Guided walking tours

Who was the architect, academician Alvar Aalto? We will go through the turning points in Aalto’s life, from a schoolboy to a newly graduated architect, husband and father, designer and finally a prestigious academician. On the way, we will hear stories about life, Aalto’s development as an architect, and his relationship with Jyväskylä, and we will get the answer to why Jyväskylä is the capital of Alvar Aalto.

Starting point: Are Square, Puistokatu 2
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1–25 participants)
Accessibility: The tour can be arranged accessibly. Please let us know when ordering the tour.

Experience the work of Alvar Aalto, consummate designer and master of modernism, in its intended urban setting. Jyväskylä is the city where Alvar Aalto went to school, started a family and began his illustrious career – and this is also where you’ll find the most comprehensive portfolio of buildings designed by him. The Aalto Forte walking tour will introduce you to some of his most notable buildings in the city centre and give you a chance to explore the defining characteristics and finer details of his work. Trace his steps to discover some of the most enduring influences of his creative life and how these are reflected in his designs.

Starting point: Are Square, Puistokatu 2
Duration: 2 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1-25 participants)

The center of Jyväskylä is easy to explore on foot. Kauppakatu has been Jyväskylä’s main street since the beginning. There have always been shops, culture and attractions along it. On the tour, you will see the most essential sights of the city center and hear how a small marketplace developed into the fastest growing city of the 20th century.

Starting point: Lounaispuisto Park upper level, Seminaarinkatu 32
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1-25 participants)
Accessibility: The tour can be arranged accessibly. Please let us know when ordering the tour.

Named one of Europe’s coolest destinations by The Sunday Times, Jyväskylä invites you to explore its vibrant charm. Join a guided walking tour of this modern university city, birthplace of the famous Finnish education system. Learn about the world-renowned architect Alvar Aalto, and visit the venue of the annual World Rally Championship race. The tour ends at the harbour, a vibrant hub for locals, offering cozy restaurants and space for relaxation or picnics by Lake Jyväsjärvi.

Starting point: In front of the Tourist Office, Asemakatu 7, 40100 Jyväskylä
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1-25 participants)
Accessibility: The tour can be arranged accessibly. Please let us know when ordering the tour.

Wivi Lönn was Finland’s first woman to have her own architecture office. According to her own words, she designed almost an entire district in Jyväskylä. On the tour, we will see the buildings she designed on Seminaarinrinne, including her own home. Alvar Aalto is the most famous Finnish architect worldwide. In the early years of his career, he lived with his wife Aino in one of the buildings designed by Lönn. We will also visit the Jyväskylä University campus designed by Aalto. The Alvar Aalto campus is being proposed for the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Starting point: Lounaispuisto Park upper level, Seminaarinkatu 32
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1-25 participants)
Esteettömyys: The tour is not accessible. The Seminaarinrinne area is steep and the route has a cobblestone street.

Discover the history of Seminaarinrinne Hill and the Älylä neighbourhood and find out more about present day Jyväskylä along the way. Historically, this leafy and peaceful area was home to teachers and artists. Many of the buildings date back to early 20th century, and several of them were designed by Wivi Lönn, the first woman architect to practice independently in Finland. This tour also takes in Alvar and Aino Aalto’s first shared home and artist Jonas Heiska’s studio and private residence. (Please be aware that the route involves steps and uneven surfaces and is not suitable for people with restricted mobility.)

Starting point: Lounaispuisto Park upper level, Seminaarinkatu 32
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1-25 participants)
Accessibility: The tour is not accessible. The route has stairs and sloping terrain.

Architect, professor Wivi Lönn was the first woman in Finland to establish her own architectural office. At the beginning of the 20th century, she moved to Jyväskylä. On this guided walking tour, we will get to know the villa district of Seminaarinrinne and Wivin Lönn’s art nouveau-influenced sites located there. You will also hear about the architect’s life in Jyväskylä and the friendship between Lönn and the trade councilor Hanna Parviainen.

Starting point: Lounaispuisto Park upper level, Seminaarinkatu 32
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1–25 participants)
Accessibility: The tour is not accessible. The Seminaarinrinne area is steep and the route has a cobblestone street.

This tour will take you to the historic Schauman industrial district that has recently been converted into a residential area and is today also home to a number of technology companies. Lutakko is where the old and new Jyväskylä meet. Our tour takes in the Renaissance-style Schauman Villa, the Innova tower, the tallest building in Jyväskylä, the Jyväskylä Paviljonki International Congress and Trade Fair Centre and the Matkakeskus travel hub. You will hear tales of the old plywood factory, discover what life is like in Lutakko today and find out what’s in store for the area’s future. The walking tour departs from the.

Starting point: Innova building at Piippukatu 11
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1-25 participants)
Accessibility: The tour can be arranged accessibly. Please let us know when ordering the tour.

The history of Naissaari Island in Vaajakoski can be traced back to the 16th century. This walking tour is an opportunity for you to discover the story of Master Salvesen, local businessman and philanthropist, and what happened when the Central Finnish Cooperative Society set up on the island. You will also find out what used to happen at “Rimahelvetti” and in “Lapumylly”, take a peek into times gone past and enjoy the beautiful canalside views.

Starting point: Visitor information display in Naissaari parking lot
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1-25 participants)
Accessibility: The tour can be arranged accessibly. Please let us know when ordering the tour.

Jyväskylä is characterised by its vast expanses of green space which join together to form Kehä Vihreä, the town’s central park. On this tour, we will discover how this unique urban oasis came into being and explore some of the art on display here. A walk through this green and peaceful landscape is a treat for all the senses.

Starting point: Viitatorni building, Viitaniementie 14
Duration: 2 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1-25 participants)
Accessibility: The tour can be arranged accessibly. Please let us know when ordering the tour.

Theme 1: A city of culture and learning
The most famous residents at Jyväskylä’s Old Cemetery have played a significant role in Finland’s history and their achievements reflect the town’s heritage as a place of education and learning. Our tour introduces you to the teachers, writers, artists and musicians that made Jyväskylä their home and were inspired to pursue their professional and creative passions here. You will discover a wide range of fascinating topics along the way, from the Finnish national instrument kantele to choir music and Finnish jewellery design.

Theme 2: Merchants and industrialists
Fredrikson’s hats, Halonen’s pump organs, Jussila wooden toys and Ruth’s bagels are classic Jyväskylä brands that are well-known and well-loved throughout Finland. Our tour introduces you to some of the town’s most famous merchants and industrialists from across the ages. Their wealth and influence are also reflected in their magnificent memorial headstones.

Theme 3: Women’s turn
At various stages in the history of our city, women have been both prominent and marginalized. The protagonists of this tour are women who deserve to be mentioned either for their own merits or by the merits and actions of their spouses which got publicity. In any case, this time women are mentioned first.

Starting point: The Old Cemetery’s Tourukatu entrance
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1-20 participants)
Accessibility: The tour can be arranged accessibly, but the pathways are narrow. For accessible tours a lower number of participants is adviced. Please let us know when ordering the tour.

Kangas is a Jyväskylä neighbourhood on a former industrial site in the Tourujoki river bend. A paper mill was first built on the site in 1872,  marking the beginning of more than a century of industrial activity. Some of the old factory buildings have been repurposed, and the area is being rebuilt into a modern neighbourhood designed for a communal, eco-friendly way of life. 

Starting point: Kympinkatu 7
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1-25 participants)
Accessibility: The tour can be arranged accessibly. Please let us know when ordering the tour.

Art displayed in public spaces has inspired admirers and detractors throughout the ages. Jyväskylä is dotted with dozens of public works of art, ranging from a tiny sparrow-sized sculpture all the way to murals spread across the whole outer wall of a block of flats. Let our guide take you on an artistic tour of the city centre. You’ll get to hear stories about the background of the art projects, the artists, and the discussions that have been had about the works. 

Starting point: Are Square, Puistokatu 2
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1–25 participants)
Accessibility: The tour can be arranged accessibly. Please let us know when ordering the tour.

On this tour, your local guide take you to all the best spots for Pokémon Go sightings, while also giving you an introduction to the city. Through your guide, you will become part of Jyväskylä’s Pokémon Go community, discover all the local nests and get some top tips on where to go for the best sightings. This walking tour is always tailored to your needs and requirements and reflects the latest Pokémon Go developments.

Starting point: Tailored for the group
Duration: 1,5 hours
Price: See the pricing here (1-25 participants)