The university city of Lappeenranta stands about 15 miles from the border with Russia, in the far southeast corner of Finland. The city stands on the shore of the enormous Lake Saimaa, with Helsinki and St Petersburg both over 13 miles away. The lake and canals make it a centre for waterway adventures too, including visa-free canal cruises to Vyborg and St Petersburg in Russia. Historical towns like Lemi, with its fortifications and old church, and Luumaki, with its museum and military relics, are close enough for day trips when you hire a car in Lappeenranta. The resort of Savitaipale on Lake Kuolimo is popular for both summer and winter outdoor activities.
Lappeenranta grew up around a headland on Lake Saimma. Today this location makes it a popular destination for water-based recreation in summer, and snow and ice sports in the winter. If you hire a car in Lappeenanta you'll soon appreciate it's become a communications hub; at the centre of road, rail, water and air links between Finland and Russia. The city's international airport stands just to the west of the centre. The highlights of the city itself include the old fortress, museums and Finland's oldest Orthodox Church. Tourists tend to gather at the attractive harbour area, old wooden shopping streets and the busy market place.
