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Imatra
ℹ️Practical info — Imatra
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Check local schedules for the Imatrankoski rapids shows, usually held during the summer months.
- When the riverbed is dry, never walk in the gorge as water can be released without warning.
- Rent a bicycle to explore the scenic pathways stretching along the Vuoksi river.
- Finland's oldest nature park, Kruununpuisto, is first-rate for a shaded walk right next to the rapids.
🍽 Food
Available fresh at bakeries near the central pedestrian zone.
Look for this in the traditional restaurants located in the city center.
Often served at the small cafes right on the riverbank.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
The main pedestrian zone featuring local boutiques and cafes.
Can be found in the small souvenir shops near the rapids.
A peaceful spot with extensive nature trails in the heart of the landscape.
A quiet waterside area that is good for bird watching.
Water temperature…
Imatra is a dynamic city in southeastern Finland, located directly on the Russian border and on the banks of the Vuoksi River. The city was founded in 1948 from three separate industrial communities and is world-famous for the Imatrankoski rapids, which have attracted tourists since the 18th century, including Russian Empress Catherine the Great. These rapids were dammed in the 1920s for power generation, resulting in what was then Finland's largest hydroelectric plant. The cityscape is defined by the magnificent Imatra State Hotel, built in Art Nouveau style in 1903 right next to the rapids. Imatra is a center of the European paper industry with massive mills owned by Stora Enso, forming the economic backbone of the region. Despite its industrial base, the city provides extensive nature parks and serves as an important border crossing point to Russia. The annual water shows at the Imatrankoski rapids, where the gates are opened to music, are a cultural highlight that recalls the power of untamed nature.
- Location: Finland
- Top sights: Karjalainen kotitalo · Imatrankosken kesäteatteri · Imatran valtionhotelli
- Population: ~24.581
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -10 | -9 | -4 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 16 | 11 | 4 | -2 | -6 |
| Rain mm | 51 | 42 | 43 | 48 | 65 | 90 | 86 | 90 | 68 | 75 | 67 | 62 |
Geography
Facts
- City founded in the year 1948
- Imatra State Hotel built in 1903
- Largest hydroelectric plant in Finland (1929)
- Located only 7 km from the Russian city of Svetogorsk
- Imatrankoski is Finland's oldest tourist attraction
- Main site of the Kaukopää paper mill
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Imatra (10)
Veteran's Home Museum🏛 museum
A museum in Imatra dedicated to the lives and history of war veterans.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main attraction in Imatra?
When can you see the rapids show?
What is Valtionhotelli?
Are there good cycling opportunities?
Can you swim in Lake Saimaa in Imatra?
Imatra: where is it located?
Imatra: what is there to see?
Imatra: when is the best time to visit?
Imatra: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
History & landmarks
Nature
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