Headquarters City Mikkeli: top experiences in summer 2025, from the Jukola Relay to stunning concerts
April 7, 2025
Blog
The millennia-old history cradled by the shores of Lake Saimaa has given rise to Mikkeli's vibrant cultural heritage, which continues to thrive and inspire to this day. As the headquarters city of Marshal Mannerheim, Mikkeli offers captivating tales from the past along with a plethora of experiences and events for travelers.
In the summer of 2025, Mikkeli will host an array of exciting events, including the renowned Jukola Relay, the thrilling St. Michel Races, and spectacular concerts at Festival X and the Mikkeli Music Festival. Visitors can also bask in the lively atmosphere of city festivals. Nature enthusiasts will discover the gems of the Saimaa region amidst its pristine lakeside landscapes, while urban culture seekers can explore historic landmarks and indulge in enticing culinary delights.
Welcome to Mikkeli, the headquarters of stories and events!
Start your day deliciously at the Marketplace and downtown cafés
The Mikkeli Marketplace in the city centre is the beating heart of Mikkeli, where visitors can savor local delicacies. Whether at the Marketplace itself, the historic Market Hall in the Stella Shopping Centre, or Ramin Konditoria bakery in the Akseli Shopping Centre, you'll find fresh provisions for day trips or a leisurely morning. Relish in traditional lörtsys, pies, and freshly baked rolls on the spot, or grab some to-go for your next adventure.
Day trips and cruises to Saimaa's stunning destinations
From the bus stop by the Marketplace, you can easily hop aboard the Hop On Hop Off bus to explore the finest lake nature destinations, such as the Astuvansalmi rock paintings in Ristiina or the gems of the Puumala archipelago. You can admire Northern Europe's most extensive collection of rock paintings on Hop On Hop Off tours aboard the magnificent M/S Aino. The tours depart from Mikkeli, Puumala harbour, or directly from Mikkeli harbour.
You can also discover the Astuvansalmi rock paintings on Rib Saimaa boat cruises. Hop on the Rib boat from the Ristiina pier, right in front of the stuva Rock Art Centre opening in summer 2025. On Monday evenings, Rib Saimaa and Uhkua offer an additional treat: a delightful D.O. Saimaa dinner on one of Saimaa's islands to conclude your Astuvansalmi visit.
Check the Hop On Hop Off trip as well as cruise itineraries and purhase the tickets from the Visit Mikkeli webshop.
M/S Aino transports Hop On Hop Off adventurers to admire Northern Europe’s most extensive collection of rock paintings at Astuvansalmi, nestled in the scenic Yövesi area.
For history enthusiasts – stories of the headquarters city
The Headquarters Museum and Muisti Centre of War and Peace provide a unique window into Finland’s history through their authentic exhibitions. Muisti's virtual exhibition brings the stories of people who lived through wartime to life, with a renewed exhibition experience opening at the end of April 2025. The Headquarters Museum, in turn, invites visitors on a journey back in time to Marshal Mannerheim's authentic office and the wartime leadership quarters.
In Muisti's exhibition, visitors can immerse themselves in lifelike scenarios through virtual experiences.
Located clos by on the city’s highest hill, the Naisvuori Observation Tower, once used as an air surveillance tower during World War II, offers breathtaking views over the city rooftops. At the Naisvuori Café, you can indulge in delicious waffles with sweet or savory toppings!
A tip for Finnish summer theater lovers: In the summer of 2025, the Naisvuori Summer Theater will present a history-infused comedic delight of the longtime president of Finland, Urho Kaleva Kekkonen in Kekkonen – syntymästä kuolemaan (from birth to immortality). Tickets are available on the Mikkeli Theatre's website.
To complete your history tour of the Headquarters City, visit the Infantry Museum, located in a charming old wooden garrison area.
The Infantry Museum is a fascinating destination set in a charming park area.
For garden lovers and friends of local handicrafts, design and food products
The historic vicarage milieu of Kenkävero, with its beautiful gardens, and the model gardens of Mikkelipuisto are perfect destinations for a relaxing day. Explore Kenkävero’s Shop for designer items, handicrafts, and D.O. Saimaa products, as well as Pauliina Rundgren’s stylish jewelry and decorative pieces, showcased in the artist’s studio on the upper floor of the old stable.
Marshal Mannerheim once praised the old vicarage building of Kenkävero as the most beautiful vicarage in Christendom—and rightfully so!
Relaxation and refreshment at Mikkelipuisto and beyond
Next to Kenkävero, the beautiful model gardens of Mikkelipuisto adorned with flowerbeds and seating areas, provide tranquil spots for relaxation. At Mikkelipuisto, you can grill your own snacks or savour the offerings of Restaurant Greeneri.
A visit to the nearby Kaihu Beach and the brand-new Saunaravintola Kaihu sauna restaurant offers a refreshing escape for the body and mind. At Saunaravintola Kaihu, you can enjoy stunning natural views from the sauna benches, the lounge, or the terrace.
From shopping to art experiences
The shops at Stella and Akseli Shopping Centres, as well as the departments at Carlson Department Store, offer a wide variety of choices for fashion, home décor, and leisure. Additionally, the specialty shops on Porrassalmenkatu, Maaherrankatu, and Savilahdenkatu feature trendy clothing, shoes, and accessories for women.
Heinäsaaren Herkkupuoti Deli at Akseli Shopping Center, the vendor stalls at Mikkeli Marketplace, and the shops at the Market Hall are excellent places to find souvenirs or gifts to take home.
For an inspiring change of pace from shopping, visit the Mikkeli Art Museum on the second floor of Akseli Shopping Centre. This summer, the art museum will showcase nearly a hundred works by Aino Vihervä-Muukka and Yrjö S. Muukka, ranging from rural and forest landscapes to Parisian street views.
The Mikkeli Art Museum features annually changing exhibitions (picture: the Überhund exhibition from summer 2024).
The must-see cultural highlight for children and the whole family this summer is the Hulivilikarnevaalit, held in Mikkeli from June 23rd to 29th, 2025. Each day of the week is packed with activity days, art sessions, workshops, fun things to do, and various performances across the city.
Top restaurants in Mikkeli – a must for food lovers
When appetite calls, great lunch spots and evening hangouts are always close by. Stop by for a tasty weekday lunch at Vaiha Asema, Pormestari, Vino, August (located in the historic garrison area), or Restaurant Talli on the Mikkeli campus.
For delicious local Saimaa delicacies, head to Gastropub Eino or Bistro Holvi, located in the Mikkeli Theatre building. For a relaxed evening, enjoy the city’s best Savo-Neapolitan pizzas at DOM.
For festive local food experiences, Kenkävero's Pappilaravintola restaurant and the internationally acclaimed Kartanoravintola restaurant at Tertti Manor serve delightful summer menus. These delicious experiences are perfectly complemented by the stunning historical settings, complete with beautiful gardens and buildings.
The Kartanoravintola Restaurant and Garden Restaurant at Tertti Manor serve dishes crafted from vegetables grown in their own garden and ingredients sourced locally.
Where to lay your head? Accommodation options from cozy cottages to manor chambers
For the night, settle comfortably into a downtown hotel, a picturesque manor, or even a floating raft on Lake Saimaa.
Accommodation in idyllic manor settings is offered at Landhaus Kekkola, Tertti Manor, and Kyyhkylä Manor—all within ten kilometers of the city centre. Or how about a bed-and-breakfast in a countryside atmosphere, or a summer night by a sheltered lean-to with a live fire? At Tuukkala B&B in Ristiina, you can enjoy both.
If you’re longing to reconnect with nature, spend the night on Saimaa’s Yövesi aboard Uhkua’s floating raft or in a tentsile in Ristiina. For an added touch of adventure, include a relaxing sauna session in the wood-fired sauna on the sauna raft, guided nature excursions, and a wild food or local meal experience.
On Uhkua’s sauna raft, you can enjoy the soothing heat of a wood-fired sauna in the heart of Saimaa’s pristine lake nature.
What else does the beautiful summer of Saimaa ofer in Mikkeli
