A Travel Price Comparison for Finland Savonlinna vs. Kemi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Savonlinna or Kemi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Savonlinna or Kemi? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Savonlinna or Kemi?

Savonlinna

Savonlinna is a town and a municipality of 35,504 inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "New Castle". The city was founded in 1639, based on Olavinlinna castle. Savonlinna is a historical borderland where the cultures and traditions of East and West meet. As the oldest town in Eastern Finland, Savonlinna is famous for its world class opera festival in the medieval castle surrounded by blue waters of Lake Saimaa. With its 100 year old steamships and unparalleled selection of experiences and activities, Savonlinna is a the real gem of Lakeland Finland.

Kemi

Kemi is a town on Bothnian Bay in Lapland, Finland. It's known for the massive Sampo icebreaker, a giant ship built to ply the Arctic waters. The main economic activity in Kemi is centered on two large paper and wood pulp mills and on the only chromium mine in Europe. Kemi also has a claim to fame as the home of the world's largest snow castle (reconstructed every year with a different design). The SnowCastle is usually located at the inner harbor of Kemi.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Helsinki, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Helsinki.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Savonlinna and Kemi, we can see that Kemi is more expensive. And not only is Savonlinna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Savonlinna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Savonlinna and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Kemi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kemi than you might in Savonlinna.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Savonlinna Expensive? and Is Kemi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Kemi?

Savonlinna has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Kemi. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Kemi, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Savonlinna or Kemi?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Kemi in the Summer?

Both Kemi and Savonlinna during the summer are popular places to visit.

In July, Savonlinna is generally around the same temperature as Kemi. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 17°C (62°F), and Kemi fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In Kemi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Savonlinna. In the summer, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Kemi. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kemi receives 304 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets more rain in July than Kemi. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Kemi in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Kemi.

It's quite cold in Kemi in the autumn. The weather in Savonlinna can be very cold. Savonlinna is much warmer than Kemi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 4°C (40°F) in October, and Kemi fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Kemi during autumn. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Kemi receives 82 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Savonlinna usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kemi. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Kemi in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Kemi.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kemi. It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the winter. In the winter, Savonlinna is a little warmer than Kemi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Savonlinna in January average around -11°C (13°F), and Kemi averages at about -12°C (10°F).

In the winter, Savonlinna often gets more sunshine than Kemi. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kemi receives 19 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in January than Kemi. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Kemi in the Spring?

Both Kemi and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Kemi can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. In April, Savonlinna is generally much warmer than Kemi. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 2°C (36°F), and Kemi fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Savonlinna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kemi during spring. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Kemi receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Savonlinna usually receives more rain than Kemi. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kemi and Savonlinna