This calm Finnish city sits among lakes and pine forests. Several museums display regional art and canal history, while local restaurants serve authentic Savo cuisine.
Mikkeli, a city of 52,000 residents in Eastern Finland, sits on the shores of Lake Saimaa, Europe's fourth-largest lake. Visit the St. Michel Strings chamber orchestra performances at the concert hall, explore the WWII command bunkers at the Headquarters Museum, or see the 6,000-year-old rock paintings at Astuvansalmi. Take boat trips on Lake Saimaa's waters or tour the 16th-century manor houses like Tertti and Kenkävero.
Activities on Lake Saimaa
Lake Saimaa's network of islands and waterways creates natural routes for exploring by water. Rent kayaks and boats from the marina to navigate between granite islands and narrow straits. From June to August, guided paddling tours teach you about the lake's ecosystem and help spot the endangered Saimaa ringed seal. In winter, marked trails on the frozen lake surface connect the islands for cross-country skiing and skating.
Food and Markets in City Center
Vendors at Mikkeli's Market Square sell seasonal produce, including cloudberries and chanterelle mushrooms from nearby forests, and pike and perch from Lake Saimaa. The glass-walled market hall's food stalls serve smoked whitefish, local cheeses, and Karelian pastries. Restaurants in manor houses like Tertti create menus using ingredients like wild herbs and berries gathered from the region's forests and lakes.
World War II Sites
Marshal Mannerheim directed Finland's military operations from Mikkeli during World War II. The Headquarters Museum's interactive displays demonstrate the command center's operations, including original maps and strategic plans. Browse through weapons, uniforms, and documents from Finland's independence onward at the Infantry Museum. Step into the Communications Center Lokki to see the actual radio equipment used for wartime communications.
Manor Houses
The manor houses around Mikkeli date back to the 1500s. Walk through Tertti Manor's gardens, 7 kilometers from downtown, where they grow medieval and 18th-century plant varieties, and eat in the manor's restaurant. Kenkävero, Finland's largest former vicarage, displays art exhibitions in its restored rooms. Visit the manor gardens from May to September, and attend their seasonal events like harvest festivals and Christmas markets.
Transportation Networks
Five daily trains run between Helsinki and Mikkeli, with the fastest Pendolino service taking 2 hours and 16 minutes. City buses connect the train station, museums, and manor houses. During summer, boat services on Lake Saimaa connect waterfront locations. Buses from the central station reach hiking trails and nature areas outside the city.
