Eat, experience, enjoy North Karelia

FOR TRAVELLERS AND FOODIES

VISIT KARELIA

Visit Karelia connects you with local tourism operators to create unforgettable experiences and provides practical tips and information about tourism services in North Karelia.

North Karelia provides excellent surroundings for recreation and relaxation for nature-lovers. Visitors to Karelia can find a broad spectrum of Finnish landscapes: rugged ridges, hills, marshes, backwoods, lakes and rivers with sandy beaches and islands galore. There are about 2000 lakes here, and about two-thirds of the area is covered with forests.  

For culinary adventurers, North Karelia offers delicates prepared from natural, local products and seasonal ingredients. You will find a mixture of traditional cuisine and a more modern way of cooking in many restaurants in North Karelia. 

If you’re looking for amazing scenery, the cleanest air in the world, untouched nature to enjoy without the usual throngs of tourists, and unforgettable culinary experiences a trip to the North Karelia could be just for you. Our account managers are ready to help you.

For more information, please see here:  https://dmo.visitkarelia.fi/en/ 

Learn more about Karelian Cuisine

FOR TOURISM PROFESSIONALS

KOLI

Koli offers a wide range of tourism services in a scenic, nature-rich setting year-round. The area’s restaurants serve delicacies made from local ingredients, blending traditional and modern flavors. Accommodation options are diverse: choose from cozy cabins, luxurious hotels, or charming inns, all nestled in breathtaking landscapes.

Koli’s activities vary with the seasons. In winter, the area is ideal for snowshoeing, skiing, and downhill skiing, with well-maintained trails and stunning views. In summer, Koli’s nature invites visitors to hike along national park trails, cycle, and paddle on serene lakes, providing peace and unique experiences for all.”

Koli tourism services: https://www.koli.fi/en/ 

Explore and fee Koli via videos at:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTwDXOVQk5jR-v0yuntFnBPnR3KegHBhP

Koli Horizons 2026

Where ideas breathe. Where tourism’s future begins.

Step into Mythical Finland—and beyond. The fifth edition of Koli Horizons takes place against the breathtaking backdrop of Finland’s Koli National Park, now proudly presented under the banner of Mythical Finland—the tourism region that encompasses Koli, Lieksa, and Juuka.

This annual retreat is unlike any other. Tourism professionals, investors, and innovators gather here not in stiff suits and boardrooms, but in the relaxed atmosphere of casual dress and open minds. The magic lies in what happens when formalities are set aside: conversations flow more naturally, unexpected partnerships form, and innovation takes root. For further details, please see Koli Horizons event Information 
 

North Karelia – the easternmost region of continental Europe

North Karelia in brief:

Population 162 500, and total area 23,000 km2, of which 70% are forests.

Number of municipalities 13, of which 5 are towns. Regional centre Joensuu is a University city

Distance to Helsinki, capital city, is 450 km which is covered e.g with one hour flight or five hours by car.

Everyday language is Finnish but most Finns speak English as well. 

Koli hills are the highest point of Southern and Central Finland (347 m)

For further information about our region, please see:   https://pohjois-karjala.fi/north-karelia/ 

This webpages is created and provided by the "Internationalization Ecosystem of North Karelian Forestbio economy and Unique Food BIOSYS" project. For further information please see: https://www.maajakotitalousnaiset.fi/en/hankkeet/biosys-japani