Situated in the heart of Finland, Jyväskylä combines the best of nature, culture, and unique experiences for a summer road trip. About 3 hours away from Helsinki, you’ll find this city in lakeland Finland. You’ll also find the second largest lake in Finland, Lake Päijanne, in Jyväskylä.
Get ready for serene lakes and lush forests, historic sites and modern architecture. Jyväskylä offers plenty of things to explore.
I had the pleasure of venturing to the Jyväskylä region in collaboration with the Visit Jyväskylä tourism board, so now I can tell you the best recommendations first hand.
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In this blog post, I’ll break down the activities and sights by location across the Jyväskylä region.
But first,
What is the difference between Jyväskylä city and Jyväskylä region?
Jyväskylä city is Finland’s 5th largest city. It’s a city in its own right. However, the Jyväskylä region encompasses the surrounding 18 municipalities as well. A few of the municipalities in the Jyväskylä region include Jämsä, Luhanka, Laukaa and Konnevesi (all of which we visited on our trip)!
How to get to Jyväskyla?
The good thing about travel in Finland is that you can get to most major cities from public transportation. For our trip, it was most convenient to hop on an Onnibus to take the 2 hour bus ride from Lahti to Jyväskylä. Then, we rented a car to make sure we could travel to the countryside and back to the city with ease.
It is possible to get to Jyväskyla from some cities by VR train as well.
Now onto the reason you came here…
Things to do in nature in Jyväskylä region
Rural Charm and Natural Wonders
Visit Nisulan Pihatupa in Luhanka in Jyväskylä region
If you drive towards Luhanka, a quaint village known for its rural charm, it will take you about 50 minutes by car from Jyväskylä city center. The journey itself was a treat, with scenic views of the Finnish countryside unfolding along the way.
In Luhanka, you should visit Nisulan Pihatupa, which is an idyllic cafe and farm shop nestled by the lake. Here, I enjoyed a nice afternoon coffee & sweet treat amidst sheep grazing peacefully nearby.
Nisulan Pihatupa is owned and run by a family so it felt like they’re cafe was an extension of their home.
Hike to see Oravivuori Triangulation Tower in Korpilahti
A 45-minute drive away from Nisulan Pihatupa you will find Oravivuori Triangulation tower. This tower is a UNESCO World Heritage site.The hike to get to the tower was about 1 kilometer and it was relatively easy to walk with just a slight uphill incline. The panoramic views from the top of the tower were breathtaking, showcasing the stunning landscape of lakes and forests that define the region.
Kiss a moose at Hirvikartano in Jämsä
A 30-minute drive from Oravivuori Triangulation Tower brought me to the Moose Manor, where I had the unique opportunity to meet moose and other forest animals like deer and reindeer. Paavo, the owner of Moose Manor in Jämsä, showed us around the place and introduced us to all of the animals. We got to enter the enclosure with the deer and reindeer to feed them and pet them. Then it was time to see the big guys, the moose.
All of the moose at hirvikartano are named after Finnish presidents and seemed like they all had their own personalities. You are not allowed to enter the enclosure with the moose, however you can feed them and give them a kiss if you’re brave.
It was so cool to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures that Finland is so well known for.
Zipline or walk a tightrope across Kuusaa river rapids in Laukaa
Laukaa is about 25 minutes from Jyväskylä city. In Laukaa, we got to experience the thrill of Kuusaa river rapids from above. At Varjola Resort, you can book a range of river activities like river rafting, fishing, ziplining, or tight rope walking.
The zipline and tight rope walking were short experiences so we then had a snack from the restaurant at Varjola resort and relaxed in nature.
Enjoy the world’s largest smoke sauna at Tupaswilla in Laukaa
A short 5 minute drive from Varjola Resort is Tupaswilla which is home to the largest smoke sauna in the world.
The evening we went to visit it, it was a ladies-only evening. One unique thing about this sauna experience was we actually rubbed peat (which looks like mud) all over our bodies. Apparently peat has therapeutic properties. It was interesting to say the least. It was quite funny walking around the nature & sauna naked, covered in mud and around more than 30 other women.
Explore the Kellankoski rapids in Konnevesi
Konnevesi is about 50 minutes from Jyväskylä city. At Browntruotland they have places to stay but also just nice outdoor activities to do. For example you can explore the Kellankoski rapids by row boat, kayak, or fly fishing. We did a peaceful loop around the lake via rowboat on a sunny day!
Things to do in the city in Jyväskylä region
Bustling city life & culture
Cycling Around Lake Jyväsjärvi
When we stayed at the FInlandia Hotel Alba for the night, we were able to rent bikes for a lovely excursion around town.
You may be able to call this hotel to see if you can rent bikes or find another bike rental from the city.
The scenic views of Lake Jyväsjärvi were beautiful. The route I took was through the vibrant Lutakko harbour area and the serene Suuruspää area, where I encountered summer sheep grazing. I also visited the famous Alvar Aalto-designed boat, Nemo Propheta in Patria, at the harbou and had a refreshing summer drink at Sataman Villu.
Enjoying Afternoon Tea at the Old Vicarage
I then cycled to the Old Vicarage (vanha pappila) for a delightful afternoon tea. The historic setting, coupled with delicious treats, made for a perfect midday break. We had the opportunity to taste their iced teas, warm tea, and sparkling wine. You can’t go wrong with whatever beverage item you select.
The Old Vicarage also is the perfect place to dress up a bit if you want to embrace your inner Bridgerton while sipping your afternoon tea and nibbling on scones.
Exploring Toivola Old Courtyard
Right outside of the Old Vicarage you can browse around the Old Courtyard. There are a handful of cute shops, cafes, and restaurants to pop into to get a feel of Jyväskylä culture.
One place you have to stop by is the Art Gelato ice cream kiosk. Here, I enjoyed locally made gelato with unique flavors. Here are the options that were available when we were there: Lime, sitruuna-laku (lemon licorice), vadelma (raspberry), tyrni (sea buckthorn), persikka-jäätee (peach iced tea), sitruunajuustokakku (lemon cheescake), valkosuklavadelma (white chocolate rasberry) and more!
Winding down with an Evening Sauna & Swim
At Finlandia Hotel Alba, there is a lovely swimming dock for you to take a refreshing dip into the lake. You may be able to call & book a sauna reservation for the evening here as well!
Needless to say, my first trip to Jyväskylä was one for the books. I hope you are able to try one of these fun activities on your next trip to Jyväskylä region whether that’s in the countryside or in the city.
