The magnificent Olavinlinna Castle cannot be ignored on a holiday in Savonlinna. The small town offers a respectable selection of different types of restaurants. Home to the legendary lörtsy and opera festival. What's the most beautiful town around Lake Saimaa? Many people think it is Savonlinna, the stage of the famous opera festival held every summer. A holiday in Finland requires a visit to this small and picturesque town of Southern Savonia. With only 33,000 inhabitants, Savonlinna is one of the smallest towns on our list, but there are plenty to see and do for several days. One of the most popular attractions is Olavinlinna Castle, the symbol of Savonlinna. This is a must stop in Savonlinna, especially for first-time visitors. Built in the 15th century, the castle now serves as a versatile venue for public tours, professional boxing events and performances of the Savonlinna Opera Festival. One of the reasons for the popularity of Olavinlinna Castle is the castle’s central location. Despite standing on its own island, the castle is within walking distance anywhere around city centre. A walk from the market square to the castle is finished in no time along the atmospheric beach track. Thirstiest travelers can stop for a cold one at the Olaf Brewery Bar (called Mustan Virran Panimobaari in Finnish). It is quite possibly one of the smallest brewery bars in the world and located on the way to Olavinlinna Castle before crossing the bridge to Tallisaari. The tiny bar counter provides service for just one customer at a time, so patience is a virtue! There are also several other high-quality breweries and restaurants in relation to the small size of the town. For all the old-fashioned romantics, it’s impossible to pass the elegant Wanha Kasino, located on the so-called casino island on Vääräsaari. Set in an impressive wooden house, the restaurant specialises in Scandinavian cuisine on a local food basis. As you would expect from a small town, practically all the best restaurants are conveniently within walking distance. The Savonlinna Opera Festival, mentioned previously during our visit to Olavinlinna Castle, attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Savonlinna during the summer. For many, the opera festival in Olavinlinna Castle’s flamboyant setting is an annual tradition and the culmination of summer. For at least as many visitors to Savonlinna, the highlight of the summer is a visit to the market square, accompanied with a tasty lörtsy of their own favorite filling. Since the 1950s, lörtsy pies (meat-filled or jam-filled pies) have been sold as specialities in Savonlinna. The thinner crust compared to a traditional meat pie and the proportionally larger number of toppings are probably the secret of lörtsy’s popularity. Whatever the truth may be, on a trip to Savonlinna you’ll know where to have at least one of your meals. Have a taste of different fillings and find out what your favorite lörtsy tastes like! For nature travelers, Savonlinna offers many options for day trips and longer trips away from the urban area. Cruises on Lake Saimaa are relaxing for the whole family, soaking in the unique lake views. For example, you can get to Punkaharju about 35 kilometers away from Savonlinna on a cruise, although the same distance can also be covered in a couple of hours on bicycle. The stunning ridge landscapes of Punkaharju are best enjoyed when you have some time for breaks, which is why cycling may be the best choice. From Savonlinna you can also easily reach the Linnansaari and Kolovesi National Parks, where you can find several marked routes to explore. The small but lively Savonlinna is one of the many destinations in Finland that are just a short OnniBus ride away. Book your tickets and hop in!
