North Karelia is at the Matka 2026 fair in Helsinki from the 16th until the 18th of January 2026. Read more about the companies, municipalities and cities joining us on this page.
Come hear more about the tourism in North Karelia at the Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre main stages. There are events for every day of the Matka Travel Fair!
From North Karelia you can find a large variety of accommodation options, whether you are looking for a hotel, a cottage, a guesthouse or something entirely else! Here's six special tips for you.
.jpg?width=1920&name=Break%20Sokos%20Hotel%20Bomba%20Syksy%20Revontulet%201%20(3).jpg)
The lake Pielinen opens directly from the Break Sokos Hotel Bomba. In the hotel room you can pull on a cozy bathrobe and go straight to the spa. Enjoy the landscapes, familiarize yourself with Karelian culture at the traditional Bomba house and the Kalevala -movie set, explore culinary experiences and relax - Tulgua terveh!
Experience the unique and peaceful landscape hotel by the peaks of Koli: Break Sokos Hotel Koli. From the classy spa of the hotel, the rooms and the restaurants have a beautiful view to the Pielinen lake - the view that keeps going on for what seems like forever. Nature begins directly from the hotel door in Koli. Go explore the peacefulness and stillness of Koli, along with the national landscape of Finland.
.jpg?width=1920&name=Vastuullisuuskampanja_Kimmel%20(18%20of%2026).jpg)
At Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel in Joensuu you can expect enjoying your stay with North Karelian lifestyle, food and many events. Enjoy the entertainment evenings, relax at the Kimmel Spa, organize a meeting or event. You're welcome to pamper yourself in Sokos Hotel Kimmel!
Welcome to enjoy an authentic log cabin accommodation to the heart of North Karelia, the Sampo's Holiday Cabins. You can pick out of eight different sized log cabins to find the best suitable option for you. We offer many extra services along with the cottage holiday, for example fatbiking in nature near by or relax in the smoke sauna or in case of rainy weather maybe bad minton or floorball in the Kuntola -sports hall.
.jpg?width=1920&name=villa_hymy-%2021%20(1).jpg)
Karelia Huvilla holiday cottages invites you to Koli! There are three classy, spacious and cozy villas in the midst of nature, only a short distance away from the Koli national park. Every well equipped villa can comfortably fit up to eight guests. Villa Hymy, Villa Onni or Villa Valo are perfect choices for families, friends or work groups. Here the luxury comes from space, quiet and spending time together without any rush.
.jpg?width=1920&name=Superior%20huone%20(1).jpg)
Hotel Puu-Juuka consists of six different buildings, both with their own special atmosphere. Jukola, Arola, Sentraali and Kalinen are renovated old wooden houses, when Petra and Nimismies represent a more modern building style. Jukola is a homey 1900s wooden house, that offers a cozy accommodation for people travelling alone, as a couple or family. Arola, that used to be the bakers house, consists of nine beautiful rooms - one of which is a deluxe-room, located in the "tower". Sentraali is painted with ochre paint and a wooden house, that has two luxurious calm rooms for people travelling alone or for two people. Kallinen offers five beautiful rooms and wonderful views of Puu-Juuka area.
With big windows towards Lake Pielinen, this spacious log cabin is a peaceful nest, where the mind and soul rest during all seasons of the year. The multipurpose spaces adapt to both smaller and bigger groups and as a specialty there's also a movie room and sauna equipped with a lake view. The villa is located near the Koli national park and its extensive outdoor trails.
.jpg?width=6000&height=4000&name=2025_Pro%20Lakeland_North%20Karelia_summer_Parppeinvaara_hires-7980%20(1).jpg)
The Karelian kitchen is filled with traditions and flavours, that tell the story of Karelian hospitality and local fresh produce. Karelian pies, oven baked stews, Finnish fish pastry (kalakukko) and treats with berries are only a part of the culinary journey waiting for you in North Karelia. Local cafés, farm shops and restaurants offer genuine experiences - taste the traditions, experiment with new flavours and enjoy the flavours slowly with time in the midst of the Lakeland scenery.
North Karelian By Maitola's ice creams are made of real Finnish ingredients without anything artificial. The selection is 24 different flavours, including Santa's favourite ice cream flavour: blueberry! By Maitola products are available across Finland from well-equipped grocery stores and cafés.
Experience the traditions of Karelian food in an atmospheric guest house in Nurmes with a rune singing show. Dinner is prepared with wild herbs and local ingredients b honoring the food tradition. The delicious meal is enjoyed in the traditional living room of the guest house, while enjoying the calm atmosphere.
Contact: sales@aksytammat.fi
In Liperi the italian pizza traditions gets a North Karelian soul. At Saariston Puoti the heart of the whole operation is the real wooden oven, that gets warmed up by local birch firewood. The sour dough pizza base gets filled with seasonal flavours from near by - smoked vendace (savumuikku), chanterelles, potatoes and even strawberries. Did you know that the readers of Kotiliesi magazine voted Saariston Puoti to be the best pizza place in the whole of Finland?
The effortless atmosphere of Saariston Puoti, the great food and warm service along with the lake views of Saimaa make the experience memorable. During the summer season you can also take a cruise from Joensuu to Saariston Puoti, Liperi.
Maija's catering service offers traditional Karelian food and modern treats with over 40 years of experience. Maija is a genuine Karelian hostess, that brings warmth, hospitality and traditions to every event. The service can be ordered to a party, business events or home. There is also a meeting space for 125 available.
Lakes are important elements for the nature of North Karelia. By the lakes you can enjoy the cottages, beaches, shared time together and many water activities like sup boarding and fishing. The fourth biggest lake Pielinen and other large water elements such as Pyhäselkä, Koitere and Höytiäinen make the scenery unique along with the surrounding fells.
The clear Puruvesi lake, gorgeous beach and well maintained forest with pine trees provide an excellent location for a relaxing holiday for the whole family. The holiday village has a total of 25 cottages, 80 camping spots for camper vans and caravans. The restaurant serves from 1st of May up until the 30th of September daily and on other occasions from order. The holiday village offers many activities including padel, disc golf, beach volley and fat bike rental. If you want try your luck at fishing, you can do it with a guide or independently!
Karjalan Helmi in Kitee offers a touch of luxury in the peace of nature - modern amenities, own sauna and rowboat waiting at the beach by the lake invite you to relax. Here both the Finnish Lakelands' beauty gets combined with the effortless holiday feeling. A lot of activities available for the whole family.
At the Kolmikanta Camp center, by the charming landscapes of Särkiselkä beach, one can organize camp schools for 40 people and parties for 80 people. The accommodation is dark tourism friendly and peace loving, and from the yard you can get directly to the nature trails and to the twelve lake canoeing trail. You can stay the night at the camp center, beach cottage, camper van or in a tent. In addition, you can check out the courses and guided trips!
Holiday Linnunlahti offers close to nature accommodation near by the Joensuu city center, by the beach of Lake Pyhäselkä. The area has holiday apartments with saunas as well as caravan- and tent spots in the green lake landscape. Holiday Linnunlahti combines the Finnish luxury - silence, peace and nature - to the services of the city and the surrounding attractions, such as Botania Art garden. During the summer season events such as Ilosaarirock bring an added excitement and during winter the Pyhäselkä landscape offers peace and experiences. This makes Holiday Linnunlahti a versatile place to stay throughout the year.
In Kotakylä, Juuka, by the national park of Koli there is its own world by the lake of a wilderness lake, away from the everyday rush. The Kotakylä sauna world offers five different kinds of sauna by the Vaikkojärvi lake: will you step into the mystical darkness or enjoy the sauna by the waves? In the sauna world every sauna offers its own experience.
In North Karelia history, stories and traditions come alive in intriguing culture attractions, where the past and present walk hand in hand. The regions Rune Singer's Village, the old ironworks setting, traditional architecture, monasteries and unique museums offer experiences take take you far away from the everyday life. Every attraction has its own story and guides the visitor to the presence of relaxing landscapes, intriguing history and genuine Finnish culture.
Valamo Monastery is one of the most significant cultural history attractions in Finland, where the centuries of spiritual heritage can be explored in the calming environment of the monastery. The monastery located in Heinävesi continues the heritage of Valamo in Lake Ladoga and tells about the meeting of the Eastern and Western culture in its architecture, the main churches, icons and tones of silence. The museum of Valamo, the library and the icon painting school present the rich history of the monastery's art, handicrafts and learning traditions. The nature walks and the quiet trails in the forest allow visitors to feel the timelessness of the place. Valamo is not only an attraction to visit - it is the meeting place for culture, art and history.
Parppeinvaara Rune Singer's Village brings the visitor into the Karelian atmosphere, where the centuries of poems come alive with the Finnish zither. Mateli Kuivalatar's exhibition tells more about the story of the Koitere singer and her poem heritage, that she presented to Elias Lönnrot already in 1838. The RAJA-KENRAALIN MAJA opens an impressive look into the life of Rukajärvi battlefront and the original logs and war stories. The All Saints Chapel with its local icons tells about the strong traditions of orthodox religion in Ilomantsi. The Mesikkä Animal Museum and Karelia à la Carte restaurant complete the visit with the nature, culture and Karelian flavours.
The Ilomantsi Battlegrounds is 150 kilometers long ring road that is close to the border on the authentic sites of the battle sites during Winter War and Continuation War. The trail consists of tens of memorials, information boards, museums, buildings and restored fighting positions. By familiarizing to the trail you will get a good general knowledge of the unique war history of Ilomantsi. Day trips that are open to everyone are made to Ilomantsi Battlegrounds Trail can be joined from Joensuu.
Credit: Manzoni/IBU
The Kontiolahti Biathlon World Cup is organized at the Kontiolahti Biathlon Stadium from the 5th of March until the 8th of March 2026. The World Cup in March is an important event when considering the World Cup 2031 event application. The full audiences bring an atmosphere, shared experiences and encourage the athletes to their best performances - let's make the sports fever together!
The outdoor garden of Botania transforms into an international display of light art during the most dark season of the year. Visual Festival is not only a light event - it is another dimension, where international light artists can create their art in an unique setting, changing the garden into a mystical wonderland. The season, weather and the reflections of light make every evening and experience unique. The trains light by outdoor torches guide you from different artwork to another.
Located at the Utran Uittotupa, there is also a theater available. The shows are in Finnish.
Mark in your calendar all the amazing and unique events of the year and come enjoy the events in North Karelia!
.jpeg?width=3876&height=2579&name=Botania%20j%C3%A4%C3%A4veistoksia%202023-20%20(1).jpeg)
Go on a OMATOIMINEN biking tour to the landcapes of YLÄ-KARJALA and the beach landscapes of Lake Pielinen. The trip is approximately 20-25 kilometers daily, and every guest house will pamper you with its Karelia à la carte treats, sauna and easy going atmosphere. The luggage will be transported for you, so you only need to hop on the bike!
Go on a memorable trip to the national landscapes of Koli, the Karelian Village of Bomba and the charming Puu-Juuka. The trip begins and ends at the Joensuu Train Station, and you will stay at the quality Sokos Hotels with breakfast included.
Get to know the iconic attractions easily on one trip. The trip takes you through the city of culture Joensuu to the Koli national park and the Karelian atmosphere of Bomba around the year.
Make your dreams true and apply to study at Karelia University of Applied Sciences!
Several different English programs are available. Apply in the Joint Application during January 2026!
The Carelia Grill® fire pits have been designed to endure the changing weather conditions of Finland and offer unique experiences outside through out the year. They combine the real fire with modern design and multiple use purposes. Carelia® products are made from high quality materials, that guarantee a long working life and ease of handling. Get a piece of classy and genuine North Karelian elements to your home, cottage or fire place - a touch of luxury to every moment. When you want to enjoy nature, great food and real atmosphere, pick Carelia Grill®.
