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Town in Lapland, Finland
Photo: OnlyinLapland, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kemijärvi is in Finnish Lapland. It is the north-eastern railhead for passenger traffic. Kemijärvi can pride itself on being the northernmost city in Finland, and the only one with the city centre north of the Arctic Circle.
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Kemijärvi translates to "Kemi Lake", and the city shares the name with the lake just east of it. The lake and the landscapes with fells (hills) around it is a beautiful view all year.
Built in 1949, this is the most prominent landmark of the city.
The regional museum shows how people used to live in the old days.
Fuel station with restaurant.
An aged hotel at the main shopping street. Sauna and Wi-Fi included. Also "economy" rooms without breakfast and linen. Go elsewhere for dinner (microwave oven at disposal, if that's enough for you).
A basic hotel in the city centre. TV and private bathroom in each room as well as unreliable Wi-Fi. "Family" rooms have single beds and refrigerator. The hotel restaurant is a good place to eat even if you don't stay there, they serve an extensive buffet for €11.50. Also lunch and à la carte, but check Sunday hours.
By train
A daily overnight train from Helsinki to Lapland goes all the way to Kemijärvi. From Turku you may need to transfer in Tampere. See VR.
By bus
There are buses from Rovaniemi, Kuusamo and Sodankylä as well as Kandalaksha in Russia; the Russian service may be suspended because of the Russian war on Ukraine.
By car
The distance from Helsinki or elsewhere in southern Finland is about 1,000 km, so prepare for a whole day of driving – or get tickets for an overnight train.
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Rovaniemi · International · RVN
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