A holiday in Central Finland offers countryside travel at its best
The Himos Tourist Centre in Jämsä is an eternal favourite of winter holidaymakers, and the town of Jyväskylä is full of culture, bringing architecture enthusiasts to the Alvar Aalto Museum.
It is easy to take a cheap holiday in Central Finland in any season – the natural surroundings always offer something to do free of charge, and rental cottages and hotels are available all year round. Jyväskylä, the largest town, has an airport with international connections via Helsinki.
Swap city stress and filthy air for unspoilt nature and peaceful lakeside landscapes. A holiday in Central Finland will take you through diverse natural landscapes, as Central Finland contains the Southern Konnevesi, Isojärvi, Leivonmäki and Pyhä-Häkki National Parks. There is plenty to see, so strap on your hiking boots and follow the routes through these magnificent landscapes.
On your holiday in Central Finland, pay a visit to the lively university town of Jyväskylä. Large parts of the town were designed by Alvar Aalto, Finland's best-known architect, so there is plenty for fans of art and architecture to see in Jyväskylä. Visit an exhibition at the Museum of Central Finland and take the kids to Peukkula adventure park. You may want to stop off at the old hydroelectric plant in Vaajakoski or visit the factory shop at the Panda Sweet Factory.
The town of Jämsä, on the western shore of Lake Päijänne, is a popular place to spend a holiday in a cottage. In the summer, holidaymakers often visit the town's museums, the wide range of shops and the lido. Himos is also open in the summer, when the ski resort's snowmobile and quad safaris, slalom competitions, ski slopes, cross-country tracks and ski school make way for cycling routes, canoeing trips, the Himos Golf Course, American car events and concerts at Himos Arena.
Head for Kuhmoinen to see the Pyhänpää and Pyhävuori rock paintings, about a quarter of a mile apart on the western shore of Lake Päijänne. Kuhmoinen also contains Päijälä castle hill, which dates back to the early middle ages.
Take a holiday in relaxing Central Finland and combine cottage trips with breathtakingly beautiful hiking routes, fascinating historical sites and enthralling urban culture.
