Skip to content

Town · 2 Oct 2026

The market by the harbour

The square on the water, two things to taste, and how to fit it into a May day.

Savonlinna’s market square sits on the harbour. The town’s guest harbour is right beside it, so people who arrive by boat tie up and walk straight onto the square.

Start with vendace. These small fish come from nearby Lake Puruvesi, and they are a particular favourite in Savonlinna.

Then find a lörtsy. Savonlinna calls it its own special delicacy, and it is the taste of the town.

“A market morning still leaves a long evening on the water.”

Coming by train, you arrive at Savonlinna station after one change at Parikkala. On Friday 14 May 2027 the 10:14 from Helsinki reaches Savonlinna at 14:30, 4 h 16 min in all.

In mid May the light is generous. On Saturday 15 May 2027 the sun rises at 04:13 and sets at 21:51, so a market morning still leaves a long evening on the water.

Sunset over Lake Saimaa
Sunset over Lake Saimaa, Finland. Photo: Tomi Blasic, Unsplash.

We do not print opening hours or prices here, because they change with the season. Check Visit Savonlinna before you go, or ask the host in your request.

Back at the cabins you are on Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland, dotted with islands and divided by narrow channels. The endangered Saimaa ringed seal lives only here, so if you see one on the rocks, keep your distance.

A midsummer night on a lake near Savonlinna
A midsummer night on a lake near Savonlinna, Finland. Photo: Miikka Luotio, Unsplash.

At a glance

Train from Helsinki

4 h 16 min on 14 May 2027, one change at Parikkala

Sun on 15 May 2027

Up at 04:13, down at 21:51

The lake

Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland

Sources

Visit Savonlinna, Savonlinna delicacies and shopping. Fintraffic Digitraffic, timetable for 14 May 2027. US Naval Observatory, sun times for Savonlinna. Wikipedia, Saimaa. Retrieved 9 Oct 2026.

MORE FROM THE GUIDE

Two more notes from the hosts.

Lake Saimaa at dusk

Choose your dates at the lake.

The host confirms availability and the total before you pay.

How do I get here without a car?

By train from Helsinki, changing at Parikkala. On Friday 14 May 2027 the fastest journey takes 4 h 16 min. The host meets your train at Savonlinna station.

Is it dark enough to sleep in June?

Not outside. On 21 June the sun sets at 22:57 and the sky never gets fully dark. Every cabin has blackout blinds.

How does the sauna work?

Shore House has its own wood-fired sauna. Guests in Lakeside Cabin and Reed Studio share the sauna by the jetty in 90 minute slots. It takes about an hour to heat.