Coolcation in Finland - Discover Lake Saimaa Region

Looking for a cooler summer holiday in Europe? Welcome to Lake Saimaa and the Mikkeli region in Finland – a land of fresh air, endless forests, clean water, thousands of islands and long Nordic summer days. Swap crowded beaches and extreme heat for swimming, kayaking, sauna, cottage life and peaceful adventures in the heart of Finnish Lakeland.

Coolcation travel is changing the way we think about summer holidays. Instead of searching for the hottest destination in Europe, travellers are increasingly heading north for comfortable temperatures, beautiful nature and more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

And there is now another reason to put Finland on your summer travel list: National Geographic has featured Lake Saimaa as one of Europe’s destinations for a coolcation.

A coolcation is a holiday in a destination with a cooler, more comfortable climate – particularly during the European summer.

Think less about escaping indoors from the midday heat and more about spending the whole day outside: hiking through forests, paddling across a quiet lake, cycling along country roads, swimming from a cottage pier and enjoying dinner beside the water.

In Finland, a coolcation is more than cooler weather. It is an invitation to experience a different rhythm of summer.

And Lake Saimaa is made for it.

Lake Saimaa is Finland’s largest lake and the heart of one of Europe’s extraordinary freshwater landscapes. Around the Mikkeli region, water and forest seem almost endless. The landscape is a labyrinth of islands, quiet bays, forested shores and waterways shaped by the Ice Age. There is space here – space to explore, space to slow down and space simply to be.

Instead of rushing from attraction to attraction, spend your Finnish summer holiday swimming, hiking, cycling, kayaking, boating or sitting beside the lake with nowhere else you need to be.

Fresh air, forests and clean water

A coolcation at Lake Saimaa begins with something wonderfully simple: being outdoors. Wake up beside the lake. Walk through a quiet forest. Pick berries when they are in season. Paddle between islands. Stop for a swim. Watch the evening light slowly change across the water. Nature isn't something you need to travel far to find in the Mikkeli region - it surrounds you.

Swim, paddle and explore Finnish Lakeland

With its vast network of waterways and islands, Lake Saimaa invites you onto the water. Rent a kayak or SUP board, take a boat trip, go fishing or simply find a peaceful place for a swim. Exploring Saimaa from the water reveals a landscape of narrow channels, rocky shores, hidden coves and forest-covered islands. For hikers and cyclists, the surrounding forests, ridges, nature trails and national parks offer even more ways to enjoy Finland's cooler summer climate.

Meet the Saimaa Ringed Seal – Found Nowhere Else on Earth

Your coolcation could even include one of Finland's most remarkable wildlife encounters.

Lake Saimaa is the only place in the world where the endangered Saimaa ringed seal lives.

These rare freshwater seals have adapted to life in Saimaa since becoming isolated from other ringed seal populations after the Ice Age. Guided excursions offer visitors an opportunity to discover their unique habitat and learn about efforts to protect them.

There may be no better way to understand Finnish local life than through sauna

Warm up in a traditional Finnish sauna, step outside and cool down in Lake Saimaa. Then do it again.

No complicated wellness programme is required. The combination of heat, cool water, silence and nature is an essential part of Finnish life – and perhaps the ultimate coolcation experience. Stay in a lakeside cottage and you can make the ritual part of every day.

Cottage Life – Experience Finnish Happiness

Ask a Finn about the perfect summer and there is a good chance the answer will involve a cottage by a lake. Cottage life – mökkielämä in Finnish – is an essential part of the local lifestyle around Saimaa. Days are spent swimming, fishing, boating, cooking outdoors, playing traditional yard games such as Mölkky and enjoying the forest. There is no need to hurry. Watch the lake. Listen to the birds. Read a book on the pier. Pick berries. Heat the sauna. Prepare dinner together and stay outside during the long, light-filled summer evening. This simplicity is part of the magic of Finnish Lakeland – and one of the best ways to understand why Finns feel so connected to nature.

The food culture of the Mikkeli region comes directly from its surroundings. Lake Saimaa provides freshwater fish, while the forests offer wild berries, mushrooms and herbs. Local farms and gardens bring seasonal vegetables, fruits and other fresh ingredients to the table. The result is food that is local, seasonal and deeply connected to Finnish Lakeland.

Look for the D.O. Saimaa label when exploring the flavours of the region. D.O. Saimaa is a mark of origin and quality for food and products that have a strong connection to the Saimaa region. It celebrates local producers, ingredients and craftsmanship – and makes it easier for visitors to discover authentic tastes from the area.

From freshly caught lake fish and forest berries to locally grown produce, artisan products and dishes created by passionate local chefs, D.O. Saimaa tells the story of the region through food.

For travellers, tasting Saimaa is also a way to experience the local lifestyle: knowing where food comes from, following the seasons and enjoying ingredients produced close to where they are served.

What Should You Eat at Lake Saimaa?

Start with muikku – vendace, one of the most iconic foods of the Saimaa region. These small freshwater fish are often fried until crispy and served with potatoes. You will find them at market squares, harbour restaurants and local restaurants around Lake Saimaa.

From Helsinki to Lake Saimaa

The Mikkeli region makes Finnish Lakeland surprisingly easy to include in a trip to Finland.

Located only a few hours from Helsinki, the region offers the feeling of a genuine escape into lakes and forests without requiring a journey to Finland's far north. Combine a Helsinki city break with a few days – or preferably longer – beside Lake Saimaa and experience two very different sides of Finland in one holiday.