Oravi village
Kanava Resort is located in the Oravi village, right at the mouth of the headland-cutting Oravi canal. At the idyllic village, you can find a year-round village shop, a local café and restaurant Ruukinranta, and a guest harbor, which can be conveniently reached on foot from Kanava Resort’s villas. Oravi village is just a few hundred meters away from the resort’s grounds.
In addition to its beautiful open canal, the Oravi area is known for its rich history. Until 1901, an ironworks operated on the northern shore of the canal, where the villas of Kanava Resort now reside. Since the early 1900s, the area has been home to both residential apartments and an inn as well as the local post office. A piece of the history of this area, also known as Puistoniemi, has been preserved at Kanava Resort in the form of an old vaulted earth cellar.
DISTANCES FROM KANAVA RESORT
- Kanava Resort is located in the Oravi Village
- Village shop, Restaurant Ruukinranta and guest harbour 0,3 km
- Linnansaari National park 10,5 km
- Savonlinna Airport 35 km
- Savonlinna 40 km
- Kolovesi National Park 50 km
- Varkaus 60 km
- Punkaharju 67 km
- Jyväskylä 190 km
- Helsinki 370 km
- See the location on the map
By water
- Linnansaari National Park 6 km
- Savonlinna 35 km
Take your Opera Experience to another level in Kanava Resort
Savonlinna Opera Festival
3.7.–1.8.2026 | Savonlinna
Kanava Resort is only 40 km from Savonlinna. Stay at our modern villas and visit Savonlinna Opera Festival from Oravi. Transportation to Savonlinna can be arranged if requested. Contact info@kanavaresort.fi.
Savonlinna Opera Festival was awarded as the Best Festival of the Year 2024 at the International Opera Awards. This year Italia takes the center stage at the Festival.
Savonlinna Opera Festival 2026 features The Marriage of Figaro, Madama Butterfly, Nabucco and La Traviata.
Explore Saimaa on a cruise
Boat cruises from Savonlinna
1.6.–31.8.2026
Stay at our villas and take a cruise around Savonlinna. On an unforgettable cruise from Savonlinna harbour you can experience beautiful lake Saimaa and the archipelago at its best. Cruises are operated by Savonlinna-Risteilyt.
Activities in Oravi
Located between two beloved national parks, Linnansaari and Kolovesi, Oravi is a true nature lovers paradise.
Finns love making the most of our beautiful surroundings by spending time in the nature. It’s very typical and more than allowed for locals and tourists alike to explore and do things in the Finnish nature freely. You can swim in the lakes and walk in the woods freely, as stated in the Finnish Everyman’s Right.
From Oravi’s harbor, you can conveniently take a boat taxi operated by SaimaaHoliday Oravi to Linnansaari National Park.
SaimaaHoliday Oravi offers numerous equipment rental and safari services as well as guided tours in both summer and winter seasons. Popular trips that focus on spotting the endangered and protected Saimaa ringed seals as well as fishing, canoeing, and boat cruises are part of Oravi’s summer activities, just as much as ice skating, snowmobiling, ice swimming, and ice floating are part of the winter seasons’.
Known for one of Finland’s most diverse and beautiful winter outdoor trails, Oravi offers opportunities for activities such as ice skating, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, or even ice floating! The nearly 20-kilometer-long ice route starts right next to Kanava Resort.
Learn more about Oravi’s activities on the SaimaaHoliday Oravi website.
Happiest country
in the world
By now, you’ve probably heard that Finland is the world’s happiest country – nine years in the running, no less. The World Happiness Report states it’s due to the country’s healthy life expectancy, great social support, how highly we appreciate and look after our own community, and the freedom everyone has to make key life decisions. We fully agree. And while these things make us Finns one of the most fortunate people on the planet, we also think the key to happiness can be found in the simple joys surrounding us.
For example, did you know that water in Finland is among the purest in the world? Not only is our tap water completely safe to drink, it also tastes good – if you can say that about water (and we think you totally can)!
Clean water doesn’t just run through our taps, it surrounds us. Finland is often referred to as the land of a thousand lakes, which are free and safe for anyone to swim in, by the way. Finns love to swim so much we don’t stop dipping even once the lakes freeze over during the winter – we’ll just put on our caps and our protective shoes and do some literal ice swimming.
Summer’s nightless nights, the wonderful Northern Lights, and the ever changing seasons of Finland are just a few of the reasons why we think Finns have mastered the art of true happiness. We have a lot to be happy about. Come see for yourself.
Fall in love with our eco-friendly accommodations and find your own path to luxury at Kanava Resort
Things to Do Near Kanava Resort
Kanava Resort’s location between Linnansaari and Kolovesi National Parks puts an extraordinary range of nature experiences within easy reach. Two national parks, a vast lake system, and the authentic Finnish village of Oravi — this is one of Finnish Lakeland’s richest areas for outdoor activities.
Linnansaari National Park is accessible by boat from the resort. Its forested islands offer hiking trails, wildlife watching, and the chance to spot the endangered Saimaa ringed seal. The park’s campfire sites and scenic viewpoints make it perfect for day trips. Kolovesi National Park, reachable by car or kayak, is a different world — towering rock faces, ancient prehistoric rock paintings, and some of Finland’s best sheltered paddling routes. Having both parks at your doorstep is a rare privilege.
On the water, possibilities are endless. Kayak through Saimaa’s sheltered channels in complete silence, passing forested islands with only your paddle breaking the surface. Fish for pike, perch, and zander in the lake system. Take a cruise from Savonlinna or Kuopio through historic canals. Or join a guided seal safari to see the world’s rarest seal species.
Cycling is a wonderful way to explore the area. Complimentary guest bicycles let you ride the quiet roads around Oravi village, along the Lake Saimaa shoreline, past meadows and forests. The terrain is gentle — perfect for leisurely rides with frequent stops for views and photographs.
The Savonlinna Opera Festival is the cultural jewel of the Finnish summer — world-class opera performed in a medieval castle, easily accessible from Kanava Resort with organised transport.
Every season brings different activities. Summer means midnight sun, swimming, and paddling. Autumn offers spectacular ruska colours and mushroom foraging in the national parks. Winter transforms the landscape for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. Spring brings birdsong and the awakening of the forest.
Whether you are here for three days or three weeks, Finnish Lakeland rewards curiosity. Ask us for recommendations tailored to your interests, and we will help you make the most of your time between two national parks.
Looking for a holiday destination elsewhere in Finland?
Our stunning accommodation options at Kytäjä in Southern Finland and amidst the mountain scenery of Ruka in Northern Finland offer high-quality and modern lodging without compromising on the tranquility of nature and beautiful landscapes.
