10 best things to do in the Jyväskylä Region, Lakeland Finland
Planning a summer holiday in the Finnish Lakeland and looking for ideas? How about kissing a moose, cruising Finland’s longest and deepest lake or taking in world-famous architecture in Europe’s coolest city? You can do all this and more in the Jyväskylä Region where you’ll find nearly 4,000 lakes, four national parks, relaxing saunas and vibrant city life. In the Jyväskylä Region, nature is always close – even in the middle of the city. Read the best tips and make the most of your holiday in the Finnish Lakeland!

1. Relax in the world’s largest smoke sauna or an igloo sauna
A visit to a sauna is a must when spending your summer holiday in Finland. And what better place to experience it than in the Jyväskylä Region, the Sauna Region of the World, where you’ll find both traditional and highly original saunas to suit all tastes.
How about relaxing in the gentle heat of the world’s largest smoke sauna at Tupaswilla? Or visit the igloo sauna at Revontuli Resort or choose from a variety of saunas and sauna treatments near the foaming rapids at Varjola?

2. Admire the world famous architecture of Alvar Aalto
Walking through the streets of Jyväskylä, the visitor cannot help but become familiar with the world-famous architecture of Alvar Aalto: Jyväskylä has more of Aalto’s buildings from different periods than anywhere else in the world (29 buildings in total plus a wooden motorboat designed by Aalto). There is a strong connection between Aalto and Jyväskylä, as Alvar Aalto spent a large part of his childhood, went to school, started a family and began his illustrious career in Jyväskylä. Start your journey in Alvar Aalto’s footsteps at the Aalto2 Museum Centre or at Säynätsalo Town Hall – Aalto’s masterpiece named one of the world’s most influential buildings by the New York Times. A tip for all Aalto fans and those who want to become one: at Säynätsalo Town Hall you can even stay in the same guest room where Alvar Aalto and his wife once stayed.

3. Spend a summer day enjoying Finland’s longest and deepest lake
In the Jyväskylä Region you are located in the middle of stunningly beautiful Lakeland Finland and Europe’s most extensive integrated lake area. There are some 3,700 lakes in the region, the largest of which is Finland’s longest and deepest lake, Lake Päijänne (length 121 km, deepest point 95,3 m). In the Jyväskylä Region you will have the chance to enjoy the thousand lakes in a variety ways. How about a canoe trip on the calm waters of Lake Päijänne, followed by a delicious meal on the lakeside terrace of Juurikkasaari? Or perhaps a cruise on Lake Päijänne on a century-old steamboat from Päijänne-Risteilyt Hilden, admiring the surrounding lake scenery? Or if you are interested in fishing, you will find the perfect setting at Kellankoski Lodge.

4. Explore Finnish nature in all its diversity in the four national parks of the Jyväskylä Region
The Jyväskylä Region boasts four national parks offering visitors the opportunity to experience Finnish nature in all its diversity. The trails in the region’s four national parks take visitors up ridges of sighing pines, to the shores of sparkling blue lakes, through vast bogs, fascinating rock fields, wilderness forests and foaming rapids. There is a way for everyone to explore the region’s nature and national parks: go on a guided or self-guided hike, explore the national park by canoe or cruise, or cycle on a mountain bike trail. The national parks also have accessible trails. In the summer of 2025, the Jyväskylä Region will launch the Outdoor Express service, which will provide guaranteed bus departures from the centre of Jyväskylä to the national parks.

5. Visit Europe’s coolest city Jyväskylä
A vibrant city of nearly 150,000 residents, where almost one in three people is a student. Interesting museums, the world’s largest collection of Alvar Aalto architecture, charming hotels, cosy cafés and restaurants. The idyllic 19th-century wooden quarter Toivola Old Couryard and lively harbour with restaurants, terraces, water-related activities, saunas and events. Nature at your fingertips – even in the bustling city centre. No wonder Jyväskylä, the region’s capital, made the Sunday Times list of Europe’s most interesting places to visit!

6. Experience two UNESCO World Heritage Sites during the same stay
In the Jyväskylä Region you can experience two UNESCO World Heritage Sites during the same stay – how cool is that! Petäjävesi Old Church is a masterpiece of timber construction, an atmospheric church that was built by peasant farmers in 1763-65. The main part of the church is a reminder of times gone by, while the soft smell of wood and fine details that speak volumes about the craftsmanship of an earlier age leave a strong impression on the visitor. The second one of the Jyväskylä Region’s UNESCO sites, the Oravivuori Triangulation Point in the Struve Chain, introduces us to the Jyväskylä Region’s impressive landscape and scientific history.

7. Discover rock art older than the Egyptian pyramids
Everyone knows that the famous Egyptian pyramids are thousands of years old. Less well known is the fact that in the Jyväskylä Region you can discover history that is even older than that. The oldest ones of the Saraakallio Rock Paintings on a 40-metre-high rock formation are up to 7.000 years old. They form the largest contiguous area of paintings in Fennoscandia. In summer the paintings can be seen from the deck of the Päijänne-Risteilyt Hilden cruise ship, or on a canoe or kayak tour. At Peurunka Spa & Resort you can enjoy the Saraakallio themed sauna.

8. Kiss a moose
A visit to Finland without seeing a moose – no way! The Jyväskylä Region offers the best chance to meet the king of the forest at Finland’s only moose farm, Moose Manor. The farm is also home to other antlered animals such as reindeer and deer.

9. Have fun at holiday resorts
If you are looking for a nice place to spend your holiday, take a look at the holiday resorts in the Jyväskylä Region. Whether you are travelling with adults, children or on your own, the resorts guarantee a memorable and relaxing holiday with cosy accommodation, delicious restaurants and a wide range of different kind of activities. Revontuli Resort, Peurunka Spa & Resort, Resort Keurusselkä, Piispala, Varjola Resort and Himos Holiday are all located on or near a lake, making it is easy to enjoy water activities such as canoeing, kayaking and swimming. There are also many other outdoor activities to choose from, such as cycling to explore the beautiful nature of Finnish Lakeland. For accommodation, you can choose from hotel rooms, cosy cottages, beautiful villas and even glass igloos. Pro tip: Children will love the water slides at Peurunka Spa & Resort, including one of the longest water slides in the Nordic countries.

10. Find the Finnish happiness
For many Finns, a cottage, a jetty and a lake stretching out in the distance are all they want for their holiday. Thousands of lakes and picturesque scenery attract many locals to the Jyväskylä Region. Here they can relax, enjoy the warmth of the sauna and take a dip in the clean lake water. This is the region where you can spend your holiday like a Finn and find the Finnish happiness!
Need more ideas for your Lakeland holiday?
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