Sometimes a trip is not originally planned as a vacation, but it still gives us the chance to discover somewhere new.
That was exactly what happened when we traveled to Savonlinna, Finland, in August 2025.
The main reason for our trip was actually very important to me.
I was there to take my YKI Finnish language test at Linnala College.
So while I was sitting inside the testing room, my husband and our daughter had a completely different experience.
They had some time to explore Savonlinna.
Technically, I was not with them during part of their sightseeing because I was busy taking my exam.
But before and after the test, we were still able to walk around together, take some pictures, and enjoy a little of the city.
And from the photos my husband took while I was inside the exam?
Savonlinna looked beautiful.
It was a city surrounded by water, history, and one very impressive castle.
What started as a stressful YKI test trip also became another small family travel memory from our life in Finland.
1. Linnala College – The Reason We Came to Savonlinna
Our Savonlinna trip began at Linnala College, where I took my YKI test.
Linnala organizes YKI language examinations, including Finnish language tests at different levels.
For me, though, this building was much more than simply another school.
It was the place where I would sit for one of the most important Finnish language exams of my journey.
My YKI Test Journey: Taking the Finnish Language Test in Finland
2. Walking Around Savonlinna
We also had some time to walk around together.
Savonlinna has a very different atmosphere from many of the Finnish cities we had visited before.
The city is built among islands and waterways around Lake Saimaa, and the historic area developed around Olavinlinna Castle. Savonlinna was officially founded in 1639, although settlement around the castle had already begun developing much earlier.
Walking through the area felt peaceful.
There was water around us.
Boats.
Older buildings.
Green spaces.
And of course, the castle appearing in the distance.
It was summer, which made walking around especially enjoyable.
We did not have a complicated itinerary.
We were not trying to visit ten attractions in one afternoon.
We simply walked, took pictures, and enjoyed the surroundings.
Sometimes that is enough.
3. Olavinlinna Castle
The most impressive landmark in Savonlinna was definitely Olavinlinna Castle.
Even from outside, it immediately catches your attention.
The castle stands on a rocky island surrounded by water, which already makes it look dramatic.
Construction of Olavinlinna began in 1475 under Erik Axelsson Tott. It was built as a defensive fortress in the strategically important Savonia region and was intended to help protect the eastern border of the Swedish realm at the time.
Today, it is one of Savonlinna’s most famous landmarks and is described by the local tourism organization as the world’s northernmost medieval castle.
Standing near it really makes you think about how much history those stone walls have witnessed.
Wars.
Changing borders.
Different rulers.
Generations of people living around the area.
And now tourists like us taking photos beside it centuries later.
We did not spend the day exploring every part of the castle.
For this trip, simply seeing Olavinlinna and walking around the surrounding lakeside area was already memorable.
A Castle Surrounded by Lake Scenery
One thing that made Olavinlinna especially beautiful for me was the water surrounding it.
The combination of an old medieval castle, blue water, green trees, and summer skies made the area incredibly photogenic.
Savonlinna is closely connected with Lake Saimaa, and that relationship between the city and the water is visible almost everywhere around the historic centre.
This is also where many of the pictures from our trip came from.
Near the castle.
Along the water.
Around the walking paths.
Savonlinna Was More Than Just My Exam Destination
Before this trip, Savonlinna was mostly connected in my mind with one thing:
My YKI test.
My YKI Test Journey: Taking the Finnish Language Test in Finland
That was why we drove there.
That was what I was nervous about.
And that was obviously the most important part of the day for me.
But after visiting, Savonlinna became connected to something else too.
A beautiful castle.
A peaceful lakeside city.
Summer walks.
Family photos.
And a place my husband and daughter were able to explore while waiting for me to finish one very stressful Finnish language exam.
Would We Return to Savonlinna?
Yes.
This visit was short, and much of my attention was understandably focused on the YKI test.
So I feel like we still have plenty of Savonlinna left to discover.
The historic old town around Linnankatu has wooden buildings, restaurants, galleries, and handicraft shops, while Savonlinna is also known for the annual Opera Festival held at Olavinlinna Castle.
We did not experience all of those things during this visit.
Maybe that is for another trip.
Next time, hopefully, there will be no language exam waiting for me.
Just PURE sightseeing.
More From Our Journey to Finland
Our Savonlinna trip also became part of a much bigger story.
Before I could sit inside Linnala College taking a Finnish language test, we first had to make the journey that brought our family to Finland.
You can also read:
Moving to Finland: Why It Wasn’t Part of Our Original Plan
How We Actually Got to Finland: Our Recruitment and Residence Permit Journey
From Dubai to Finland: Our Adventure in Migration
And of course, this trip is also closely connected to my YKI Test Journey, where I share more about preparing for and taking the Finnish language test.
Looking back, it is interesting how one exam brought us to another part of Finland that we might not have visited at that particular time otherwise.
Important Note: This post is based on our personal visit in August 2025. Opening hours, castle admission prices, exhibitions, events, tours, and other visitor information may change. Always check the official Savonlinna and Olavinlinna websites before planning your own visit.
“Sometimes the road to one goal takes us somewhere beautiful along the way.”
“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
- Proverbs 16:3 (KJV)
Savonlinna was supposed to be simply the place where I took my YKI test. Instead, it also became another beautiful family memory from our life in Finland.
Sources & Useful Links
◆ Visit Savonlinna – Official Tourism Website
Visit Savonlinna
◆ Visit Savonlinna – Historical Old Savonlinna
Historical Old Savonlinna
◆ Visit Savonlinna – Olavinlinna Castle
Olavinlinna Castle
◆ Linnala – YKI Language Examinations
Linnala YKI Information
Oh, wow! That castle is so beautiful! I love that you combined your test with a nice little excursion as well. Such a great idea.
These are all neat spots to check out. I am impressed how quickly you picked up the language and passed your test! I have never been to Finland and it would be neat to explore. You are seeing so many cool places.
It’s nice that you were able to combine business with a little sightseeing! The castle looks beautiful, and I think even a short visit is worth it just to see it in person.
This looks like a perfect place to stay in Finland. Thank you for adding a destination to my bucket list