Kajaani Art Museum

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.