Where saunas, Finnish culture and wildlife meet
Eastern Finland will be in Finland’s travel spotlight in 2026, with must-visit cultural and culinary spots, active options from lake swimming to wildlife watching, and eco-friendly routes across the Lakeland region. From Koli’s wild beauty to Savonlinna’s operas, from design saunas to forest paths, you’ll find the true rhythm of a calm Finnish summer.
From lakes to wildlife
In Eastern Finland, the land of a thousand lakes, water is everywhere. It’s to swim in, to fish from, or to simply look at. You can paddle between the islands of the fourth largest lake in Europe, Lake Saimaa, take a steamboat cruise, or rent a cottage with its own sauna and row boat.
Koli National Park, also called Finland’s national landscape, has trails with views that have inspired painters for over a century. At the summit of Ukko-Koli hill, the world opens into a panorama of lakes and islands. Further east, in Punkaharju, the forested ridge between two lakes is a classic Finnish postcard come to life, best explored on foot or by bike. If you’re lucky, you might spot the rare Saimaa ringed seal, one of the world’s most endangered species, while kayaking on Saimaa.
Further north in the Arctic Lakeland region you can spot other interesting wildlife, for example brown bears, in their natural habitat.
Finnish culture and cuisine like nowhere else
Savonlinna’s medieval Olavinlinna Castle hosts the famous Opera Festival each July, its stone walls echoing with music under the midnight sun. Kuopio, known for its lively market square and traditional market hall, offers a delicious slice of local life. Try kalakukko, a hearty fish-and-rye pie, or take in the views from Puijo Tower of lakes and forests. Two hours south in Mikkeli, visit one of the iconic manor houses of the region and try local delicacies, like mustikkakukko, a mouthwatering bilberry dessert.
In eastern Eastern Finland in Joensuu and the North Karelia region, summer means outdoor concerts and Karelian culture. Don’t miss a taste of the quintessentially Finnish, rice-filled Karelian pie, karjalanpiirakka. And near Nurmes, the Bomba Karelian Village welcomes visitors to experience the flavours and architecture of Finland’s eastern roots with warm hospitality included.
For a deep-dive into a maritime look at Finland’s history, visit the Kotka-Hamina region on the south coast. And for a peek into the industry that helped build Finland into the society it is today, visit Verla Groundwood and Board Mill, a UNESCO site, in the Kouvola region.
Cottage days and sauna nights
For a true Eastern Finland experience, stay in a lakeside cottage,or mökki. Days unfold leisurely: coffee on the veranda, a dip in the lake, grilled, freshly caught perch, and heating the wood-fired sauna as the evening light softens.
For Finns, sauna isn’t a luxury but a way of life. It’s a quiet ritual of cleansing, reflection and connection. Step from the heat into the cool lake, listen to the loons calling, and you’ll understand why summer here feels timeless.
