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| Joensuu | ||
| Maakunta | North Karelia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 75.514 (2015) | |
| height | unknown | |
no value for height on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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Joensuu is a city in Eastern Finland and an important city in the Finnish part of Karelia. It is close to the border with Russia.
background
getting there
Joensuu is, although not in the very north Finland, but quite remote. The journey is still quite comfortable, as there are a wide variety of traffic routes Western Finland and from Helsinki towards the city.
By plane
On the Joensuu Airport
(IATA: JOE) one comes from five times a day and with four flights at the weekend Helsinki to Joensuu.
In summer, helvetic offers a direct flight from Zurich to Joensuu once a week.
By train
Of Helsinki Six Pendolinos or InterCity trains run to Joensuu every day. Further north there are two regional trains per day to Nurmes. Four regional trains come from the west every day Pieksämäki. The journey from Helsinki to Joensuu takes between 4 and 5 hours and costs 60 - 70 euros / adult, depending on the train
The counter at the train station is open as follows: Mon-Fri 8.30am-6.30pm; Sa 8.45-15.15; Sun 8.45am-6.30pm. The ticket machine is open from 5 a.m. to 11.45 p.m. and the waiting room on weekdays and Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. and on Sundays from 6.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. The train station is only a good ten minutes away from the center.
In the street
From the north or south you can get there by road 6 straight to Joensuu, from the west it's the one 23. Lying in the north Kajaani and Oulu, to the west are the western finnish Cities Jyväskylä and Tampere.
mobility
If you want to visit the city, you don't need any means of transport other than your own legs. From the somewhat secluded youth hostel you can get to the center in 15 minutes, but a bike is worth it. The botanical garden and the facilities at the lake are also very close to the city.
A car is very useful for the more distant places.
Tourist Attractions
- Botanical Garden. A partly strong contrast to the usual vegetation in Finland. According to its own information, the Botanical Garden has a copy of every plant species found in the Karelia region. These can all be found in the garden itself. There is also a three-part greenhouse that is divided into three different climate zones. Numerous tropical butterflies are released in one part every year. On days with bad weather, a short trip to the botanical garden is worthwhile.
- Kasvitieteellinen puutarha Botania (Joensuu University Botanical Garden), Botania, Heinäpurontie 70, FIN-80101 Joensuu. Tel.: 358 13 251 111, Fax: 358 13 251 3590, Email: [email protected]. Open: Mon, Wed - Fri 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Closed Tue, Sat Sun 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.Price: adults € 5; Pensioners, students € 3; Family (2 2): € 12.
- Joensuu Areena, near the university. The largest wooden structure in Finland. Sports events and concerts take place in this huge hall. During the day, the hall is usually open for viewing.
activities
- Ilosaariskirt. The rock and metal festival Ilosaarirock has taken place every year since 1971. Various artists and bands from Finland, but also from abroad, appear on five stages for three days.Price: Tickets cost € 75.
shop
kitchen
In the Market hall (fin.Kauppahalli) in the center there are some stalls with local specialties such as Karelian pierogi and kalakokku (fish baked in a bread crust).
nightlife
accommodation
- 1 Scouts' Youth Hostel (HI Hostel), Vanamokatu 25, 80130 Joensuu. Tel.: 358 13 123 381, Email: [email protected]. Located just outside the center, this scout home is a pretty quiet place. There is a large dormitory (12 euros per person and night), in which there is also the kitchen (fridge, stove, microwave and coffee maker), a TV and rustic wooden tables / benches and a few single / double rooms. Bedding is to be brought or borrowed (5 euros).
health
Practical advice
- Tourist office (Karelia Expert) (Carelium on the Kauppatori). Tel.: 358 400 239 549, Email: [email protected]. Open: Mon-Fri 9-17; Sa 10-15 (only from May 15 to September 15).
trips
A little less than 100 km north of Joensuu is the Koli range of hills. At the highest point there is a hotel and a natural viewing platform, which is considered the national landscape of Finland. The famous composer Sibelius often visited the region for inspiration. The easiest way to get to Koli is by rental car if your own car is not with you.
Joensuu is only 65 km as the crow flies from Russia away. Excursions across the border are possible, but you need a visa, which is a purely formal matter and is obtained from the tourist office. However, this creates additional costs.
