Cottage culture is a way of life in North Savo

Finns go to their cottages to immerse themselves in the peace and quiet of nature without all the modern conveniences that might be available. They wash the dishes by hand, chop wood and do small outdoor chores. Berry picking, mushrooming, rowing and fishing are also popular activities. Not to mention going to the sauna and swimming.

Living by the shore is embodied by cottage life by a lake. Cottage life is all about relaxing and cooking food with fresh Finnish ingredients, such as fish caught in a lake. The sauna is integral to cottage life and a beloved part of Finnish culture.

Almost all families in North Savo have a cottage or a boat, and quite a few have both. Cottage life and boating are an ordinary part of life, and you do not have to be particularly well-off to own a cottage or a boat. Lake nature is not a luxury product reserved for the wealthiest people, but part of everyday life here.

Kuopio has the largest number of holiday homes in Finland, around 10,800. In addition to nature, people are drawn to their cottages by the peace and quiet and unhurried pace of life. While at the cottage, people typically live in sync with nature, and clocks become irrelevant.

Tourists, on the other hand, tend to prefer well-equipped, high-quality holiday cottages near the services. In the Kuopio region, this demand is met by the Tahko Holiday Resort, less than an hour’s drive from the centre of Kuopio, and the Rauhalahti Holiday Centre, which is only 6 km away from the city centre.

Finns are sauna people

Finns are sauna people who enjoy the sauna both in summer and winter. Going to the sauna calms your mind and reduces stress-related muscle tension. When bathing in a lakeside sauna in summer, you can enjoy not only swimming but also the sun’s rays reflecting off the blue waves. In winter, you can take a refreshing dip in a hole in the ice.

Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland have recently shown that sauna bathing is also associated with several health benefits. A study with 100 test subjects showed that 30 minutes in the sauna reduces your blood pressure and increases the elasticity of your blood vessels. Sauna bathing also increases your heart rate similarly to moderate exercise.

Explore the saunas in North Savo

North Savo offers a variety of sauna experiences from traditional sauna customs to modern trends. There are numerous special saunas. The idea is to offer a complete sauna experience for both visitors and local residents. Saunas and swimming are often associated with summer, but you should also go ahead and try ice swimming in winter, an activity that many people swear by.

The Jätkänkämppä smoke sauna at Spa Hotel Rauhalahti hosts public traditional and smoke sauna evenings on Tuesdays throughout the year and also on Thursdays during the summer. This traditional smoke sauna offers an authentic smoke sauna experience in the warmth of a large sauna that can accommodate up to 70 people at a time. In summer, the smoke sauna can be combined with a swim in Lake Kallavesi and, when the lake is frozen, you can take a dip in a hole in the ice. The sauna evenings at Jätkänkämppä often include live music and traditional Finnish delicacies. In summer, you can also see demonstrations of traditional logging skills.

The pleasant warmth of the traditional Pilppa sauna can be enjoyed by members of the organisation Puijon Latu and anyone who rents the Pilppa hut. The Pilppa recreational area is a great place for outdoor adventures as a family in all seasons of the year. The cherry on top of a successful hike is enjoying a picnic at the lean-to.

The modern Kuopion Saana is a unique destination in the middle of nature, amidst the scenery of Lake Kallavesi. Saana sauna & spa allows visitors to enjoy the warmth of a smoke sauna and a regular sauna, outdoor pools and a relaxing hot tub and experience shower. Restaurant Saana serves as a meeting venue and, above all, as an à la carte restaurant that serves tasty delicacies that celebrate local ingredients.

At Spa Hotel Kunnonpaikka in Siilinjärvi, you can experience a versatile sauna world, which includes an aroma sauna, a salt room, an infrared sauna and a traditional Finnish sauna. From the sauna, you can step directly into the warm waters of Lake Saimaa or relax in the outdoor hot tub.

Mualiman Sauna of PehkuBaari is located on top of Tahko. It is a spacious, wood-fired sauna that pays homage to Finnish sauna traditions. Mualiman Sauna allows you to enjoy the hot and humid steam while taking in stunning views.

The panoramic sauna of Panorama Bar, also located on top of Tahko, has a window that looks out over Lake Syvärijärvi and the lights of the Tahko village. Next to the sauna is a heated spring water tub, and you can slip into a steaming, warm bath straight from the sauna benches to admire the starry sky.

Iisalmi Spa offers a unique combination of peaceful nature and a traditional Finnish sauna. In addition to saunas, you can enjoy spa treatments using local natural materials and products, offering a deep sense of relaxation and well-being. And of course, Iisalmi is also home to the Olutmestari sauna, where you can enjoy the products of the local brewery.

Let’s not forget the saunaboat at Kallavesi, which offers a relaxing sauna experience and stunning views while floating on the lake.

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