Jyväskylä Region sits in the heart of Finland’s Central Lakelands. This is Europe’s largest Lakeland district, home to over 185,000 lakes. It is here that nature lovers will find themselves lost in a vast and beautiful wilderness. Jyväskylä Region is the perfect place to enjoy off the beaten track adventures, in one of Europe’s prettiest corners.
On our recent trip to Jyväskylä, we spent 3 days getting an introduction to this part of the world. From magical hikes and frozen alpine lakes to glass igloos and Finnish cuisine. Keep reading to discover one of our favourite regions in Finland with us.
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Furthermore, this post is written in collaboration with Visit Jyväskylä, who hosted us during our stay and organised many of the awesome activities we are going to share below. Therefore, a huge thank you goes out to them.
When to visit Jyväskylä?
Whilst Finland is an incredible all year-round destination, as each season offers something different. We chose to visit Jyväskylä during winter and more specifically at Christmas. Which is also our favourite time of year to visit Finland. During winter you will experience short cold days but have sunsets that seem to last forever. As the sun rises late and sets early, it really is magical.
Jyväskylä Region is a much quieter alternative to Lapland. You can still do many of the same things you would in Lapland, but they will be more affordable, and you won’t be battling any crowds.
How to reach Jyväskylä Region?
If you are travelling from the UK or any other corners of Europe, then the easiest airport to fly into is Helsinki. From the UK there are regular flights to Helsinki from most London airports, and flight time is around 2 hours. Jyväskylä is located around 3 hours north of the airport and therefore is easily accessible via renting a car and driving yourself, or by taking the train. Finland has an excellent and affordable public transport system, which makes travelling throughout the country a breeze.
Our recommendation is that you rent a car. This will give you the freedom to explore at your own pace and with only a short amount of time in Jyväskylä, it will be the quickest way to get around. When looking for car rentals we always use Discover Cars. They offer affordable comparisons for all major car rental companies and even have competitive insurance packages. That are often much cheaper than booking direct.
Day 1: Hankasalmi – Revontuli Resort
After arriving in the region (likely late in the day), we absolutely recommend that you stay at Revontuli Resort, which is located around 45 minutes outside of Jyväskylä city, close to the town of Hankasalmi.. This resort offers guests the opportunity to stay in an Aurora Glass Igloo on a frozen lake. If you are looking for a true wilderness experience, then Revontuli resort certainly delivers.
Spend your first day relaxing at your glass igloo, taking in the wonderful views across the lake from your bed. The resort has plenty of activities to get stuck into as well, such as fat biking, snowshoeing and husky sledding.
As night falls, spend the evening enjoying a Finnish Sauna experience. At Revontuli, you can choose from many different sauna experiences. We recommend the glass igloo and traditional sauna; it is a perfect way to spend the evening under the stars amongst nature. Perhaps you will even get lucky and catch the Northern Lights! Moreover, Revontuli Resort has an onsite restaurant; therefore, you don’t need to go far to enjoy good food.
Day 2: Southern Konnevesi National Park
Getting there
On your second day, you must take advantage of being surrounded by some of Finland’s most wild and beautiful nature spots. Southern Konnevesi National Park is located around a 35-minute drive north of Revontuli Resort, it is a must see and the ideal place to spend a full day hiking and exploring the lakes.
You have two options for reaching the national park. From Revontuli Resort you can book a guided hike through the national park, with an extremely knowledgeable guide. Who will take you to the best viewpoints and hidden spots within the park. Otherwise, if you have rented a car, you could drive yourself and explore independently.
If you navigate to here, there is a car park at the trailhead that leads into the forest, before arriving at the first lake. Visiting the national park in winter is extra special because you will be able to walk across the frozen lake and watch the golden light sparkle off the surrounding trees. It feels like a total winter wonderland, all to yourself.
Hiking
There are plenty of hiking trails to take within the national park. You must definitely take a picnic with you, as there are no facilities within the national park, other than sheltered campfires (laavu) which are perfect for cooking sausages on in the wilderness.
We recommend that from the car park you hike towards Kalajanvuori viewpoint. The hike towards this viewpoint will take you along board walks alongside the lake, before heading uphill to a ridge above the lake. From the ridge line you will get a spectacular view across the surrounding lakes, it feels incredibly remote out here.
After the viewpoint you can follow the trail back through the forest and down to the lake side. Take the opportunity to walk across the frozen lake and towards the laavu that sits on the shores of the lake. This is the perfect spot to watch the sunset and cook some sausages on the fire.
IMPORTANT: For hiking in the winter months, you must come well prepared to battle the elements. We recommend that you wear thermals and waterproofs to stay warm and dry.
Day 3: Jyväskylä City
On your final full day in the region, it’s time to head to Jyväskylä city. This is the capital of the region, and it’s a city with nature on the doorstep. As many lakes and forests surround it. Visiting Jyväskylä during Christmas is a must, as you’ll also get the opportunity to experience the city lit up with Christmas light displays.
Harju Ridge & Vesilinna Observation Tower
In the middle of the city is a small ridge filled with pine forest and is known as Harju Ridge. This small park offers visitors a pocket of nature amongst the city, as well as being home to the iconic Vesilinna Observation Tower. Step inside the tower and you will get epic views across the city of Jyvaskyla and even beyond towards the lakes.
The Vesilinna Observation Tower is the perfect place to stop for some lunch at the Vesilinna Cafe and Restaurant. It is here that you will be able to enjoy your lunch with the best 360-degree views in the city. Furthermore, if you are visiting Jyväskylä around Christmas time, they serve a delicious and traditional Finnish lunch at the restaurant.
Toivola Old Courtyard
After lunch, head towards the quaint Toivola Old Courtyard. This is where you will find some adorable Christmas themed shops and stalls. It is a beautiful courtyard that during the festivities becomes lit up with decorations, after night fall it is the perfect place to wander in search of souvenirs and photo spots.
Stay at Boutique Hotel Yopuu
Located in the centre of town the Boutique Hotel Yopuu is the perfect place to stay on your final night in Jyväskylä. The hotel is modern and has a wonderfully cosy bar area. Each room is totally unique, offering each of its guests an individual experience of the hotel. What’s more, they serve a delicious breakfast each morning cooked fresh by their in-house chef. It is the ideal base before heading back towards Helsinki the following day.
Final thoughts on Jyväskylä Region
Spending Christmas the Jyväskylä Region of Finland feels like stepping into a quieter, more deliberate version of the season. The days are short, but that only seems to intensify the overall experience. The warmth of indoor lights glowing against frost covered windows, the crunch of snow underfoot and a steady rhythm of a place that never rushes, even in the height of the festive season.
In Jyväskylä it’s less about spectacle and more about the atmosphere and the sense that life naturally slows down when the lakes freeze over and the forests go still. If you are looking for an alternative winter destination, that goes beyond the obvious this winter, then Jyväskylä is exactly that.
If you do have any additional questions, you can always leave us a comment below. Otherwise, we’d be happy to help over on our Instagram, you can send us a direct message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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