The major islands are from north to south Vuoritsalo, Muuratsalo, Onkisalo, Judinsalo, Edessalo, Taivassalo, Haukkasalo, Vehkasalo, Mustassalo, Virmailansaari and Salonsaari.

Numerous ships transported passengers and freight between the villages and cities on the shores of Päijänne.

Nowadays, passenger transportation is rather a tourist attraction on the lakelands than the fastest way connecting the cities and villages.

[14] In addition to cottage tourism Päijänne attracts fishing, sailing, canoeing, rowing, paddling, trekking, ice-skating, snow mobile and nature tourists.

The Clear and Drinkable Lake Päijänne South Association won a Tourism and Environment award presented by the European Union Commission in 1995.

[16] Leivonmäki National Park is situated few kilometres North East from the Northern part of Lake Päijänne.