Jyväskylä’s Lutakko Harbour

Jyväskylä’s Lutakko Harbour

Finland’s most memorable harbour

In summer, the Jyväskylä harbour transforms into a point of recreation for the city dwellers of all ages. The harbour, located in the immediate vicinity of the city centre and the Travel Centre attracts people to enjoy sunny summer days, fun activities and varied treats to eat. At the wonderful new harbour restaurant, Sataman Viilu, you can enjoy a sauna and cool off in the lake water pool in addition to enjoying fine food and beverages. In the may of 2023, a boat designed by world-famous architect Alvar Aalto will arrive permanently next to Viilu for all to admire.

The harbour area is also a centre for events, where the summer’s festivals, markets and rally atmosphere make the destination quite special. Acquaint yourself with the events in Central Finland and at Lutakonaukio Square.

Lake cruises, floating saunas and other experiences on and around the lake

The Jyväskylä Harbour, the northernmost passenger harbour on Lake Päijänne, is the starting point for several different cruises, such as the cruises on M/S Rhea and on the ships of Päijänne-Risteilyt Hilden in the nearby waters. From Jyväskylä you can comfortably sail to Lahti, Jämsä, Suolahti, Laukaa and Viitasaari, for example. A cruise is an excellent way of experiencing the scenery on Lake Päijänne while enjoying the delicious buffets on the cruise boats. On both boats, there are also various theme cruises and cruises with artists performing. M/S Hilja and M/S Satu among others also offer charter cruises and lake cruises.

You can also take off from the harbour on a floating sauna. M/S Löyly, SS Kippari, M/S Selipaatti and Sauna raft Eden rent rafts equipped with saunas, sun decks and barbecues for private customers. M/S Flamia is offering a sauna experience in an igloo sauna. In between sauna baths, it is fun to dip into the refreshing lake water to cool off. If you are looking for excitement, you can hop aboard a water jet you can rent from the harbour, or test the ferocious-looking flyboards. When moving on the water or in the harbour, you may spot the Kuokkala bridge, which is one of Jyväskylä’s most famous landmarks.

A stone’s throw from the harbour, the Gr8 Wake offers a unique opportunity to race along the water surface on a wakeboard. The two-tower wakeboard water cableway with its kickers is an experience not to miss. Gr8 Wake also rents SUP boards which are a great way of enjoying the lake scenery with a somewhat quieter pace.

In the harbour, there are activities for every taste! The Rantaraitti recreational route in Jyväskylä is the biggest outdoor gym in Finland. The route takes you round the Jyväsjärvi lake. The 13 kilometre route provides changing landscapes in different neighbourhoods in Jyväskylä, and in the harbour, you can take a nice break during your jog. If you like, you can do a muscle workout in the outdoor gym in the harbour where there is equipment for a versatile muscular fitness exercise. Within the next few years, there will be a total of 20 different sports facilities around the Rantareitti route. After a day of activities, you can cool off on the Lutakko swimming beach located just a few minutes from the harbour.

Food, drinks and events at the Jyväskylä Harbour

The large green space in the harbour offers a good ground for cosy lounging and having picnics. Food can be easily bought from the grocery store in Lutakko Square. In addition to your picnic, you can indulge your taste buds at Container Restaurant Morton with a charming, sunny terrace. The ship restaurants Gaia, Musta Magia and Kavaljeeri II floating in the harbour offer a nice lake atmosphere. On the decks of the ship restaurants, you can enjoy a tasty meal or a fresh drink while gazing at the lake views. The live music shows on Musta Magia will further enhance the atmosphere.

There is always room for dessert – with the wide selection of ice creams in the Harbour Café (Satamakahvila) you will find find a favourite. The cafeteria that is open next to the Container Restaurant Morton offers, besides good company and weather, smoothies, ice coffee or fabulous pancakes.

In front of the lake, it is great to bask in the shine on a summer day and enjoy the wonderful delicacies on the menu, as well as cold drinks. For another year the harbour will have large terrace area in ​the Lutakko Square, where you can enjoy the offerings of six different restaurants.

The Lutakko Square located by the harbour is famous for music. The range of events and festivals on the Lutakko Square is wide, from the large Rally Finland and Suomipop to smaller events. Also not to be missed are the gigs of the famous rock club Tanssisali Lutakko! On the edge of the Lutakko Square in the harbour you will also find the award-winning Solo Sokos Hotel Paviljonki, the Exhibition and Event Centre Paviljonki, the Trattoria Aukio with Italian flavours and the local Hiisi Taproom&Bottleshop. A few steps from the square, next to the red-brick buildings, you can also find the relaxed restaurant Sohwitar.

The Jyväskylä Lutakko Harbour offers a lot to do even in winter. 

Jyväskylä harbour in Lutakko for boaters

The Finnish Yachting & Boating Federation awarded Lutakko Marina an honorary mention in the 2017 Marina of the Year vote. Lutakko Marina offers 46 berths. There are also rental boats in the harbour.

Visiting craft can take on fuel and drinking water – as well as empty their septic tank and bilge – at the service jetty.

Services available for boaters:

• Shore power
• Water
• Waste containers (also for boaters’ hazardous wastes)
• Septic tank discharge
• Bilge water discharge
• Toilet
• Shower
• Laundry
• Telephone
• Fuel supplies
• Boat slipway
• Quay for ships

(Pay at the Harbour Café. Sari Wigell tel. +358 40 070 6691)

The harbour in Lutakko can be easily reached by taxi. See JYTAKSI’s fixed price journeys from city centre to tourist attractions.

We look forward to welcoming you to Jyväskylä’s Lutakko harbour!