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City in North Karelia, Finland
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Joensuu, the second largest city in Eastern Finland and the capital of North Karelia, and at the outfall of the river Pielisjoki.
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The North Karelian Museum displays a wide range of stuff from Karelian folklore dresses to maps and photographs of places nowadays forgotten behind the Russian border. If you have made the effort to go to Joensuu, it is well worth a visit. If you are a student of Finnish Culture (e.g. in Helsinki University), you might get in for free, try!
Joensuun bunkkerimuseo
As part of the Salpa-line protecting Finland from the threat of Russia during World War II, the museum displays several models of concrete bunkers fully equipped with original guns and gear. A bizarre but worthwhile visit. During summer some local history students will hang around geared up as soldiers serving tea and are willing to answer all your questions. Open only during the summer.
Kaupungintalo
On the main square in the Art Nouveau style by the famous Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. Saarinen is also the architect of the Helsinki Central Railway Station (1909), and they resemble each other remarkably. The theatre of the city also functions in the same building.
The largest wooden building in Finland which offers a magnificent setting for various types of events. The arena is a venue for a variety of events from fairs to exhibitions, concerts and from small-scale meetings to large conferences. For the uses of sports, the arena is used for football, Finnish baseball, athletics, boxing, climbing and many another indoor sports.
Keskusta
Wooden 19th-century houses close to the Pielisjoki river. Some other remains of the wooden Joensuu remain here and there, but the old town as it was is now mainly lost due to construction speculation since the 1960s. The centre still follows the town plan that was made in 1848. Streets were made wide to prevent fire in a wooden town, and the trees in the streets are birch for the same reason, for example in Kirkkokatu (Church St.), which has a church in both ends, Greek Orthodox and Lutheran. Otherwise the centre is a rather ugly grid system post war concrete collection of houses with the typical shops and bars and restaurants you will find in any Finnish city. Most important modern buildings are the new library and Metla building in the university campus (There is a cafe inside).
A botanical garden established in 1957, containing about 2,000 different species.
Sinkkolan kotieläinpiha
This is an annual rock festival held in Joensuu on the second weekend of July. Founded in 1971, it is the second oldest rock festival in Finland still active, and one of the oldest in Europe. It gathers about 21,000 daily visitors and has been sold out in advance every year since 1998.
An annual film festival held in November.
In Finland so called grilliruoka (fast food from kiosks, usually meat pies, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc.) is popular but not very healthy in the long run. For fish lovers, however, some stands will serve "muikku," a small fish that is fried whole in butter and coated with rye flour. It's eaten whole, head and all; it's small enough to not even feel the bones. A choice of these are around the town, including in both ends of the market hall Kauppahalli. At the market square you have a choice of local and ethnic (including Thai) food stands. For small snacks only, try local "karjalanpiirakka" pastry at the marketplace stands or from Marttakahvila's Piirakkapaja.
Ravintola Aittaranta
A restaurant with authentic flavours and classics.
At the combined city hall/theatre, serving delicious Karelian style food.
Rosso in the corner of the marketplace is a mainly family restaurant, but very popular all over Finland.
You can also have a meal in any of the University canteens or in the canteen of Joensuu Science Park (most busy and maybe best of them)
In Karjalantalo building at Ilosaari. Lunch on weekdays 11:00-14:00, other times à la carte, good vegetarian menu.
A lunch café.
Beers and ciders. Also internet.
The best selection of beers in Joensuu.
Another night club in the city centre, rather expensive.
It used to be the biggest night club in Joensuu, inside Sokos Hotel Kimmel. Live music (always?). Minimum age Friday 20, Saturday 22.
A small bar that serves food and drinks.
Beer and live music next to main square. Favorite "after-school" or "after-work" destination.
Beer and live music from rock/alternative bands.
Rock club and restaurant at Ilosaari island in a centre of Joensuu middle of Pielisjoki river. Main venue for live music in Joensuu. Serves both food and drinks. Free Wi-Fi.
Partiotalon retkeilymaja
Affordable accommodation near the city center, university and the Joensuu Arena
You can bring your tent or caravan, or you can rent a cottage. Next to the campsite is a small beach, should you whish to swim in the lake. Opens only for the short summer (June–August).
In the southern part of Joensuu, less than a kilometer from the center. Shower, toilet and cooking facilities in the rooms.
Opposite to the Liikuntaopisto (gymnastics school). Toilet, douche, cooking facility and bed sheets in the rooms, breakfast is not included.
In the city center. Shared toilet and bathroom, refrigerator and microwave oven. Breakfast is included in the room price.
A former village school that serves as an inn.
In the city center. Shower and toilet in the rooms, separate beds, closet, water cooker, small refrigerator and a 32" television. Breakfast costs €5 extra, parking fee €5.
80 rooms with TV, radio, pay-channel, minibar, hair dryer, free broadband connection, airconditioning and safety box.
A motel with 14 rooms, each with its own shower and toilet. Free parking for motel customers. Local services, such as a lunch restaurant and a grocery store, are within walking distance.
230 rooms with different equipment
One of the more luxurious hotels in Joensuu, located next to the market square. The rooms seem to have been refurbished. There are three restaurants and a pub on the ground floor.
A hypermarket in the city centre.
A hypermarket along the Highway 9.
A supermarket along the Highway 73.
Handcraft and culture quarter, includes a café, boutiques and shops, craft centre and exhibitions.
Great selection of new and used CDs and vinyl.
Market
In the centre of Joensuu and especially lively during the summer months. In the winter the two market cafes will close and most of the stands will not be there.
Flea Market
Huge outdoor flea market that is held every other Sunday during the summer.
By train
Direct connection from Helsinki via Lappeenranta, several trains a day. Travel time is about 5 hours. If coming from Russia, transfer at Kouvola. There are also trains from Pieksämäki.
By bus
From Helsinki one departure a day seasonally with a traveling time of about 7 hours, see timetables. Services also from Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Oulu,Kajaani and Savonlinna.
By car
National road 6 goes from Helsinki via Lappeenranta and Kouvola in Joensuu and further Nurmes and Kajaani, although the route via Mikkeli and Varkaus is shorter.
By boat
Joensuu is on the shore of lake Saimaa which is accessible from sea by the Saimaa Canal.
By scooter
You can rent electric kick scooters for use in the centre from German Tier.
By bike
Many locals ride their bicycle all year around. Easybike offers city bikes for rent.
By taxi
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Joensuu · Regional · JOE
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