Lappeenranta for 1 day. Lappeenranta - attractions

Lappeenranta (Finland) - a small Russian town near the border. From St. Petersburg it is separated by two hundred and twenty kilometers, from Vyborg - sixty, and from the checkpoint Brusnichnoe - even less, 25 km. Therefore, from the city on the Neva to go to Lappeenranta and return home can be within one day.

Most of our compatriots consider a trip to Finland exclusively through the prism of shopping tours. But in vain. You can significantly expand the horizons of your spiritual world by visiting this city with an informative excursion. However, rest on the shore of the wonderful Lake Saimaa in summer and go for a real ski slope in winter is also possible. Let's see how to get there and how to spend time in the wonderful and characteristic town of Lappeenranta. He's so interesting.

In Lappeenranta by minibus

Private carriers of St. Petersburg are literally fighting for customers. The package of services often includes collection and transportation to addresses of passengers, as well as paying them money on invoices. But the main purpose of such trips to the Finnish city is purely commercial. In addition to the short information about Lappeenranta, you will not hear anything more from the guide. But there will be long stops at the shops "Liddle", "Prism", trade malls. Some carriers promise free time for their excursionists.

Here's what the usual shopping tour in Lappeenranta looks like. Departure from St. Petersburg around seven or nine in the morning, border crossing without a duty-free shop. Then, before reaching the city, the group anchors for an hour near the store "Lapland." Then you are given "free time" for sightseeing. It varies from two to three hours. Usually it is used by tourists to plunder the city's central boutiques. Then the group goes on an excursion to the shopping centers "Liddle", "Disa's Fish", the wholesale warehouse "Kespro" and late in the evening returns to St. Petersburg.

By bus

Tourist minivans are good at bringing you along with numerous home purchases. You can also negotiate with the driver about the transport to the airport of Lappeenranta - the easternmost in the European Union. From there fly airtickets "Air Baltic", Blue1 and Ryanair to Germany, Italy, Spain and the capital of the country Helsinki.

Of course, the shuttle bus to Lappeenranta is not as convenient as the minibus provided by the travel agency. But you are not shy in time and you can spend it on what you want to do. This type of transport is sent from the city bus station, as well as daily from the TRK Gallery (near the Moscow railway station) and the Pulkovskaya Hotel. Using travel beads, it is quite possible to make independent one-day tours to Lappeenranta.

By train

If your goal is Helsinki, the high-speed Pendolino train will take you from the border town to the capital of Finland in two hours. The bus and train stations are nearby. But you can hardly plan a tour of "Lappeenranta for a day by train". Unfortunately, there is no direct rail link between St. Petersburg and Lappeenranta. The authorities promised to introduce such a train in 2014. But so far by rail to this Finnish city can only be reached with a transfer in Vainikkale. From there go minibus to Lappeenranta. By the way, the ancient building of the Imperial Railway Station, which was one of the city's attractions, was burned down in the fire last year.

"Lappeenranta for 1 day" cruise

From the middle of May and the first decade of September, you can make an exciting trip to this Finnish city on a ship. Motor ships "Karelia" and "Kamila" depart from Russian Vyborg and swim along the picturesque Saimaa canal with a call to the city of Lappeenranta, whose sights - the castle and the church - are perfectly visible from the side of the boat. Passengers are given several hours of free time, so that the journey, if desired, will be very informative. From June 16 to August 9, lovers of water walks are given another opportunity: to ride on the steamer "Brahe" from Lappeenranta to Savonlinna on the smooth surface of the beautiful Lake Saimaa.

What can I see on my own in Lappeenranta

In this small city, whose population is only seventy-two thousand people, almost no map is needed. Lappeenranta, as well as the smooth surface of the lake, will open to your view if you climb the fortifications of Linnoitus Lappeenranta or the local bastion. The fortress was erected in 1649 on a promontory cape. Began to build it the Swedes, and finished already Russian.

Here you can see the most interesting history of the city. He also has another, Swedish name - Vilmannstrand, which means "Savage Coast". This name is also displayed in the coat of arms of the city, on which a man in a green loincloth bandage with a club sticks. For a long time, Lappeenranta was a Russian outpost guarding the country's borders from the Swedes. Here, the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary is preserved - the most ancient Orthodox church in Finland (the year of consecration - 1785). The cathedral is on the territory of the fortress, as well as the museums of the Horse Guards and Art of South Karelia, an exhibition of crafts.

Walking tour

To imbue with the tranquil, peaceful atmosphere of this resort, it is enough just to stroll through the streets of a city like Lappeenranta. Its attractions are not confined to the fortress complex alone. It is necessary to look at the oldest wooden town hall in the country (1829), the monument to the Battle of Vilmannstrand, visit the Lutheran churches of the Virgin Mary and Samonlahti, the merchant Volkov's house museum, the art gallery. In this city you will not feel a language barrier, as local residents have long been accustomed to Russian tourists and, if they behave in a civilized way, show cordiality and hospitality to them.

Developments

Planning a trip to the city of Lappeenranta for 1 day, you can guess so that you get to one of the many festivals. For example, on the seventeenth of May there will be a "Night of Museums". The whole complex of the fortress at this time works around the clock, and for the entrance to it money is not taken. In addition, fire and dance shows are expected, excursions in Russian, cannon firing and a puppet show.

Summer is especially rich in events. There is an excursion train, a competition of sand castles, exhibitions of aviation, precious stones, paintings, fairs are held. On the thirteenth of June this resort will host a jazz festival, and on July 12-13 - a music festival. On August 22 and 23 the Gala Concert of the European Ballet will be held.

Autumn here is off-season time. The fun begins again with the onset of Christmas holidays, which are marked by the opening of the winter fair. On December 23, the city solemnly meets Joulupukki at the railway station.

Leisure

Arriving in Lappeenranta for 1 day, you can have a great time in nature. If the weather spoils on a hot summer day, you can enjoy the beautiful sandy beach of Myllysaari, where a water slide is installed. There is a hippodrome, golf courses, and a stadium with swimming pools in this resort. From the first of May to the end of September, Flou Park operates for those who like active recreation. On the shore of the lake, on the beach, there is also a sauna. You can also relax in the baths at the Lappeenrantan Kilpil Spa Hotel.

In summer, the local excursion bureau organizes hiking and cycling tours. Tracks and tracks are well marked, so you can go on a hike yourself. You can rent a boat or pedal boats . The great smoothness of the lake and the constant wind allow you to surf here.

Winter is not an obstacle to active recreation in Lappeenranta. Any Alpine resort can envy the abundance in this city of snowy entertainment. Instead of a castle made of sand, an ice palace is built. In the city there is an ice rink in the center of winter entertainment "Kisapuisto" and a real ski resort of Huhtinimi with trampolines, descents, slalom, toboggan and snowboard trails.