'''Kuopio''' [http://www.kuopio.fi/english/] is in Eastern Finland.
Understand
Kuopio is one of the many Finnish towns founded under Swedish rule. The town was established as a village in the 1500s and incorporated as a City in 1782. Kuopio is surrounded by lakes from three sides, which supplies loads of beaches and the feeling of water being always close. Part of the wooden houses arranged as a grid have been preserved in the centre which makes it a nice place to visit.
Get in
Air - One hour's flight from Helsinki. Airport served by '''Finnair''', '''Fincomm Airlines''' and '''Blue1'''.
Train - about 5 hours from Helsinki.
Bus - good connections from all directions.
Car - national main road 5 from Helsinki and main road 9 from Turku.
Get around
Kuopio bus network covers almost the whole city. The center of the city is Keskusta. Buses generally go in two directions from Keskusta, so look that you take the right bus to the right direction!
1-turn ticket workdays:2,8€ adults/1,4€ children 4-11 years
1-turn ticket sundays: 3,6€ adults/1,8€ children 4-11 years
11PM - 4AM ticket: 3,6€ adults/1,8€ children 4-11 years
Information about lines (in Finnish): Kuopion liikenne [http://www.kuopionliikenne.fi/index.html]
See
'''The Puijo Panorama Tower''' lurks over the city on the highest hill far and wide. From here you have a stunning view over the neighbouring lakelands.
'''The Orthodox Church Museum''' is a leading museum of Orthodox Churches in Europe.
'''The Old Town Centre''' is south east from the main square and you can just walk around following your feet.
'''The Minna Canth House''' is the original house where the famous first Finnish female writer Minna Canth lived. Most noticeable it contains a replication of the Minna Canth room where she is said to have written some of her work.
'''The Kuopio Quarter-Block Museum''' in the old town has plenty of old buildings done up in their original style 150 years ago containing also a pharmacy museum and most enchantingly a little history of Wonderous Healers in Eastern Finland of which still two or three exist and offer their service to believing people today!
Do
'''Passenger Boat Cruises''' on Lake Kallavesi are worth trying during the summer season (June-August).
'''Rauhalahti Spa''' [http://www.rauhalahti.fi/en/index.php], [http://www.rauhalahti.com/] offers large indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a jacuzzi, an ice-cold pool, a children's pool, a waterslide, saunas and a steam room.
'''Kuopio Rock''' [http://www.kuopiorock.com/] is annually arranged rock music festival.
'''Kuopio Marathon''' [http://www.kuopiomaraton.com]
Buy
Eat
The local specialty ''kalakukko'', a type of rye bread pie stuffed with fish (the name literally means "fish rooster"), is available from the Main Square outdoor market and in several food shops. You should also try fried vendace (''muikku'', a fresh-water fish) at local restaurants.
The well-known Kukkonen Bakery, in operation since the 1920s, has been closed in May 2005.
'''Restaurant Sampo''', Kauppakatu 13. Tasty fried small whitefish in a pub-like atmosphere, a real classic in Kuopio.
'''Restaurant Musta Lammas''', Satamakatu 4. "Black Sheep" in english, the best restaurant in town, fine dining, pretty expensive.
'''Restaurant Wanha Satama''', Passengerharbour (summer only)
'''Ravintola Kummiseta''', Minna Canthinkatu 44
'''Restaurant Peraniemen Kasino''' [http://www.peraniemenkasino.com/occasions.htm], Vainolanniemi. Wooden lakeside restaurant and terrace since 1902. Beautiful and peaceful scenery. Open July and for private occasions from May to December.
Drink
Cafes
'''Trube Markethall-caffee''', Markethall
'''Burts Cafee''', Puijonkatu 15
'''Cafe Kaneli''', Kauppakatu 22
Bar's & pub's
'''Henry's Pub'''
'''Kummiseta'''
Nightclubs
'''Giggling Marlin'''
'''Passion'''
'''Puijonsarvi night'''
Sleep
'''Hotel Puijo Koto''', [http://kotisivu.dnainternet.net/vela/engl.html]. Located near Puijo Ski stadium, not very far from the city center. Reasonably priced and cosy.
'''Youth Hostel Virkkula''' (''Retkeilymaja Virkkula''), [http://www.kuopionsteinerkoulu.fi/retkeilymaja_virkkula].
'''Rauhalahti Spa Hotel''', [http://www.rauhalahti.fi/]. Offers rooms and a swimming pool department (indoor and outdoor pools, a jacuzzi, an ice-cold pool, a children's pool, a waterslide, saunas and a steam room).
'''Holiday Centre Rauhalahti''', [http://www.rauhalahti.com/]. Has nice cottages or holiday homes (11 also for winter use). The holiday centre is situated very near to Rauhalahti Spa.
Get out