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Town in Kainuu, Finland
Photo: Kajaanifoto, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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Kajaanin taidemuseo
This small, two-story art museum exhibits a wide variety of art, in medium, content and theme. Photography, videography and installation art. Exhibits change about 6 times a year. They also offer workshops, lectures, and performances (in Finnish). There is little to no English available here, but that's rarely an issue. (Take a Finn with you if you'd like a more detailed description of each piece of art.)
Kainuun Museo
Kainuu Museum is a gateway to the history of the Kainuu region, located in the former Kesko wholesale and office building built in the 1930s. The permanent exhibition features one thousand-year-old silver rings found in Puolanka and daggers and cannon balls found in the ruins of the Kajaani castle. There are tar kilns and tar boats telling about the history of tar production in Kainuu. A minutely detailed miniature model of the city of Kajaani in 1939 demonstrates the way the bombings during the Winter War changed the structure and the buildings of the city. There are also two showrooms for temporary exhibitions.
Kajaanin linna
The ruins of a 17th-century fortress. There are a few plaques placed around it (also in English) that detail its history and the placement and purpose of the original rooms. 15–20 minutes is enough to explore the castle and its grounds.
Ule träsk
Fifth largest lake of Finland. Its Äijänselkä is the largest open lake area of any of them. There is a national hiking area providing services for boaters as well as other visitors, mostly in the neighbouring Vaala.
Paltaniemi is a picturesque rural village next to the airport. The view is dominated by Paltaniemi Church and long fields. Paltaniemi is also the birthplace of Finnish poet Eino Leino and his home has been turned into a museum-cafe. Families gather to Paltaniemi Beach on hot summer days. Although Paltaniemi is officially a neighbourhood of Kajaani, you´ll need a bike or car to reach the place. Buses move far apart.
Riihipiha-museo
The Riihipiha museum represents common farmyard in Kainuu countryside. Museum area contains over thirty buildings which have been transferred and rebuilt in the area. The museum is a lot more than agricultural exhibition, because there is also bank museum, general store museum and The White Guard – and Lotta sister museum in the area.
Tasty, no-nonsense Finnish food with a good wine list. Main dishes €6.5-14, fixed menu a little more. The restaurant is situated on a beautiful site next to river.
As implied by the restaurant's name, the food is influenced heavily by sort of "wild-west", Texas or Mexico thing or such. Delicious hamburgers, steaks, french fries and wedges can be found on menu, and the restaurant also has daily lunch. The place is decorated in the wooden style of old "wild west" saloons.
Famous local hamburger-grill. Big take-away dishes of kebab and fries, but location is rather far away from the city center.
Legendary bakery that has been awarded for its quality rye bread. There is a factory shop where you can buy the products of the bakery and a small cafe if you want to enjoy them right there.
The most famous pub in Kajaani. The 40-year-old pub gathers young and old people to sing karaoke during weekends.
Onnela ("Place of happiness") is the largest nightclub in Kajaani. DJs play Top 40 hits and Finnish classics. Targeted to young adults, but older folks have started to hang around after few other clubs have been closed.
Club96 attracts just-turned-eighteen clubbers. Trendy dance & hip-hop music.
Jengabaari
Local rock´n´roll fans stare into their half-empty pints in this place which offers rock and metal gigs at weekends.
Accommodation in three buildings, including the historic Steward’s House and a more plain guesthouse from 1949. Breakfast not included and may not be available. 24/7 reception at the nearby (800 m) Hotel Kajanus.
Traditional handicrafts and knit garments. Arranges handicraft courses.
Small shopping centre in the center of the city. Few international chains, like H&M and Benetton. In same building you can also find a bank, ATM, cosy cafe and a fast food restaurant.
By plane
By train
There are many trains daily from Helsinki via Kuopio or Oulu. The train station is within walking distance from the centre. See VR.
By bus
There is a daily coach from Helsinki (needs transfer), 3–4 services daily from Oulu and Joensuu and even more frequent bus traffic from Kuopio.
By car
Driving everywhere in the town area is easy. There are minor weekday rushes in the mornings and afternoons. Finding parking space is not usually a problem.
By bus
Bus timetables are available on the website of the city.fi or Nysse mobile app to seek local bus routes between given locations and addresses. Waltti mobile app can be used for ticket purchase.
Electric kick scooters
Finnish Move on East rents electric kick scooters for use in the centre.
By taxi
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Kajaani · Regional · KAJ
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