South Karelia between Saimaa and the Geopark

In South Karelia, remarkable natural sites meet culture and regional cuisine: the Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark connects geology and cultural heritage, while museums in Lappeenranta Fortress explore the region’s history. There are also nature trails by Lake Kuolimo, the Hiitolanjoki River and the Imatrankoski rapids. When planning your holiday, you can first consider whether you would rather focus on museums, waterside trails, cycling or regional specialities.

Saimaa Geopark: Geology and Cultural Heritage

The Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the provinces of South Karelia and South Savo in eastern Finland. It encompasses 65 geological sites that connect geology and cultural heritage and can be explored on foot, by bicycle or by boat. The Geopark also organises guided tours, workshops and events about the region’s geological features and cultural heritage. This makes it possible to discover nature and culture together, without limiting your trip to just one kind of excursion.

The nature trail near Lepänkanto also offers a close-up look at the landscape’s history: the marked path follows the clear waters of Lake Kuolimo and passes traces of the Ice Age and Stone Age life. It also leads to a recreation area and a long sandy beach. Those interested in this route will find both geological traces and a connection to the lakeshore; the trail is therefore an alternative to a museum visit.

The Hiitolanjoki River in Rautjärvi is another natural highlight. It is home to Finland’s last remaining population of native, entirely wild landlocked salmon. At Imatrankoski, meanwhile, you can admire the rapids year-round; Kruununpuisto Nature Park surrounds them. In summer, public performances with musical accompaniment take place there. These different experiences give you a reason to weigh up whether nature or cultural activities should take priority when choosing where to stay.

Museums, a Cycling Route and Excursions on Saimaa

Lappeenranta Fortress is home to three museums: the Lappeenranta Art Museum, the South Karelia Museum and the Cavalry Museum. The South Karelia Museum is located at the northern tip of the fortress in a warehouse originally built as an artillery depot. Its permanent exhibition, “The Story of South Karelia,” was completed in 2025 and covers subjects ranging from the region’s prehistory to the present day. The museum offers guided tours and organises events and workshops. The fortress is also part of the Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark.

The Karelia Aviation Museum is also located near the destination. Its permanent exhibition includes Finnish Air Force fighter aircraft, a training aircraft, a helicopter and a glider, as well as engines and recovered wreckage. The Ylämaa Gem Museum was founded in 1982. When choosing a holiday rental, you can consider cultural destinations like these as a focus for your trip, alongside nature and activities.

For cyclists, the Saimaa Archipelago Route starts in Lappeenranta. It passes through the Saimaa archipelago and varied rural landscapes; several sites in the Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark can be visited along the route. Another way to experience the lake is to take a scenic cruise through the archipelago and along the Saimaa Canal, offered from Lappeenranta harbour. The 14.8 km Rantaraitti lakeside trail also runs along Saimaa in Lappeenranta. It is easy to reach from the city centre, although it moves away from the shore in some places.

Regional Specialities

The local cuisine also has a distinctive speciality: at Säräpirtti Kippurasarvi, you can try Lemi särä, a dish that has been made in South Karelia for a thousand years. In summer, Lappeenranta’s Harbour Square offers local specialities such as the meat pies vety and atomi. If regional cuisine is important to your trip, you can include these offerings when choosing your destinations and combine them with the nature or cultural experiences that interest you.

Other destinations in South Karelia include Säimen, Lappeenranta, Imatra, Luumäki, Joutseno, Rauha, Saimaanharju, Parikkala, Lemi, Taipalsaari, Tainionkoski, Syyspohja, Kannuskoski and Rautjärvi.

For the main travel overview: Finland.