Savonlinna
Nyslott · Savonlinna Olavinlinna
61°52.1'N 28°53.2'E
Depth
3–6m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m for good holding in mud/sand in 3–6m. Marina berths preferable for security in the busy harbour. In southerly or westerly conditions, the outer anchorage is exposed — use marina berths.
About This Anchorage
Savonlinna is the principal city of the Lake Saimaa region and one of the most scenically dramatic cities in Finland — positioned on a cluster of islands between the channels of Lake Saimaa, dominated by Olavinlinna Castle (St. Olaf's Castle), a medieval fortress built in 1475 that rises directly from the water. The castle is Finland's best-preserved medieval fortress and hosts the internationally renowned Savonlinna Opera Festival every July — one of Scandinavia's finest cultural events, staged inside the castle courtyard. The city has excellent facilities for visiting yachts: guest harbour adjacent to the castle, full provisioning, restaurants, and the unique experience of being anchored metres from a 15th-century water fortress. The hub of Saimaa sailing.
Protected From
N · NW · NE · E · SE
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Guest harbour fee approx €25–35/night; free anchoring in outer basin
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Active shipping channel through Savonlinna — monitor VHF and AIS; ferry and passenger boat traffic through the castle sound; bridge opening schedule for passage through the city waterway; Opera Festival Jul — extremely busy, reserve berth months in advance.
Hazards
- !Very busy in July during Opera Festival — harbour completely full; book months in advance
- !Active shipping channel — passenger ferries, tour boats, and commercial traffic; monitor VHF
- !Bridge opening schedule required for passage through city waterway — plan ahead
- !Open to south and west across open lake — southerly conditions affect outer anchorage
- !Crowds and noise during Opera Festival — not suitable for those seeking quiet
Skipper's Tips
- →Olavinlinna Castle is one of the finest medieval water fortresses in Northern Europe — the tour (Jun–Aug, excellent English guides) is essential; allow 2 hours
- →The Savonlinna Opera Festival (July) performs in the castle courtyard — the combination of medieval setting and world-class opera is extraordinary; tickets sell out 6 months in advance
- →The Kauppatori daily market sells fresh local fish (muikku — vendace, a small freshwater fish), local berries, and vegetables — stock up for the national park passages
- →Savonlinna's city centre is excellent for provisioning — the best resupply point in the Lake Saimaa system
- →The bridge opening schedule for sailing through the city takes about 30 minutes — check the schedule with the harbour master and plan your departure accordingly
Facilities
Full range of restaurants in Savonlinna. Kauppatori market daily (fresh produce). Supermarkets. Fuel dock at harbour.
Nearest provisions: Savonlinna Kauppatori market (0.1nm)
Best Months & Season
Jun, Jul, Aug
June–August. Opera Festival July — extremely busy; book berth months ahead if visiting in July. Best visiting time: June (less crowded) or early August (after festival).