Although Kuopio and Joensuu are fairly small cities, there are plenty of activities for all tastes. In addition to cultural activities, Finns enjoy nature and outdoor sports such as walking, cycling, fishing, skiing, skating – you name it!
You may also want to try some popular leisure time activities such as picking berries and mushrooms in forests in the autumn.
You can find further information for leisure time from the contents below.
Films at cinemas are screened in their original language with Finnish subtitles. Tickets cost about €12. Films usually run for one to three weeks.
Joensuu:
- , Kauppakatu 27
- screenings - enjoy old classics
Kuopio:
- , Ajurinkatu 16
- , Vuorikatu 27
- screenings - enjoy old classics
- - affordable season tickets for weekly screenings
Music is the only truly international language. You can enjoy music in all campus towns.
home venue is the Carelia Hall at the Joensuu Campus of the 91 (Yliopistokatu 4). The rock and pop music scene in Joensuu is very active. A popular rock festival called is arranged every year in mid-July drawing thousands of young people into the city. There are several live performances weekly in the local venues such as . Please follow the advertisements and bulletin boards.
Kuopio has a and a on Kuopionlahdenkatu 23.
You can study playing musical instruments and singing at Conservatoires, Community Colleges and music schools.
Joensuu:
- , Torikatu 30
- , Papinkatu 3
- , Yliopistokatu 4
Kuopio:
- , Kuopionlahdenkatu 23 C
- (Kansalaisopisto), Puistokatu 20
- , Kasarmikatu 12
is a web-based guide which introduces interesting architechture in Kuopio.
City Art Museums (Taidemuseo) and various private galleries usually exhibit works of local artists and they change their exhibitions regularly. If you are interested in visual arts as a hobby, you can attend art courses at Community Colleges in or in .
Art Museum and galleries in Joensuu
- , Kirkkokatu 23
- , Kirkkokatu 23
- , Kauppakatu 44
Art Museum and galleries in Kuopio:
- , Kauppakatu 35
- (VB-Valokuvakeskus), Kuninkaankatu 14-16
Various museums in the campus cities offer many interesting exhibitions to culture enthusiasts.
Joensuu:
- , A visit there is an excellent way of getting to know Joensuu and North Karelia, its culture, and the essence of Karelianness. Koskikatu 5
- , Two renovated bunkers will take you back 50 years to the time when former generations fought for Finland's independence, Virrantaus 7
Kuopio:
- , The Kuopio Museum comprises the Kuopio Cultural History Museum and the Kuopion Natural History Museum, Kauppakatu 23
- Korttelimuseo (), Kirkkokatu 22, old buildings and interiors, and very nice cafe
- J.V. Snellmanin kotimuseo (), Snellmaninkatu 19, home of a great Finnish statesman J.V. Snellman
- Riisa (), Karjalankatu 1, treasures of old monasteries
There are many opportunities for exercise and sports as well as watching sports in Joensuu and Kuopio. Sporting venues such as sports hall, swimming beaches, jogging/skiing tracks and nature trails are particularly well-suited to outdoor activities.
UEF's sports programme called offers extensive opportunities for sports and exercise at a very affordable price both for staff and students.
Joensuu:
- Basketball matches - Joensuu is known for its basketball club , which plays in the Finnish first-tier league Korisliiga
- Bowling, , Torikatu 41
- (uimahalli)
- Vesikko, Uimarintie 1
- Rantakylä swimming pool, Pataluodonkatu 2
- , Mäntyniementie 1
- Sport Halls
- , Linnunlahdentie 10, offers bowling, tennis, squash, badminton, indoor climbing, table tennis, mini-golf, billiards and golf simulator
- Joensuu Arena. Mehtimäenaukio 2, suited for football, Finnish baseball, athletics, climbing and many indoor sports
- - Fishing licences for the rapids of the River Pielisjoki are available at the Hotelli Kimmel (Itäranta 1), Joensuun Kalastustaito (Kauppakatu 28), Carelicum (Koskikatu 5), Jokierä Joensuu/Hasaniemi (Länsiviitta 2). However, no fishing licenses are needed for ice fishing or angling. Further information on and in Finland.
- Hiking -
- Horse Riding
- , Kuurna-Kulhontie 93
- Kiviniementie
- Ice-hockey matches:
- Football:
- Joensuu Baseball matches:
- Fitness Clubs and Gyms
- Aurora Gym, Tikkarinne Gym and Joensuun Areena Gym, see University Sports
- , Yliopistokatu 41
- , Teollisuuskatu 1
- , Kaislakatu 4
- , Torikatu 31
- , Raatekankaantie 4
- , Kirkkokatu 27, for women only
- Address Torikatu 21 C, for women only
- Ice-skating - Outdoor ice-skating rinks can be found near schools around the town in wintertime. Skates can be purchased at sports shops, department stores or flea markets.
- Skiing - There are many publicly maintained in Joensuu, e.g. Repokallio and Niinivaara
- Downhill skiing - and are skiing centres near Joensuu.
Kuopio:
- Bowling alley
- , Keilakuja 3
- , Kartanonkatu 11
- Cross-country skiing - Hundreds of kilometres of machine-prepared tracks through beautiful winter landscapes, that is a dream come true for skiers. Puijo is the best-known cross-country ski area in Kuopio with its 40 kilometres of largely illuminated tracks for both recreational and competitive use.
- Downhill skiing - (20 kilometres from Kuopio) and Tahko (65 kilometres from Kuopio)
- and
- Fitness Clubs and Gyms
- Studentia Gym at the University, see
- , Kauppakatu 33
- Fishing- Free-fishing areas are located at Iso Valkeinen (the Päiväranta side), Maljalampi, Rahusenlampi, Pitkälampi, Sammakkolampi, Leväsenlampi, Pieni-Neulalampi, Pieni-Valkeinen in Päiväranta, Litmasenlampi and Valkeinen in the centre. Angling, ice fishing, artificial lure fishing and fishing with fish trap do not require a issued by the city. Using equipment than the above is not allowed. Further information on
- Ice-skating- Outdoor ice-skating rinks can be found near schools around the town in wintertime. Skates can be purchased at sports shops, department stores or flea markets. You can skate on the lake Kallavesi in January/February and even take part in the . Ice stadium: Hannes Kolehmaisen katu 4 and Petosentie 8
- Ice-hockey matches:
- Football:
- Horse Riding
- , Kartanonkatu 22
- , Savisaari
- , Rautaniementie 25
- l (Kuopio halli) with football field, running track, gym etc., Opistotie 4
- (Uimahalli)
- Kuopio swimming pool: Hannes Kolehmaisenkatu 4
- Lippumäki swimming pool. Petosentie 8
- , Katiskaniementie 8
- Renting of cross-country skiing, snowshoes and ledges, Katiskaniementie 8
- Renting of ice-skates, During best ice-skating season (around January-March) skating cafe in the Kuopio passenger harbour (on board of M/S Queen R).
Almost 70 per cent of Finland's total land area is covered in forest and some 10 per cent by water. Nature is ever-present and part of everyday life even in cities. Nature offers an abundance of outdoor activities for you to enjoy.
Just to name a few: fishing, boating, hiking in summer; skating and skiing in winter and picking berries and mushrooms in autumn. Unlike in many other countries Everyman's Right allows people in Finland to roam on others' land for recreation or exercise, even to camp, as long as they do not damage property or disturb others.
Recommended nature links:
- Everyman's Right in Finland
- Berry and mushroom picking:
- Hiking and cross-country skiing
- - information on Finnish national parks and hiking destinations
- in Kuopio
- Outdoor associations (Kuopio), (Joensuu)
-
- -ice swimming association in Joensuu
- - ice swimming association in Kuopio