Imatra (population ca. 30,000) is an industrial town in South Karelia. It is dominated by Lake Saimaa, the River Vuoksi and the Finnish-Russian border. Imatra’s over 300-year-old history of busy tourism is greatly attributed to the attraction of the spectacular rapids of the river Vuoksi which have enticed many illustrious personas to visit the area throughout the ages. Visitors have included such people as Russian Empress Catherine II, Alexander Dumas Senior and Richard Wagner.
- Imatrankoski Rapids. These rapids are Finland's first ever tourist attraction. The Russian Empress Catherine the Great and her retinue visited the rapids in 1772. Next to the rapids is hotel resembling a medieval knight's castle - the Imatran Valtionhotelli. The original name of the hotel was Grand Hotel Cascade d'Imatra.
- Kruununpuisto Park. The oldest nature park in Finland, occupying the area around the Imatrankoski Rapids, was founded in 1842 by order of Tsar Nicholas I.
- Church of the Three Crosses. Open: 1 Sep - 31 May daily 10:00-15:00, 1 Jun - 31 Aug daily 09:00-20:00.
Imatrankoski Rapids. These rapids are Finland's first ever tourist attraction. The Russian Empress Catherine the Great and her retinue visited the rapids in 1772. Next to the rapids is hotel resembling a medieval knight's castle - the Imatran Valtionhotelli. The original name of the hotel was Grand Hotel Cascade d'Imatra.
Kruununpuisto Park. The oldest nature park in Finland, occupying the area around the Imatrankoski Rapids, was founded in 1842 by order of Tsar Nicholas I.
Church of the Three Crosses. Open: 1 Sep - 31 May daily 10:00-15:00, 1 Jun - 31 Aug daily 09:00-20:00.
- Imatra Big Band Festival.
- Rock to the River. Rock festival.
Imatra Big Band Festival.
Rock to the River. Rock festival.
You can find all sorts of small shops in the pedestrian area. (along and next to Koskenparras street). If you prefer shopping malls, head to the Mansikkala district., where you can find Rajamarket, Lidl, Citymarket and a new (as of December, 2018) Prisma.
You can find all sorts of small shops in the pedestrian area. (along and next to Koskenparras street). If you prefer shopping malls, head to the Mansikkala district., where you can find Rajamarket, Lidl, Citymarket and a new (as of December, 2018) Prisma.
You can find all sorts of small shops in the pedestrian area. (along and next to Koskenparras street). If you prefer shopping malls, head to the Mansikkala district., where you can find Rajamarket, Lidl, Citymarket and a new (as of December, 2018) Prisma.
- Buttenhoff, Koskenparras 4, +358 5 476 1433. M-F 11:00-23:30, Sa 12:00-23:30. 100-seat upscale restaurant. Á la Carte menu consists of Finnish, French and Russian dishes. Fair selection of European wines and beers. During lunch hours Buttenhoff has business-lunch selection with salads, soups, main course and coffee included in the same price. During the summer months, if the weather allows, you can also opt for a table outside by the Koskenparras pedestrian street.
- Kent Pizza & Steakhouse, Koskenparras 7. Really hungry? This restaurant at the pedestrian zone offers huge pizzas, steak and kebab servings that would feed three. €8-20, lunch specials for €10.
Buttenhoff, Koskenparras 4, +358 5 476 1433. M-F 11:00-23:30, Sa 12:00-23:30. 100-seat upscale restaurant. Á la Carte menu consists of Finnish, French and Russian dishes. Fair selection of European wines and beers. During lunch hours Buttenhoff has business-lunch selection with salads, soups, main course and coffee included in the same price. During the summer months, if the weather allows, you can also opt for a table outside by the Koskenparras pedestrian street.
Kent Pizza & Steakhouse, Koskenparras 7. Really hungry? This restaurant at the pedestrian zone offers huge pizzas, steak and kebab servings that would feed three. €8-20, lunch specials for €10.
- Lappeenranta - Imatra's bigger cousin with a fortress and better shopping.
- Punkaharju - The ridge bisecting Lake Saimaa is one of the most famous Finnish landscapes.
- Savonlinna - A medieval castle, an opera festival and freshly fried fish.
- Russia - If you have a valid visa (or if you don't need one), Svetogorsk is close by. If you only have a passport, during the summer months, you can travel to Lappeenranta and take a visa free cruise along the Saimaa Canal to Vyborg.