In the middle of the beautiful Lakeland Finland
The Jyväskylä Region is just a 3-hour train ride from the capital Helsinki. It is conveniently located in the middle of the beautiful Lakeland Finland and is part of the largest unbroken lake district in Europe. There are over 3,700 lakes shimmering in the Jyväskylä Region, of which the largest one is Lake Päijänne, the longest and deepest lake in Finland. The mesmerizing waterways in the Region not only provide beautiful scenery but also opportunities for various water activities, such as cruises, canoeing and kayaking along with swimming. In the Jyväskylä Region, Finnish nature can be experienced in miniature. There are also four national parks in the Jyväskylä Region: the Leivonmäki, Southern Konnevesi, Pyhä-Häkki and Salamajärvi National Parks. Each of the national parks fascinates and attracts with their own special features.
Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Jyväskylä Region is home to two of Finland’s seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. During the same stay, visitors can experience both the unique atmosphere of Petäjävesi Old Church and the majestic views over Lake Päijänne afforded by the Oravivuori triangulation point, part of the Struve chain.
The UNESCO sites in Jyväskylä Region
The Sauna Region of the World and the Sauna Region Week
In the Jyväskylä Region, the Sauna Region of the World, you can experience and enjoy the sauna with its gentle warmth, all year round. You can encounter memorable sauna moments, for example in the world’s largest smoke sauna, in the Sauna Village or in the floating saunas sailing across Lake Jyväsjärvi. The summer is crowned by the annual Sauna Region Week, during which dozens of sauna events are arranged in the Jyväskylä Region. The Sauna Region Week culminates in the Sauna Heating World Championships, in which the teams compete for the title of the fastest sauna heater.
The Sauna Region of the World
Siirry edelliseen
The pulse of the city in Jyväskylä
One of the most attractive areas in Finland, Jyväskylä is the modern and youthful home of 144,000 residents. As a city, Jyväskylä presents a unique combination of urban vibe and proximity to nature: in the busy city centre you are always only a few steps from the delights of nature. As darkness takes over, more than a hundred permanent illuminated locations display a stunning glow. Famous for its students and architecture, Jyväskylä offers a wide range of Finnish and international events as well as activities around the year. Its events, sights, restaurants and accommodation and shopping opportunities attract a large number of Finnish and international visitors.
The capital of architect Alvar Aalto
Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) is one of Finland’s best-known architects and designers both at home and abroad. Jyväskylä is home to more significant building complexes by Aalto, from different periods, than anywhere else in the world. These locations also form part of the Alvar Aalto Route – 20th Century Architecture and Design – a cultural route which the Council of Europe singled out in 2021 for inclusion in the highly regarded Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe network.
In Jyväskylä, visitors can enjoy a selection of Alvar Aalto’s production ranging from the first designs of his career through to his latter period achievements. The collection of 29 locations in total include, for instance, Aalto’s masterpiece Säynätsalo Town Hall and the Alvar Aalto Museum. The story of the world-famous architect as well as the locations associated with him can be explored with the help of go-as-you-please theme routes or guided walking or bus tours. You can even take a cruise on the same legendary vessel used way back by Aalto himself!
The capital city of Alvar Aalto’s architecture
Jyväskylä is a bustling city and host to more than 6,000 events
More than 6,000 events of various sizes and themes, from pop-up events to competitions at world-championship level, are organised yearly in Jyväskylä. One of the most well-known events is the Rally Finland, an FIA world-championship event organised annually at the turn of July and August. In the autumn, the delightful City of Light event in Jyväskylä attracts approximately 100,000 visitors to enjoy works of light art every year. Other fascinating annual events include the two multidisciplinary art festivals in the heart of the city, the completely free Yläkaupungin Yö and the lovely Jyväskylä Festival.
In Jyväskylä, there are also over 100 permanently illuminated sites and installations, such as bridges and public works of art along with the facades of buildings shining magnificently in the dark autumn and winter evenings.
Jyväskylä’s Lutakko Harbour
– Finland’s most memorable harbour
Just a short hop from the centre of Jyväskylä lies Finland’s most experiential harbour. During the summer season, both visitors and locals head for the boat restaurants and terraces in Lutakko harbour, which is also a busy venue for events and water-related activities. Lutakko harbour is also the point of departure for cruises on Lake Päijänne, organised by Rhea Ship Lines Oy and Päijänne-Risteilyt Hilden among others. Experience relaxation and refreshment in the heat of the sauna, hot tub and lake water pool at Sataman Viilu, a harbour restaurant representing the very best in wooden architecture. The attractions in Jyväskylä’s Lutakko harbour also include a speedboat designed by world-famous architect Alvar Aalto. The boat is on permanent display right next to Sataman Viilu on Rantaraitti, the path which circles Lake Jyväsjärvi.