Location: Lappeenranta
Top Things to do in Lappeenranta
What to do and see in Lappeenranta, South Karelia: The Best Sights & Landmarks
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. Salpalinja
2. Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God
3. Lauritsala Church
4. Nuijamaa Church
5. Lappeen Marian kirkko
6. Sammonlahden Church
7. Rakuunamaki
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By JariJK - Kouvola, Finland
Rakuunamäki (literally Dragoon Hill) is an old garrison area. Originally it served as an accommodation area for the dragoon regiment and cavalry. Nowadays it is publicly open for everyone. This historical area is almost as interesting as Lappeenranta Fortress, I think. The dragoon regiment was established in the 1880's and these red-brick barracks were built then. You can even stay overnight in one of them, if you book your accommodation in Hotel Rakuuna (see separate Tripadvisor reviews). The area is full of interesting monuments. So this is a very nice historic walking area. Besides, Rakuunamäki is a part of Saimaa Geopark. Rakuunamäki features an ancient shoreline of the Baltic ice lake dated to 12,600 - 10,300 BP (Rakuunamäki raised beaches). The address of Rakuunamäki is Mannerheiminkatu, Lappeenranta. Navigators also recognize addresses Kasarmikatu and Väinö Valveen katu.
8. 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!!!
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.
