Kuopio is the centre of tourism and culture in the Finnish Lakeland. This vibrant university city is home to over 96,000 people and delights holiday goers with its natural beauty, a broad range of events, and great shopping and entertainment options.
Kuopio’s most striking landmark is the Puijo Tower. It’s an excellent place to start your tour of the city. The view from the top will take your breath away – the majesty of the forests and the lakes! At the market square and hall in the city centre, you’ll get a good feel for Savonian life: a relaxed mood, people who love to chat, and regional delicacies from vendace to pasties and kalakukko fish pies.
The harbour invites you for a cruise of the stunning archipelago – or to walk on the awe-inspiring natural ice to enjoy the gleaming snow. In Kuopio, everything is close – nature, culture, entertainment and services. You won’t waste time getting from point A to point B. Perhaps that’s the reason why we’re so cheerful!
VEHMERSALMI
The rural district of Vehmersalmi is situated 49 km from Kuopio, 35 from Kuopio Airport and 49 km from the nearest railway station.
Vehmersalmi is situated by the scenic Heinävesi waterway. Traditional white inland boats ply the route from Kuopio to Savonlinna via Vehmersalmi. Around 200 sq. km of the district, accounting for over a third of its total area, is covered by lakes and the shoreline totals 890 km. Almost a third of the inhabitants live on Soisalo, the biggest inland island in Finland, which is connected by ferry to the mainland.
A number of locals still depend on fishing for their livelihood, while many others have taken it up as a great hobby. Lake Suvasvesi and the southern parts of Lake Kallavesi offer excellent opportunities for recreational fishing. Game fish include salmon and trout. Accommodation in holiday cottages is available throughout the year, and restaurants can be found at the Ritoniemi Holiday Village and in the centre of Vehmersalmi. Places of interest include Vehmersalmi Church, which was built in the Finnish ‘national romantic’ style, and the Local History Museum, open in summer.
JP-Kalamatkat arranges various fishing trips for corporations, families and individual anglers both in winter and summer. JP-Kalamatkat is based on Soisalo Island and the proprietor of the business is a former professional fisherman. The fishing package ‘Angler’s Super Day’, developed by JP-Kalamatkat, was voted Finland’s Fishing Tourism Product of the Year in 2002.
Tourist information:
Tel.: +358-17-182 203
The City of Kuopio:
Kuopion kaupunki
PL 228
FI-70101 Kuopio
Tel.: (017) 182 111
Fax.: (017) 182 066
Tourist information: Kuopio-Info Haapaniemenkatu 17 FI-70110 Kuopio Tel.: +358-17-182 584 Fax: + 358-17-261 3538 tourism@kuopio.fi www.kuopioinfo.fi
Attractions: Puijo Tower and Nature reserve Passenger harbor and cruises Market square and market hall Pikku-Pietari market alley Väinölänniemi recreational area Valkeisenlampi Pond and its parks Jätkänkämppä Lumberjack Lodge and Rauhalahti Resort Saaristokatu island road and Saaristokaupunki district Kuopio Cathedral and Snellmaninpuisto Park A wealth culture including over ten museums