Imatra - power, charm and heartfelt Karelian life

Welcome to Imatra, Finland's first tourist destination with VirQ!

Imatra is not just a place on the map – it's a feeling that must be experienced.

It's the eternal roar of Imatrankoski rapids, the romance of the Art Nouveau castle, and Karelian hospitality. Here history and the present day intertwine in a way that captures the heart.

Welcome to explore the wonders of Imatra!



EXPERIENCE THE MAGICAL POWER OF IMATRANKOSKI

Experience the foam and roar of Imatrankoski rapids

Already in the 18th century, emperors and kings traveled here to admire the forces of nature. Experience yourself the spectacular (1) Imatrankoski rapids shows, where the roar and rush of water fills the space.

Walk around the historical (2) Kruununpuisto park, search for giant's kettles carved by the ice age, or find peace at the beautiful (3) town brook. If you need movement, (4) Vuoksi Circuit offers Finland's most beautiful landscapes for both joggers and drivers. Or if you want to see Imatra from a bird's eye view, climb 305 stairs to (5) Mellonmäki's peak to glimpse stunning views all the way to neighboring country.

You'll find giant's kettles in Kruununpuisto

On Vuoksi Circuit you can cross the river Vuoksi via smaller and larger bridges

CITY CENTER GEMS

A colorful boutique full of captivating (6) VirQ by Virkkukoukkunen® design – clothes, accessories, home textiles and much more lovely stuff! The boutique itself is an experience. VirQ has been attracting tourists and "VirQ pilgrims" to Imatra since 1993. VirQ's people welcome you warmly, serve with joy and tell you more about the brand's design philosophy.

VirQ by Virkkukoukkusen's captivating boutique is located in the city center

A whisper of history: enjoy lunch at the legendary (7) Buttenhoff, which has served since 1936, or pop into the atmospheric Café Julia downstairs.

Local service: find perfect shoes at (8) Koskikenkä, indulge at (9) La Sal, have a cozy coffee moment at (10) Konditoria Imatrankoski or relax at (11) Bar & Cafe Kuohu's year-round terrace by the national landscape.

The friendly staff at Konditoria Imatrankoski bakes both savory and sweet treats for us to enjoy

SLEEP LIKE ROYALTY OR SLEEP LIKE AT GRANDMA'S

Looking for a whisper of history or charming grandma-style accommodation?

(12) Imatran Valtionhotelli: the majestic Art Nouveau castle "Valtsu" invites you to sleep in history's embrace. Do you dare to encounter the castle's famous ghost Grey Lady?

Imatran Valtionhotelli was voted Finland's most beautiful building in 2026

(13) Hostelli Ukonlinna: experience charming nostalgic style. Sleep like at grandma's in strawberry sheets in a 1930s building by Lake Saimaa. Here you go to sauna, indulge in Finnish yeast donuts and sleep yourself healthier. Also worth checking out the Forest Therapy Center's services.

At Hostelli Ukonlinna you can stay overnight, sauna, swim and indulge in treats all year round

SAIMAA'S BEST BITS

Imatra is a paradise surrounded by water. Relax at (14) Imatran Kylpylä Spa's pool world, whose atmosphere we often hear good feedback about from customers. Jump to the river Vuoksi (15) from Saunalautta Imatra (a sauna ferry), enjoy Vuoksi floating in the soothing embrace of flowing water in a dry suit. Experience the finest beaches of nearby islands and jump into Saimaa from (16) Saunalaiva Emma's (sauna boat) steam or go on a cruise with M/S Christina.

Saunalautta Imatra organizes sauna cruises on the river Vuoksi year-round

With Saunalaiva Emma you can cruise in the beautiful landscapes of Lake Saimaa

For sports enthusiasts (17) Ukonrauha area offers everything from padel and golf to first snow trails. You can also enjoy water in Imatra at beaches on Saimaa, Vuoksi and Immanlanjärvi. Check out swimming spot tips from the map's numbered circles 18-21.

Imatra has many beaches and lots of waters, you can swim in either the lake or the river

FLAVORS FROM KARELIA

At Hugo & Helmi café in (22) Mansikkapaikka shopping center, you can taste delicacies from three local bakeries. This is definitely a place worth experiencing! Karelia's rich bread culture offers unique taste experiences that are definitely worth packing along. (23) ChokiBar is dessert lovers' newest indulgence spot. Worth checking out and enjoying!

ChokiBar is a place where sweet treats turn into experiences

VirQ girls' favorite pastries are made at (24) Wan's home bakery, where you'll find especially good handmade rice, potato and carrot Karelian pastys. Or how about pastries with a little twist? Head to the harbor to (25) Rimpsu-Reeta's Ankkuri, where the world's best meat pastries and specialties made from local ingredients, Rimpsut, smell delicious. Enjoy Saimaa's nature and good food at Imatra's marina!

CULTURE, SPEED AND STAGE LIGHT SPARKLE

Imatra pulses with culture year-round. Experience (26) Theatre Imatra's performances, enjoy movies at the beautiful functionalist-style (27) Bio Vuoksi or take a time journey to (28) Industrial Workers' Housing Museum. An absolute destination for architecture lovers is Alvar Aalto's masterpiece - (29) The Church of the Three Crosses.

Visit (30) Kulttuuritalo Virta, where you'll find diverse art and culture. Here operates the Corridor Gallery, Imatra Art Museum, Imatra Town Museum and you'll also find the main library in the same place. Concerts, gigs, exhibitions and various events are organized here year-round.

Experience culture in Imatra also at the Black and White Theatre Festivals, Saimaa Film Festivals and the elegant New Year's Gala.

Enjoy the fast-paced motorcycle atmosphere at the legendary Imatra Road Race, Imatranajo, which brings together speed, excitement and motorsport enthusiasts to the city.

At Saimaa Cycle Tour you can experience a cycling event that has quickly established its place and found its way to the hearts of cycling people around the world. The event takes participants through Saimaa's beautiful lake landscapes, offering an opportunity to experience nature's beauty while cycling together. Riding in the magical summer night makes the experience even more special and unforgettable.

INDUSTRIAL GIANTS AND QUALITY OF LIFE

If you're interested in seeing a world-class factory, turn your gaze to (31) Stora Enso's Imatra mills. It's one of the world's largest consumer board mills. When evening falls, the glimmering glow of lights is a jewel-like sight when viewed from Patotie. From the view you can try to grasp the production facility's enormous scale!

Imatra also has real men and women of steel. Imatra's Ovako is one of Finland's most significant steel companies. The factory has been an important part of Imatra's industrial landscape for decades and is one of the significant employers in the area.

Stora Enso, Kaukopää mill photographed in the evening

Imatra's business field has several large and smaller projects ongoing, and many new interesting opportunities are being prepared. So welcome to Imatra to do business, get employed, live, enjoy or at least pop by, enjoy and get acquainted! Here you'll find quality of life - peacefulness, safety and closeness to nature. Excellent conditions for living await!

WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE DO YOU COME FROM?

In Imatra you won't be a stranger for long. Prepare for immediate conversations, cheerful Karelian dialect and unique hospitality. Here there's room to breathe, live and reside.

Come to Imatra – nature's power and people's warmth await you!

This is just scratching the surface of Imatra's wonders! Originally we had written a longer trip to Imatra, but then decided to condense it so it wouldn't become too long a story.

We encourage you to come here in person to find your own favorite places! We promise there's still much more worth seeing and experiencing that we didn't have time to tell about this time. Imatra and we are waiting for you here!

Greetings, VirQ

Check current information from each service provider's own pages.

More tips and current information can be found here.

The river Vuoksi