Live like a local – settle into lakeside cottage life and experience the simple pleasures of everyday life on Lake Saimaa.
Photo: Laiturilla
Lakeside cottages in the Lake Saimaa region offer an easy, authentic way to experience Finnish nature. Life by the lake slows down naturally: mornings begin with still water and birdsong, days unfold in quiet forests and along open shorelines, and evenings fade into soft light at the water’s edge.
Whether you stay in a simple cabin or a modern villa, cottage life is more than accommodation – it’s a way of living shaped by nature, silence and simplicity. Peace, privacy and a close connection to the natural world define the experience.
In Saimaa, you will find thousands of cottages of all types from traditional summer cabins to modern year-round villas and compact hideaways for solo travellers, couples, families and groups.
Most cottages in the Saimaa region are located close to the shoreline. A private pier, a rowing boat and the calm morning water are a natural part of cottage life. The sauna is often the heart of the experience. Many cottages have both an indoor sauna and a separate lakeside sauna where you can relax throughout the day.
Facilities vary depending on the cottage. Some offer electricity, running water and internet access, while others focus on natural simplicity. Listings clearly explain what is included, such as firewood, boats, saunas, piers or cleaning services.
Accommodation ranges from simple lakeside cottages to fully equipped villas with spacious terraces and modern comforts. Booking early is recommended, especially for summer.
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Product pageCottage life in Saimaa follows the rhythm of the seasons. Summer brings long days outdoors – swimming, boating, relaxing on the pier and evenings by the grill. Surrounding forests are full of berries, mushrooms and wild herbs that you can gather right from your doorstep. The region is also excellent for fishing, and many cottages include a boat, making it easy to head out on the water; angling and ice fishing are free for everyone.
In winter, the lake landscape becomes calm and bright. Ice fishing, skiing and quiet walks along snowy forest paths reveal a completely different side of Saimaa – peaceful, slow and deeply connected to nature.
Fishing is a classic part of Finnish cottage life.
Take the cottage rowing boat onto the lake and try your luck, or make more of the experience by heading out with a local fishing guide. A guide provides the equipment and local knowledge and can take you to some of the best fishing waters in the region. When winter freezes the lake, swap the boat for the ice and experience traditional Finnish ice fishing surrounded by a snowy landscape. Whether you are an experienced angler or trying fishing for the first time, a guided trip is an easy way to discover Lake Saimaa like a local.
And if you catch something? Bring your catch back to the cottage and prepare a truly local dinner.
Winter fishing and burbot soup on Lake Saimaa
Experience traditional winter fishing on Lake Saimaa and enjoy a seasonal Finnish meal
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Product pageIn the Lake Saimaa – Mikkeli Region, nature is a pantry waiting to be explored. Wander through peaceful forests to pick wild blueberries and lingonberries, search for seasonal mushrooms, or gather fresh wild herbs and other edible treasures. For a deeper taste of Finnish nature, join a guided mushroom, berry or wild herb foraging tour and learn from local experts what to pick and how to use your finds. Foraging is a delicious way to slow down, connect with nature and discover the pure flavours of Saimaa – straight from the forest to your cottage table.
Forest walk and mushroom foraging in Lake Saimaa - Mikkeli Region
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Product pageDiscover the flavours of Lake Saimaa – Mikkeli Region at local restaurants, cafés and countryside eateries. From freshly caught lake fish and seasonal forest ingredients to traditional Finnish dishes with a modern twist, local chefs bring the tastes of Saimaa to your plate. Look out for the D.O. Saimaa label, a mark of origin and quality that highlights products and ingredients rooted in the Saimaa region. Take a break from cottage cooking and discover the region through its food.
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