Discover Kerimäki: Puruvesi, Hytermä and culture

Kerimäki combines the expansive waterscape of Lake Puruvesi with a distinctive cultural history and a variety of ways to spend active days. At Kirkkoranta, the beach meets the guest harbour; on Hytermä, nature and historical traces come together. There is also golf, seasonal winter cross-country skiing and local food culture. The accommodation that suits your trip therefore depends above all on whether you want to focus on Kerimäki’s culture, the water or excursions into the surrounding landscape.

Kerimäki at a glance

• Lake Puruvesi surrounds Kerimäki and is considered exceptionally clean and clear within the Saimaa lake region.
• Kirkkoranta is a sandy beach and guest harbour in the centre of Kerimäki; the shore slopes gently into the water.
• Hytermä’s three islands have been protected as a nature reserve since 1932.
• Kerimäki Church is the world’s largest wooden church, but will remain closed in 2026 for renovations.
• A nature trail on Hytermä’s main island follows an easy route around the island.
• Kerimäki is about 30 minutes from Savonlinna by bus; the distance is around 23 kilometres.

Waterscapes and protected islands

Lake Puruvesi is more than just a backdrop to Kerimäki: the lake surrounds the town and is known for its exceptional clarity and cleanliness. If you want to include time by the water in your trip, Kirkkoranta is a convenient place to start. The sandy beach is in the centre of Kerimäki and is also a guest harbour. Its gently sloping shore makes it suitable for families with children, while the combination of beach and harbour gives the place a maritime feel.

For boaters, Kirkkoranta has a service quay with three to five berths. There is also a drinking water point, a sewage disposal facility, electrical connections and a slipway. This gives boating visitors a clear idea of the basic services available at the quay. The beach offers a different way to enjoy the lake: you can plan a day swimming by the shore rather than limiting your visit to a stop by boat.

Hytermä is also closely connected to the waterscape, but offers a different focus. The group of three islands has been protected as a nature reserve since 1932 and was the first nature reserve in what was then Mikkeli Province. Fine sandy beaches invite you to take a dip in the lake on hot days. This makes it possible to combine time by the water with protected nature and cultural history.

Kerimäki’s wooden church and local culture

Kerimäki Church is a distinctive cultural landmark: it is considered the world’s largest wooden church. Its dimensions give a sense of the scale of the building. It is 45 metres long, 42 metres wide and 27 metres high; it measures 37 metres to the top of the cross. The pews have a combined length of about 1,670 metres. The church has more than 3,000 seats and about 5,000 places when standing room is included.

For travel planning, the temporary closure is important: the church will remain closed for the whole of 2026 due to renovation work. Its size and significance are still part of Kerimäki’s cultural character, but it will not be possible to visit the interior in 2026. If you plan your trip for a later period, this specific closure notice does not apply beyond 2026.

Culture and landscape also meet on Hytermä. The island group is home to a distinctive collection of rock art and old buildings. The nature trail on the main island follows in the footsteps of Romu-Heikki around the island and is described as easy to walk. The Romu-Heikki Trail also runs through the shorescapes of Lake Puruvesi. The rock art, old buildings and protected surroundings give a walk here a different character from a beach-only visit.

Active days on foot, on the water and in winter

Hytermä can be explored in different ways. The circular route on the main island helps orient visitors who want to explore on foot; the description “easy to walk” does not assume that everyone has the same level of mobility. On hot days, the fine sandy beaches offer another way to enjoy the water. A rented rowing boat can also be used to explore the island group, although rental availability is not guaranteed for every visit.

Those who prefer to be active on a golf course can visit the Kerigolf course in Kerimäki, set in beautiful woodland. Changes in elevation add variety to the game. This offers a different way to spend the day from walking on Hytermä or relaxing at the beach: the focus here is on the wooded surroundings and the course’s undulating terrain rather than the shore and islands.

The season also affects the activities on offer. In winter, the Kerimäki area has well-maintained cross-country ski trails through varied terrain. When conditions are suitable, people also skate on the ice of Lake Saimaa. This option is explicitly dependent on suitable conditions. Skiing on groomed trails and skating on the lake are therefore two winter activities with different requirements.

Seasonal local food culture adds another dimension to excursions: fresh vendace from Lake Puruvesi is sold on summer Fridays at the foot of the church in the town. Sales are limited to Fridays in summer, so this is not a year-round option. Along with the beach, harbour and islands, this tradition shows how closely water and everyday life are connected in Kerimäki.

Kerimäki as a base for your trip

Kerimäki is about 30 minutes from Savonlinna by bus; the route is around 23 kilometres. This connection and the experiences you have planned can both help determine where to stay. If you want to include the beach and harbour in your plans, Kirkkoranta is a central point in Kerimäki. For a trip focused on island nature, the nature trail or rock art, Hytermä and its distinctive landscape and cultural features can guide your day planning. Golf and winter ski trails offer other seasonal options.

So, base your search for hotels or other accommodation on which of these experiences matter to you, and choose a stay that suits your travel plans. Discover more destinations: Lötjölä, Kumpuranta, Punkaharju, Savonranta, Putikko, Piojärvi, Ihamaniemi and Vuoriniemi.

Frequently asked questions about Kerimäki

Is Kerimäki Church open in 2026?

No. The church will remain closed for the whole of 2026 due to renovation work. This information applies specifically to that year.

What does Kirkkoranta on Lake Puruvesi offer?

Kirkkoranta is a sandy beach and guest harbour in the centre of Kerimäki. The quay has three to five berths, drinking water, a sewage disposal facility, electrical connections and a slipway. The shore slopes gently into the water and is suitable for families with children.

What can you do on Hytermä?

A nature trail on the main island follows an easy route around the island. Hytermä also has fine sandy beaches, rock art and old buildings; a rented rowing boat is another way to explore, although rental availability is not guaranteed for every visit.

When can you buy vendace from Lake Puruvesi?

Fresh vendace from Lake Puruvesi is sold on summer Fridays at the foot of the church in the town. This is a seasonal offering, not a year-round sale.

How do you get from Savonlinna to Kerimäki?

Kerimäki is about 30 minutes from Savonlinna by bus. The distance is around 23 kilometres.

See the broader travel overview: Savonlinna.