Sulkava

Sulkava is a town and municipality in the South Savonia region of Finland, surrounded by Lake Saimaa and divided in two parts by Lake Saimaa's main watercourse, between the main Saimaa basin and Pihjalavesi. Like much of South Savonia, Sulkava is a summer cottage region: the municipality is said to double its population during the holiday season.

In the 18th century the international border between the Kingdom of Sweden and the Russian Empire divided the parish in two. The parts are connected by the spectacular Vekaransalmi Bridge, completed in 2019.

Like most of the Finnish Lakeland, Sulkava is surrounded by Lake Saimaa, which is very scenic and clean. Boating is very popular, and boats are available for rent.

Sulkava is most known for hosting Finland's greatest rowing event, the annual Sulkava Rowing Race (Sulkavan Suursoudut), held in July with thousands of rowers. The main class in the race is the "church boat", now standardised to 14 rowers plus helmsman, formerly used to get to the church services.

Understand
Sulkava is a small rural town, with some 2,400 inhabitants in 2022. The centre hosts two supermarkets, a marina, some restaurants and even an EV charging station, but outside the direct town center (and the small village of Lohilahti), Sulkava is a rural place.

The city of Savonlinna, many multiples larger, is only some 30 minutes away by car. This means that many services are not available in Sulkava, as locals will simply drive to Savonlinna for anything complicated.

Sulkava is a tourist destination during the summer, getting most popular during the Finnish holiday season from early June to mid-August. Visiting in, say, January, you will find most services outside of the necessities closed.



Get in
From highway 5, turn to Savonlinnantie (road 14) towards Savonlinna, the nearest city. After 3,6 km, in Juva, turn to Sulkavantie (road 434, later 436 and 435), which after 34 km passes 2 km north of Sulkava centre. From Savonlinna, drive north-west on highway 14, turn to Sulkavantie (road 435) after 17 km, in Kallislahti. After 17 or 21 km more, turn towards Sulkava.



By taxi



 * Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi



Sulkava Rowing Races




The main races are with long boats traditionally used for rowing to the church. The ones used have 14 rowers + helmsman, with fixed or moving seats. Also rowing boats for 1–6 persons, canoes and kayaks participate (some series Finnish championships). The main long boat races (60 km) are held on Friday and Saturday, other races (30 and 60 km) on Saturday, a rowing journey Saturday–Sunday with overnighting in tents (70 km).

Participants need to register early, especially if you need to rent a boat.

Go next

 * Rantasalmi
 * Savonlinna