national park
Koli National Park
Home to Finland's most celebrated landscape, where Ukko-Koli hill offers sweeping views over Lake Pielinen that inspired Finland's national romantic art.
54 km · about 65 min drive
North Karelia, Finland · Europe
Joensuu sits on the route: 20 minutes from Kontiolahti, 54km from Koli National Park.
Joensuu is a town located in North Karelia, Finland. With a population of 78,398, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Joensuu sits in Finland, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Helsinki time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Joensuu to your route.
Joensuu (Finnish: [ˈjoensuː] ; Karelian: Jovensuu, lit. 'river's mouth') is a city in Finland and the regional capital of North Karelia. It is located in the eastern interior of the country and in the Finnish Lakeland. The population of Joensuu is approximately 79,000, while the sub-region has a population ofRead more
approximately 128,000. It is the 11th-most populous municipality in Finland, and the 9th-most populous urban area in the country.
Joensuu was founded in 1848 by the Russian Emperor Nicholas I during Grand Duchy of Finland period. The city is located on the northern shore of Lake Pyhäselkä, the northern part of Lake Saimaa, at the mouth of the River Pielinen. The nearest major city, Kuopio in North Savo, is located 136 kilometres (85 mi) to the west. From Joensuu, the distance to Lappeenranta, the capital of South Karelia, is 233 kilometres (145 mi) along Highway 6.
As is typical of cities in Eastern Finland, Joensuu is monolingually Finnish. Along with Kuopio, Joensuu is one of the major urban, economic, and cultural hubs of Eastern Finland. Joensuu is a student city with a subsidiary of the University of Eastern Finland, which has over 20,000 enrolled students, and a further 4,000 students at the Karelia University of Applied Sciences.
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Joensuu offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Joensuu is located in North Karelia, Finland, Europe. The coordinates are 62.6012 latitude, 29.7632 longitude.
Joensuu has a population of approximately 78,398 people, making it a town in Finland.
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Essential numbers in Finland
Winter tyres mandatory December–February.
Full driving guide for Finland1 notable place within an hour's drive.
national park
Home to Finland's most celebrated landscape, where Ukko-Koli hill offers sweeping views over Lake Pielinen that inspired Finland's national romantic art.
54 km · about 65 min drive
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
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