests in beautiful parks and magnificent hiking trails.
Finland’s most beautiful event arenas
Lappeenranta’s beautiful nature provides a spectacular arena for sporting events.
For example, Finland’s largest cycling event, the Saimaa Cycle Tour and Gravel Tour, takes place on the green roads along Lake Saimaa and in the scenery of the Saimaa Canal. Cycling enthusiasts will find extensive routes in the city, with the Saimaa Archipelago Route and its ferry connections being particularly attractive.
Ukonrauha is an adventure area on the shores of Lake Saimaa, halfway between Lappeenranta and Imatra. Here, active pursuits and relaxation meet and complement each other.
A touch of history and culture
The Lappeenranta Fortress is the oldest part of the city and is part of the Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark, which brings together the magnificent natural sites, hiking trails and historical cultural sites of Saimaa. There is a short walking trail around the fortress, along which information boards tell about the architectural and cultural history of the area and its unique vegetation. The fortress walls offer magnificent views of both Lake Saimaa and the city, and walking along the ramparts will take you to a sustainable tourism park and the fortress stables. Along the cobbled street that runs through the area are prestigious buildings that house museums, galleries and craft workshops.
In the summer, you can see dragoons on horseback in the streets of Lappeenranta. Dressed in impressive military uniforms, the riders honour the city’s military history with their patrols. The events also feature the Dragoon Band, which was founded a hundred years ago.
In the summer, Finland’s largest sand castle rises at the top of the fortress, with sculptures created each year by leading artists based on a changing theme. The fortress also serves as a venue for numerous events, such as a pre-Christmas market where local artisans sell their products.
On the waves of Lake Saimaa
In summer, the busiest place in Lappeenranta is the harbour, where restaurants attract both locals and tourists. The harbour square is filled with markets, summer concerts and a variety of events. The atmosphere is lively and inviting – like a second living room. In addition to delicious food, the harbour restaurants offer magnificent views of Lake Saimaa.
You can learn about the long and varied history of the canal in the summer at the Saimaa Canal Museum, which can be reached from the city centre via the Canal Cycle Route, for example. The equipment rental services in the Hiekkalinnan area allow you to start your tour of the city or Lake Saimaa by land or water.
You can also admire Lake Saimaa on cruises departing from Lappeenranta harbour, which head to Savonlinna, the Saimaa Canal, Pien-Saimaa and Suur-Saimaa, and the archipelago, among other destinations.
In the middle of winter, the area is brought to life by Talvisatama, which offers a variety of event weekends and services for the whole family. When multi-purpose tracks are ploughed onto the ice, winter sports are easy and day trips to nearby Karhusaari, for example, are simple.
Culture
The varied and rich programme of the Lappeenranta City Theatre includes classics, premieres, musicals and children’s theatre. ‘s Finnishness and local character are particularly evident in these productions. The Lappeenranta City Orchestra plays more than 20 concerts a year, with a repertoire ranging from chamber music to symphonies and classical entertainment. Summer theatre can be enjoyed in the shade of the fortress walls and in the lush courtyard of the Old Vicarage.
An essential part of the lively event calendar is the Lappeenranta Festival, which accompanies locals and visitors towards the end of summer with its festivals and food, music and other events.
Fall in love with Lappeenranta
How to get there
Lappeenranta is located at the southern tip of Lake Saimaa. Lappeenranta is easily accessible by train or car. The train journey from Helsinki takes only a couple of hours.
Discover other cities in the Saimaa region
Visit Lake Saimaa is an association founded by the cities in the Lake Saimaa region, promoting regional cooperation from a tourism perspective.