In the Lake Region, this city deserves a two- or three-night visit to see spectacular scenery, Suruton (a museum in a handsome villa), the 500-year-old Olavinlinna Castle (the impressive setting is beautiful) and Kerimaki, Finland's largest wooden church.
If you're there in July, attend the outstanding Opera Festival (one of the leading festivals in Europe), held in the castle. Be sure to take one of the various cruises on the lake for great views. Also visit
Retretti (reachable by boat cruise), a large outdoor art-exhibition center on Punkaharju Ridge.
Savonlinna is 180 mi/290 km northeast of Helsinki.