Looking for a Cooler Summer? Discover Puumala in Finland’s Lake District
Thirty-five to forty degrees. Endless queues. Crowded beaches. Air conditioning becoming your favourite sightseeing destination. Summer holidays have changed.
In the past I used to want to travel towards mid- and southern Europe during my summer vacation, to enjoy the guaranteed warmth. Lately, however, the summer in many parts of Europe can become unbearably hot. And instead of outdoors, you only want to stay inside somewhere that has air conditioning.
So what could be the option?
For me, the answer was simpler than I expected: Puumala, Finland. You may think that I am slightly biased when I say that I moved here in amazing Lake Saimaa district not so long ago from Helsinki, but I can honestly say, this year I didn’t fantasize traveling somewhere else during my summer holiday. And this is why you should consider it too!
Located on the shores of Lake Saimaa in Finland, Puumala offers a cooler and more peaceful alternative to the extreme summer heat. The air is often pleasantly fresh, the lake is never far away, and any sense of hurry seems to disappear somewhere along the winding roads. Even the roads leading to Puumala are worth it. The weather may not be as hot as in Southern Europe, but the people here are warm.
Summer days by Lake Saimaa
In Puumala, water is more than part of the scenery. It shapes the atmosphere of the entire place. The Finnish Lakeland didn’t’ get its name by accident. Lake Saimaa stretches across the landscape in open waters, sheltered bays, islands and natural sandy beaches. One of my favourite summer activities is taking a boat to explore the small islands scattered across Lake Saimaa and landing on an empty beach that seems to waiting just for me.
On some beaches, you can almost imagine yourself on a deserted paradise island. The illusion works particularly well if you ignore the occasional boat gliding past in the distance.
The water invites you to swim, paddle, go boating or simply sit by the shore. The clear water of Lake Saimaa itself feels so fresh, clean and soft on the skin. You do not always need to do anything. Watching the scenery and enjoying the silence is a perfectly valid way to spend your time here.
One thing that still surprises me every time I return from Helsinki or some other big city, is the silence. I hadn’t realized how much constant traffic noise had become part of everyday life until it simply… wasn’t anymore. As someone who’s always been a little sensitive to noise, I didn’t know how much I’d appreciate that.
Summer evenings in Finland are long and light. At their best, the sun lingers for so long that it is easy to lose track of time. Even at ten in the evening, you can still sit outside, go for a swim or take a walk without feeling that the day is over.
Forest scents and berries straight from nature
Summer in Puumala is filled with clean air and the scents of forests, fields and flowering plants. While walking in nature, you may find blueberries, wild raspberries and wild strawberries that can be picked and eaten on the spot. But be aware, your normal hiking speed may drop dramatically once you find yourself surrounded by these sweet treats nature kindly put in your way.
These are the moments to treasure.
What is the weather in Puumala really like?
Summer in Puumala does not mean constant cold weather. Days can be sunny and warm, and temperatures occasionally rise to heatwave levels even in Finland. However, the lakes, forests and cooler nights often make the air feel more comfortable than in densely built cities.
Finnish summer weather can also change its mind rather quickly. If you checked the weather forecast, check again. Finnish weather has a charming habit of keeping its options open. One holiday may include sunshine, rain shower, a fresh breeze and a calm evening by the lake. Sometimes you may experience all of them on the same day.
But don’t worry that a rain shower will ruin your day. Watching the rain can be satisfying and relaxing while being surrounded by such beautiful nature, instead of avoiding puddles on busy city streets. And yes, the scent of the forest after the rain makes you just want to breathe it all in.
There is little point in trying to control the weather. It is much easier to simply be prepared for it and enjoy every bit of it. And of course, if you want a little extra warmth, it’s never a bad time for a sauna.
What should you pack?
The packing strategy is surprisingly simple. Bring clothes for summer, one warm layer for the evening, swimwear, comfortable shoes and a light jacket. If you forget the mosquito repellent, the local mosquitoes will kindly remind you next time. Depending on the summer, you might even get lucky and hardly notice them at all.
Simple ways to spend a summer day in Puumala
A perfect summer day in Puumala rarely needs much planning. Start with a slow walk along the shoreline, pack a picnic, rent a kayak or a bike or simply find a quiet beach. Pick a handful of blueberries, take another swim and finish the evening watching the light slowly disappear over Lake Saimaa and keep an eye out for the endangered Saimaa ringed seal. They are famously better at spotting people than people are at spotting them.
Many holidays are measured by how many places you managed to visit. A holiday in Puumala is measured differently.
By the number of swims.
By blueberry stains on your fingers.
By sunsets you accidentally stayed up to watch.
By the times you stopped and thought, “Wow… what a view.”
And perhaps by the slightly disappointing feeling that the nearest lake back home suddenly doesn’t seem quite as impressive anymore.
You may arrive looking for cooler weather, but don’t be surprised if you leave wondering why you ever thought a 35-degree city holiday sounded relaxing.
Should other seasons be ignored?
No. Absolutely not. Summer may get all the attention, but the other seasons would have every right to complain if I stopped here.
The spring when the snow is melting, waking up the nature that slowly starts to get some colour to its face. Autumn with its vast and constantly changing color scale that makes you amazed time and time again. The winter that quietly covers everything in snow and somehow makes the whole landscape even more peaceful. I guarantee the icy lake looks just as beautiful with a pack of snow on it as well! No point renting a boat or kayak, but as a compensation, you can walk, skate or ski on many parts of the frozen lake! Swimming is still an option. It just requires a little more determination… and a hole in the ice.
And when it gets dark, it really gets dark. It’s not uncommon to see the Milky way on a clear night, together with more stars than you ever realized were up there.
Perhaps that’s one of the greatest joys of living in Finland. We don’t just have four seasons on the calendar; we truly get to experience them. Each one has its own character, its own colours and its own quiet moments worth looking forward to.
Landscapes that inspire new ideas
After spending enough evenings watching the changing light over Lake Saimaa, you start noticing small things differently. The patterns of plants, the geometry of branches, the texture of birch and the calm colours of the landscape quietly find their way into your thinking.
That is exactly where I get my inspiration to many Nordic Essence designs.
If you are looking for a summer holiday that does not leave you needing another holiday here, but it can stay with you for a long time.
Planning your own trip?
If Puumala has sparked your curiosity, you’ll find plenty of information about accommodation, activities, events and local attractions on the official Visit Puumala website: https://puumala.fi/en/home/