CityUsable guide

Kaustinen

Municipality in Central Ostrobothnia, Finland

Photo: Lauri Oino, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Kaustinen (Swedish: Kaustby) in Central Ostrobothnia is known for its huge yearly folk music festival. The municipality with some 4,300 inhabitants welcomes thousands of guests during the festival. The municipality of Veteli to the south of Kaustinen is also handled in this article.

Sights and activities

From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.

Folk Arts Centre Kaustinen
See
Kaustisen kansantaiteenkeskus
Several institutions, including a museum on folk music instruments. Shop with music and souvenirs. Café.
Hours
Mon–Fri 10:00–15:00
Details
Kaustisten kirkko
See
Wooden church, the current look from 1859.
Hours
Services Sun 10:00
Details
Kaustisten kotiseutumuseo
See
Local history museum.
Details
Kraatarimuseo
See
Local history museum in a 19th century tailor's home.
Details
Kaustisen ravit
See
Harness racing
Hours
Monthly
Details
Kaustinen Chamber Music Week
Do
Details
Kaustinen Folk Music Festival
Do
Kaustisen kansanmusiikkijuhlat, Kaustby folkmusikfestival
Hours
2021: 12–18 July
Details

Where to eat, drink and stay

Eat3 places

Kappelin grilli
Grill.
Address
Kaustintie 4
Phone
+358 6 861-1289
Website
kappelingrilli.fi
Teboil Kaustinen
Fuel station. Fuel, service, groceries. Restaurant/café.
Hours
Kitchen daily 09:00–20:00
Address
Terveystie 2
Phone
+358 6 861-1590
Website
teboil.fi
Ravintola Pelimanni€11–30
Hours
Mon–Fri 10:00–23:00 L 12:00–23:00, lunch Mon–Fri 10:30–15:00, dinner Mon–Fri 15:00–20:00, L 12:00–20:00
Price
€11–30
Address
Kaustintie 2
Phone
+358 6 861-1005

Sleep5 places

Neste Kaustinensingle €60, double €90 (in festival week €85/100); meals €10–16, children's meatballs €6.50, lunch 10:00–14:00
Fuel station. Restaurant. Lodging.
Hours
Mon–Fri 07:00–21:30, Sat 08:00–21:30, Sun 10:00–21:30
Price
single €60, double €90 (in festival week €85/100); meals €10–16, children's meatballs €6.50, lunch 10:00–14:00
Address
Teerijärventie 1
Phone
+358 6 860-7711
Website
nestekaustinen.fi
Koskelan Lomatalo
Rooms for 1–5 persons, cottage sleeping 4.
Address
Känsäläntie 123
Directions
in the village Känsälä, 5 km from the centre
Phone
+358 6 8611-338, +358 400-269-710
Website
koskelanlomatalo.kaustinen.fi
Tastulan LomakyläTent €10+€5/2 per person (children 3–16); caravan €20+€5/2; cottages €55 (3 pers.), €95–110 (4/6 pers.), peaks €80/135–150, linen €10
Camping and cottages. Also apartments.
Price
Tent €10+€5/2 per person (children 3–16); caravan €20+€5/2; cottages €55 (3 pers.), €95–110 (4/6 pers.), peaks €80/135–150, linen €10
Address
Mökkitie 7 (Pertuntie 7)
Phone
+358 6 861-4118, +358 400-733-331
Website
tastulanlomakyla.fi
Hotelli Kaustinen
Also apartments.
Address
Pajalantie 24
Phone
+358 40-168-6906
Website
hotellikaustinen.fi
Agrotourism Hirsikangas
Two cottages by the Ullava lake.
Address
Rahkosentie 809
Directions
by Ullavanjärvi, some 25 km north-east from the centre, midway between Kaustinen and Toholampi
Phone
+358 50-584-5245
Website
kase.fi

Getting there and around

Getting there

By bus
Kaustinen has direct coaches from Helsinki, Jyväskylä and Saarijärvi. In schooldays there are several services from Kokkola via Kaustinen, sparse services in winter weekends.

Read in the guide

Getting around

Veteli is some 10 km south of Kaustinen by national road 13.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport

Kokkola / Kruunupyy · Regional · KOK

Search stays near KOK

Search flights

Read before you go to Kaustinen

Articles and travel topics about Kaustinen and Finland.

Nature & adventure

Best Places to See the Northern Lights: Season Guide

Where to see the northern lights in 2026 and 2027 during Solar Cycle 25, comparing weather in Tromsø, Abisko, Fairbanks and Iceland.

Oct 17, 20267 min read

Inspiration

Best Places to Visit in December: Sun, Snow and Cities

The best places to visit in December across sun, snow and culture, comparing Lapland, Chiang Mai, Vienna, Costa Rica and Cape Town.

Oct 17, 20267 min read

Inspiration

10 Emerging Travel Destinations to Visit in 2027

Discover 10 rewarding emerging travel destinations for 2027. Escape crowded tourist hubs and explore quiet spots with rich culture and great food.

Oct 16, 20268 min read

Culture & history

Nordic music

The Nordic countries have a living heritage of folk music, well-known classical composers such as Edvard Grieg and Jean Sibelius, and a modern scene of pop, rock and electronic music.

Wikivoyage

Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

UnderstandThe folk music festival has become the main draw of the municipality. While otherwise perhaps typical countryside, with farming and some industry, the festival has led to a disproportionate number of skilled musicians.

Get inKaustinen is at the crossing of national roads 13 and 63. From Kokkola, just follow road 13. From Seinäjoki, take road 19 towards Lapua and Kauhava and change to road 63 before the centre of the latter.

Get aroundVeteli is some 10 km south of Kaustinen by national road 13.

DoWhile the event is massive, with several thousand people attending, there are also concerts in several small locales, with intimate atmosphere.

BuyKaustinen has a quite good assortment of shops for not being a city.

SleepDuring the festival, there are more lodging and camping options. Check the festival's web pages.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Kaustinen" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Kaustinen", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Lauri Oino, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage