Guided tours

Guided tours of the monastery

GUIDED MONASTERY TOUR

During the tour, you will see both churches in the area and the guide will tell you about the history and present day of the monastery. The tour also includes a DVD presentation.

During the summer, guided tours are organized daily in Finnish for individual visitors.
Guided tours in other languages require advance booking.

At other times, tours are organized for groups by request.

Summer 2026 public guided tours

June 1st-June 21st.

Mon-Sat 10:00
Sun and church holidays 2:00 PM

June 22nd-August 9th.

Mon-Sat 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Sundays and church holidays at 2:00 p.m.
at noon daily guided tour in English

10.8. - 30.8.

Mon-Sat at 10 a.m.
Sundays and church holidays at 2 p.m.

Price €10 / person, children 4-14 years €5. Tickets at the reception.

Subject to changes in the law.

WINE PRESENTATION

During the presentation, you will learn about winemaking and taste the monastery's own products in a cozy wine room.
Min. For groups of 8 people by reservation.

CEMETERY GUIDE

During the guided tour, you will be taken to the monastery cemetery, which is about 1 km from the monastery hill.
For groups of at least 5 people, please make a reservation.

Guides

On guided tours of the monastery, we guides will tell you about the eventful history of Valamo on Lake Ladoga, the monks' evacuation journey here to Heinävesi, and what factors influenced the monastery's location here in Papinniemi.

In the old church, you can sense the sounds of prayers of the deceased monks, which connect the past life of worship with the present. You will hear from the guides about monastic life, monasticism, and Orthodoxy.

In the Main Church of the monastery, you will hear, among other things, about the miracle-working icons, of which there are three in Valamo. In the church, we will also tell you about the first saint of the Finnish Orthodox Church, John of Valamo. At the end of the tour, we will watch a video presentation of the monastery's various services, accompanied by beautiful Orthodox church music.

Guided tours allow you to enter the life of Valamo in a different way than a self-guided tour. You will gain a deeper understanding of the living monastery community. We, the monastery guides, are there for you, and during the tours you will have the opportunity to ask questions about topics that interest you!

FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS

Valamo sales service
Tel. 017 570 1810
myyntipalvelu@valamo.fi

Contact information

Driving directions and transport connections

Invoicing addresses and bank contact details
Accessibility statement

Data protection statement

Visiting hours

Valamo Monastery is open all year round. The opening hours of the services vary according to the season.

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