Ruokolahti

Imatra's rise to prominence can be traced back to the late 19th century when it attracted Russian aristocrats and wealthy visitors who were drawn to its stunning natural beauty. One of the main attractions for these visitors was the Imatrankoski Rapids, which were considered one of the most impressive natural wonders in the region. To accommodate the influx of tourists, the town built several hotels and other amenities, including the Imatran Valtionhotelli, which was completed in 1903 and quickly became one of the most famous hotels in Finland. The hotel's beautiful architecture and breathtaking views of the rapids made it a popular destination for famous guests like Russian Tsar Nicholas II and Finnish President Urho Kekkonen.

However, in the early 20th century, Finland gained independence from Russia, and the flow of Russian tourists to Imatra decreased, leading to a decline in the town's fortunes. Nevertheless, Imatra continued to be a popular destination for domestic tourists and grew and developed in the years that followed.

Today, Imatra is well-known for the Imatrankoski Rapids, which are a series of rapids on the Vuoksi River that flow through the town. The rapids attract both tourists and locals, and the area features several viewing platforms and walking trails. However, a hydroelectric dam was built and, since 1929, the rapids flow freely only at regular shows and on special occasions.

Apart from natural beauty and historic landmarks, Imatra is also a hub for sports and outdoor activities. The town boasts hiking and biking trails, a golf course, and water sports opportunities, making it an ideal destination for those who love the outdoors.

By car:

Imatra is about 250 km north-east from Helsinki and the voyage takes about three hours, varying somewhat between routes, the most straight-forward of which is to drive along highway 7 (E18) to Koskenkylä of Loviisa, from where highway 6 leads to Imatra.

Highway 62 comes in from Puumala in the north-west, through Ruokolahti. Regional road 438 from Sulkava in the north merges into highway 62 in the countryside of Ruokolahti.

The town is near the Russian border; highway 62 leads from Imatra towards Svetogorsk just 7 km away – but the border is closed as of 2026.

By plane:

Scheduled flights to the nearby Lappeenranta Airport (LPP IATA) have been on and off at various times, so you may need to check its webpage for the current situation. There is also the historically significant Immola Airfield (ICAO EFIM) in the northern part of the town. Your best bet, though, is bus or train.

By train:

Trains between Helsinki and Joensuu stop at Imatra. The duration of the trip is about three hours and there are about ten daily departures.

1 Imatra railway station (Imatran rautatieasema), Koskikatu 1 (In Mansikkala, about 1 km north of Imatra's main shopping area). Waiting room daily 04:45-21:00. The station has a waiting room, toilets, raised platforms and accessible boarding onto low-floor trains. There is no staffed ticket office or luggage storage. The station is part of Imatra's central transport hub, which also serves local and regional buses. (updated Nov 2026)

By bus:

In 2026, there are bus services only from nearby municipalities. Timetables can be found at Matkahuolto.

Regional bus lines 100 and 101 have frequent traffic between Imatra and Lappeenranta. See timetables.

By boat:

Lake Saimaa can be reached from sea through the Saimaa Canal, but it is closed for small craft as of the mid-2020s, because of the Russian war on Ukraine.