Central Finland

Stretching across Finland’s waist from the Gulf of Bothnia to the long Russian border, this broad swath of territory takes in both Oulu's technology sector and brown bears patrolling the eastern forests. It offers some of the nation’s most memorable outdoor experiences in both summer and winter, from birdwatching and beachcombing in the west to skiing, canoeing and trekking in the east.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Aerial view of a boat, canyon lake and forest in Julma-Ölkky, Hossa National Park, Finland; Shutterstock ID 2023369706; purchase_order: 65050; job: ; client: ; other: 2023369706

    Hossa National Park

    Central Finland

    Founded in 2017 to commemorate Finland's centenary of independence, the country's 40th national park stretches over 11,000 hectares of glittering lakes…

  • Kierikkikeskus

    Kierikkikeskus

    Central Finland

    This excellent museum is by the Iijoki, whose banks are riddled with important Stone Age settlements. The informative display zeroes in on a handful of…

  • Juminkeko

    Juminkeko

    Central Finland

    If you're interested in the Kalevala or Karelian culture, pay a visit to this excellent resource centre inside a beautiful hand-hewn timber building made…

  • Canoeing on the Oulanka river in Oulanka National Park, Kuusamo region, Finland.

    Oulanka National Park

    Central Finland

    Stretching from Koillismaa to Lapland and along the Russian border, this superb national park was established in 1956 and covers 27,000 hectares of…

  • Haukipudas church in Finland.

    Haukiputaan Kirkko

    Central Finland

    Haukipudas, 21km north of Oulu at a scenic spot along the Kiiminkijoki, is renowned for its cream-painted, terracotta-roofed wooden church, one of Finland…

  • Paltaniemen kuvakirkko

    Paltaniemen kuvakirkko

    Central Finland

    Paltaniemi's enchantingly weathered wooden church was built in 1726 and contains some of Finland’s most interesting church paintings: rustic 18th-century…

  • Liminganlahti

    Liminganlahti

    Central Finland

    Liminka Bay, 34km southwest of Oulu, attracts numerous avian species, with several rare waders nesting here during summer, and many species of waterfowl…

  • Hossa National Park Visitor Centre

    Hossa National Park Visitor Centre

    Central Finland

    The visitor centre at Hossa National Park has a detailed exhibition on the Värikallio Stone Age rock paintings. Only discovered in 1977, the paintings of…

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Plan with a local

Articles

Latest stories from Central Finland

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Red Finnish wooden sauna log cabin on an island in the summer.

Beaches

Finland in a week

Oct 24, 2016 • 6 min read

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