According to wholevehicles, the town of Jyväskylä stands on the shores of the picturesque Lake Päijänne, 280 km north of Helsinki. For many years he has been known not only in Finland, but throughout Scandinavia thanks to his universities: the University of Jyväskylä and the Polytechnic Institute. But in recent years, they have begun to actively attract not only students, but also tourists. Fortunately, in addition to beautiful nature, the city has its own feature. The famous architect Alvar Aalto was born and raised here, who together with Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe created the so-called international style. The master’s creations are a real adornment of the landscape of Jyväskylä, which, thanks to a well-thought-out layout, landscaping and an abundance of educational institutions, museums and natural attractions, is even called “Finnish Athens”.
How to get to Jyväskylä
The most convenient way to get from Moscow to Jyväskylä is by plane. There are no direct flights, Aeroflot and Finnair offer to make a short transfer to Helsinki. It is 18 km from Jyväskylä Airport to the city, shuttles run between them, the schedule of which is tied to arrivals. Total travel time between the capital and destination: 4-5 hours. From St. Petersburg to Jyväskylä can also be reached by air. Finnair operates transit flights through Helsinki. Residents of St. Petersburg can also come to Jyväskylä by land transport: by train via Vantaa. You can also take the Allegro train to Lahti (2 hours 40 minutes), and then take a bus to Jyväskylä (3 hours). You can check the schedule and buy train tickets at the office. websiterailway carrier, bus – here (in English).
Transportation
Public transport Jyväskylä is represented by a developed network of bus routes connecting all parts of the city. On the streets you can see stops in different colors: blue and white for suburban buses (you can take them, for example, to the Nokkakivi amusement park or to Petäjavesi with a church listed by UNESCO), yellow and black for city buses. The main thing is not to confuse. In general, there is not much and no need for public transport – everything is nearby.
There are several bike rentals in the city. Taxis can be called by phone or you can find a car at special parking lots. In the central part of Jyväskylä, car parking is paid.
Jyvaskyla Hotels
Jyväskylä is a rather large city for Finland (more than 130 thousand people), so there are no problems with choosing hotels. Hotels here for every taste and budget. A comfortable Scandinavian-style room in one of the four-star hotels costs 100-260 EUR per day. A more budget option is a 3 * hotel near the coast of Päijänne for 90 EUR (breakfast included). Locals rent apartments for a day for 80 EUR per night. There are no hostels in the city.
Cafes and restaurants
There are enough restaurants in Jyväskylä. Stylish expensive establishments specialize in new Finnish cuisine, offering mainly tasting sets for 70-80 EUR with wine per person. More democratic cafes prepare seasonal dishes: in summer, these are salads from fresh vegetables, and in winter, pickles, smoked meats, and baked products. Buffet lunches are popular – unlimited food with salads, pickled vegetables, spaghetti, pizza, sausages costs a modest 13 EUR for Finland.
The most typical dishes are wild mushroom salad with potatoes and tarragon and sour cream mousse, duck breast with berry butter, fish casserole. Fast food is represented by Hesburger and McDonald’s chains. A set of burger, fries and a drink costs 10 EUR there.
Sights in Jyvaskyla
Jyväskylä is one of the main tourist destinations in the Central Finland region. But there are no narrow streets with gingerbread houses under a tiled roof. This is a city of northern design, which reveals itself in all its glory already at the station: the exterior of the futuristic building resembles a rounded wooden box. Nearby is the old station building of the 19th century, a monument under state protection.
Since Alvar Aalto is considered the main “star” of the city, it would be fair to take time to visit the museum in his honor (Alvar Aallon, 7). It is located on a hillside near Lake Jyväsjärvi. The walls of the building are lined with white stone slabs, and the doors of the main entrance are lined with copper plates. On the ground floor there is a lobby, a cafe, a souvenir shop and a library. The second floor houses exhibition halls and a gallery. The exposition consists of interior items and furniture made according to Aalto’s sketches, photographs of his work, accompanied by short explanations. In addition to the Alvar Aalto Museum, you can visit the Museum of Finnish National Costume (off. site), the Museum of Art (23 Kauppakatu Street), the Museum of Central Finland (off. site in English), the Museum of Aviation (off. site in English).
The heart of the city is the narrow and long Kauppakatu (Trading) street. It was laid on the site of an old tract, along which merchants actively traded. All the townspeople shopped here, so the street has always been the most important and popular. Modern Kauppakatu starts from the university campus, passes to the Church Park, there it becomes pedestrian and ends at the main square of the city of Are. The buildings along the street are occupied by hairdressers, shops, museums and galleries, banks and department stores.
Kauppakatu has its own secret – it is heated by a heating main laid underground. So even in winter it is very comfortable to walk on it.
Another favorite place for city dwellers to walk is Harju Hill (Ihantolantie 5), the main park area in Jyväskylä. You can climb the majestic steps of the Nero stairs to the top. The pine park houses the Museum of Nature of Central Finland, a summer theatre, numerous paths, an observation deck and a cafe overlooking the surroundings.
At 2 Cignaeuksenkatu Street, there is a whole craftsmen’s quarter called Toivola’s Old Yard. The area consists of low wooden houses with gates and courtyards typical of 18th and 19th century Finnish architecture. There are 7 buildings on its territory: a residential building, a hospital, a coppersmith’s house, a carpenter’s house, a Sparvin’s house (the carpenter Anders Sparvin lived here), a forge and a warehouse. They have shops, restaurants, master classes. And in summer the quarter hosts numerous festivals.
