Hot spots in Imatra. Sights of Imatra: list, photos and description. How to get to Imatra

Only sixty years have passed since the city of Imatra was founded in Finland, but even so short term this settlement has managed to acquire attractions. Today Imatra is modern city, in which there is something to see for tourists from.

Interesting places in Imatra

Of course, the main and most noticeable attraction of Imatra is unique nature. The fact is that the city is located on the Vuoks River, which is known for its rapids and very fast current. Moreover, the famous Imatrankoski waterfall in Imatra was not only not spoiled by modern Finnish civilization, but was also turned into the main natural attraction. In 1929, a powerful power station was built here, but the waterfall did not disappear, but simply acquired a new look. In August and before the celebration, it is launched accompanied by lighting and music. The spectacle is amazing! Extreme tourists can ride a rope down to the seething stream.

At a time when Finland was part of the Russian Empire, the Imatra Kylpylä SPA hotel was built in Imatra, on the territory of which there is a Magic Forest water park. This hotel offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

It so happens that the bridge over the dam in Imatra, the SPA hotel resembling a castle, and the water park are located next to each other, so for tourists coming to this Finnish city, it is even difficult to imagine a more convenient and suitable place for accommodation.

The bridge, which was built over the dam, has gained the reputation of a place for saying goodbye to life. For many years now, people who have decided to commit a terrible act have come here to die. They are probably attracted here by the beauty and somewhat terrifying picture of the picturesque canyon. In Imatra there is even a monument to suicides, made in the form of a woman throwing herself into the water. In addition, along the banks there are stones on which relatives and friends of suicides write the names and dates of those who passed away.

On the coast of Vuoksi, almost in the center of Imatra, there is a Karelian house - a museum under open air. It will be interesting not only for history buffs, but also for ordinary vacationers. The cleanest air, amazing landscapes, the color of which is added by eleven ancient Karelian wooden log houses XIX century, the attributes of everyday life will not leave anyone indifferent. From May to August, everyone can admire paintings depicting scenes of everyday life of Karelian peasants, as well as interior items that have been preserved to this day.

There are also two temples in Imatra - the Church of the Three Crosses and the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The first temple, built in 1957 according to the design of the architect Alvar Aalto, received its name because of the images of three crosses on the altar. The number of windows in the structure is also amazing – there are one hundred and three of them! The light effects they create attract thousands of tourists and parishioners to the church.

When traveling to Imatra, be sure to visit the airfield in Immola, which was visited by Adolf Hitler in 1942, invited to the birthday of Mannerheim, the Finnish marshal. Hitler gave him a car. Documentary photographs of this event are also preserved here.

There are many museums in Imatra whose collections may interest you: War Veterans Museum, Automobile Museum, Museum border service, Worker's House-Museum, Art Museum.

And Matra is a stunningly beautiful city in a picturesque corner of Finland, in South Karelia, not far from the border with Russia. Is located in remarkable place- on the shore of the lake, and all surrounded by forests. Holidays in Imatra are very suitable for those who prefer to spend quiet time in nature, relax, get rid of stress and find harmony with themselves and the world around them. It is known that Empress Catherine the Great herself loved to come here to admire the river rapids. And in the 19th century, among the entire wealthy Russian elite, it was considered good manners to visit the sights of Imatra. Industrial and seaport is the quintessence of Finnish hospitality and Finland in general, so every year thousands of tourists from Russia and from all over the world can be seen here. The main part of the city's territory is occupied by dense forests, Lake Saimaa and the Vuoksa River, so the natural treasures of Imatra are considered to be one of the main attractions of the city. Imatra is a cozy city for those who love to unravel the mysteries of nature and discover the unknown.

Location	The city is located on the Vuoksa River and the shores of the largest Finnish lake Saimaa, in the north of the Karelian Isthmus, not far from the border with Russia and 220 km from St. Petersburg. Nearest Russian city– Svetogorsk (distance - 7 km). Founded in 1948. Modern Imatra is a union of three settlements- Imatrankoski, Mansikkala and Vuoksenniska.
Population	28,480 people
Language	Finnish
Currency	Euro
What is the city famous for?	SPA hotels and saunas, ski slopes and resorts, international jazz festival Imatra Big Band Festival, Imatrankoski waterfall, haunted castle, Lake Saimaa, Vuoksa river
Climate	continental, and is considered relatively harsh. In summer, the weather in Imaatra can vary from a sunny, clear day to a rainy day

10 things to do in Imatra

See Imatrankoski waterfall live
Make an inscription on the coastal stones while walking along Vuoksa
Visit a fish smokehouse in the town of Lohela
Have breakfast with coffee and fresh pretzel prepared according to an old recipe
Visit the Haunted Castle
Catch fish from the depths of Lake Saimaa
Relax and unwind in one of the SPA hotels
Visit the Magic Forest water park
Take part in a winter or summer safari tour on snowmobiles and ATVs
Stroll along the Koskenparras pedestrian street for shopping

When to go to Imatra

Finland is beautiful in any season, even (and probably especially!) in winter. Therefore, the choice of time for a trip depends, first of all, on your goals and plans for spending your time.

Winter in Finland Usually they go for shopping - the most current sales here are Christmas sales (from December 25). For sports lovers and active rest there are plenty of opportunities to go ice skating, skiing, take a snowmobile safari, play ice golf, try winter fishing with an instructor and horseback riding. A short winter day in Finland lasts about 5 hours, the temperature at this time varies from -3 to -15 degrees. Amazingly blue skies, snow-white expanses and glowing city lights make Finland look like a Christmas fairy tale during this period. At the same time, in Imatra you can relax in SPA hotels and water centers and visit water parks, which are accessible at any time of the year. On New Year's Eve, Imatra also hosts a Sylvester performance - the opening of a waterfall with a light show and special effects.

Spring in Finland short, but very bright and very memorable, especially in contrast with the harsh winter. In spring, excellent options for spending time in Imatra are fishing, relaxing in cottages, sightseeing tours on Lake Saimaa.

Summer in Finland– cool and calm, and that’s what attracts people here Russian tourists who want to take a break from summer heat and the rhythm of big cities. The best time to visit Imatra in summer is from mid-June to mid-August. Summer sales in Imatra begin before the Finnish national holiday Juhannus (analogous to our St. George's Day), which is celebrated on Saturday between June 20-26. Here you can buy clothes from winter and spring collections, souvenirs, sporting goods, jewelry and much more with significant discounts. Fans of spectacle should definitely watch the show with light and music, timed to coincide with the release of water from the dam in the city center. The depths of Lake Saimaa and the Vuoksa River are also a paradise for anglers in summer. Here in Imatra, in the summer you can stay at a campsite, swim in reservoirs, and smoke freshly caught fish. Boats, bicycles and fishing equipment can also be rented. In the summer, the pleasure boat organizes landscape and museum cruises, and for children there are exciting children's games and hikes with an entertainment program.

Autumn in Imatra– time for fishing, hiking, picnics by the lake and walks around the city. The weather at this time is mild and sunny, and life in the city comes to a standstill. In autumn, you can find inspiration for creativity and travel here.

Where to stay in Imatra

Imatra has a fairly large range of places where you can stay during your holidays and business trips. This developing Finnish town offers both luxury apartments and budget hotels.

For those wishing to combine a trip with relaxation for body and soul, there is the opportunity to stay at SPA hotels Imatras. They are distinguished by their convenient location and impeccable service. One of the famous SPA hotels – Holiday Club Saimaa is located on the shores of Lake Saimaa. Thanks to the presence of balconies in each room, you can enjoy the picturesque view from the window. The Holiday Club Saimaa complex includes a modern SPA center with various types of treatments for visitors of all ages. IN hotel complex Holiday Club Saimaa also has a water park with slides, waterfalls and attractions that will appeal to both adults and children.

One of the most popular is also the famous castle hotel Rantasipi Imatran Valtionhotelli. It stands in the most picturesque place of Imatra - right opposite the Imatrankoski waterfall. The 110-year-old hotel offers exquisite relaxation and a variety of health and wellness treatments. The hotel castle has 54 superior rooms, 4 mini-lux, 3 lux and super-lux in the tower. The spa hotel has 83 rooms (superior, lux and mini-lux).

How much money to take with you to Imatra

The impact of a holiday in Imatra on your budget depends, of course, on the planned items. The main spending points on vacation are lunch in a cafe, accommodation, souvenirs, excursions. The answer to the question of what kind of spending awaits you lies in what kind of comfort you are used to.

Here is an example cost of living in Imatra:

accommodation in hostels – 1300-3300 rubles/day;

accommodation in apartments – from 3800 rubles/day;

accommodation in 4-star hotels and above – from 4800 rubles/day.

travel by public transport - 2.20 – 3.20 euros per 60 minutes of travel;

cup of coffee in a cafe – 2-3€;

beer mug 0.5 l – 2-3€;

ice cream - 2€;

Coca-Cola 0.5 l – 1,5 €;

1 kg of fruit – from 1-2 €/kg;

meal in a cafe (kebab, pizza) – 10-15 €/person;

lunch in a restaurant – 35-40 €/person;

souvenirs (keychains, magnets) – from 4-5 € and above

How to get to Imatra

The closest airport to Imatra is in neighboring city Lappeenranta. The airport itself is located in close proximity to the city center, which is undoubtedly a plus.

Airports

Lappeenranta Airport - international Airport in Lappeenranta, Finland, with an annual passenger flow of about 60 thousand people. The small town of Imatra does not have its own airport. The closest airport to Imatra - for those who travel to Imatra by plane - is Lappeenranta Airport.

The airport was opened in 1918 and is the oldest operating airports Finland. It is located on the eastern border of the EU and is the closest European airport for residents northern capital Russia, located 210 km from St. Petersburg.

Address: Lentokentäntie 21, 53600 Lappeenranta, Finland.

Flights here are carried out from St. Petersburg, and the airport is also popular among Russian travelers, as low-cost routes to Europe are carried out from here, in particular, an air carrier flies Ryanair. In addition to Ryanair, airlines operate flights from Lappeenranta Airport Blue1 And AirBaltic.

The airport is quite small, with approximately 5 flights per day. Therefore, it is very calm, there are two reception desks. Passengers have access to restaurants and bars where they can have a bite to eat while waiting for their flight. Free Wi-Fi is available in the airport building. The airport houses the Aviation Museum of Karelia.

How to get from Lappeenranta Airport to Imatra

How to get from the airport to the center of Imatra

From Lappeenranta Airport to Imatra:

From Lappeenranta Airport to the city center you can take bus number 4. From Lappeenranta to Imatra it is 35 km, you can get to Imatra either by bus or by train. The price of a one-way ticket is from 6 to 8 euros, the journey by train takes 25 minutes, by bus - about an hour. Train and bus schedules can be found on official websites railways and bus stations in Finland.

Stations

There are no direct trains to the city of Imatra from Russia yet. The St. Petersburg-Imatra train is planned to be launched in the near future, but the opening date is still unknown. Estimated travel time will be 3 hours.

Vainikkala station, located near the city center of Lappeenranta, from where you can connect to Imatra. The Lev Tolstoy train runs from Moscow to the Vainikkala railway station. From St. Petersburg and Vyborg to the Vainikkala railway station high-speed train"Allegro".

Travel time:

Moscow– Vainikkala railway station: 9.5 hours<.>

Saint Petersburg– Vainikkala railway station: 1.5 hours

Vyborg– Vainikkala railway station: 30 min.

If you are traveling within the Suomi country, you can travel from Helsinki to Imatra by train three times a day, and only in the afternoon. Intercity organizes one flight per day with a final point in Imatra, and two flights to Joensuu, but with a stop in Imatra. Travel time is 2.5 hours. The fare for an adult is 45.5€.

Detailed information about costs and schedules is available on the Finnish Railways website.

Address: Koskikatu 1, 55120 Imatra Finland.

How to get from the station to Imatra airport

The small town of Imatra does not have its own airport. The closest airport to Imatra - for those who travel to Imatra by plane - is Lappeenranta Airport. The same applies to the railway station. Trains running between Russia and Finland stop at the Vainikkala border station, located near the city center of Lappeenranta.

From Lappeenranta Airport to Vainikkala railway station you can get there by special express bus No. 4. The bus runs 1-2 times per hour, the fare is about 3 €.

Vainikkala station can also be reached in half an hour by regular buses from the center of Lappeenranta, from Koulukatu street. The cost of a bus ticket is 6.60 €. The schedule can be viewed here: http://www.matkahuolto.info/.

If you are traveling further across Finland, or to other countries not in the direction of Russia, you most likely need the Lappeenranta railway station (address: Ratakatu 23, 53100, Lappeenranta). There are three options to get there: on foot (if you do not have large luggage), by bus, or by taxi.

The walking time will be 20-25 minutes.

The Ryanair bus runs a route specifically for incoming airline flights and costs about 5 €. Express bus No. 4 departs every half hour from the airport terminal, the fare is 3 €. Travel time is less than 10 minutes. A 5-minute taxi ride to the city's railway station will cost about 13-15 €.

Transport in Imatra

Buses

Bus- the most preferred way to travel from St. Petersburg, since the border point with Finland - Svetogorsk - is located very close to Imatra. Flights on the route St. Petersburg-Vyborg-Lappeenranta-Imatra are operated by many transport companies in St. Petersburg.

Buses from the cities of Helsinki and Lappeenranta are another way to get to Imatra. Direct transport departs from the bus station of the Finnish capital to Imatra at least 4 times a day, there are also buses with transfers. The cost of a direct ticket from Helsinki to Imatra for an adult is 41 €, for children from 16 to 4 years old - 20.5 €. Travel time is about 5 hours. When buying a round trip ticket you save money, the discount is about 8-9 euros. The situation with trips from Lappeenranta is much simpler, buses run much more often, and tickets are much cheaper.

Inside Imatra, public transport in the city of Imatra is represented exclusively by city buses.

Most convenient way travel around Imatra- on city buses. Single ticket price for adults - 3€ , for children - 1,5€.

Tickets are valid for an hour from the start of the first trip, so they can be used for transfers on another route. For those who plan to travel frequently by public transport, we recommend purchasing a multiple-use pass - for example, for 10 trips costing 24 €. As for traveling with a child, travel in Finland is free for children under 7 years of age. There is also no need to pay for the transportation of baby strollers.

Taxi

Taxis in Imatra are very easy to identify - all cars are marked with a yellow icon and an inscription "Taxi". However, it is not customary to hail a car on the street here, so there are three ways to order: a) by phone b) via the Internet c) at a specialized taxi rank. In the first two cases, taxis usually arrive in 10-15 minutes, but in holidays The waiting time can be up to half an hour.

Addresses of taxi stands in Imatra:

1) Vuoksenniska, Torikatu, 55800 Imatra

2) Tainionkoski, Keskusasema, 55120 Imatra

3) Imatrankoski, Olavinkatu, 55100 Imatra

There are also taxis in Imatra that transport passengers across the Russian-Finnish border from Imatra to Svetogorsk and back. This service should be ordered 1-2 days before the expected departure.

As for payment, the cost of travel in an Imatra taxi depends on the distance of the route, day of the week, time of day and the number of passengers. You can pay for a taxi either in cash or by credit card.

In your car

The road to Imatra from Helsinki is 250 km and you will cover it in about 3 hours. The nearest Russian city of Svetogorsk is 7 km from Imatra. The best option is to go to Imatra from St. Petersburg.

What to see in Imatra

Imatrankoski Waterfall

One of the most famous waterfalls in Finland and the oldest landmark in Finland. Previously, there was a natural waterfall in this place, but the elements showed their power even after the construction of the hydroelectric power station, becoming, perhaps, more manageable. There is information that Empress Catherine the Great came to admire the powerful flow of water. The time for releasing water from Imatrankoski is from the end of June to August inclusive, every day at the same time, as well as on Christmas and New Year's Eve. This extraordinary action is accompanied by music and a light show. The duration of the performance is 20 minutes. Those who want to test their courage can take a free fall right above the seething waves of the waterfall.

Church of the Three Crosses

Orthodox Imatran temple, built more than a century ago and still operating to this day. It owes its name to an unusual altar with three crosses, symbolizing the crosses of Golgotha. The church has more than a hundred windows, each of a unique shape and size, and the bell tower is made in the shape of an arrow. The beauty of the church can be fully appreciated in the dark, when the lights come on inside. The capacity of the temple is about 800 people. The materials used in the interior decoration are Italian marble, East Karelian pine and linen fabrics.

Church of St. Nicholas

The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was built in Imatra in 1956 by Finnish architect Toivo Paatela, for the local Orthodox parish. Initially it was a chapel, but a few years later it was decided to expand it and reconsecrate it as a church. The architecture of the church is designed in the traditional Russian spirit, with a carved wooden porch. A harmonious atmosphere reigns inside, created by the shape of the hall and the strict decoration. The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is located near the Lutheran Church of Three Crosses, which, by contrast, was built in a very modern style.

Imatra Art Museum

The Imatra Art Museum was founded in 1951; today its collection contains about one and a half thousand exhibits. These are mainly works by Finnish artists from the beginning of the 19th century. up to our time, but there are works by masters from other countries. For example, Japanese prints of the 17th century. and an interesting collection of Italian wooden sculpture, which connoisseurs come from afar to see. Also on display at the museum are works by Swedish and French masters. Temporary exhibitions are often held. Usually they are dedicated to contemporary art, including Russian.

Karelian house

In a picturesque location on the banks of the Vuoksa River, not far from the center of Imatra, there is an open-air museum of traditional Karelian culture. It carefully preserves the Karelian rural landscape of the century before last - wooden houses with courtyards and utility rooms, surrounded pine forest. Inside you can see traditional Karelian furniture, utensils, and decorations. Entrance to the museum is paid, but the prices are the most reasonable: for adults 2 euros, for students and pensioners - 1 euro, children under 5 years old are free.

‘Feel the nature’: walking route in Imatra for nature lovers

The best way to get to know any city is to walk around it on foot. This time we invite you to plunge into the atmospheric Imatra! Leisurely walking through this wonderful Finnish town, located near Russian border, will allow you to fully enjoy the views of the city and the wonderful creations of nature.

1 We will start our route from the Central pedestrian street of Imatra - Koskenparras (Koskenparras). It starts right from the Imatrankoskentie highway, which leads directly to famous waterfall. In the few hundred meters that this narrow street extends, there are the most interesting shops, cafes and restaurants for every need. This street is the venue for the most significant events in Finland, for example, December Christmas market And annual music festival Imatra Big Band Festival. To walk around the entire street and get an impression of Imatra, you will need about 10 minutes. About a day for shopping and gatherings in cafes.

2 Then, after a walk along the pedestrian street, we move towards Kallenkuja street, on which in house No. 3 is located Imatra Theater (Teatteri Imatra). The theater building, decorated on the outside with unusual drawings, hosts performances by local and foreign groups. In summer, performances take place in the park on the banks of the Imatrankoski waterfall.

3 Further on Esterinkatu street exit onto Helsingintie street and move left, towards himself famous hotel Imatran - Rantasipi Imatran Valtionhotelli. Outwardly it resembles fairytale castle, and its location in a picturesque location - near the Imatrankoski waterfall - makes it a popular attraction among tourists. Valionhotelli is the first Finnish hotel made of stone in the Art Nouveau style. It has now undergone reconstruction and updated interior decoration, but still provides guests with the opportunity to relax in the interiors medieval castle. It is believed that no two absolutely identical rooms can be found in the hotel. There are many legends associated with the hotel - about ghosts, the Woman in Gray and romantic stories, which can be found out by visiting the cult place in person.

4 The hotel is located next to the Vuoksa River, on which the hydroelectric power station And Imatrankoski waterfall- our next route points. River waters are diverted through a canal to Imatra hydroelectric power station. The country's largest hydroelectric power station appeared after practical Finns decided in 1929 to block off the raging elements with a dam and make the waterfall not only a landmark, but also a source of energy for the entire city. With the advent of the dam and hydroelectric power station, the Imatra waterfall turned into a real attraction. You can see the work of the Imatra hydroelectric power station from the inside; the cost of the excursion is 3 € for adults and 1.5 € for children under 18 years old.

5 Geographically, the waterfall is located in the territory Kruununpuisto Park- the most famous nature reserve in Finland. This a nice place visited by those who want to breathe clean Finnish air and admire nature. The reserve is ideal for walks - there are comfortable walking trails and bike paths overlooking magnificent landscapes, and along the banks of the river you can find dozens of interesting species birds.

Address park - Imatrankoskentie, 55100 Imatra, Finland.

In the park there is a famous Suicide Bridge. It was named in honor of a strange trend of the 19th and 20th centuries, when among those wishing to commit suicide it was fashionable to come to Imatra and rush into the waters of the Vuoksa River. The exact number of victims is unknown, but interesting facts speak about the scale of the tragedy. For example, for some time residents of St. Petersburg were prohibited from selling one-way tickets to Imatra, and the Finnish authorities even allocated funds to the peasants living along the banks of the Vuoksa for the burial of drowned people. To honor the memory of the drowned, a monument appeared in the water next to the bridge in the form of a female figure disappearing into the water - monument ‘Imatran Impi’ or ‘Maiden of Imatra’. The word ‘impi’ is Finnish for “drowned girl”, who, like a mermaid, lures potential suicides into her net. Another version is that the figure represents a naiad, the goddess of the waterfall. The author of the monument is Finnish sculptor Taisto Martiskanen. An unfortunate coincidence - 10 years after the opening of the monument, he himself drowned in one of the lakes in Northern Savonia.

Imatrankoski waterfall or “Finnish Niagara” - the most famous and unusual waterfall Suomi countries. The bed of the waterfall is a majestic gorge with granite banks. The free fall of water on Imatrankoski is controlled by human hands, and the descent occurs every evening from June to August. In winter - on December 25 and 31 - the descent is accompanied by a performance with fabulous lighting effects, fireworks and music by the famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.

Surprisingly, that's not all - extreme sports enthusiasts can zip along a tightrope over the raging spray of the waterfall. Interesting fact- in 1772, the waterfall was visited by the Russian Empress Catherine the Great, who is considered the discoverer of this tourist destination for the Russian nobility.

7 And the last point of our route awaits you after a walk upstream of the river - this is the Holy Temple of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the former chapel of an Orthodox parish, the work of the master Toivo Paatela. The church was built in 1856; its appearance is atypical for Finland, but is familiar to Russian tourists. The interior of the church is also made in the Orthodox style: altars, icons and candlesticks create the atmosphere of a Russian temple.

Address: Vuoksenniskantie, 3

This is where our route ends, but memorable places Imatras - no, we have listed only a few of them. Feel free to come to Imatra for the weekend, here you can easily find ways to have fun for the whole weekend, and maybe more!

Entertainment in Imatra

Imatra airfield is located 37 km from the city, in Immola. Hitler came here in 1942 to congratulate Marshal Mannerheim on his 75th birthday and give him a car. Historical photographs indicate the authenticity of this event.

Water park Imatran Kylpyla- one of the most popular Finnish water entertainment centers. The special feature of the water park is a heated outdoor pool, a pool with the effect of thunderstorms and rain, and an ice waterfall. The wave complex does not include high slopes and extreme attractions, but there is everything for SPA recreation and relaxation - steam rooms and saunas, hydromassage, a bowl of hot water, as well as paths for sports swimming.

Imatra - real paradise for fishermen: beginners, avid and amateurs. Fishing here is carried out within Vuoksa River and river lake systems, including Lake Saimaa. Fishing tournaments and championships are very often held here, and everyone can take part in them just like the Finns. Fish bite here throughout virtually the entire year, winter period Ice fishing possible.

One “but”: When you come to Finland for fishing, you must follow all fishing rules.

One-day fishing on Vuoksi will cost 7€ , seven days - 12€ .

An annual subscription will cost 35€ .

License for fishing from a motor boat - 12€ .

Those wishing to fish with a fishing rod in the summer and with a jig in the winter do not require a license. In the vicinity of Imatra there are special fishing parks where you can purchase a license, rent equipment, cottages and tents for overnight stays during your trip. Some companies also provide guided fishing services.

Safari- another of the opportunities for active leisure in Imatra. In winter, snowmobiling, motor sleigh rides, reindeer sledding and dog sledding are available to all resort guests, and in summer ATVs are used as transport. The routes pass through picturesque places of Imatra - for example, the shores of Lake Saimaa along the Russian-Finnish border.

Cross-country skiing, skating and snowboarding- a winter option for an active pastime. The Imatra region offers its visitors excellent ice skating resorts and cross-country ski trails. Open ice rinks and Ice Palaces are scattered throughout Imatra, and sports parks for skis and snowboards are located outside the city.

Where to eat in Imatra

Tourists who want to save money on food during a trip to Imatra should consider eating in places where Finns themselves dine, since tourist establishments, especially in the city center, are characterized by inflated prices. In Finland, there are also chains of buffet-style eateries - here you can have a very satisfying meal for an optimal price.

Visa to Finland

Finland is on the list of countries participating in the Schengen Agreement, which means that when going to the country, you can also look at neighboring countries along the way.

You can apply for a visa to visit Finland at Consulates on the territory of the Russian Federation and in specially created visa centers.

Among the special requirements for applying for a visa is the mandatory completion of the application form electronically. The visa must be accompanied by travel insurance, issued by one of the agencies accredited by the Embassy of Finland and valid for the entire duration of the intended trip.

The visa processing time is 6-9 working days. However, there are also delays if the consulate is very busy.

Consular fee

Price There is only one procedure for obtaining a visa to Finland: €35 . A receipt for payment of the fee is issued when submitting documents; you can pay at the cash desk at the visa center or at Nordea Bank.

At visa centers you are required to pay additionally €25 for service.

The following are exempt from paying the consular fee:

Children included in the parents' passport;

Schoolchildren, students of higher educational institutions, graduate students and accompanying *teachers (whose purpose of travel is mandatory education);

Close relatives of citizens of European Union states;

Close relatives of Russian citizens legally residing in Finland.

Document requirements for obtaining a visa to Finland:

International passport (valid for at least 3 months from the end of the trip);

Insurance certificate with coverage in the amount of €30,000;

1 color photo (without a corner, on a light gray background, size 36x47 mm, the image of the head should be 25 mm x 35 mm);

Completed online application form in 2 copies;

Confirmation of hotel reservation for the entire duration of the trip;

Round-trip air tickets (or online receipt);

Old passport (if it contains Schengen visas for the last 3 years).

Imatra from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Imatra.

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Imatra is a small Finnish town located near the Russian border. There are very few attractions here, but there are beautiful river Vuoksa, which does not freeze in winter, and the largest Finnish lake, Saimaa. In the distant past, the rapids of the Imatra river waterfall attracted great amount travelers, but industrialization forced the local population to shackle the raging elements in the shackles of the dam, and, since 1929, the river demonstrates its power only at strictly certain times. In summer this can be seen almost every day.

Residents of St. Petersburg adapted their Finnish neighbor for summer holiday back in the 19th century. Even the Russian Emperor Nicholas I could not resist its charm. By his decree, a natural Park Kruununpuisto is the oldest in Finland.

How to get to Imatra

By plane

Located 38 km from Imatra, Lappeenranta Airport serves only charter flights European low-cost airlines. The most convenient way for tourists from Russia is to fly from Moscow to Helsinki regular flight Aeroflot or Finnair.

Convenient and cheap option direct access to Imatra from Helsinki Airport - train (8 times a day, travel time 2 hours 40 minutes, ticket 32-37 EUR). You can check the schedule at the office. Finnish Railways website. A taxi ride from the airport to Imatra takes about 3 hours and costs 200-250 EUR. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Search for flights to Lappeenranta (the nearest airport to Imatra)

By train

On branded train“Lev Tolstoy” from Moscow (10 hours, from 4075 RUB) or “Allegro” from St. Petersburg (1.5 hours, from 2006 RUB) can take you to the Finnish border town of Vainikkala. Next - by bus to Lappeenranta (1-2 times per hour, 30 minutes, 3-5 EUR), then by bus Lappeenranta - Imatra (once every 2 hours, 50 minutes, 6-8 EUR) or passing trains (9 times per day, 25 minutes, 8-12 EUR).

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By bus from St. Petersburg

Daily from St. Petersburg - from pl. Vosstaniya (Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro station) and Severny bus station (Devyatkino metro station), dozens of regular and tourist buses. The path to the Finnish city located 200 km away, taking into account the time for border crossing in Svetogorsk it takes about 4 hours. A one-way ticket costs 800-1500 RUB depending on the class of the bus.

Very popular among residents of St. Petersburg day tours- 4-5 hours spent in Imatra is enough for shopping, admiring nature and visiting the water park. Cost - from 800 RUB.

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By car

After leaving the Ring Road of St. Petersburg, follow the federal highway A-181 "Scandinavia". After 117 km, turn right onto road 41K-182 (signpost to Kamennogorsk), and after another 11 km turn left onto road 41K-183 (signpost to Svetogorsk).

The most romantic way to travel is by water, on the small ship “Karelia” from Vyborg to Lappeenranta (from May to September once a day, 5 hours 30 minutes, 67 EUR) and then to Imatra by local bus or passing train.

By bike from Svetogorsk

The original way to get to Imatra is by bicycle. First you need to get by car or bus to Svetogorsk. You need to bring your bike with you or rent it at the Three Bears store (Garkavogo St., 8) at a price of 450-500 RUB/day. You can leave the car at paid parking(200 RUB/day). One of the advantages is crossing the border without queuing, which sometimes lasts up to 2 hours for motorists.

History and culture

Like many other Finnish cities, Imatra does not have a long and eventful past. Settlements appeared in this area back in the Stone Age, but until the 70s. In the 20th century, none of them were large enough to be considered a city. The first mention of the village of Imatra dates back to the mid-16th century, and it is associated with fishing. This is quite understandable, since the main occupation of that time was the production of salmon and other types of fish.

The Great Empress Catherine II herself came here to admire the river rapids, and starting from the 19th century, all wealthy people of St. Petersburg considered it their duty to visit one of the main natural attractions of the then Finland.

Transport

The only kind public transport in Imatra - buses. Single tickets(3 EUR) can be purchased from the driver or at cash machines. When passing through the city bus station (Koskikattu st., 1) intercity buses company OnniBus (office site in English) you can go to Helsinki (3 hours 40 minutes, 12.70-16.70 EUR), Tampere (4 hours 35 minutes, 12.70 EUR), Lahti (2 hours 35 minutes, 13 EUR), Joensuu (2 hours 35 minutes, 8.70 EUR).

The earlier you buy your bus ticket, the lower the price. Two months before the trip you can purchase it for literally half the price.

Taxis can be called by phone or taken at special parking lots in the center. Tariff: landing - 6.60 EUR (from 16:00 to 6:00 and on weekends - 9 EUR), mileage - from 1.52 EUR/km.

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Bicycles for rent

Thanks to extensive network bike paths in the city and its immediate surroundings, the most convenient means of transportation in Imatra is a bicycle (at least in summer). It can be rented in some hotels in the city, as well as in the Fishing Park on Vuoksi (Kotipolku St., 4). Rental price at the Imatran Kylpyla Spa hotel is 10/30/89 EUR per hour/day/week.

Bicycle theft in Imatra is an almost incredible event. Therefore, locals calmly leave them near supermarkets, restaurants, hotels and on beaches, without even putting up a lock.

Maps of Imatra

Imatra Hotels

Despite the modest size of Imatra, finding holiday accommodation in it is not difficult. For those accustomed to comfort - the historic Cumulus Resort Imatran Valtionhotelli hotel in the very center, standing on the shore of the lake Holiday Club Saimaa and other “four-star” hotels, with good restaurants, indoor swimming pools, modern spa centers and the cost of a double room in the summer season from 50 EUR.

A reasonable compromise between price and quality of service is 2-3* hotels or even without stars at all, for example, Three Elephants Guesthouse and Hotelli Anna Kern. Water procedures they are limited to a sauna, and to the nearest restaurant you may have to walk 100-200 m. However, taking into account the humane cost of the room - from 64 EUR, this does not seem to be a big drawback.

For the most unpretentious - budget hostels for 30-40 EUR with laconic Scandinavian design, shared bathrooms and toilets; The cheapest ones do not have a sauna. Their main advantage is their convenient location among untouched nature, equally attractive at any time of the year.

Hotel staff, as a rule, speak Russian, and, regardless of price and category, each has free parking and Wi-Fi.

The widest range of prices is 90-160 EUR for apartments and cottages. This could be a luxurious villa for 8 people on the shore of a lake, or a modest house for two in a deep forest. Each one has a kitchen with a set of dishes, a sauna and a barbecue area.

Spa in Imatra

IN best hotels Imatra has spa centers where you can take care of your own health and beauty. Relaxing massages and facial and body treatments combined with high-quality cosmetics, aromatic oils, herbal baths and seaweed wraps will help restore lost freshness to the skin, get rid of cellulite and excess weight.

Spa Cumulus Resort Imatran Valtionhotelli

Hotel guests can access the spa center of the Cumulus Resort Imatran Valtionhotelli with a small pool, a waterfall, two massage Jacuzzi baths, saunas and a Turkish bath through an underground passage directly from their rooms.

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Harmony Spa at Holiday Club Saimaa

Specialists at the Harmony Spa in Hotel Holiday Club Saimaa widely use Phytomer cosmetic products based on sea minerals.

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Beauty Spa Wellamo at the Imatran Kylpyla Spa Hotel

In the beauty salon Beauty Spa Wellamo at the Imatran Kylpyla Spa 4* hotel, you should treat yourself to a relaxing Thai procedure that combines massage, aromatherapy and the use of exotic herbs.

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Cost of spa services

For hotel guests, access to the spa complexes located in them is free. Entrance fee for others is 15 EUR. For this money you can splash around in the pool and soak in the jacuzzi all day. Spa treatments and massages are paid separately.

Facial - from 39 EUR, chocolate facial therapy - 79 EUR, peat treatment for the whole body - 75 EUR, herbal bath in the jacuzzi - 28 EUR, aroma massage - 63 EUR, massage with oil and hot stones - 55-79 EUR.

Beaches

4-5 warm ones are enough summer days so that the water in the lakes of Imatra warms up to temperatures quite comfortable for pampered guests from the south. The free city beaches of Lempukka and Ukonlinna are located on Lake Saimaa, the largest in Finland, the beaches of Immala and Immala Lietten are on Lake Immalanjärvi, and the tiny Varpasaari beach is on the Vuoksa River in the city center. All of them are small - 50-200 m long, sandy, with clean water and a gentle entry into the water, changing cabins, toilets, benches for rest and wooden piers with ladders for descending into the water. There is no rental of sun loungers and umbrellas. The main drawback is the abundance of midges, so it’s worth stocking up on repellents.

It is prohibited to have picnics or set up tents on the beaches, or to bring or drink alcoholic beverages. Garbage should be collected in special containers. When swimming in an unfamiliar place, be careful - there are many pitfalls in the lakes.

Almost every coastal hotel and cottage has a small equipped beach. Attractive swimming spots can also be found in private areas, of which there are many on the shores of lakes in the vicinity of Imatra. Just don’t be located in close proximity to residential buildings, introducing discomfort into the personal lives of their owners.

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Shopping and shops

Shopping in Imatra is a favorite Sunday leisure activity for residents of St. Petersburg and border areas. The range of goods on the local shelves fully corresponds to the peculiarities of the northern mentality - Finnish things are functional, comfortable and practical. For those who are in a hurry - big shopping mall Koskentori (Einonkatu str., 10), where stores of Finnish and European brands, women's, men's and children's clothing, shoes, accessories, and optics are collected under one roof.

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The most popular places for grocery shopping - chain supermarkets Prisma, K-Citymarket, Lidl, Euromarket. Most often, Russian speech can be heard here in the fish department and near the cheese displays. The Imatran Kalatalo store (Tainionkoskentie str., 8) specializes in meat and fish delicacies. For fishing tackle, sports equipment and sauna products, it is better to go to the Tokmanni store (Tientajankatu street, 3). You should look for household goods, ceramics and souvenirs in the chain store of the famous Finnish factory Pentik (Helsingintie St., 9).

The best time for shopping is 2-3 weeks after Christmas and from the 20th of June after the Yuhannus holiday, when sales begin throughout the country. Prices during this period are reduced by 40-70%. In addition to the seasonal ones, some stores hold additional sales in April and October, known as “Crazy Days.”

Cuisine and restaurants of Imatra

Finnish cuisine is hearty and varied. You can verify this in any of the restaurants and cafes of Imatra, of which there are especially many on the central pedestrian street Koskenparras. Almost everywhere there is a menu in Russian. Start with a salad with toasted goat cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers and pine nuts. For starters - traditional creamy salmon soup or creamy forest mushroom soup. For the main course - salmon fried in butter with mushroom sauce, deer fillet in red wine, pork chops with porcini mushrooms, beef steak with pickled garlic or crispy-fried duck breast with beets and rowan jelly.

Despite the predominance of Finnish cuisine, in gastronomic terms Imatra is a real cosmopolitan. Here you can find Italian and Chinese restaurants, a French pastry shop, and the menu of many establishments includes dishes of Russian, European and Middle Eastern cuisines.

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You can eat inexpensively in pizzerias, where, in addition to the pizza itself, they offer oriental kebabs - thinly sliced meat with potatoes, vegetables or rice. In addition to the side dish, you can take unlimited quantities of salads and marinades. For those who have absolutely no time for lunch - fast food establishments McDonald's and its Finnish analogue Hesburger.

Dinner in a restaurant with wine - from 40 EUR, lunch in a cafe - from 20 EUR, large pizza - 15-17 EUR, kebab - 8-10 EUR, snack at Hesburger - from 8 EUR.

Entertainment and attractions

The best place for walking and the main attraction of Imatra is the Kruununpuisto park, translated from Finnish as “Crown”. The crowned heads of the Russian Empire, starting with Catherine II, indeed, came here more than once to admire this corner of Karelian nature with water cascades, epic rocks and moss-covered boulders. With their help, the fashion for Imatra quickly spread to the entire St. Petersburg elite. For those wishing to stay longer in this wonderful place, the Cumulus Resort Imatran Valtionhotelli hotel was built in the park in 1903 in the then fashionable Art Nouveau style. Its building, somewhat similar to a castle with turrets and gables, is still the most beautiful in the resort.

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Imatrankoski Waterfall

Kruununpuisto Park is located on an island washed by the branches of the Vuoksa River. Once upon a time, the western branch, sandwiched by a granite gorge, roared down a stormy waterfall. In the 1920s A hydroelectric power station was built on the river, and the waterfall lost its water. Now it “works” according to a schedule when the shutters at the power plant dam are opened. During the season, this usually happens once a day. The night descents are especially spectacular, accompanied by a light show to the music of Sibelius’ symphonic poem “Karelia”. But even without water, the dry bed of the waterfall with huge boulders looks impressive.

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Water park "Magic Forest"

The Finns solved the problem of the lack of sea in Imatra in their own way - they built the Magic Forest water park, under the glass roof of which a tropical summer always reigns. There are no breathtaking water attractions, but there are oases with exotic plants and granite boulders, a whole system of swimming pools with hydromassage, children's slides, a waterfall, a Turkish hammam and, of course, several Finnish saunas. The feeling of being in a magical forest is created by the singing of birds, the sound of rain and thunderclaps. IN outdoor pool You can swim even in winter - the water temperature is about +28 ° C, and the entrance is through a thermal curtain. A nice bonus is the presence of a spa center with wellness treatments in the water park.

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Church of Three Crosses

The Church of the Three Crosses, surrounded by pine trees, 10 km from the center of Imatra, is one of the best examples of functionalism in Northern Europe. It was built in the late 1950s. designed by Alvar Aalto, the greatest master of Scandinavian architecture and one of the founders of modern design. The name of the church is a reference to the three crosses that stood on Calvary, on one of which Christ was crucified.

The architecture and interiors of the temple are very unusual. The thin bell tower, 34 m high, resembles an arrow stuck into the ground. Of the 103 windows, only two have the same shape and size. On the stained glass window, Aalto depicted a scarlet crown of thorns. The entire interior design was made according to his sketches - from three altar crosses and furniture to lamps and door handles. The interior space of the church can be transformed using sliding walls. During the summer months it hosts music concerts.

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Museum "Karelian House"

Contrary to the name, the open-air ethnographic museum contains not one house, but a dozen. All of them were brought here, to the banks of the Vuoksa River, from different parts of South Karelia. The oldest of them is more than 150 years old. Inside are household items, antique furniture, fox skins, deer antlers and fresh apples on the dining table. Outside there are outbuildings, a sauna and a pen with chickens and geese. Folklore ensembles are frequent guests of the museum and complete the image of a cozy Finnish village.

Lake Saimaa

Lake Saimaa is a whole system of small interconnected reservoirs, separated by numerous islands, of which there are about 14 thousand. Like many other lakes Northern Europe, it is of glacial origin and ranks 4th in size in the list of all European bodies of water. Different types of fish, clean water and picturesque views attract tourists here. It is from Saimaa that the Vuoksa River originates. This is a good place to come for avid fishermen or those who want to relax peacefully in a cottage on the shore of a reservoir.

Rarely does a landmark evoke such controversial feelings as the Mystical Forest sculpture park, 50 km from Imatra. Many call him the most creepy place on the planet, others - a bright and original object of land art. Its author, self-taught artist Veijo Rönkkönenstoy, created about 500 concrete sculptures in the most incredible poses around his house in the Finnish wilderness over half a century. Some of them have false jaws and glowing eyes. In a dense forest, covered with moss and lichen, they look truly scary. In the workshop next to the house you can watch a 10-minute film about the artist.

Veijo Rönkkönen Sculpture Park

Fishing in Imatra

Perhaps the most important entertainment in Imatra is fishing. According to Finnish rules, a license is not required when fishing in public waters with a rod in summer and jig in winter. If you want to “diversify” the process, a one-day fishing trip on Vuoksi will cost 15 EUR, a 7-day fishing trip will cost 24 EUR. Annual subscription - 70 EUR. When fishing from a motor boat - 26.55 EUR. Observers, that is, those who do not directly work with the gear, do not have to pay tax.

Vuoksa Fishing Park

Possible locations include Vuoksa Fishing Park, open from May 1 to September 30, from 9:00 to 22:00, or Kalastuspuisto Park, open from April 14 to September 30, from 10:00 to 18:00. , in summer - until 22:00. Here you can buy a license and equipment, rent a cottage, a boat, or just sit in a local cafe. Camping, equipment for smoking fish, playgrounds for children and much more are also available to vacationers. Some companies in Imatra provide the opportunity to participate in guided fishing.

Winter in Imatra is long, snowy and moderately cold. Snow finally covers the ground in November, and the arrival of spring is felt only in April. Summer is cool, but there are also really hot days. You can swim in the lakes from mid-June. Temperatures are highest in July, while precipitation peaks in August. September - good time for a trip, but at the end of the month it begins to rain and gray clouds tightly cover the sun. However, for shopping tourists the weather in Imatra is good at any time of the year.

Imatra is one of the young cities of Finland, which is located close to the Russian border in the region of South Karelia. In this place in the north of the Karelian Isthmus, the border of the two countries is separated by the Vuoksa River. In close proximity to Imatra, on the other side of the border, is the Russian city of Svetogorsk, and an hour's drive away is Vyborg. To get to this Finnish city from St. Petersburg, you need to travel a little over 200 km.

Despite the fact that Imatra gained urban status only in 1971, this place has attracted travelers since the last century. And the reason for the pilgrimage here was the Imatrankoski waterfall, which is formed when water is released from a hydroelectric power station; this is the first attraction that is shown to tourists here.

Many tourists come to Imatra purposefully - to see an unusual spectacle - powerful streams of Imatrankoski water falling from a twenty-meter height to the sounds of Sibelius’s music, harsh as the surrounding nature.

Once upon a time there was a natural waterfall here; Russian monarchs and their entourage came to admire it. At the beginning of the 20th century, after the construction of a hydroelectric power station, the dam blocked the natural flow of water. Now the water discharge is happening “on schedule”. Previously, this was between the end of June and August. Now you can admire this unusually beautiful spectacle in the summer only on Saturdays, from 18:00. But for this it is worth coming to Imatra to see the amazing power of water with light effects, to the amazing sounds of music by a Finnish composer. Light shows are traditionally held here.

The waterfall is located in a picturesque park Kruununpuisto, it is here, next to the bridge, that you can see a monument associated with the sad events that took place at this place. This is due to frequent cases of suicide, when young people lost their lives by throwing themselves from a bridge.

In memory of this, a sculpture was installed, called the Virgin of Imatra. According to the sculptor’s plan, the girl’s bronze body seems to lie above the water. And nearby on the stones are the names of people who died in this way.

This is an amazing, but wonderful reserve with wildlife, rocks and pine trees located in the very center of Imatra. The park was laid out during the times of the Russian Empire and has been preserved in its original form to this day. No wonder its name translated from Finnish sounds like Crown Park.

Tourists are sure to come here to admire the unimaginably beautiful landscapes with canyons along the banks of the Vuoksa River. Here, in the park, rising on the steep bank of the river, the famous castle-hotel Valtionhotelli flaunts.

Location: Torkkelinkatu - 4.

The turrets of Valtionhotelli Castle, built in 1903 near the Imatrankoski waterfall, are visible from afar. This hotel, designed by the architect U. Nyström, is a real decoration of Imatra.

This upscale castle hotel, created in the German Art Nouveau style, hosted royalty and members of the elite back in the early 20th century. The beauty of this architectural masterpiece is impressive. It survived wars and served as a hospital and headquarters. The building was restored to its original appearance in the mid-1980s.

Location: Torkkelinkatu - 2.

The Church of the Three Crosses is a must for tourists to visit in Imatra. It is the creation of the famous architect Alvar Aalto; the temple was built in the late 1950s. An unusual altar in the shape of three crosses of Calvary, a large organ, an abundance of windows of different sizes, more than a hundred of them, original lighting inside, decoration from precious woods in combination with Italian marble make this church unique.

Location: Ruokolahdentie - 27.

It is also worth a look at the City Museum in a modern building cultural center. It is dedicated to the life of the city at different times.

Exhibitions here are updated and work constantly. They introduce tourists to both antiques and retro photographs dating back to the 19th century. There is no charge to visit the museum. Nearby, in the same building is located Art Museum cities.

Location: Virastokatu - 1.

You can enter this Orthodox church with wooden decorations and a green bell tower on your way from the Church of the Three Crosses. It attracts attention from a distance with its unusual architecture.

The temple is surrounded by picturesque terrain typical of the left bank of the Vuoksa River. It was built in the mid-50s of the last century as a chapel. 30 years later it became the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Services are held here in the national language.

Location: Vuoksenniskantie - 5.

Imatra is a border city. Therefore, the Border Guard Museum is very appropriate. It is curious that such a museum was created by public activists from among the border guards. It is located a few kilometers north of Imatra in the Immola area. Getting there is easy.

The museum is open only in the summer; it is located on territory belonging to the border guard of South Karelia. It occupies a considerable area of a couple of hectares. The museum exhibits introduce the history of the Finnish border service and talk about historical events. A separate exhibition is dedicated to a border dog named Cesar, who served here in the last century. You can visit the museum for free.

Location: Niskapietiläntie - 32e.

This wonderful museum, opened about three decades ago, can be found almost in the center of Imatra on the banks of the Vuoksa. It is interesting because it presents authentic houses and life of South Karelian peasants of the 19th century.

This wonderful museum, as they say, is in the fresh air. “Karelian House” is open for viewing from May until the end of the summer season. The museum is surrounded by beautiful surroundings and is of interest to all lovers of patriarchal antiquity.

If a tourist route brought to Imatra, it would be a big mistake not to visit the world’s only unique museum of mystical sculptures in the town of Parikkala. To do this you need to drive a little over 40 km from the city.

Everyone who has been here will remember this forever amazing place. After all, the park was created by the hands of the self-taught sculptor Veje Renkkenen and has half a thousand unusual sculptures. Bizarre figures of people and animals in the most unusual poses, as if merged with the surrounding nature.

Sometimes, looking at the sculptural compositions, it becomes creepy - the sculptor used real dental jaws for the human figures, which dentists supplied him with. Athletes, children, ballerinas, fairy-tale and epic characters, animals - the sculptor worked on their creation for 50 years. You can visit the park in Parikkala for free.

Location: Kuutostie - 611.

Imatra is one of the most convenient Finnish cities for St. Petersburg tourists: it is located near the border, large shops are concentrated here, there are interesting museums, and rocky and coniferous landscapes are the best nature for photographs as a keepsake. And, importantly, the queues at the border in the Svetogorsk-Imatra area are not as long as at other checkpoints.

Imatra in one day. Photo: paramotor.fi

People go to Imatra to get or revoke a visa, to do some shopping and just to get some fresh air. How to do it all in one day - read our instructions for conquering Imatra as a Russian tourist.

Plan for a 1-day trip to Imatra:

Duty-free;
sightseeing and photography;
snack;
shopping.

Duty-free store

The first point of the tourist program immediately after crossing the Russian border is a visit to the Duty-free store. On the border with Imatra, this is a relatively small store where you can buy alcohol, chocolate and other sweets, cosmetics and perfumes duty-free, and therefore cheaper than in Imatra stores.

It is worth noting that if you are traveling to Imatra, as well as to another city in Finland, on a large bus, then this item can be safely omitted - the parking lots at these stores do not provide space for large vehicles.

Attractions: rock canyon, ancient nature reserve, strange monuments and much more

So, you have arrived in the city. The best way to start your walk around Imatra is with sightseeing. Simply because after lunch and shopping there will be no energy left for an excursion. And leaving the city without seeing the Virgin of Imatra is one of the most beautiful hotels in all of Scandinavia and a fairy forest, it is simply impossible.

Imatrankoski Canyon waterfall and the oldest nature reserve in Finland – Kruununpuisto

Until 1929, an ancient waterfall, formed more than 5 thousand years ago, raged on the site of the Imatrankoski Canyon. Russian and Finnish aristocrats and even Catherine the Second herself came to admire it. Now, alas, the “Finnish Niagara” as such no longer exists: it is partially replaced only by the release of water from the hydroelectric dam, which opens on Saturdays in the summer. But even without the waterfall there is something to see here. These are harsh sheer cliffs and the bottom of the canyon bristling with sharp stones, as well as luxurious spruce trees, moss-covered boulders, winding paths of the oldest nature reserve in Finland, Kruununpuisto, located right on the banks of the canyon. And also a scattering of funny monuments around: a huge blue hydroelectric power station turbine, a funny power line monument and a sad sculpture of a suicide girl called the Virgin of Imatra.

In the summer, you can watch extreme sports enthusiasts flying over the waterfall and even take part in it yourself.

When does the waterfall start? In summer on Saturdays at 18-00.

Imatran Valtionhotelli Hotel

Hotel in small town Rarely does it become a tourist attraction, but the Imatran Valtionhotelli is exactly that. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the architect Usko Nyström planned this hotel in 1902-1903 as a miniature replica of a medieval castle. There is even a huge kitchen, typical of medieval castles, which occupies almost a fifth of the hotel’s area. Secondly, many crowned heads rested at Imatran Valtionhotelli, including the family of the last Russian emperor and the current king of Sweden. Thirdly, it has its own ghost - a mysterious lady in gray. It is unlikely that you will see it yourself, but the hotel staff can tell you a lot of interesting things about it. And finally, the hotel has a smoking lounge, reminiscent of both Sherlock Holmes and Dickens characters - with a fireplace, leather armchairs, guns and trophy skins on the walls.

By the way, not only hotel guests, but also everyone can look into the salon.

Another advantage of the Imatran Valtionhotelli is that it is where most travel companies that organize trips to Imatra begin and end their route. Indeed, it’s probably impossible to imagine a more impressive start to a walk around Imatra.

Address: Imatra 55100, Finland, on the banks of the Imatrankoski canyon

Imatra Veterans Home Museum

This wonderful little museum, located almost opposite the Imatran Valtionhotelli, is dedicated to the Russo-Finnish (Winter) War. Here you can see postcards, dishes, soldiers' uniforms, weapons and fragments of exploding grenades of that time. Museum curator Eila Ikävalko was a member of the women's organization Lotta Svärd in her youth, and her husband Reino Ikävalko is a war veteran.

Address: Torkkelinkatu 3, Imatra 55100

Opening hours: Every day, 12.00-18.00

Price: Adults – 5 €, students and pensioners – 2 €

Church of Three Crosses

Unfortunately, you can visit this amazing place only if you come to Imatra by car - the church is located about 10 minutes drive from the city, surrounded by majestic pine trees. This unusual building was built according to the design of the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. Inside there is a lot of light, snow-white walls and an altar, as well as a huge organ that resembles the control panel of an alien ship.

Address: Ruokolahdentie 27, Imatra 55800

Photo for memory: a medieval castle, a protected forest and the soldier Urfene Dzhus

A trip to Imatra can bring back some of the best photos in all of Finland. Moreover, this will not take much time - the most photogenic places of Imatra are literally on the same spot.

Imatran Valtionhotelli

You can arrange a whole photo session here. To begin with, it’s worth filming against the backdrop of the building itself with its narrow “medieval” windows and pointed turrets. Then take a photo on the steps leading to the hotel: in the spring there are huge vases with daffodils, and in the winter there are romantic wooden benches covered with deer skins.

Canyon

If you stand on the bridge across the canyon facing the dam, you will get a wonderful northern photo against the backdrop of harsh granite rocks, shaggy green spruce trees, the canyon bed and the cool Finnish sky.

Kruununpuisto

Although this reserve is located just a stone's throw from the center of Imatra, inside you get the feeling that you are in the Far Far Away Kingdom or the fabulous forest of the Black Forest. Here you can take wonderful photographs in the thicket of the forest, sitting astride a moss-covered boulder or a huge fallen tree. And if you are very lucky, in the depths of the reserve you will be able to meet and photograph a badger, hedgehog or squirrel.

Imatra Veteran's Home Museum

A wooden sculpture of a Finnish soldier standing on the porch of the museum and slightly reminiscent of the soldier Oorfene Dzhus - perfect place for fun and atmospheric photos.

Shopping: clothes, shoes, souvenirs, groceries

Shopping in Imatra is a pleasure. Almost all the shops are located on the main “shopping” street, Koskenparras, which runs right through the city center. In an hour and a half, you can easily buy several bags of clothes, shoes, souvenirs and groceries.

What to buy in Imatra?

Here you can buy high-quality Finnish clothing and cosmetics, souvenirs, and household chemicals. Among the products, tourists like to take home Finnish liqueurs, coffee, chocolate, cheese, cookies, as well as vitamins. It makes no sense to buy Finnish bread, since it is twice as expensive as the domestic one, tea, since in Finland the drink is usually sold in packages, and you need to think carefully before buying fish: it is popular among Russian shopaholics, but can be more expensive fish in domestic stores, so before purchasing you need to recalculate the euro exchange rate.

Do not forget that there are restrictions on the import of goods into Russia. So, you can import no more than 5 kg of animal origin and only in original packaging, no more than 3 liters of alcohol (you will have to pay a duty for each additional liter). Read more about the rules for exporting goods from Finland in our article. When shopping in Imatra stores, think about whether customs will let them through.

Where can I buy?

Shopping street Koskenparras

This cozy pedestrian street in Imatra is definitely worth a stroll, even if you don’t plan to buy anything. Here you can admire small, funny sculptures and inhale the aroma of coffee and fresh pastries wafting from the open doors of small cafes. And here you should definitely (at least for the sake of curiosity!) look into the shops with Finnish clothing brands, local souvenirs, hand-made products and jewelry. In the latter, by the way, among other things, you can inexpensively buy second-hand gold and silver jewelry.

Shopping center Koskenhelmi

The main advantage of this shopping center is its location right on the pedestrian street Koskenparras. Here you can also visit the huge Intersport store, a boutique selling men's and women's clothing Sipari Fashion Company, as well as many other clothing, shoe and jewelry stores.

Address: Koskenparras 5, 55100 Imatra

Shopping center Koskentori

This two-story shopping center is literally a stone's throw from the Koskenparras pedestrian street (between Einonkatu and Helsingintie streets). Finnish clothing brands Seppala, Lindex, Vero moda, Dressmann and KappAhl have stores here. In addition, in Koskentori there is a K-Market supermarket, a pharmacy, a small cafe, a Finnish design store Pentik, a cosmetics boutique Emotion and a clothing store for children and teenagers Frendi Shop.

Address: Napinkaari 3, Imatra

Opening hours: Mon-Fri:10.00-18.00, Sat: 10.00-14.00

K-Supermarket

Although the K-Supermarket is located right on the already familiar Koskenparras pedestrian street, it is still better to leave it for last. The reason for this is simple - K-Supermarket sells quite heavy and bulky goods - food, drinks, household chemicals, sports equipment.

Address: Koskenparras 5, Imatra

Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 07.00-21.00, Sat: 7.00-18.00, Sun: 12.00-18.00

Prisma

Address: Terminaalikatu 21, Pihkalanjärventie 3, Lappeenranta.

Material on the topic

Refunds on invoices are carried out according to a different principle. The minimum purchase amount is set by each specific store. You can return the money in the same store, but on your next visit to Finland. Each store has its own return period - it’s better to check this in advance on the store’s website. Read more about preparing an invoice in our article.

An invoice in Imatra can be issued at Prisma, Emotion stores, and the Auto-eekoo car dealership.

Food: kebab, pizzeria or gourmet restaurant?

It is difficult to stay hungry in Imatra. On almost every corner there are small pizzerias, ice cream stands and Turkish eateries where you can grab a kebab or fried chicken. In the summer, street tents open in the center of Imatra, where it is nice to take a break and drink cold beer and cider. But where is the best place to go first to take away the warmest and most delicious culinary memories from Imatra? It depends on how much time and money you have.

15-20 euros for two: Euro-Kebab

In this small eatery located in the center of Imatra you can eat pizza, kebab or chicken with potatoes. They also offer a free salad bar with any meal you order. But perhaps the main advantage of Euro-Kebab is that, unlike many other establishments in Finland, it is open until one in the morning.

Address: Tainionkoskentie 6, Imatra 55100

35-40 euros for two: Rosso Imatra

The main advantage of this establishment (of course, in addition to affordable prices) is that it is located on the main “shopping” street of Imatra. This means you can easily drop by here during or after shopping. Rosso Imatra also has a downside - you won’t find dishes of national Finnish cuisine on the restaurant’s menu. But here a good choice pizza, pasta, risotto, and there is also cold Finnish beer, as well as red and white house wine.

Address: Koskenparras 1, Imatra 55100

60-70 euros: Imatran Valtionhotelli

A full dinner at this reputable restaurant will take at least a couple of hours. But, even if you only have about forty minutes to spare, it’s worth stopping by for at least a glass of wine. Here you will find gourmet dishes made from local ingredients, crisp white tablecloths, elegant Art Deco furnishings and luxurious views. By the way, if you came to Imatra with organized tour, there is no need to worry about being late for the bus - tourists are usually picked up just a few steps from the hotel.

Address: Torkkelinkatu 2, Imatra 55100

Features of border crossing

Crossing the border in Svetogorsk-Imatra is convenient because it’s not like that here large cluster cars, like in neighboring Brusnichny. So, in new year holidays in Brusnichny, motorists waited in line for 3 hours, and in Svetogorsk - 1.5 hours. Bus tours usually planned with an early departure from St. Petersburg at about 7.00, in order to be at the border by 10.00-12.00. If you are traveling by car, be guided by the statistics: the largest car queues at the border accumulate on the eve of weekends and holidays, the peak of queues towards Finland is observed at 12-14.00, towards Russia - starting at 16.00.

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