Saimaa is a lake in southeast Finland's Finnish Lakeland region. It is the largest lake in Finland and the fourth-largest naturally occurring freshwater lake in Europe, measuring over 4,400 square kilometers (1,700 sq mi).

Numerous arms, fjords, and islands that emerge like miniature woods from the water's surface make up the Saimaa. It was created when glaciers melted at the end of the Ice Age.

Saimaa is one of the lake most beautiful in Finland. In this lake, you can take many activities. You can take a boat trip, go swimming in the crystal-clear water at one of the many rocky or sandy bays, or paddle a canoe or stand-up paddleboard across the stunning lake scenery. If you're not a fan of the sea, there are various hiking routes where you may explore and take in the lush surroundings. Another very well-liked pastime at Lake Saimaa is fishing.

Location: southeastern Finland

The largest lake in Sápmi and the third-largest lake in Finland is Lake Inari. It is situated north of the Arctic Circle in the northernmost region of Lapland. It's possible that a Pre-Finno-Ugric substrate language gave the lake its name, Lake Inari. This lake have a lovely and serene surrounding. 3000 islands or so make up this lake. Hautuumaasaari is an island that is well known. For the prehistoric people that once lived in this area, this island served as a graveyard.

It's hard to imagine, but the lake's water is so pure and clear that you can drink it and, in some areas, see nine meters below the surface. When you go to Lake Inari, you may go hiking, fishing, and canoeing while learning about the Sami culture and seeing the pristine nature firsthand. You can also ski there in the winter when the lake is frozen and experience the allure of the area.

The sun doesn't set for a full two months in the summer in Inari because it is so far north of the Arctic Circle, and auroras dance in the sky all through the winter.

Location: Inari, Lapland Province

The second lake we'd like to bring to you is Lake Pielinen, which can be found in Finland's east. It measures between 1 and 40 meters wide, with a length of around 120 kilometers, and a surface area of 894 square kilometers. The lake's size makes it a most sought-after tourist destination in the east of the nation.

Like in most Finnish lakes, there are several stunning islands scattered throughout the water just waiting to be discovered. Koli National Park, which is located on the western bank of Lake Pielinen, is among the most well-known sights. You may climb Koli Mountain nearby, and the view from the summit of the mountain is beautiful.

This lake's transparent water can offer you a wonderful sense of mother nature's presence. This lake is a great option for swimming and fishing because it supports a large population of fish. It is situated in eastern Finland's North Karelia area.

Location: North Karelia

Let's continue on to the Päijänne, Finland's second-largest lake. It is the longest and deepest lake in Finland, measuring 135 kilometers in length and reaching depths of 95 meters. The Päijänne National Park, which has roughly 50 islands, is located in the southernmost portion of the lake, in the middle of the body of water. On several hiking trails, you can explore the ice age-shaped nature on these. There is a ship connection connecting the two cities of Lahti in the south and Jyväskylä in the north. The lake was regarded as a significant means of freight and passenger transportation until the 1940s, but today, passenger travel serves more as a tourist attraction than as the quickest route between two villages or towns.

Päijänne is one of the most beautiful lakes in Finland. There are 16,000 cottages along Päijänne's coastline. The majority of the cottages include separate sauna cabins and are privately owned.

In addition to cottage tourism, Päijänne draws visitors interested in nature, fishing, sailing, canoeing, rowing, paddling, hiking, ice-skating, and snowmobiling. Tens of thousands of people visit the national parks in Päijänne and Leivonmäki every year alone.

Location: in south-central Finland.

The largest lake in the Tampere Region is Lake Näsijärvi. It has few islands and is naturally rough and open. Despite being one of the most well-known fishing spots in Finland, Lake Näsijärvi occasionally has a wilderness feel to it.

On Lake Näsijärvi, zander, pike, perch, brown trout, and landlocked salmon are the most significant game species. It is a difficult fishing location where it can occasionally be difficult to find fish due to its depth and the sparse number of islands.

A fantastic setting for experiencing nature so near is clear water with a lighthouse on a little island named Siilinkari, where you can walk when visiting this lake. On Näsijärvi, boat sailing services are available.

The lake is entirely frozen throughout the winter, typically around February and March. Cross-country skiing, Nordic walking, and casual strolling are then practiced in Näsijärvi. The most well-liked walking location on the lake is a tiny, rocky island named Siilinkari, which houses a lighthouse.

Location: Pirkanmaa

Located near the town of Kuopio in Northern Savonia, eastern Finland, lies the medium-sized lake known as Kallavesi. The North and South Kallavesi portions of the lake are separated by the Kallansillat bridges on Main Road 5. Lake Kallavesi is home to many islands. The region contains some sandy beaches, as well as occasionally swampy bays, in addition to its rocky and rough coasts.

Pike and zander are the two most significant game animals on Lake Kallavesi. The North Kallavesi region has a healthy population of zander, and its waters in the middle of the lake are home to large pike. On the flanks of islets that are at the bottom of the lake, in places like Ripatinselkä, you can catch even over one kilogram of perch.

The undeveloped island area inside the 40 km2 water body that makes up Lake Kallavesi is its crowning glory. Back when Finland was a part of Sweden, a King of Sweden gave the area to the City of Kuopio. This area between the islands of Iivarinsalo and Vatanen has remained undeveloped to the joy of fishers and environment enthusiasts because of the forethought of the City Fathers. There are fishing cottages, lean-tos, and cooking shelters in the region.

A well-liked spot for boating is Lake Kallasvesi. Local cruisers depart from the City of Kuopio for Lake Kallavesi, and during the summer, scheduled boat services transport patrons all the way to the City of Savonlinna. Soisalo, the largest island in Finland, is located to the south of Lake Kallavesi.

Location: around the town of Kuopio

Lake Ruovesi, one of the many hundreds of slender finger-shaped lakes that form enormous chains that run vertically from north to south near the town of Tampere in southern Finland, is around 80 kilometers long.

Lake Ruovesi's lowland location prevents it from having breathtaking mountain views, but it does have fantastic views that are stunning all year long, especially at sunrise and sunset, thanks to its forested shores, curved coastline, and large expanses of water.

Local fishermen love Lake Ruovesi because of the large pike, trout, and zander that inhabit it. Ruovesi is one of the most beautiful lakes in Finland and a favorite of artists who visit for inspiration since many of the lake's secluded coves are populated with old docks, rocks protruding from the depths, and colorful cabins and boathouses.

Location: Pirkanmaa region

The clear Lake Pyhäjärvi in Säkylä has a surface size of 155 square kilometers, making it the largest basin in the topographically flat Southwest Finland. The lake, which is also known as the "Jewel of the Satakunta Region," is one of Europe's finest fisheries, with vendace, whitefish, and signal crayfish among its main target species for professional fisherman. Rod anglers find the lake to be a popular and abundant location.

A distinctive feature of Lake Pyhäjärvi is its lack of islets. The waves may reach perilous heights because winds may have more room to race than on any other lake in Southern Finland, which is up to around 25 kilometers. When out on the water in a boat, keep this in mind.

Due to the peat-rich soil surrounding it, Lake Pyhajarvi's waters frequently have the color of tea, in contrast to the majority of other Finnish lakes, which are filled with glacially clean water.

The lake, which is roughly 125 kilometers northwest of Helsinki's capital city, joins Tampere on its far eastern side, creating stunning landscapes that merge the natural and built environments and are popular with artists and photographers. When the lake freezes in the winter, it transforms into an impressive windswept expanse of ice and blowing snow.

Location: Pyhäjärvi

In the districts of Pirkanmaa and Kanta-Häme in southern Finland, there is a sizable lake called Vanajavesi. The Kokemäenjoki basin contains it. The lake collects water from a large area, including parts of Päijänne Tavastia, Pirkanmaa, and Tavastia Proper.

Lake Vanajavesi, one of the most well-known tourist locations in Finland, is more developed than many of the lakes on the list and is situated in the country's south-central region only a little bit above the horizontal line that runs between Stockholm, Helsinki, and St. Petersburg.

Although it continues to be a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and environment lovers, its main claim to fame is the abundance of top-notch amenities in the area, including hotels, restaurants, sportsmen's lodges, and even conference centers.

The lake Vanajavesi, which is located about 30 minutes north of Hämeenlinna, draws visitors all year round with its array of summer and winter sports.

Location: Vanajavesi Centre, Hämeenlinna