Imatra

National wonder of Finland
On the southern shores of Lake Saimaa, close to the Russian border, and dominated by the River Vuoksi and the incredible Imantrankoski rapids, Imatra is often considered the first tourist town in Finland, thanks to the 1772 visit by Russian Empress Cathering the Great. Indeed, the area was so popular with Russian royalty that in 1842 Tsar Nicholas I ordered Kruununpuisto Park into existence, making it the oldest nature park in Finland. There are numerous museums in Imatra, and it is also home to two very striking, and totally different, architectural gems – the Church of the Three Crosses by Alvar Aalto, and Imatran Valtionhotelli, a Jugendstil building built in 1903 which resembles a medieval knight’s castle.
Juuri sitä parasta

Kohokohtia

Rapids of Imatra

Landscapes & Sceneries

Imatrankoski rapids were formed 5000 year ago, when land rose after the Ice Age and Lake Saimaa waters tore the Salpauselkä ridge apart. Imatrankoski was a famous tourist attraction already 300 hundred years ago, and in the end of 1800 century it was considered as a one of the Europe’s most know attractions. Kruununpuisto Park, the oldest nature park in Finland, occupying the area around the Imatrankoski Rapids, was founded in 1842 by Tsar Nicholas I.

The Lottery And Veterans Museum

History & Architecture

The Lottery and Veterans Museum is a collection of veteran and sportsman Reino Ikävalko and Eila Ikävalko, which contains a wealth of history of the Finnish autonomy and the beginning of our independence, the history of the Civil War and the Winter and Continuation Wars. The museum is constantly at home, and its showrooms are filled with a patriotic spirit. Maps, weapons and uniforms of the Finnish, German and Soviet armies.

Wilderness and Trails

Wildlife & Nature

Imatra is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, a wilderness waiting to be explored. There are no less than five nature trails which begin within the town limits, the Mellonlahti, River Vuoksi, and Tainio nature trails, the Muinaisuoma nature and culture trail, and the Vuoksenniska forest trail; trails which allow you to enjoy the beauty of Lake Saimaa’s shores and bordering forests, and of course the fantastic Imatrankoski rapids.

Imatra Spa Resort

Wellness

While visiting in Imatra you should definately visit in Imatra Spa Resort. This Spa Resort is suitable for the whole family and it offers 1500m2 area to enjoy different kind of pools and saunas. The Spa is decorated with Saimaa theme and you will experience different kind of sounds, colours, lights and weather phenomenons inside the spa.

Tämä reitti kulkee kohteen läpi

Reitin varrella

Experience the Finnish National landscape in the heart of Koli National park, capital of North Karelia, Joensuu and nature of Nurmes and Karelian Holiday Resort Bomba. Driving in Finland is easy and stress-free, there are no traffic jams and very little traffic in rural areas. Stop by little villages, find a public beach on a lake and go for a swim. The national parks are easiest to reach with your own car.

5 - 10 days

Via Karelia