A view over the Koli National Park to Lake Pielinen

Here we are!

North Karelia is a part of the Lakeland Finland. Joensuu is the regional hub of North Karelia, located approximately 400 km to the Northeast from Helsinki. Read more about the most convenient ways of reaching our destination and Finnish Lakeland.

More information

The best of North Karelia

Where can you go nowadays to escape from the concrete walls and traffic jams of the big city, without winding up in overcrowded tourist resorts?

Is there anywhere where you can spend a holiday which really does get you “away from it all”? If you are looking for a different type of holiday, then North Karelia might be just the right destination for you.

Top attractions

Two silhouettes of hikers on the Koli Hills

Find your nature

In North Karelia you may spend a relaxing holiday in a traditional holiday house located by a lake. The Finnish national landscape that opens from the oldest bedrock of Europe, Koli hills is of course something that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. For nature lovers the four national parks of our region offer great trails for day-hikes.

Nature attractions

Cooked meat with seasonal vegetables

Karelian culture in two ways

Karelian flavors

North Karelia is a great destination for food enthusiast. You´ll find authentic flavors and experience how food is prepared from what the lakes and forests offer during different seasons. Autumn brings to table all harvest delicacies with the combination of soft and sour flavors. Forests are also full of tasty berries and mushrooms waiting for someone to pick them up.

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Karelian culture

Karelian culture is not just about food. Our region can tell you many interesting stories about orthodoxy, rune singing, war history, karelian traditions and other characteristics of life between East and West.

Read more

Hotel room in Sokos Hotel Kimmel

Stories of Sustainability

Here in North Karelia our actions rely strongly on sustainability, and we are proud of our unique nature and culture. Are you aware, how differently companies can take account both ecological, social, economic, and cultural aspects of sustainability in their businesses?

A series of articles presents sustainable stories behind North Karelian companies, which have received Sustainable Travel Finland label from Visit Finland. Familiarize yourself with the businesses and follow their journey on the sustainable development path.

Read the articles

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Jul 5

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Sunrise view from the Utra islands 🌅 🌊 The Utra islands are a rocky island complex connected by idyllic wooden bridges, located approximately six kilometers from the city center of Joensuu. 🦆 There is possibility to grill sausages in the Utra islands by the fire. Often times also ducks can be spotted! Many thanks to @paaav0 for sharing your wonderful picture with us! ☺ #visitkarelia_finland #visitkarelia #northkarelia #pohjoiskarjala #discoveringfinland #discoverfinland #ourfinland #lakelandfinland #visitlakelandfinland #finnland #nordkarelien #visitjoensuu #utransaaret #utraislands #utra @visitlakelandfinland @visitjoensuu

Sunrise view from the Utra islands 🌅

🌊 The Utra islands are a rocky island complex connected by idyllic wooden bridges, located approximately six kilometers from the city center of Joensuu.

🦆 There is possibility to grill sausages in the Utra islands by the fire. Often times also ducks can be spotted!

Many thanks to @paaav0 for sharing your wonderful picture with us! ☺

#visitkarelia_finland #visitkarelia #northkarelia #pohjoiskarjala #discoveringfinland #discoverfinland #ourfinland #lakelandfinland #visitlakelandfinland #finnland #nordkarelien #visitjoensuu #utransaaret #utraislands #utra @visitlakelandfinland @visitjoensuu ...

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Jul 2

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🌊 Have you visited the Onkilampi Trail in Kontiolahti yet? This location makes for a great day trip with the family, for example. 🌲This trail goes around the Onkilampi, located in the border of Kontiolahti and Joensuu. The trail is 4 kilometers long. Suomeksi lisätietoa reitistä löydät täältä: https://www.visitkarelia.fi/ulkoilureitit/onkilampi-trail/ Thanks to @sinituuliah for sharing your picture with us! 🩵 #NorthKarelia #visitkarelia_finland #visitkarelia #pohjoiskarjala #finnland #nordkarelien #souloffinland #ourfinland #discoveringfinland #visitlakelandfinland #visitjoensuu #joensuu @visitlakelandfinland #kontiolahti #visitkontiolahti

🌊 Have you visited the Onkilampi Trail in Kontiolahti yet? This location makes for a great day trip with the family, for example.

🌲This trail goes around the Onkilampi, located in the border of Kontiolahti and Joensuu. The trail is 4 kilometers long.

Suomeksi lisätietoa reitistä löydät täältä: https://www.visitkarelia.fi/ulkoilureitit/onkilampi-trail/

Thanks to @sinituuliah for sharing your picture with us! 🩵

#NorthKarelia #visitkarelia_finland #visitkarelia #pohjoiskarjala #finnland #nordkarelien #souloffinland #ourfinland #discoveringfinland #visitlakelandfinland #visitjoensuu #joensuu @visitlakelandfinland #kontiolahti #visitkontiolahti ...

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