The absolute must-do and see things in Finland's Lake Saimaa region

Cosmopolitan

17 hours ago

Finland is the kind of place that feels like it shouldn't be real — lakes outnumber people, the air smells like peace and quiet, and sauna is considered a nudist national sport. Oh, and it just so happens that it was named the happiest country in the world… for the EIGHTH year in a row, for 2025. No pressure...
So, they're doing something right. Inquisitively, I had to go find out what exactly. Is it the coffee? Forest bathing? The complete lack of small talk? Pack your best thermal undies and leave your dignity at the airport — we're off to Finland's Lake Saimaa region, where the air is crisp and the spas are nude.
Let's dive into the icy, soul-cleansing waters of Finnish joy to figure out how to copy their vibes and bring them back to England. Here's your roadmap to living like the Finns, and maybe - just maybe, you'll find some joy along the way.
If you're looking to unplug, exhale, and pretend your inbox doesn't exist — Kuru is the perfect spot. Hidden away in Finland's Saimaa region, it's a peaceful, adults-only resort where nature does the talking and you do… well, absolutely nothing (in a thick luxurious robe, obviously.)
Each private villa is a slice of minimalist Nordic heaven. As you enter your cabin, you're greeted by floor-to-ceiling glass windows, which look straight out to the forest. The vibe is moody with minimal interiors, while your very own private spa set-up awaits you in your cabin - complete with a hot stone sauna, bathtub and essential oils. Soft robes and slippers are literally the uniform. I lived in them. What felt truly luxurious was heading out to dinner wrapped up for the cold climate outdoors, but being cosy sat by the fire in my very own private sauna, once I was enclosed in the cosy cabin.
This resort has roots dating back to 1658, so there are plenty of old stories to tell! Expect authentic rock walls, lake views, and a spa built like a rich billionaire Bond villain's lair. Their day spa offers treatments that'll make you forget you even had shoulder tension in the first place. It's exactly the reset you'll need, if you're used to city life.
The Sahanlahti Resort is a family-run business, by an old watermill. It's steeped in atmospheric history, with art on the wall to match, detailing Finnish folklore. Sahanlahti also delivers on the lakeside views, and you practically sleep on the shore line, while there's also an incredible hot outdoor jacuzzi pool on the terrace. Behind it, Lake Saimaa glistens in the background, while you can also grab some cute little herbal tea bags for your pool - so you can soak in fragranced style and pretend you're in a huge cup of tea.
Seal Spotting
Boat through the icy Linnansaari National Park in search of the elusive Saimaa Ringed Seal. Spoiler alert: they're super shy and introvert, but if you squint and believe hard enough, every ripple becomes seal shaped anyway. It's lovely not only to look at the great lake, but to sit on it too, and explore local wild life.
There's something cinematic about eating freshly caught trout thrown into a pot on an open fire. It's dramatic. It's delicious. It's the Finnish way: a community style feed. We all gathered around the campfire, warming our hands to the open flame, while fish soup bubbled away, after being caught fresh from the lake.
Also: coffee brewed over fire = spiritual awakening. Apparently, Finns drink more coffee than any other nation — like, four cups a day minimum. It's all filter coffee too — not fancy; just strong, straight to the veins.
You + forest = a whimsical hunt full of edible treasures. I learned all about how to survive in the wild if there was a zombie apocalypse. It felt like going back to ancient hunter gatherer roots - foraging for wild herbs and berries. We also created a sauna whisk out of birch twigs. The forests offer a rich bounty throughout the year — from chanterelle mushrooms in late summer to bilberries, lingonberries and wild herbs like nettle and yarrow.
Finland has a right to roam, meaning you can wander through any forest like it's your backyard. The law allows anyone living in or visiting Finland the freedom to roam the countryside: forage, fish, and enjoy natural areas. It's known locally as 'The Everyman's Rights' or Jokaisenoikeudet.
After our successful foraging session, we cooked a perfectly balanced and light meal whilst sitting afloat on the lake, enjoying rhubarb crumble for pudding. Guess what we did afterwards...? You guessed it! Sauna! We jumped into the lake, and did it all over again.
Saunas had pre-historic roots, dating back as far as 10,000 years ago. While they have obviously evolved over the years, the traditional wood-heated sauna or rustic smoke sauna remain the most popular choices. The Niskalampi sauna at Sahanlahti Resort is a wood-heated haven, nestled next to a pond, offering a peaceful and authentic experience.
When in Finland, you sweat it out with strangers and act like it's the most natural thing in the world. Which, to be fair, it kind of is, right? I faced my body insecurities, bonded with locals over ladles of thick hot steam, and then jumped in a freezing cold lake.
The Finns take saunas seriously. Traditionally, they give birth in saunas. They cook sausages in saunas. They get in there every other day. It's a sanctuary where time stops still, and pores open. Honestly, you'll consider selling your apartment just to afford a sauna membership you don't need. This is Finn-core: hot, steamy, and surrounded by silence you didn't know your soul needed.
Restaurant Solitary
Quiet & sexy. The food served up here was cooked by a culinary poet in a mystical fairy forest (no, really.) We were served up a 5x course tasting menu with wine pairing to match, and plates consisted of pea soup, duck, liquorice and more.
Pistohiekka
Pistohiekka Resort is a beach resort right on the shore of Lake Saimaa. Surrounded by more magnificent nature, Pistohiekka is part of Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark. They served us up hot fresh Vendace - tiny little fish fried whole with crispy tails attached. A glorified but healthier fish and chips. We also learned that wild bears roam the northern region, but because the landscape is so vast, humans never bump into them.
Sahanlahti
At Sahanlahti, they don't just serve food — they serve up a full-on love letter to local farmers: fresh produce, and total ethical vibes. Everything on your plate has been grown, picked, prepped or cooked with such delicate care, it's practically blushing.
Everything is cooked right in front of you too, over open flame. We had goose, followed by dandelion crème brûlée. You'll taste the difference — because when food is this fresh, you can't fake it. It's not just tasty — it's five-star, official stamp-of-approval, locally-sourced and fire-cooked goodness. Basically, if your tastebuds had a bucket list, this place would be on it.
Piikatyttö Restaurant
What's not to like about feasting in what feels like an ancient castle, with an open fire roaring and crackling away the background? All seasonal, local Finnish ingredients. Hearty portions and good quality. We dined on rare steak & freshly caught salmon, accompanied by blueberry juice.
Tertti Manor
If you've ever wanted to eat like a Finnish aristocrat with a side of forest fairytale, Tertti Manor is the spot. This family-run estate has been knocking about since the late 1800s, and honestly, it's aged like fine wine — specifically, the homemade rose wine they make on site.
Tertti Manor is still a fully functioning farm (yes, the herb garden is very Instagrammable), and comes complete with its own eco-certified forest. The restaurant, tucked inside a stunning rustic manor house, serves up fresh, locally sourced dishes in a setting that makes you feel like you've wandered onto the set of a period drama. You half-expect a Finnish noblewoman to sweep in and ask you to pass the lingonberries.
The farm shop has enough jams and homemade goodies to bankrupt your luggage weight limit. They even have golden salt and pepper shakers (for those who have everything.)
Final thoughts
This trip was less a holiday and more a spiritual cleanse with much improved skincare. Between ancient saunas, wild green landscapes, and food so fresh it could slap you wet across the face, Saimaa is basically a Nordic wellness cult.