Mikkeli is the gate to Lake Saimaa
Mikkeli is a city located in eastern Finland. In Mikkeli, you will find the perfect mix of nature experiences and local life. Mikkeli is located between a few big lakes – Lake Puula, Lake Kyyvesi, and of course, Lake Saimaa. Finland has the largest lake district in Europe. An enormous 10 % of Finland’s area is water due to its massive interior lake systems, one of the highest ratios in the world. One look at a map of the country shows how the lakes sprawl over the countryside through rocky, forested terrain sculpted by the last Ice Age.
Lake Saimaa itself is the largest of Finland’s lakes and connects several of the larger towns. You won’t find a lake like this anywhere else. Lake Saimaa is a labyrinth formed by wide waters and thousands of islands, not just a simple lake basin. It has the world’s longest lake coastline, 14,500 km long, and it boasts 13,710 islands. Saimaa is Finland’s largest lake, and it’s the fourth largest natural freshwater lake in Europe. Saimaa is also home to the critically endangered Saimaa ringed seal which numbers only a few hundred now due to climate change.
South Savo is the leading region of sustainable second-home living in Finland and Mikkeli is one of the biggest and well-known second home areas in the country. Aside from private cottage-owners, there is also a wide selection of rental cottages available. A cottage is preferably by a lake, and it always has its own sauna, where Finns can enjoy their hot and steamy löyly – it’s impossible to live without.
Arriving in the Mikkeli region
The Mikkeli region is located in the province of South Savo at the intersection of Highways 5 and 13 and the Savo railway line. It’s easy to get to by car, train or bus. The distance from Helsinki to Mikkeli is 230 kilometres and takes about 2.5 hours by car.
Due to its central location at the intersection of two important highways and the Savo railway line, Mikkeli receives more than 20 coaches and several intercity trains a day from the Helsinki region.
