Villas in Ristiina
Ristiina suits families and groups of about eight who want a sauna stay about 20 minutes from Mikkeli. The Astuvansalmi rock paintings are in Ristiina, on the Yövesi shore. Homes are spread through the countryside around the village, so you will need a car for shopping and days out.
- Villas
- 7
- From, per week
- £948
About Ristiina
Ristiina is a church village of around 2,000 people that became part of Mikkeli in 2013, 21 km south of the city on Highway 15. The homes are scattered around the village and the surrounding countryside rather than in the centre itself. Astuvansalmi, on the Yövesi shore in Ristiina, is the largest continuous area of rock painting in Finland, with the figures 4 to 9 metres above Saimaa's current water level. Evenings mean the sauna. The Metsälinna dance pavilion stands at the north-west end of the centre, and for a wider choice of places to eat, Mikkeli is about 20 minutes away. Most homes sleep eight or so, with three bedrooms, a fireplace and a sauna.
Is Ristiina right for you?
- Best for
- Larger families wanting a lakeside sauna near a town
- Not for you if
- You want to walk out of the door to restaurants and shops.
Near Ristiina
Astuvansalmi rock paintings
More than 80 figures of people, elks, boats and palm and paw marks on the Yövesi shore, dated to between 4000 and 2200 BC.
Mikkeli
The town about 20 minutes' drive north, whose market square is the largest and one of the busiest marketplaces in eastern Finland.
Muisti Centre of War and Peace
A Mikkeli museum that preserves the wartime headquarters and shares experiences of war in order to promote peace.
Getting to Ristiina
Fly to Helsinki and hire a car: the drive from Helsinki Airport to Ristiina takes around 2 hours 20 minutes. Trains reach Mikkeli, with buses on to Ristiina, but the homes are scattered and a car makes far more sense.
When to go to Ristiina
Summer is when to come for swimming, boat trips to the rock paintings and long light evenings. Astuvansalmi can be visited all year, and in winter you can view the paintings from the frozen lake. Autumn is quiet and suits sauna weekends.
Villas in Ristiina
4-star property
Rantalaukka
Ristiina, Southern Savonia, Finland
6
1
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+8 more
from£135
per night
5-star property
Kaidan kunkku
Ristiina, Southern Savonia, Finland
10
3
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+8 more
from£175
per night
4-star property
4-star property
Villa kotikoivu
Ristiina, Southern Savonia, Finland
8
4
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+9 more
from£228
per night
5-star property
Hapero
Ristiina, Southern Savonia, Finland
6
3
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+8 more
from£173
per night
4-star property
Villa urho
Ristiina, Southern Savonia, Finland
6
3
0
BBQDishwasherMicrowave+9 more
from£166
per night
4-star property
Villa elisabet
Ristiina, Southern Savonia, Finland
8
3
0
BBQDishwasherMicrowave+9 more
from£181
per nightRistiina villa holidays: questions answered
How do you get to the Astuvansalmi rock paintings from Ristiina?
In summer, book a boat, for example from Varkaantaipale in Ristiina. The site can also be reached by a walking path of about 3 km, and in winter you can view the paintings from the ice on the frozen lake.
How far is Ristiina from Mikkeli?
About 20 minutes by car, along Highway 15. Buses link the two several times a day, taking around 20 minutes, though a car suits homes outside the village.
Is Ristiina good for families?
For families who like water and space, yes. Most homes sleep around eight and have a sauna and fireplace, and Mikkeli is close for supplies. Nightlife is very limited.
Can you get to Ristiina by train?
Not directly. Trains from Helsinki run to Mikkeli, the fastest in about 2 hours 16 minutes, and from there the bus to Ristiina takes around 22 minutes.
Nearby towns to Ristiina
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed November 2026.
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