A Pocket Guide to Mikkeli by Mikkelin Kaupunki

A Pocket Guide to Mikkeli

A beautiful city on the shores of Lake Saimaa – all in one booklet

Welcome to the City of Possibilities

Fair, bold and constructive – these are the values of Mikkeli, a city where you are encouraged to be yourself. Located on the shores of Lake Saimaa, Mikkeli is the regional centre of South Savo, combining the best of urban life and countryside. Here, wellbeing, vitality and inclusion create an inspiring and safe environment in which to live and innovate.

Mikkeli is known for its diverse economy, local food, educational opportunities, military headquarters history, horse racing, and its famous Market Square. It is also a popular holiday home region. There are activities, experiences and hobbies available all year round.

Warm welcome!

Janne Kinnunen Mayor

Mikkeli – St. Michel

The name Mikkeli derives from the Archangel Michael. The city celebrates its name day in late September or early October depending on the year. Mikkeli’s oﬃcial birthday is 7 March, and the city was founded in 1838.

Mikkeli Market Square & Market

Hall

Mikkeli’s Market Square has hosted markets since 1744 and remains a vibrant meeting place for locals, tourists and summer residents.

The Market Hall, located beneath the glass roof of the Stella shopping centre, is the second-oldest continuously operating market hall in Finland.

mikkelintori.fi/in-english

Market Square

Underground Parking

Over 600 parking spaces beneath the Market Square. Exceptionally easy access to the city centre’s shopping centres and the Market Square. Just follow the Toriparkki signs.

Mikkeli –

The City of Possibilities and the Capital of Clean Water

Discover Your Nature

Lake Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland and the fourth-largest natural freshwater lake in Europe. Saimaa has the longest shoreline of any lake in the world and is known for its exceptionally clean water.

The Mikkeli region has over 900 lakes of various sizes.

visitsaimaa.fi/en

Anttola Harbour

Mikkeli in Numbers

Mikkeli lukuina

Asukkaita

Residents

51,000 Founded

Perustettu

1838 Area

1838

Mikkelin pintaala

3229,56 km²

3,229.56 km2

Vesistöä

Lakes and waters

681,11 km²

681.11 km2

Helsinki 230 km

Jyväskylä 115 km

Lappeenranta 110 km

Kuopio 160 km

Nature, Activities and Culture

Did you know that Mikkeli has around 10,500 holiday homes – the second-highest number in mainland Finland?

Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings Hiking at Neitvuori

Hiidenmaa Trails

Naisvuori Observation Tower and Café

History of Mikkeli

The oldest evidence of settlements in the Mikkeli region dates back to the Comb Ceramic culture of the Stone Age, around 4000–2000 BCE.

At the beginning of the 17th century, the area received its present name, Mikkeli, after the Archangel Michael, the patron saint of the local church. The first written mention of the name Mikkeli dates back to 1604, in a collection of Swedish royal correspondence. On 7 March 1838, Nicholas I proclaimed that a town called Mikkeli was to be established in the parish of Mikkeli.

Historically, Mikkeli is perhaps best known as the Headquarters City during the Finnish wars of the 20th century.

Mikkeli was the capital of the Province of Eastern Finland from 1997 to 2009. Through the municipal mergers, Mikkeli has developed into a strong regional centre in South Savo.

Located in the regions of South Savo and South Karelia, the Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark leads visitors on a journey into the origin story of its pure, lake-filled landscape. In Mikkeli, Geopark sites include, among others, Naisvuori and the Astuvansalmi rock paintings in Ristiina.

saimaageopark.fi/en

Tribal Spirit for Thousands of Years

The Astuvansalmi rock paintings are the largest of their kind in the Nordic countries. In the approximately 5,000-year-old paintings, you can make out elk, human figures and handprints. The site was sacred to ancient people, and even today its atmosphere remains impressive and thought-provoking.

Live Like Mikkeli

Dreaming of a detached house in Mikkeli, or looking for a business plot? Mikkeli offers a wide range of opportunities.

liveinmikkeli.fi

mikseimikkeli.toimitilapalvelut.fi

Mikkeli is geographically large. In addition to urban living, you can enjoy the peace of the countryside or live in smaller communities. You can experience Lake Saimaa, other waterways, and pristine nature in many places. Mikkeli will surprise you with its diversity!

The main separate rural areas outside the city centre are

Pure Food from Lake Saimaa

The Saimaa Designation of Origin means that the product or ingredient has been produced in the Saimaa region in accordance with high quality criteria.

Genuine Saimaa Product

Pure nature is the Saimaa region’s greatest asset. The D.O. Saimaa label on a product or ingredient indicates that it comes from the Saimaa region.

D.O. Saimaa is a guarantee of the excellent quality of the product or ingredient and the entire production chain. Only producers who meet strict quality criteria are awarded the Saimaa origin label.

D.O. Saimaa products and ingredients are produced responsibly, with respect for the environment, sustainable development and social responsibility.

These products reflect the distinctive character of the Saimaa region. They are excellent examples of Saimaa’s food and cultural heritage and the region’s own specialities.

dosaimaa.fi/en

Serving at Tertti Manor

Businesses Shape the World

We help shape their future.

Mikkeli Development Miksei Ltd supports businesses whether they are starting up, securing funding, growing, or expanding internationally. We work with companies looking to expand or relocate to Mikkeli and ensure a smooth transition. We also promote sustainable travel and second-home living.

mikseimikkeli.fi/en

For those seeking local food, culinary delights, beautiful nature experiences, adrenaline-fueled activities, culture, or a holiday with children, the Mikkeli region is a paradise. Welcome!

visitmikkeli.fi/en

Visulahti

Tertti Manor

Kenkävero

Saimaa Hop On Hop Off

Mikkeli is an international student city. Education is offered at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, the Mikkeli University Consortium, and South Savo Vocational College Esedu.

High-Quality Education

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk)

Nearly 4,000 students in Mikkeli, representing around 40 different countries. Xamk is a university of applied sciences specialising in wellbeing, technology, and the creative economy. It provides education, conducts research and development, and offers services for businesses and individuals.

Mikkeli University Consortium (MUC)

The Mikkeli University Consortium is a network-based centre of expertise comprising three universities and about 120 professionals. Through collaboration between the universities, MUC develops sustainable solutions for the future of South Savo by advancing scientific research, education, and regionally beneficial innovations and operating models.

Mikkeli Community College organizes a wide range of quality courses for residents of all ages. You can study as a hobby or with a specific learning goal.

Esedu – South Savo Vocational College

Esedu provides multidisciplinary vocational education in Mikkeli, offering vocational upper secondary qualifications, further qualifications and specialist qualifications across a wide range of fields—from engineering and tourism to health and social care and creative industries.

Education is available year round through continuous admission, with options for contact teaching, online study and apprenticeship training.

Esedu also offers programmes in English, particularly in social and healthcare, mechanical engineering and production technology, and restaurant and catering services, delivered mainly through apprenticeship based training in Finnish workplaces.

Basic Education

Mikkeli provides a comprehensive and diverse basic education pathway. Schools offer pupils a safe and inspiring environment that supports growth, learning, and hobbies. Teaching is designed to strengthen skills and wellbeing from the early years through lower secondary education.

Upper Secondary Education

The upper secondary schools (“lukio”) operating in Mikkeli are Mikkelin lukio, Otavan Opisto’s adult upper secondary school, and Nettilukio (online upper secondary school). All of these provide instruction in Finnish. Students receive a broad general education, strong language skills and excellent preparation for further studies.

The curriculum is delivered mainly through on-site teaching, supported by flexible online components. Mikkelin lukio also offers a wide range of local courses alongside the national curriculum and emphasises independent study, academic readiness, and cooperation with regional organisations and higher education institutions.

Bilingual Education in Rantakylä

Rantakylä Comprehensive School offers high-quality bilingual Finnish–English education, aimed at helping pupils use English naturally in everyday learning.

At least 25 % of teaching is delivered in English, with flexibility for teachers to adjust the language balance by subject. The programme serves both local families and international families relocating to Mikkeli, and supports children’s language skills, cultural understanding, and strong academic progression.

Start Your Cultural Journey

Mikkeli Theatre

Mikkeli Theatre has been stirring great emotions for over 100 years. Its Naisvuori stage operates as a summer theatre.

Concert and Event Hall Mikaeli

Mikaeli’s Martti Talvela Hall is among the best in Finland for acoustics, hosting concerts ranging from classical to popular music.

Museum Experiences

Those interested in wartime history should visit at least the Muisti Centre of War and Peace, the Headquarters Museum, and the Infantry Museum. The Art Museum is located inside the Akseli shopping centre, making it easy to enjoy art even in the middle of a shopping trip.

Muisti Centre of War and Peace

The interactive exhibition at Muisti enables you to understand what war felt like for those who experienced it, how it affected society at the time, and how it continues to shape it today.

The Finnish word Muisti means memory and remembrance. Wars are remembered in different ways across cultures. Muisti is a place where these memories are preserved.

muisti.org/en

Marshal C. G. E. Mannerheim’s Saloon Car

The saloon car, located at Mikkeli Railway Station, is one of the most historically significant artefacts from Finland’s wartime headquarters era.

The saloon car is open to the public only once a year, on 4 June, which is both Mannerheim’s birthday and the Finnish Defence Forces’ Flag Day.

Move Like Mikkeli

Mikkeli offers a wide range of sports opportunities, both indoors and outdoors. Forest trails invite hiking, running, and mountain biking. Road cycling is also possible on minor paved roads throughout the city region. In winter, you can go skiing, and ice skating is available, among other places, at Hänninkenttä in the city centre. mikkeli.fi/en/services/sports

Saimaa Stadiumi is a unique hub for sports, experiences, and wellbeing in Mikkeli’s Kalevankangas area.

Its nearly 11,000 square metres of flexible, adaptable space cater to the modern needs of fitness and recreational activities, elite sports, and large-scale events.

Saimaa Stadiumi also houses the SuperPark activity park, filled with opportunities for active and inspiring leisure time for all ages.

Summer on Lake Saimaa

Saimaa and the other waterways in the Mikkeli region provide a stunning setting for activities such as hiking, canoeing, rowing, and fishing.

Kalevankangas

Cross-Country Ski Trails

St Michel Races in July

Ice Arena and Jukurit Ice Hockey Team Matches

Tornimäki

A Full-Service Ski Resort

Beautiful City Hall

Mikkeli City Hall was completed in 1912. Designed by architect Selim A. Lindqvist, the building remains to this day a comprehensive work of art, reflecting the style and spirit of its era.

The City Council is Mikkeli’s highest decision-making body. It is responsible for all major matters, such as the city’s strategy and annual budget.

The council consists of 51 members, elected every four years in municipal elections.

Mikkeli’s Service Points

A Service Point is a shared customer service location for public administration, where you can receive expert assistance according to the one-stopshop principle.

Smooth and digital

At the customer terminals of the Service Points, you can explore the electronic services of public authorities and use them independently or with the guidance of a service advisor. The terminals and internet connections are available free of charge.

For more information on how to contact the City’s services, visit: mikkeli.fi/en/contact-information