Activities on Lake Saimaa
Activities on Lake Saimaa

Activities around the villa and the nature reserve

Things to do and activities, or relaxing together at the villa?

Villa Saimaansini is situated in a beautiful location in an idyllic countryside setting, just 15 minutes from the center of Mikkeli. Here, you can enjoy the beauty of nature, the excellent waterways of Lake Saimaa, and admire the characteristic features of Eastern Finland’s landscape: granite rock formations.
Looking for activities, experiences, sights to see, food to enjoy, or simply some relaxing time together? We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the villa’s surroundings and our beloved headquarters city. While the adults plan excursions, the children will be entertained: the backyard features a playhouse, sandbox, and swing. Outdoor games keep the most active kids busy, with a frisbee golf basket and discs, small goals and footballs, mölkky, croquet, and darts. Welcome to Mikkeli on the shores of Lake Saimaa!

1. Nature reserve

To strengthen the principles of sustainable development and protect the stunning natural landscapes, we have established a nature reserve near Villa Saimaansinen at Kulopalovuori through the METSO program. You can explore our conservation area in person or read about it in an article by Metsä Group’s Viesti magazine.

2. Horse pasture

Opposite the villa is the Alatalo stable’s horse pasture. Alatalo stable provides high-quality training, coaching, and instruction for riding horses.

3. On the lake - SUP boarding, fishing, and boating

Here, you can fish, row, kayak, and paddleboard, which are popular activities among our guests. From our private boat ramp, you can easily launch a motorboat into the water. The boat can be securely moored to the dock with a stern buoy attachment. We can also provide you with local maps, berry-picking spots, and good mushroom foraging areas. For a bountiful catch, the best option is Saimaa Fishing Travels – Fishing Finlandia. Renting a boat through a fishing guide is also available.
Villa Saimaansini is located just a few kilometers from the marked waterways! From here, you can navigate along the waterways to Mikkeli harbor and head towards Ristiina and Puumala, as well as towards the southern part of Lake Saimaa and the larger Saimaa region.

4. Winter – Skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice swimming

The nearby ski resort HupiSki Tornimäki is particularly popular with families and young people. The diverse slopes of the ski center cater to all levels: beginners, advanced skiers, and freestyle skiers. The slopes are just 7 kilometers away from us. Additionally, if the weather permits, you can directly access the frozen lake from Villa Saimaansinen for traditional cross-country skiing. We also offer snowshoes for loan for your off-trail adventures.

You can take a dip in the ice-cold water from the end of the dock. With the help of the swimming ladder, descending and ascending is effortless.

5. Ruoka ja kulttuuri

Torimyynti M. Pulkkinen’s berry farm is located just 600 meters from the villa. Pulkkinen grows, among other things, strawberries, peas, and potatoes. The first potatoes of the summer always come from Pulkkinen’s farm.
Raijan Aitta is located a few kilometers from us. Raijan Aitta is a traditional farm where you can get berries and flax products.
One of the best pizzerias in Finland is the award-winning Dom Mikkeli, whose Savonian-Napolitan-style pizzas made with 00 flour are unmatched. Tip: Be sure to try the pizza designed by Olli Jokinen.
The center of Mikkeli with its market area and notable sites such as Naisvuori, Päämajamuseo, centre of peace and war Muisti, Mannerheim Statue, and the world’s fastest trotting track are about 12 kilometers away. One of Finland’s largest giant kettles is Pursiala’s giant kettle. Explore Neitvuori, the Säynäti outdoor area, the Astuvansalmi rock paintings, Repovesi National Park, and many other stunning natural sites!
In addition to historical museum exhibitions, the Mikkeli and Southern Savonia region offers immersive summer theater experiences! Book your seats in advance, as summer theater performances are often very popular and sold out! Summer theater offerings in nearby areas can be found, for example, at Naisvuori and Ristiina.

6. Golf

Mikkeli has two golf courses: Mikkeli Golf and Annila Golf. Mikkeli Golf is a challenging 9-hole park course near the airport. Annila Golf Center features an 18-hole course alongside the shores of Lake Saimaa.

7. Amusement

Visulahti Amusement Park and the wax museum are accessible after a short 16-kilometer drive.

8. Sports

Mikkeli offers excellent sports facilities: Saimaa Stadium, Sport Forum, the Sports Park field, and many other sports facilities provide great conditions for people of all ages to engage in diverse activities! Hiking and outdoor activities bring new excitement to exercise when you explore geocaching and search for caches in the Mikkeli area.

9. Beautiful landscapes

A piece of Finland’s most beautiful road network is the route from us to Anttola and from there along winding roads to Puumala for pancake coffee. Road number 62 is one of the roads named by Forbes as one of the most beautiful Nordic roads! The road follows the Lietvesi scenic route, passing Pistohiekka and Sahanlahti Resort.

If you want to explore an even broader area, that’s possible because the entire South Savo region is easily accessible: Kangasniemi, Varkaus, Savonlinna, Puumala, Mäntyharju, Ristiina, and Kyyvesi are all within a 1 to 1.5-hour drive.

Explore the extensive offerings of the Mikkeli and Lake Saimaa region