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EuropeFinlandNorth Karelia

Kontiolahti

North Karelia, Finland · Europe

About Kontiolahti

Kontiolahti sits on the route: 20 minutes from Eno, 37km from Koli National Park.

Kontiolahti is a town located in North Karelia, Finland. With a population of 15,092, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Kontiolahti 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 Kontiolahti to your route.

About Kontiolahti

Kontiolahti (Swedish: Kontiolax; literally meaning "bear bay") is a municipality in Finland. It is located in the North Karelia region, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Joensuu. The municipality has a population of 15,060 (31 December 2025) and covers an area of 1,029.82 square kilometres (397.62 sq mi) of which

Read more 230.1 km2 (88.8 sq mi) is water. The population density is 18.83 inhabitants per square kilometre (48.8/sq mi). Neighbouring municipalities are Joensuu, Juuka, Lieksa, Liperi and Polvijärvi. The municipality is unilingually Finnish. The coat of arms of the municipality is a canting arms; the log driving pike pole, which the bear carries in the picture, refers to the importance of forestry in the region's economy. The coat of arms was designed by Aarno Liuksiala and approved by the Kontiolahti Municipal Council at its meeting on December 8, 1952. The coat of arms was approved for use by the Ministry of the Interior on February 27, 1953. Kontiolahti hosted the Biathlon World Championships in 1990, 1999 and 2015.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Kontiolahti

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Kontiolahti?

Kontiolahti 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.

How do I plan a road trip to Kontiolahti?

Plan your road trip to Kontiolahti with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Kontiolahti as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Kontiolahti located?

Kontiolahti is located in North Karelia, Finland, Europe. The coordinates are 62.7602 latitude, 29.8471 longitude.

What is the population of Kontiolahti?

Kontiolahti has a population of approximately 15,092 people, making it a town in Finland.

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Quick Information

Population
15,092
Continent
Europe
Country
Finland
Region
North Karelia
Timezone
Europe/Helsinki
Coordinates
62.7602, 29.8471

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Finland

Police
112
Ambulance
112
Fire
112
Driving side
right

Winter tyres mandatory December–February.

Full driving guide for Finland

Tags

EuropeFinlandNorth KareliaTown

Worth the detour from Kontiolahti

1 notable place within an hour's drive.

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.

37 km · about 40 min drive

When to drive here

May to September

Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Kontiolahti.

Eno

🇫🇮 Finland

16 km awayPop. 6,891

Joensuu

🇫🇮 Finland

18 km awayPop. 78,398

Polvijärvi

🇫🇮 Finland

26 km away

Liperi

🇫🇮 Finland

35 km awayPop. 11,927

Kiihtelysvaara

🇫🇮 Finland

36 km awayPop. 2,723

Pyhäselkä

🇫🇮 Finland

37 km away

Outokumpu

🇫🇮 Finland

42 km awayPop. 6,404

Tuupovaara

🇫🇮 Finland

50 km awayPop. 2,059

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence