4 Star Places To Visit in North Karelia, Finland (50)

4.0 Botania - Botanical Garden and Tropical Butterfly Garden (102 reviews)
- Unique experience in a botanical garden!
Spent 1-2 hours Gardens

Botania is a botanical garden and a tropical butterfly garden, offering excursions into the world of plants. No need to fly to the tropics, tropical plants and temperatures are to be found in Botania. In the tropical section, you will be greeted by residents of the tropics: for example the sulfur-crested cockatoo Juuso and the Amazon parrots Lasse and Ilmari. Depending on the time of year tens of different species of tropical butterflies can be found soaring freely around one of the greenhouses of Botania. The butterflies can be seen in four different stages of development. Botania also has changing exhibitions on different themes, plus a year round exhibition of butterfly and insect collections. We offer guided tours by reservation. The outdoor garden is open during opening hours and entrance is free of charge. You can picnic under the trees. See more..
4.5 Sculpture Susi Kosiomatkalla (84 reviews)
- Sculpture wolf as a suitor
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Sculpture or statue sitting on the bench nearby Joensuu market area. Take a picture with wolf. There is also female wolf statue nearby sitting on the bench. See more..
4.5 Pohjois-Karjalan museo Hilma (46 reviews)
- Interesting museum
Speciality Museums

This museum located in the Carelicum building presents the history and cultural tradition of Karelia. In addition, the museum has changing theme exhibitions. In connection with the museum, there is a children's playground Mukulakatu. The permanent exhibition located on the second floor tells you about the prehistory and development of the North Karelia region, military history, Karelian cultural tradition and artifacts, miniature models of the city of Sortavala, and the birth of the city of Joensuu. See more..
4.0 Joensuun Tori (Joensuu Market) (44 reviews)
- Strawberries
Spent 1-2 hours Flea & Street Markets

Great market place. They are making and baking traditionel Carelian pies in one of the kiosks - cool to watch. See more..
4.5 Koli Relax Spa (39 reviews)
- A Spa with a view
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Spas

The Spa is located at the Hotel Koli. Parking is free, you need to take lift up to the hotel (also free). Price was 39€/adult (12/2016), price included sparkling wine, non-alcoholic drink or beauty products. There are three different kind of saunas, jacuzzi, hot and cold pools, outside tube - a view to lake Pielinen/ slopes of Koli. We visited at day time and were only customers, which was nice, but if spa is more crowded it could be noisy, I think. A view is awesome and well worth to visit. See more..
4.5 Paateri (33 reviews)
- Fell in love with Eva
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Came here as a stop over for and hour and fell in love with the place. Her work is sublime and simply beautiful. The guide spoke perfect English and was very helpful. So please we came here. See more..
4.5 Lake Pielinen (29 reviews)
- Brown trout.
Bodies of Water

We were one night at the hotel and then one week at a cottage at Hattusaari , cottage were nice and cozy and the lake gave fish nearly so much you wanted (pike,perch, pikeperch and one brown trout ) nice. We have to come back cause its so amazing place. See more..
4.5 Taitokortteli (24 reviews)
- Interesting place
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops • Coffeehouses

Taitokortteli is an old wood house quarter situated in the center of Joensuu. In this handcraft and culture quarter you'll find cafe Kauppaneuvos, Craft Centre, boutiques and various exhibitions and events. It is open all year round. See more..
4.5 Joensuun Taidemuseo Onni (24 reviews)
- Enjoyable visit
Art Museums

This museum is located in the center of Joensuu, near the market square. The stunning Neo-Renaissance building is the former Joensuu Lyceum completed in 1894. Permanent exhibitions include Finnish art from the 1850s to the modern days. You can find works from the most famous Finnish artists from the Golden Age of Finnish art. The exhibitions also include Eastern Orthodox icons, Chinese art, Greek and Roman antiquities, and European church art. On our visit, the changing exhibition was a contemporary exhibition by the anonymous graffiti artist EGS and textile artist Niina Mantsinen. It was a quite different art experience. The museum has a suitable size. You don't get an overdose of art. See more..
4.5 Pielisen Museum (22 reviews)
- History at its best
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality Museums

We spent a few hours at this mainly outdoor museum and found it very interesting. Great to see how life was not so very long ago and how people lived and what utensils and tools they had to cope with. Facinating, a true history lesson. See more..
4.5 Era Eero (22 reviews)
- Amazing wilderness
Nature & Wildlife Areas

Welcome to Lieksa, Finland, to enjoy Karelian hospitality and watch and photograph local wildlife such as wolwerines, bears, wolves and birds. See more..
4.0 Kylpyla Spa Bomba (21 reviews)
- Two days of relaxing visit
Spas

Very nice experience in North Karelia, eastern Finland. Warmly welcoming spa hotel with always kind personnel serving the best for the customer's easy, and yet relaxing, vacation. See more..
4.0 Kitee Zoo (18 reviews)
- Cozy, little zoo for families
Zoos

Kiteezoo is cozy, little zoo. There are only one route on which you can walk. Animal cages, which are pretty big, are located on side of this one road. This makes it very simple to follow. Selection of animals contains basic Finnish wildlife addes with few nice "aliens". Animals were very active and interested even there was darn hot day. Also there was couple animal cages where was leaves and branches left in front of it so that you can feed the animals. All in all, I recommend this place if you are around. See more..
4.5 Koli Nature Centre Ukko (18 reviews)
- Interesting exibition and important info about the Koli National Park
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

The Koli Nature Centre Ukko offers Finland's best known national landscape, the hills of Eastern Finland and heritage sites. The Koli Heritage Exhibition displays Koli's geological features, natural environment and culture in a variety of ways and provides advice and tips for hiking in the Koli National Park. The Nature Centre is only a few hundred metres from the Ukko-Koli lookout point. See more..
4.0 Pirunkirkko (14 reviews)
- Great attraction with kids
Spent 1-2 hours Caverns & Caves

Pirunkirkko is a 33-metre-long Z-shaped boulder cave to which several mystical stories are connected. Pirunkirkko is located along Rantatie Road, 12 km south of Koli. There is a path with many steps from the parking area (located by the road) to the cave. It is easy to turn off from the Herajarven kierros Trail to Pirunkirkko along the Ennallistajan polku Trail (Nature Restoration Trail). See more..
4.5 Pakotarinat Joensuu (13 reviews)
- Exciting and fun!
Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Laadukkaat pakohuone -pelit Joensuun keskustassa, Torikatu 19. Tule kokemaan oma jännittävä pakotarinasi! See more..
4.5 Old Mine Mining Museum (12 reviews)
- Important part of Finnish industry history
Speciality Museums

If you want to know about the history of Finland’s mining industry and part of the story of Finland becoming wealthy, go to this place. It is a lesson about history and mining but has also really nice views. View from the tower is great. See more..
4.5 Matkailutila Paimentupa (10 reviews)
- Amazing, professional staff, gorgeous views and amazing horses
Nature & Wildlife Tours • Horseback Riding Tours

I love horses and horseback riding (once settled in), but since I have little to no experience, each time I climb on a horse I tend to tense up and feel very anxious and I take very long to feel safe and content, partially due to some scary experiences in the past. The same riddled me this time around, however the horses could not be better for an inexperienced, nervous rider like myself. They were calm, obedient, followed the convoy without any trouble and didn’t even get frustrated with each other. The guides were very knowledgeable, friendly and even provided the tour in English even though we were the only party out of the group that required it. I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who wants to experience the beautiful landscapes of Koli in a more unique way. ❤️ See more..
4.5 Akka-Koli Hill (10 reviews)
- Another hill
Hiking Trails

One of the three higher rocks and hills. Not as magnificent as Ukko or Paha Koli but easy to visit and on your way to Paha Koli anyway.. See more..
4.5 Pyhän Nikolaoksen kirkko (10 reviews)
- Legacy of History
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

The church is small, but with an interesting iconostasi. On the first line of saints pictures, on the extreme left, there is the imagine of Alexander Nevskij. Proclaimed saint also because he won the Teutonic Knights in the Masuri Lakes battle. The location of the church in the city plan is at the extreme point of one road at the opposite point in relation to the Protestant church. Good luck for finding it open when you go for visiting. See more..
4.0 Herajarvi Hiking Trail (9 reviews)
- Great multi-day hike with great views albeit on a tough terrain!
Spent More than 3 hours Hiking Trails

The Herajarvi Trail is a journey into the Koli national landscape. The trail runs over wooded hills via the best lookout points. The diverse natural world of Koli and Northern Karelia are present at every step. The Herajarvi Trail goes round Lake Herajarvi and through Koli National Park. The trail consists of two circular trails, giving you a choice between a 61-km, 35-km or 30-km trail. Recommended starting point: Koli Vicitor Centre Ukko See more..
4.5 Neitikoski Rapids (8 reviews)
- MTB biking round
Bodies of Water

32 km marked trail by mountain bikes or by walking. Great experience, close to nature, challenging trail, breathtaking views, great accommodation in hut in Neitikoski. See more..
4.5 Ukko-Koli Ski Slopes (7 reviews)
- Good shaped narrow routes to downhill skiing
Spent 2-3 hours Ski & Snowboard Areas

Well-managed nice steep slopes. If growded, be aware other skiiers - routes are quite narrow and there is one a little steep and narrow turning. 2 ancor lifts an 1 chairlift for 2. You can start from the top by the hotel and restaurants or from the bottom by the cafe (this is better, if you are by car and not spending your night in the hotel). See more..
4.5 Viihdemaailma Ilona (6 reviews)
- Good party
Saturday: 10:00 PM - 5:00 AM Bars & Clubs • Karaoke Bars • Dance Clubs & Discos

Ilona is located in Joensuu city centre, in the best location on the pedestrian zone. The Live Club offers an excellent setting for the top dance orchestras in Finland, while you yourself can be the star of the night at the Karaoke Bar. Under the same roof there is also London, an international pub-style nightclub. See more..
4.5 Kolvananuuro (6 reviews)
- beautiful forest
Spent More than 3 hours Hiking Trails • Forests

beautiful forest, we didn't have very much time on our busy itinerary to properly appreciate the peace and tranquillity here. Hope to come again to fully explore. See more..
4.5 Utra Beach (6 reviews)
- Aurinkoinen hiekkaranta monipuolisin palveluin
Spent 1-2 hours Beaches

Utra Beach is a sunny, sandy beach with beach ground area and a playground for children. There is also a small cafe at the beach. See more..
4.0 Nurmes Church (5 reviews)
- Church of Nurmes
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

Unfortunately church was closed, because it was hit by lightning. It is fifth largest church in Finland with 2200 seats and bell tower is 55m height. See more..
4.5 Pikkukili (5 reviews)
- Perfect day for a family.
Zoos

Very big area in a beautiful landscape. Animals seemd happy and were very friendly also, many let us to caddle. Nice lake to swim and you can fish with a little price. You can grill along the lake, remember to take "makkara" to grill. We loved the place and for sure come back sometime. Very entertaining for children. See more..
4.5 Virkistysuimala Vesikko (5 reviews)
- Отдых в Йоэнсуу
Spent 1-2 hours Sports Complexes

Vesikko is a high-level recreation center for the entire family. It is located just outside the center of town, in the Mehtimaki Sports Complex. See more..
4.0 Honkaniemi Beach (5 reviews)
- Really Nice
Spent 1-2 hours Beaches

Small beach but really nice to relax and enjoy the view. Water looks clean and air smells refreshing. Highly recommended. See more..
4.0 Utransaari/ The Utra Island (5 reviews)
- Relaxing
Spent 1-2 hours Jogging Paths & Tracks

Very good and relaxing enviroment. You can smeel the fresh air and look the amazing view. Must see.. See more..
4.5 Tohmajarven kirkko (4 reviews)
- Cтарейшая в Северной Карелии деревянная церковь
Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

Потрясающая по красоте и размерам церковь расположена на высоком холме над озером. Находится в довольно удаленном местечке Тохмаярви недалеко от границы, найти её непросто. Поэтому конечно удивляет её величие для такого отдаленного местечка. Храм был построен в 1751-1756 гг. по проекту , несколько раз перестраивался и сейчас может вмещать 650-700 человек. Рядом с церковью находится высокая деревянная колокольня, несколько мемориальных памятников и местное кладбище. Является старейшей деревянной церковью Северной Карелии. See more..
4.5 Laitalan Lomat - Ohjelmapalvelut (3 reviews)
- A nice guest house in Valtimo
Ski & Snow Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

Excellent food and hospitality. The host, Henna, is friendly and really helpful. I recommend this place to everyone who visits Valtimo or Nurmes. See more..
4.5 Myllymuseo (3 reviews)
- Kiva pikku museo. Nice rustic museum
Saturday: Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums

Sijaitsee luonnonkauniilla paikalla ja sisältää yllättävän paljon nähtävää. Kauniina päivänä ihana paikka. Scenic little museum near the village center. Best enjoyed on a beautiful summer day. See more..
4.5 Rylays Hill (3 reviews)
- Nice views and good place to sleep
Spent 2-3 hours Lookouts • Scenic Walking Areas

From the Rylays Hill lookout point, great views open out onto Koli National Park's hills and Lake Pielinen which gleams out from behind them. There are handsome scree stones that look like a stream of rock on the hill slope a short distance to the south of the lookout point. There is a Lapp ‘kota' hut and a campfire site close to the lookout point. 2,4 Km From the Parking Place See more..
4.0 Kuorinka Beach (2 reviews)
Beaches
See more..
4.0 Raakkylan Kirkko (2 reviews)
- Rääkkylän kirkko on maaailman toiseksi suurin puukirkko
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals

Paikka on kaunis ja rakennuksen sijainti on kunnioitusta herättävä, koska se on koko kylän keskustan maamerkkinä korkealla mäellä. Historia on mielenkiintoinen, koska kaikki eivät tiedä, että kirkko on maailman toiseksi suurin puukirkko Kerimäen kirkon jälkeen. Käyntitilanne oli liikuttava hetki ja järjestetty yllätyksenä. See more..
4.0 Bomba- Action (2 reviews)
- Nice relaxing spa
4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Waterskiing & Jetskiing • Water Sports • Fishing Charters & Tours

Went there a friday evening. Nice pool area and the sauna was excelent. Realy enjoyed the hours here. See more..
4.0 Paalasmaan Surukivi (2 reviews)
- Moving...
Spent < 1 hour Monuments & Statues
A moving place, for remembering 1959 boat crash victims. 15 teenagers died here. The memorial stone is located at Paalasmaa camping site. See more..
4.5 Haikolan talo (2 reviews)
- The milieu of Haikola is very Finnish: lake and forest.
Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Civic Centres

If you come to Haikola don't forget to mont the hill Kohtavaara. There is a wooden tower on the top and you can enjoy the Finnish landscape - just like Koli-scenery. The lake Pielinen is in front of your eyes. There is a red log cottage in the courtyard where you can spend the night in a simple but romantic room. You can also order a cup of coffee with a very Finnish baked good "pulla" or if the day is favourable also order a meal. See more..
4.0 Juuan ev.lut Kirkko (2 reviews)
- Kirkko
Churches & Cathedrals

todella viihtyisä ja mukava kirkko kyllähän tuolla tulee käytyä rippikoulu aikoina
kauneimmat joulu laulut käykää ihmeessä kuuntelemassa laúluja See more..
4.5 Joensuun Kaupunginteatteri (2 reviews)
- Tule takaisin, Gabriel
Theaters

Upea esitys! Kiitos koko porukalle! Lopputuloksesta näki, että yhteistyö on toiminut loistavasti. Lavastus & äänet aivan super! See more..
4.0 Mustavaara (2 reviews)
- Small, but nice
Ski & Snowboard Areas
When reviewing, one must always remember what is in comparison. When in Finland, there is no use of comparing to Alps or other big ski resorts. Also, in Finland, Lapland has better slopes. But if you are in Northert Carelia, Mustavaara is an ok place if one wants to do downhill. It’s only 25 minutes from Joensuu, staff is super friendly and there are hardly no lines to the lift. There is a cafe with quite tasty pizzas. See more..
4.5 Kolinuuron kierros Nature Trail (2 reviews)
- Interesting geological information and spectacular views
Spent 1-2 hours National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails

Uuron kierros nature trail is about 3 km long nature trail that has interesting information about the geology in Koli National Park. The trail also goes to the most-known viewpoints in Koli and it takes about one hour to walk the whole trail. There are some steep hills along the trail, but I think it is still ok for families. See more..
4.0 Paimenen Polku Trail (2 reviews)
- Surprisingly informative and well organized
Spent 2-3 hours Hiking Trails

The Shepard's trail starting and end point is at Paimenenvaara parking area on Kotaniementie road. The trail features herb-rich slope forests and their vegetation. Information boards along the trail are in Finnish, English and German. The trail leads across rugged cliffs and is more demanding than other trails. The lenght of the trail is 2,6 km and there isa campfire site and a well along the way. See more..
4.0 Parnavaara Outdoor Center (2 reviews)
- Nice place to have hike, cross country ski excersice, snowshoeing and also biathlon possible
Spent 1-2 hours Sports Complexes • Cross-country Ski Areas • Jogging Paths & Tracks

Lot of posibilitiest to have out door activities. We went there one day during our winter vacation just to park our car close to cafeteria and ourvgoal was about 2km to north with snowshoes to fireplace. There we started fire to grill some sausages and boil some coffee on fire. We call it "nokipannu kahvit". Nice trip; good excersice. An othr day we came here and my wife skied abour 25km and I did some geocaching by snowshoing. See more..
4.0 Kasken Kierros Nature Trail (2 reviews)
- Short hiking-trail with information about finnish slash-and-burn -culture
Spent 1-2 hours Hiking Trails

Kasken Kierros Nature Trail (2,5 km) features the slash-and-burn landscape of the hills. The versatility of hill nature and nature research are also featured. The trail is a circle trail and has its starting/end point at the Koli harbour. There are 12 displays marked with black-topped poles. The displays are all accompanied by text in Finnish, English and Russian. See more..
4.0 Saarilan Kotielainpihassa (1 review)
- My son loved it!
Spent 1-2 hours Zoos
Lots to see and do for small children, including a small playground, pedal tractors and a kiosk that sells ice cream, coffee and sweets. See more..
4.0 Taistelijan talo (1 review)
- Interesting military museum, but very poor customer service
Spent 1-2 hours Military Museums
We like to visit different museums and during our visit in Ilomantsi we wanted to visit this war history/military museum. The museum itself is good and very informative and there's lots to see but we were disappointed about the really poor and rude customer service! We were the only visitors at the time and the staff wasn't eager to serve nicely, he was very rude and no smile on his face. For example, he said only cash is accepted when we were buying the tickets, but when I asked my daughter to borrow some money (because I was out of cash, and I only had my debit/credit card) he said "debit/credit card is also cash!!! I was open-mouthed...what is this. At this time my daughter stated she doesn't want to go to the whole museum...and for myself I wanted to do the same, but I had to visit the museum with my son. Otherwise I wouldn't go there because of the bad service! See more..
4.0 Parren Paronin Pienoisrautatie (1 review)
- Mini railway, museum, B&B
Speciality Museums

Super friendly lady gave the tour even though we popped in outside official opening hours. One of the biggest mini railways in Finland. Includes also history as all the buildings and trains has a story. In the addect is also a family museum. Highly recommendable place to visit. There is also B&B See more..

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