Must see attractions in The Finnish Lakeland

Top Choice

One of Aalto's most admired works, this town hall was conceived as a 'fortress of democracy' and constructed between 1949 and 1952. Its sturdy brick tower…

Top Choice

Built directly on rock in the middle of the lake (now accessed via bridges), this heavily restored 15th-century fortification was constructed as a…

Connected to Säynätsalo by bridges, peaceful Muuratsalo islet was the summer retreat of Alvar and Elissa Aalto. Aalto built his Experimental House – a…

Finland’s only Orthodox convent is particularly lovely in early summer, when the many flowers in its beautifully tended gardens bloom. The order was…

Finland’s only Orthodox monastery is idyllically located on an island in Juojävi. Visitors are free to roam the site and enter the churches. The first…

Kerimäki may be small (pop 5000), but its Lutheran church certainly isn't. Built in 1847, the building was designed to accommodate 5000 and is commonly…

A picturesque 19th-century timber parsonage estate 1.3km southwest of the city centre on the shore of Lake Saimaa, Kenkävero is now Mikkeli's most popular…

On an island that was once a naval port, this museum housed in a handsome 16th-century granary recounts local history and the importance of water…

Even small hills have cachet in flat Finland, and Kuopio was so proud of Puijo that it was crowned with a tower. Views from the top of Puijon Torni are…

The town's most famous son and the subject of this museum was a giant of 20th-century architecture. Schooled in Jyväskylä, Aalto opened his first offices…

This block of 11 wooden townhouses dating from the 18th and 19th centuries includes several period-furnished homes representing family life between 1800…

This wonderfully gnarled Unesco-listed wooden church is located in Petäjävesi, 35km west of Jyväskylä. Finished in 1765, it’s a marvellous example of 18th…

During the ice age, formations similar to this 7km-long sand ridge were created all over Finland. Because it crosses a large lake, it’s always been an…

Occupying an old bank building in the centre of town, this museum focuses on Finnish art created from the late 19th century to present times. Look out for…

In a castle-like art-nouveau mansion, this museum has a wide scope. The top two floors are devoted to cultural history, but the real highlight is the…

The views from the top of the 75m Puijon Torni are very impressive; the vast perspectives of lakes and forests represent a sort of idealised Finnish vista…

This scenic national park consists of Haukivesi Lake and hundreds of uninhabited islands; the most activity takes place on the largest island, Linnansaari…

Over 800 religious icons and 4000 textiles, along with documents, maps, drawings and photographs depicting Orthodox history in Finland, are displayed…

Adjacent to the Alvar Aalto Museo and also designed by him, this museum building was temporarily closed for a major restoration when we last visited. When…

Jyväskylä's municipal headquarters are located in the block bounded by Vapaudenkatu, Kilpisenkatu and Hannikaisenkatu. The complex includes three…