Joensuu Things to Do

When you are in Joensuu, you certainly have to go ice swimming. It sounds really cold, but it is very nice to do. Afterwards, you can warm up again in the sauna and when you have again too warm, you just jump again in the lake.
Real Finnish people jump furst in the lake and take a sauna after it.
It costs only 5€ for a whole day.
You will also meet local finnish ice bears over there who go every day to take a sauna and a jump in the lake.
Afterwards, you have some nice pictures to show friends & family!

This is not something we usually do at our trips- go to garde.. I don´t actually remeber why we went there, but it was a interesting place, and it was worth of visiting!
Even my husband like it. Expecially the meat eating flower ;)
Page is only in Finnish (witch is quite strange in Finland!)
It´s closed on tuesdays and open from 11 to 16 at saturday and sunday and from 10-17 at weekdays (only until 16 at winter)
Price for adult is 5e, or two adults and two children 12e

There is this nice river crossing the city, in the winter it is surely look interesting while half way it is frozen. In the summer I assume it is the place to stroll around and maybe have a picnic as well.

Small Finnish - English restaurant/bar/nightclub vocabulary

baari = bar
klubi = club
yökerho = nightclub
kahvila = cafe
pikaruokala = fast food restaurant
grilli = grill
ruokaravintola = restaurant
tanssiravintola = dance restaurant
Avoinna = Open
Osoite = Address
Puhelin = Phone number
Kotiinkuljetus = home delivery
Ikäraja = Age limit

To see a list of restaurants, bars and nightclubs in Joensuu, and their information, go to the page below (copy and paste address to the address bar and press enter)

Joensuu Art Museum is located in the very centre of the city, in an old school building that is impressive sight from the market square (see picture). The building itself is quite sight itself, being built on 1894 and used as school until 1974.

When we visited the museum, they had a good Finnish readymade art exhibition on the ground floor and permanent collections on the second floor. The quality of exhibitions varies, sometimes there are real diamonds and sometimes you'd better pass it. The permanent collection is small and does not works from any bigger names.

There is also a permanent collection of Orthodox icon. That room is worth of visit, due to both the icons and how they are put on display.

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In the summertime you can take a part to a river cruise in Joensuu. You see the town from a different view and also can enjoy peaceful riverside life ;) And of course you can have a beer or two if you like ;)

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In Joensuu (like in many Finnish towns) lots of old wooden houses were destroyed in 60's and 70's when the town wanted everything to be new (and ugly, that's my opinion ;) )

Fortunately you can still find some wooden houses from Rantakatu street (south from the City Hall)

If you ask me, Ilosaarirock is by far the best music festival in Finland. I was there in July (along with 20 000 other people) and really enjoyed myself. The weather couldn't have been better, the beer was cheap enough and all the people were very nice. I didn't see a single fight during the 3 days at the festival.

Every year (in July) most of the top Finnish rock bands and some from abroad play at Ilosaarirock... but I must say that it doesn't really matter to me who play at the festival, it's the wonderful atmosphere that counts.

If you ever go all the way here already, go also to Koli National Park, it is not that far and worth to see it, it is one of the amazing and most beautiful national parks in Finland.

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You can see some good old domestic animals in the middle of Joensuu, too. Sinkkola Farm in Noljakka is open during summer (Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun 10 a.m - 6 p.m.) and there is no entrance fee.