Location: Lappeenranta
Top Things to do in Lappeenranta
10 Free Things to do in Lappeenranta That You Shouldn't Miss
Lappeenranta (Swedish: Villmanstrand) is a city and municipality situated on the shore of the lake Saimaa in southeastern Finland, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the Russian border. It belongs to the region of South Karelia. With approximately 73,000 inhabitants (31 August 2017) Lappeenranta is the 13th largest city in Finland. The neighboring municipality of Joutseno was consolidated with Lappeenranta on January 1, 2009, and the neighboring municipality of Ylämaa on January 1, 2010. Lappeenranta is known as an international university city in Finland with Lappeenranta University of Technology and Saimaa University of Applied Sciences which together have approximately 13,000 students from 68 countries. Lappeenranta is also a commercial centre of South-East Finland and the meeting point of the EU and Russia, 215 km from both Helsinki and St. Petersburg. Location on the southern shore of Lake Saimaa makes the city the region’s centre for tourism. Lappeenranta is the second most visited city by Russian tourists in Finland after Helsinki and it competes with Helsinki for the largest share of tax-free sales in Finland. Lappeenranta is a model for renewable energies and a clean living environment. Lappeenranta was the only Finnish city among the 14 finalists in the international Earth Hour City Challenge 2014, organized by WWF.
Restaurants in Lappeenranta
1. Satamatie 6
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Very unique and beautiful cafe and cocktail bar with Finland´s best coffee roastery behind the counter giving a scent of freshly roasted coffee. We have a selection of craft beers and artesan wines. On the menu also cocktails and drinks. Welcome!
Reviewed By 928kirap
A hidden pearl in the Old Town, the best coffee shop and roastery lies just beneath the Fortress, near the Harbour. The building is from the early 20th century and from the inside you can find a very unique piece of atmosphere. Coffee is superb, staff is very friendly and the interior is very beautiful and cozy. Don't miss this!
2. Lappeenranta Fortress
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By jlaakso - Porvoo, Finland
Three museums (two art museums and a small and comfy cavalry museum), nice cafes, lots of shops with local arts and crafts. We had pancakes with honey that’s made by bees local to the fortress yard!
3. Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God
4. Lauritsala Church
5. Lappeen Marian kirkko
6. Prisma
7. Sandcastle Lappeenranta
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By miikah_12 - Lahti, Finland
Visiting here every summer is a tradition for me. Every year a different theme, with sculptures of theme kind. They use about 3 million m3 sand for making it! Besides of watching, there are also some other activities especially for little children. They have varied a little bit through years, but you can expect a little train and a carousel. They used to told fairy tales (in finnish) inside the castle for children, but on the last two years they have changed it for a chapel. So you can even get married in a sand castle!!!
8. IsoKristiina
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By MikaelF413 - Vantaa, Finland
This is absolutely the biggest and most modern mall in Lappeenranta. It was very handy that our hotel was directly connected to it. It was raining and we could find everything under the same roof. No need to step outside. Besides the shops, there are many restaurants, bars, and a modern Finnkino cinema.
9. Lappeenrannan kirkko
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Ketley007 - Telford, United Kingdom
Well worth a visit to this delightful Kirk. Divine architecture and interior. Just a few minutes walk through pleasant woods , including ground defences.
