The Savonlinna Opera Festival consists of high-quality opera performances and concerts, with international stars and Finnish artists. It is held in the charming lakeside city of Savonlinna, Finland, in the beautiful Olavinlinna Castle. Savonlinna is located in southeast Finland in the heart of the Finnish Lakeland, Europe’s largest lake district. Built in 1475, Olavinlinna Castle is the world’s northernmost medieval castle still standing. Set on an island amidst the breathtaking beauty of Finnish Lakeland, during the festival, it’s illuminated by the white nights of the Finnish summer. Combine the castle’s extraordinary atmosphere with its excellent acoustics and covered auditorium in the courtyard, and it’s easy to see why the festival promises such an unparalleled opera experience.
The Festival has no official dress code, but please remember that Olavinlinna is a medieval castle. The courtyard can be cool even on a summer evening, in which case bring something warm to wear. But even the inner courtyard is affected by the weather and the environment, so wear something loose in hot weather and bring a plastic bottle of drinking water.
The Castle passages and floors are very uneven, so wear stout shoes.
You can enjoy buffet dinner before the performances in Olavinlinna. Interval refreshments are served, and we recommend to book them in advance. There are plenty of restaurants close to Olavinlinna, please book table in advance. Please check our reccommendations.