Lappeenranta Travel Guide

  The Harbour of Lappeenranta
by finlandia
 
  • The Harbour of Lappeenranta
      The Harbour of Lappeenranta
    by finlandia
  • Oleksi Walking Street, the city centre
      Oleksi Walking Street, the city centre
    by finlandia
  •   Lappeenranta
    by swetluska
  • Lappeenranta Sandcastle 2009
      Lappeenranta Sandcastle 2009
    by finlandia
  • Lappeenranta Sandcastle 2009
      Lappeenranta Sandcastle 2009
    by finlandia
 

Pro

sabsi profile photo

 It's beautiful at the lake! 


Con

Amala profile photo

 Contact me when you are coming! 


In a nutshell

yumyum profile photo

 Lovely place in warm weather 

 

Explore Lappeenranta

Things to Do  

Cruises on Lake Saimaa

Cruises on Lake Saimaa, Lappeenranta

 jarmko Says:  Let's face it : Lappeenranta is a summer town. There're a lot of things to do during summer time. If you like cruises take one on lake Saimaa. You can cruise from Lappeenranta to several Finnish towns. In case you're interested in traveling to Russia, you can take a cruise... 

The Fortress of Lappeenranta

The Fortress of Lappeenranta, Lappeenranta

 finlandia Says:  Lappeenranta is an old spa, cavalry and tar town which was founded by Queen Christina of Sweden in 1649. The history is still living in the old fortress. You find museums, the oldest Orthodox church in Finland, craftmen's shops and beautiful cafeterias there.The Cavalry... 

Sandcastle - the biggest sand sculpture in Finland

Sandcastle - the biggest sand sculpture in Finland, Lappeenranta

 finlandia Says:  The biggest sandcastle in Scandinavia has been built only of three million kilos of concrete filler sand (that means 180 truckloads), no supporting structures have been used. The sand comes from Rudus sandpit in Rutola, Lappeenranta. The moisturized sand has beeb packed up... 

Hotels  

Imatran Kylpyla Spa

 13 Opinions

Restaurants  

Ristorante Tiglio: Ristorante Tiglio

Ristorante Tiglio: Ristorante Tiglio, Lappeenranta

 Gili_S Says:  This is an Italian restaurant with varies menu where you can have many different choices. Service was very nice and kind, prices are reasonable and addition to that I could even had a good dark Czech lager to drink. 

Cafe Majurska: Cafe from Chekov's novels

Cafe Majurska: Cafe from Chekov's novels, Lappeenranta

 Dr.Styranki Says:  If you want to go back to 19th century atmoshphere and unique setting, this is the place to pay a visit. Just taste any of the sweet pies with vanilla dressing. 

Coffeeshop Dark M: A coffeeshop, where everything is in sale!

Coffeeshop Dark M: A coffeeshop, where everything is in sale!, Lappeenranta

 Mitjo Says:  Dark M is a very unique coffeeshop in the center of Lappeenranta. When you step in, your first thought might be that this a place only for the listeners of heavy metal, but if you stay for for a while, you can see that Dark M is a place for everybody. It is place where you... 

Nightlife  

Where the Youth hangout

Where the Youth hangout, Lappeenranta

 teijas Says:  NightClub Diva, LappeenrantaAddress: Snellmaninkatu 10Fours restaurants under one roof:Diva, open on wednesdays, fridays & saturdays at 22-04Diva Lounge, open everyday from 16 ->OldschoolVirtanen, open on wednesdays, fridays & saturdays at 22-04Tickets: 5 e (FREE until... 

Birra, Doris, Cannonballs: Superb Finno Ugric Nightlife

Birra, Doris, Cannonballs: Superb Finno Ugric Nightlife, Lappeenranta

 mikkis Says:  This tiny village hosts some of the wildest nightlife in the country! While suckers are left on the road to freeze, u should find the local hotspots at Birra or Cannonballs. Itäs packed with fun loving Finns and occasional fast paced ladies, but noes not serve as a... 

Transportation  

Lappeenranta as a cheap transit point to Russia

Lappeenranta as a cheap transit point to Russia, Lappeenranta

 Falconson Says:  Hello Everybody!Now i would like to discuss Lappeenranta, e, specially its airport as a transit point to get St petersburg from Europe.As for me i guessed how can i get Russia very cheap as the monopoly of airports and airlines cant allow to get this country cheaper than... 

Drive

Drive, Lappeenranta

 Gili_S Says:  As I live in Finland, obvious for me was just to drive there, from Helsinki the motorway is only till about Porvoo and from there it is normal roads. It was winter and snowing but the roads are OK and I made it in few hours drive. There are many stopover stations on the way,... 

Shopping  

Antiques and more

Antiques and more, Lappeenranta

 Knutt Says:  Of course there are also 'modern' shops in Lappeenranta and quite a big shopping center but I liked those tiny shops in the traditional wooden houses much more. 

The local mall

The local mall, Lappeenranta

 Gili_S Says:  I cannot think of unique item that you can get in Lappeenranta, but if you just need to do some shopping, beside the city centre stores there is this small mall also there in the city. 

Local Customs  

Dog parking

Dog parking, Lappeenranta

 yumyum Says:  The Finns are very clear about where your doggie is allowed to go and where not. Like this "doggie parking" in front of a restaurant at the lakeside. 

Karelian pies

Karelian pies, Lappeenranta

 Gili_S Says:  Well, those are Karelian pies, (karjalanpiirakka) they are common all over Finland but here in south Karjala they are the best, I never had such as good ones as I had in my hotel breakfast 

Warnings and Dangers  

Snow & ice fall
Gili_S profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Gili_S 4560 reviews

This can refer to any place, not particular here, but this picture was taken here, so when hanging around in the winter, be careful, as the sun shines the snow might fall off the roof.

Updated Feb 1, 2004

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What to Pack  

Winter or Summer
Gili_S profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Gili_S 4560 reviews

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: If you visit in the winter, remember to take your best jacket, woollen hat & socks, gloves & scarf and your best winter shoes.
If you visit during the summer, forget about all the above list, just remember swimsuit

Written Jan 31, 2004

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Off The Beaten Path  

Not a tip at all

Not a tip at all, Lappeenranta

 lehmus Says:  Ok... I spent something over two months of grueling work at the strawberry farm... It almost killed me but otherwise I had a great time. I have some not so happy memories connected with that place and the following year, but smeg it. Let's remember the good, forget the bad! 

Old houses

Old houses, Lappeenranta

 Gili_S Says:  Walking around in the city and particular in the fortress area there are many old wooden houses, which are interesting to see. Some houses turn to museum but in some, families are still living in 

Favorites  

Lappeenranta

Lappeenranta, Lappeenranta

 Gili_S Says:  Lappeenranta is just about average Finnish town, but it has its few unique things to see and to feel here. The fortress and the Saimaa Lake are just great. Also, as its near the Russian border has the influence on the culture and economy here.Most important, people in this... 

Me? Believing everything? No way!

Me? Believing everything? No way!, Lappeenranta

 sabsi Says:   We were sitting on the hill where the fortress is admiring the little islands. I pointed to one of them, not far from where we were, and said "I'd love to go there". Timi said "We can't, that's Russia". And stupid me believed him.... Anyway, I can assure ya it's not THAT... 

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Map of Lappeenranta