In need of a quick break without having to worry about traffic or parking? From Helsinki it's only a quick 2,5-3 h trip to Mikkeli with public transport for a rejuvenating weekend getaway. In Mikkeli you can find beautiful nature, delicious food, fascinating culture and plenty more, all within easy travel distance from the city centre.
Here's some tips on how to spend 48 hours in Mikkeli.
Friday after 4 p.m. - starting your weekend off by sampling local cuisine
Hop on a bus or train and leave the stress of everyday life behind. As your journey progresses, watch the urban scenery change to green forests, open fields and increasingly more lakes glimmering behind trees as you approach Finnish Lakeland. Before you know it, you'll have arrived in Mikkeli!
Whether you arrive by bus or by train, from the station there is only a couple of minutes walk to the Mikkeli market square – the very heart of the city. If you're staying near the city centre, such as at the Green Key -certified Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna or Scandic Mikkeli, you will find your accommodations conveniently just a stone's throw away. Even to the historic army quarters area where Apartment Hotel Marja is situated there's only a 20 minute walk. Of course, tired travellers can always easily hop on a taxi, as the city's largest taxi stand can be found directly next to the market square.
Apartment Hotel Marja in the historical army quarters.
After checking in and leaving your bags at the hotel, you're ready to grab dinner at one of the local restaurants, many of which serve dishes and specialty products made from regional ingredients. Visitors staying near Mikkeli centre can dine on French cuisine at Sokos Hotel Vaakuna's restaurant Frans and Michelle, try the Scandinavian-Savonian kitchen of Gastropub Eino, check out the celebrated seasonal menu of Bistro Holvi, or grab the best Savonian-Neapolitan pizzas in town at restaurant Papa's DOM. Gastropub Eino and DOM are both also popular places for socialising in the evenings and good places for meeting locals and soaking in the atmosphere of the city. During the summer season the terrace of Pikku Pormestari is also an excellent place to grab a bite while enjoying live music from Finnish artists.
Saturday - local markets, shopping, lovely gardens or a cruise on Lake Saimaa?
It is easy to get around Mikkeli, whether by walking, cycling or even with an e-scooter. Those visitors staying at Sokos Hotel Vaakuna can even head out on one of the hotel's own bicycles!
Get the day of to a perfect start by enjoying a cup of hot coffee with a delicious pastry at the Mikkeli market square while you watch the first shoppers of the day bustle about. This is also an excellent opportunity to check out the market, as everything from fresh seasonal produce to local handicrafts is available here. During summer visitors can feast on juicy strawberries and crispy peas, whereas autumn and winter offer the treasures of the harvest, preserved and ready to take home with you.
Mikkeli market square is a popular leisure spot among both locals and visitors.
Those who haven't had enough of shopping yet can next head towards shopping centre Stella or Akseli, both located only a few steps away from the market square. Inside Stella one can also find Mikkeli market hall, which houses many small shops and cafés selling local products and tasty treats. You can also find local produce on sale at the supermarket situated in Stella's basement.
A bit farther away from the market square is shopping centre Akseli, which aside from shopping opportunities also offers various entertainment options. On the top floor of Akseli one can find the Mikkeli Art Museum, which hosts both permanent and touring exhibitions.
Having had your fill of shopping, it's to take in the sights of Mikkeli. During summer the absolute must-visit place is the Naisvuori observation tower. Here visitors can enjoy the beautiful park around the tower and have a nice cup of coffee and a delicious waffle at the observation tower's café. From the top of the tower there's a fantastic view over the entire city and on a clear day one can see all the way to Lake Saimaa.
Drop in for a bite! Historic Naisvuori café delights with tasty waffles and Finnish pullas.
For those wishing to leave the urban scenery behind for a while and enjoy the peace and quite of the Finnish forests, Mikkeli offers authentic nature experiences within walking distance of the city center. The old Kenkävero vicarage with its restaurant and garden is only a 20 minute walk from the market square and during summer visitors can soak in real farm house atmosphere when the vicarage's own chicken and sheep are let out to pasture.
Near Kenkävero is the Mikkelipuisto park area that offers many outdoor activities and beautiful nature for travellers to explore. Mikkelipuisto garden area exhibits multiple model gardens that are worth visiting even outside the summer season. Those feeling a bit more adventurous can take the Kaihun Kierros nature trail and along the way stop by the Urpola Nature Centre to take a look at their annually changing nature exhibit.
All around Mikkelipuisto one can find rest areas and picnic spots and even designed places for making a fire. Bring your own packed lunch, or take advantage of the facilities to enjoy a nice outdoor BBQ or a cup of coffee roasted on an open flame. For those wishing for a bit more substantial fare, restaurant Greeneri offers a delicious, rustic buffet-lunch sourced from local ingredients, whereas at Sauna Restaurant KAIHU one can enjoy a bite to eat on the terrace before heading off to a hot sauna, with drinks afterwards at the restaurant's lounge bar.
Summer visitors can witness Kenkävero garden in full bloom.
It is also possible to explore nature in Mikkeli by boat. During summer there are several cruise boats operating from Mikkeli harbour, with tickets usually available on-site. For some cruises it is also possible to book advance tickets from our webstore.
Our recommendated itinerary for Saturday evening:
Stop by Mikkeli harbour to catch your breath and admire the scenery at Satama Cafe & Bistro.
Hop into a taxi and head towards Tertti Manor for an exquisite dinner menu incorporating over 50 local ingredients. The manor is located only 8 km away from Mikkeli centre, making it also easy to visit for cyclists.
Pop in for a nightcap and a chat with the locals at Bar Dom or Gastropub Eino.
Tertti manor's seasonal buffet is a feast for all senses.
Sunday - sports, boreal forests and history
Kalevankangas recreational area just a few kilometres away from Mikkeli centre offers many options for visitors interested in sports and outdoor activities. Here in the middle of typical Savonian forest scenery one can hike and cycle during the all seasons and ski and skate during winter. Several of the paths in the area are illuminated during the darkest days of the year, making them ideal for late autumn hikes. For those wishing to engage in indoor sports there's the nearby Saimaa Stadium, where one can also rent mountain bikes. The stadium's Bistro Sisu offers sports lovers a chance to catch their breath and enjoy a cup of coffee, or perhaps a refreshing smoothie after an active day.
For those interested in the history of the Mikkeli region, Muisti Centre of War and Peace is an ideal final stop for your minibreak in Mikkeli. Building on the experience of real people, Muisti's interactive exhibition tells visitors not only about the history of war, but also the history of peace and how people have struggled to achieve it. In connection with Muisti visitors can also find the Headquarters Museum, which tells the story of Mikkeli as the army headquarters during WW2. One can step right inside the rooms where the top brass of the army worked and even take a look at the personal study of Field Marshal Mannerheim, later the 6th president of Finland. History buffs will wish they had more than one afternoon to spend here.
Muisti combines history with technology to create a vibrant, interactive exhibit.
Did you leave your heart in Mikkeli? We welcome you back any time!
Have you stocked up on souvenirs? Maybe some Iivari brand smoke vendice, rose soap or Hauhala goose liver pate from Tertti Manor? How about some Ollinmäki Winery's Princess-label sparkling wine from Kenkävero country shop, or perhaps some fresh pastries from the market hall and delicious treats from Heinäsaaren shop at Akseli?
No need for anyone to leave empty handed. Take with you the happy memories full of relaxation and contentment your minibreak in Mikkeli has given you. Those will last you a long time and encourage you to come again!
