There aren’t many places in Finland where you can combine vibrant city life with easy access to nature – and Kuopio is one of them.
A centre of innovation and technology, Kuopio is surrounded by some of Finland’s most beautiful lakes, forests and other stunning landscapes.
What’s more, it’s remained relatively unknown among international tourists.
Aside from business travellers, the bulk of tourism in the region has until now been from fellow Finns and Russians.
Most international travellers skip straight past Kuopio and the wider Finnish Lakeland region, heading to over-touristed Lapland and the capital, Helsinki.
If you decide to venture here, though, you’re in for a real treat.
It’s the perfect winter escape and, with both city and nature on your doorstep, offers (almost) everything you can find in Finland’s more visited destinations.
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Planning a Kuopio winter trip
If you’re visiting Finland for the first time, Kuopio might not jump out as an obvious destination.
Don’t be put off by the lack of information available compared to Finland’s hotspots, though.
Little-known Kuopio and the wider Lakeland region has all the infrastructure needed to make travel easy and enjoyable due to the previous influx of domestic and Russian tourists, yet remains a well-kept secret outside of the area.
And with less demand comes lower prices, making Kuopio the perfect base for a nature-based trip to Finland in winter if you want to have the full winter experience without the elevated costs of travelling north.
Just make sure you pack well – temperatures rarely go above 0 degrees and can get below -30 at times. When I was there in mid-January, the lowest was -18!
Whether you choose to base in Kuopio and explore North Savo from there, or start in Kuopio and make your way across Lakeland towns as we did, you’ll wonder why more foreign visitors don’t come here.
The truth is, I wouldn’t be surprised if they soon do!
Getting to Kuopio, Finland
Not only is Kuopio a great alternative to Lapland and the other popular winter destinations in Finland, but it’s also much easier to get to.
Sitting in the heart of Finland, Kuopio is only a one-hour flight or four-hour train from Helsinki.
I recommend taking the latter if possible. It’s more sustainable and the views from the train are an experience in themselves – especially when there’s snow everywhere.
The trains in Finland are also fast, efficient and affordable. The four hours pass by surprisingly fast!
You can book tickets directly on the railway website or compare prices, times and options on a site like Omio, which offers an optional cancellation if anything goes wrong.
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Where to stay in Kuopio
With both city and nature existing side by side, you can choose either in Kuopio and still be conveniently located for the other.
The city pick: Lapland Hotels Kuopio
If you want to stay in the heart of the city, check in to Lapland Hotels Kuopio.
It’s just 140m from the Kuopio train station, making it an easy walk even in the heart of winter.
As the name suggests, this independent Finnish hotel brand originates in the Arctic Circle, and most of its properties are based there.
The few that are outside of Lapland – including Helsinki, Oulu and Kuopio – bring the culture and cosiness of Finnish Lapland to the more southernly parts of the country.
From the cute details in the decor to the lavish breakfast buffet, everything inside will transport you to Finland’s famous winter destination.
Even the food served here comes from Lapland or from local suppliers, combining the best of both worlds for a truly unique experience.
➡️ Read more about it in my full hotel review or check availability for your dates.
The nature escape: Bella Lake
If you prefer the full wilderness experience, Bella Lake resort sits on the edge of Kuopio but feels miles away from city life.
Made up of 18 lakeside suites, each feels like it could be a cosy cabin in the middle of nowhere.
All of the suites have lake access if you dare to take a natural ice bath, and some of the suites have their own in-room sauna if you want to combine the two.
Whether you have a sauna or not, the resort is just a short walk from Kuopion Saana, a public sauna with natural ice baths, rain showers, jacuzzi and a traditional smoke sauna.
Things to do in Kuopio in winter
In Kuopio, you can enjoy all of the winter sports and activities that Finland has to offer – and then some.
Of course, nearly all of the best things to do here centre around nature or are closely tied to it, which is why Kuopio and the wider Finnish Lakeland area are the perfect ecotourism destinations for a winter trip.
Whatever the level of adventure you’re seeking, Kuopio has something to offer.
TIP | While it’s possible to take public transport to and from Kuopio, it’ll be easier to explore if you rent a car while you’re there.
Puijo Peak
No visit to Kuopio is complete without spending at least a day – preferably more – at Puijo Peak.
This unique virgin forest park is the oldest private protected nature preserve in Finland and offers various activities based on the seasons.
In true Finnish spirit, winter in Kuopio is best spent immersed in nature and Puijo Peak is the best place to do that.
1 – Visit the Puijo Tower
Hard to miss, the Puijo tower rises 75m above the city of Kuopio and is visible from almost everywhere in the city.
In fact, one local told us that residents use it as a compass when navigating the frozen lakes at night. After all, it’s easy to know how to get to Kuopio when the tower is shining above the city.
A tower might not sound particularly exciting. However, once you reach the viewing deck, you’ll realise why this is an unmissable experience in Kuopio.
The views from the Puijo tower are absolutely incredible.
The 360-degree observation deck gives limitless views over Kuopio and the surrounding lakes.
In winter, the lakes are frozen over and the trees covered in snow, creating a truly stunning scene.
Come back at night to see the Puijo Tower lit up (or spot it from virtually anywhere in the city!).
2 – Try snow tubing
Love an adrenaline rush? Don’t miss the snow tubing slopes.
They don’t look too intimidating from the top, but don’t be fooled – they go pretty fast!
Simply choose an inflatable tube, settle in and enjoy being sent off down the snow.
3 – Take a walk in nature
During winter, the forest walk next to Puijo Tower turns into a themed winter trail.
It’s completely free to enter and accessible thanks to the wooden boardwalk. Be warned: it may just be a bit slippery if it’s icy!
As you walk along the 300m trail, you can spot lights, animal-themed decorations and information points about local wildlife.
4 – Try a (virtual!) ski jump
It’s impossible to miss the huge ski jump that sits next to the Puijo Tower, and the park is home to a further four.
Unless you’re a pro ski jumper, you’re unlikely to use the jumps, of course.
However, if simply admiring their impressive presence isn’t enough, you can also take a virtual ski jump using a VR headset at the bottom of the tower.
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Kuopio City
If you’re visiting Kuopio in winter, there are also plenty of things to do in the city itself.
5 – Dine on a ship-turned-restaurant
Cruise ship m/s Queen R, which operates cruises around the Lake Kallavesi during the summer, stays firmly frozen in place at Kuopio Passenger Harbour once the cold weather hits.
In order to keep the boat warm and operational until the ice melts around mid-May, the owner offers a cafe and bar service during the winter months.
Once the ice is ready, it’s also possible rent skates and other equipment to enjoy the rink that is created there.
I loved visiting because it’s a great example of how the Finns work with nature and innovate no matter what is thrown their way. It’s also very characteristic of Kuopio’s entrepreneurial spirit.
6 – Travel like a local
During winter in Kuopio, it’s sometimes hard to tell where the lakes begin and end, especially when there is lots of snow.
Hint: there are lakes all around!
When the ice is thick enough, locals in the area use the lakes to take shortcuts around the region.
They have various ways of doing this, from cross country skis to traditional kicksleds.
The latter feels a bit riding your childhood scooter on ice, which was why it was one of my favourite things to do in Kuopio during my winter trip.
With a full moon lighting up the lake and the Puijo Tower lit up in the distance, it was one of the most magical and tranquil moments of my Kuopio trip.
7 – Try a traditional smoke sauna
A smoke sauna is a distinctive type of sauna without a chimney.
Despite being the most traditional type of sauna, they are quite rare to come across due to the extra labour required to run them.
Therefore, even if you’ve had many saunas in Finland – and you likely will! – it’s worth taking the opportunity to try this unique type of sauna.
Kuopio is a great place to do so because the public spa, Kuopion Saana, has one.
Entry includes access to a regular sauna also, as well as a natural ice bath (right next to the smoke sauna so take a dip if you dare!) and various other pools and jacuzzis.