The Puijo area is full of outdoor activities. Fish pasty and other local delicacies are treats for the foodies among us. Kuopio is all about stopping to enjoy the simple things in life. Fancy a little savoring moment the Savonian way? If so, take a trip to Kuopio, the central city of Northern Savonia. The city of 120,000 inhabitants, known for its university and peculiar fish pasty, offers authentic old-fashioned market experiences, but also modern urban life and numerous outdoor activities. You can experience all kinds of things during your holiday in Kuopio, Finland, but it is impossible to avoid one: the joy of the folksy Savonian people. Enjoying life is an essential part of Savonian ways and a blatant contrast to the hectic lifestyle of larger cities. Kuopio is a rather big city by Finnish standards, yet it has a kind of small-town feel to it. It is this compromise between small and big, urban and rural, that makes Kuopio one of a kind among Finland’s large cities. The market square is the pulsating heart of Kuopio, around which all the key urban activities have been built. Practically everything from food to self-made handicraft products is sold in the market square. Without a doubt, among the most popular products are Finnish fish pasties called kalakukko. The pasty is usually made of either perch or vendace, which is baked inside a rye dough together with pork belly. Kalakukko literally translates to “fishrooster”, although the dish itself has nothing to do with birds. Legend says the name is derived from the baking process, during which the dough shell may break in the oven, causing the fillings to pour on the grates resulting in a sound similar to a rooster crowing. The most popular attraction in Kuopio is the 75-metre high Puijo Tower overlooking the city. If you also consider the hilly terrain, the tower climbs to about 224 meters above the surface of Lake Kallavesi. After admiring the unique scenery from the tower, you can stop by the tower's famous restaurant. On its opening in 1963, it was the first rotating restaurant in the Nordic countries. There are also many sports and outdoor activities in the Puijo area for travellers with an active holiday mindset. There is a hill centre, two ski slopes, ball courts and a cross-country ski track. In summer, you can grab your frisbee golf gear for a fun activity or go to watch a game of pesäpallo (Finnish equivalent of baseball) in the nearby stadium. The naturally diverse area also offers great routes for hiking, mushroom picking and berry picking. Whether it's tasting kalakukko in the market square or hiking around the Puijo terrain, the best way to reach Kuopio is onboard OnniBus.com. Plan your next trip to the centre of Northern Savonia and book your ticket from our reservation service!
