Kajaani travel guide

Photo of Kajaani railway station in Kajaani in Finland by Santeri Viinamäki
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Introduction to Kajaani

Welcome to Kajaani! This city in the region of Kainuu in Finland is a bucket list destination, home to many famous attractions, including Kainuu Museum. In this ultimate travel guide to Kajaani, you will learn everything you need to know before booking your ticket to Finland. Discover the day-to-day life of the over 37.6 thousand people who call Kajaani home and explore the city’s fascinating history, rich culture, and distinct architecture.

Easily accessible from Kajaani airport, Kajaani is the perfect base for a memorable and unique vacation in Finland any time of the year.

You'll learn more fascinating facts about Kajaani as you explore this spectacular city.

Traveling to Kajaani is especially rewarding for anyone eager to connect with locals and learn more about their unique culture and traditions.

Get ready to explore and learn more about the city of Kajaani below!

History of Kajaani

Nestled in the region of Kainuu, the history of Kajaani, Finland, dates back to the 17th century.

Founded in 1651 by Count Per Brahe, Kajaani quickly grew as an important center for tar trade. The Kajaani Castle, built on Ämmäkoski island, stands as a testament to these early years, although it was destroyed during the Great Northern War in the early 18th century.

The 19th century saw Kajaani develop into a significant venue for the wood processing industry, a legacy which continues today with the presence of major paper and pulp factories. The city also plays a crucial role in Finland's tech industry, being home to critical data centers.

Kajaani's rich history is reflected in its beautifully preserved old wooden houses and modern architecture, making it a charming destination for history buffs and travelers alike.

Top services in Kajaani

Here on this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Kajaani, Finland. Check out the cheapest and most popular flights offered by 272 airlines that fly to Finland. Compare the rates and services of the 3 types of places to stay in Kajaani and the 5 car rental companies offering CDW insurance coverage. We make it easy for you to find and book the top services in Kajaani.

Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Kajaani, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place. Book with Guide to Europe to get an expertly-curated and fully-customizable itinerary and experience the best of Kajaani on your vacation in Finland.

Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Kajaani from our free 24/7 customer support. Continue reading to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the city of Kajaani!

Best time to visit Kajaani

The best time to explore Kajaani, Finland is during the summer, particularly between June and August. During this time, the weather is typically warm and pleasant, with temperatures averaging between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking and canoeing. The daylight hours are extraordinarily long, with the sun barely setting, offering ample time to explore the city's attractions. However, if you prefer quieter, less crowded periods, consider visiting in the shoulder seasons of spring (April to June) or autumn (September to October). These seasons also offer beautiful scenery, with spring's blossoming landscapes and autumn's vibrant foliage. For winter sports enthusiasts, the snowy months from December to March are ideal for activities such as cross-country skiing and ice fishing. The city also hosts the annual Kajaani Poetry Week in July, which offers a unique cultural experience. Regardless of when you choose to visit, remember to pack appropriate clothing for the season.

Local tip for visiting Kajaani

When you plan your trip to the charming city of Kajaani, a local insider tip is to visit during the annual Kajaani Poetry Week. This event usually takes place in early July and is not widely known to tourists. Kajaani has a rich literary tradition, being the home of Elias Lönnrot, the famous compiler of the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala. During Poetry Week, the city becomes a vibrant hub of literary activity, with readings, performances, and seminars happening all around town. There is something for everyone, whether you are a poetry enthusiast or simply curious. The event also offers an opportunity to interact with locals, understand Finnish culture more deeply, and even learn some Finnish phrases. Remember to enjoy the late-night 'Poetry Marathon,' an unforgettable experience that is a highlight of the festival. This insider tip will make your trip to Kajaani a uniquely enriching experience.

Learn more about Finland

There are many reasons to visit the city of Kajaani, but a trip to Finland needs no explanation.

Exploring Finland, which spans 338,424 square kilometers, is an adventure of a lifetime. Finland offers an abundance of truly magical places to discover, including cultural, historic, and scenic sites of significant value to both locals and travelers.

Click or tap the link below to discover more about Finland.

What to see in Kajaani

Kajaani has something for everyone. Regardless of age and interest, travelers have the best time exploring every corner of the city.

Read on to discover the best places to visit and find out what to expect from the city of Kajaani.

Top attractions in Kajaani

Home to plenty of top attractions, Kajaani is more than just a wonderful city in Finland. Kajaani is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of Finland.

Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the city, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Kajaani.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Finland, check out our list of top attractions in Kajaani below. Discover the best places to visit in Kajaani, including the fascinating Kainuu Museum.

Map of attractions

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Kajaani.

Things to do in Kajaani

Enrich your travel experience in Kajaani by joining tours and activities. Kajaani offers an exciting selection of top-rated tours and it's easy for every traveler to find something to their liking. Take the opportunity to catch the top attractions on a tour, stay active with an adventurous excursion, or learn something new about the local history or culture of the city.

Discover the most popular experiences in Kajaani below.

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Discover the best things to do in Kajaani.

Select your dates and number of travelers in the search bar below to receive the best recommendations for your vacation in Kajaani. Click the green button to view your options.

What to eat in Kajaani

Discovering the culinary delights of Kajaani is as exciting as exploring its picturesque landscapes. The best places to eat in Kajaani range from quaint cafes to high-end restaurants, each serving a unique blend of traditional and modern Finnish cuisine. The city center is bustling with eateries offering a gastronomic journey through Finland's culinary heritage. Try 'Karjalanpiirakka', a rye crust pie filled with rice or mashed potatoes, a specialty not to be missed. For an upscale dining experience, head to the banks of the Kajaani river, where restaurants like 'Ravintola Pöllöwaari' serve gourmet dishes like 'Kalakukko' - a savory fish pie. Street food aficionados should look out for stalls serving 'Lihapiirakka', a deep-fried doughnut filled with minced meat and rice. To taste the best 'Leipäjuusto', a squeaky cheese served with cloudberry jam, visit local markets like 'Kajaanin Kauppahalli'. Whether you're craving hearty comfort food or gourmet delicacies, Kajaani's culinary scene promises a feast for the senses.

Best shopping in Kajaani

Kajaani, a city known for its rich history and stunning natural beauty, also offers a unique shopping experience. The best place to go shopping in Kajaani is the Kajaani Market Square, where you can find local produce, crafts, and a variety of Finnish products. This bustling market is the perfect place to purchase one-of-a-kind souvenirs, including traditional Finnish jewelry and handcrafted wooden items.

For a more modern shopping experience, head to the Kajaani City Centre. Here, you can explore a mix of local boutiques and international brands. The city's distinct fashion is reflected in stores like Pukumies and Marimekko, offering high-quality Finnish design clothing.

If you're interested in Finnish craftsmanship, visit the Kainuu Art Crafts. This shop features handmade items from local artisans, a perfect memento of your visit to Kajaani.

Remember, most shops in Kajaani open around 10 am and close around 6 pm, with reduced hours on weekends. Credit cards are widely accepted, and service in English is usually available. Happy shopping in Kajaani!

Vacation packages in Kajaani

The best and easiest way to visit Kajaani is by booking a vacation package. A vacation package includes everything you need for a worry-free and perfectly planned holiday in Finland.

Booking a vacation package to Kajaani means spending less time planning and more time enjoying your vacation. A vacation package includes everything from flight tickets, accomodation, and a rental car, to 24/7 personal travel support and a carefully planned travel itinerary. You can also take your vacation in Kajaani to the next level by adding tours, tickets, and activities to each day of your trip.

Apart from providing you with everything you need to travel comfortably, your vacation package to Kajaani is also fully customizable. In other words, you can add or remove services at your own convenience, to create the perfect vacation for you and your travel companions.

On our website, you will find unique vacation packages to Kajaani, including flight tickets, hotel reservations, and recommendations for the best sightseeing spots, restaurants, bars, and activities.

Continue to the next section to learn more about what types of vacations you can book in the city of Kajaani.

Find vacation packages in Kajaani

Discover and compare vacation packages that take you to the wonderful city of Kajaani.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Kajaani get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in Finland. Your customized holiday package to Kajaani is only a few clicks away!

How to get to Kajaani

To get to the city of Kajaani the fastest way possible, travelers from outside Finland can travel by plane. International travelers can fly to Kajaani by booking flights with any of the 1 airline that offer direct flights to Kajaani airport. Some airlines that operate flights to Kajaani airport are Ryanair, China Eastern Airlines, United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Air China. Go to this page to compare all flights to Kajaani.

To reach the city of Kajaani, travelers can choose from various airport transfer options available at Kajaani airport.

If you're looking for the best flight ticket deals to Kajaani, knowing the cheapest travel time and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we have this information for you. Discover more about the cheapest and most popular flights to Kajaani airport and Kajaani below.

Find cheap flights to Kajaani

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Kajaani, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in Finland. However, it is usually cheaper to fly to Kajaani, Finland, in May.

The cheapest one-way flight to Kajaani costs around 83 EUR and is offered by the airline Finnair.

The cheapest round-trip flights to Kajaani cost approximately 621 EUR in total. The departure flight leaves on May 22 and the return flight is scheduled on May 10. The flight time is around 26 hours per way.

The return flight is operated by Helsinki.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to Finland and the city of Kajaani from your city of departure.

Popular flights to Kajaani

Travelers visiting Kajaani in Finland can fly to Kajaani airport directly from 1080 destinations worldwide.

The three most popular routes to Kajaani airport and the city of Kajaani in Finland depart from Sydney airport in Sydney, Australia, Barcelona–El Prat airport in Barcelona, Spain, and Birmingham airport in Birmingham, England.

Travelers can fly to Finland by choosing from from 1 weekly flight(s) from Sydney; from 1 weekly flight(s) from Barcelona; and from 1 weekly flight(s) from Birmingham.

The airline that operates most flights to Finland is Cambodia Airways. Cambodia Airways offers 9 scheduled flight routes to Finland.

Discover the most popular flights to Kajaani below. Click to view flights to Kajaani, Finland from destinations all across the globe.

Where to stay in Kajaani

An essential factor to consider when traveling to a new place or country is accommodation. While visiting a city as fantastic as Kajaani is always exciting, any avid traveler knows that accommodations often make or break the vacation experience.

The best place to stay in Kajaani usually depends on travelers' needs and preferences. However, booking accommodation in downtown Kajaani offers a ton of benefits.

Staying at the heart of the city allows you to easily walk to many of the top sights and dining areas in Kajaani and cut down on your travel expenses. Centrally-located accommodations are also an excellent choice for travelers in Kajaani planning to go on a quick tour or drive to the neighboring regions.

In Kajaani, you'll find 3 different types of places to stay catering to every taste, budget, and reason for travel. For example, honeymooners or travelers on a romantic getaway in Finland can experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the 5-star or 4-star hotels in Kajaani. Travelers whose purpose is sightseeing can also find plenty of mid-range hotels to budget-friendly accommodations in the city, allowing access to many of the top attractions in Kajaani.

Learn more about the most popular places to stay and the top-rated hotels in Kajaani in the next sections.

Popular types of accommodation in Kajaani

A trip to the fascinating Kajaani, Finland, means opportunities to relax at any of the 3 different types of places to stay in the city. Overall, travelers can choose from the following: 11 hotels, 3 vacation rental apartments and 2 cottages. While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Kajaani provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Among all these choices available in the city, Hotel Kajaani is one of the top picks of travelers in Kajaani.

The hotel is located at Onnelantie 1 and boasts many great utilities, including Bar, Family rooms, and Children's club.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Kajaani. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

In Kajaani, travelers looking for an economical yet top-rated place to stay usually choose Guesthouse Julia. For approximately 52 EUR, guests can book a comfortable Unknown at this popular hotel.

Below is a list of all 3 different types of places to stay in Kajaani. Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

Top hotels in Kajaani

Hotels are travelers' go-to accommodations in Kajaani for the unique experience they provide. So if you're the kind of traveler who prefers staying at hotels, you'll be glad to know that the city is home to around 16 hotels.

Besides offering basic amenities, many hotels in Kajaani provide meals and extras, such as shuttle services, spa facilities, tour desks, and other services. But because not all hotels in Kajaani are created equal, finding the best in the city often requires careful research. For your convenience, we've done all the research to make it easier for you to check out all the top hotels in Kajaani.

If comfort, convenience, and affordability are your non-negotiables, check out Karolineburg Manor House Hotel, the top 4-star hotel in the city. When all you need is a pleasant place to rest and sleep in between your activities in Kajaani, the highest-rated 3-star hotel, Guesthouse Julia, is for you.

Below is our hand-picked list of the best hotels in the Kajaani. Travelers are encouraged to book early as these hotels quickly reach capacity.

Click the arrows or swipe the list to see each hotel's ratings, reviews, locations, rates, and more. You can read detailed descriptions of each hotel by clicking the cards.

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Search for accommodation in Kajaani

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the city of Kajaani on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the city of Kajaani that match the information provided.

Car rental in Kajaani

Experience the freedom and convenience of a self-drive vacation by renting a car for your adventures in Kajaani. Kajaani has 5 car rental companies ready to provide you with the perfect vehicle for your travels.

Automatic cars for rent in Kajaani start from 44.7 EUR per day or 312.87 EUR per week. The cheapest automatic rental car is a Volkswagen Polo 1.0 Auto.

If you prefer driving a manual car, you’ll find multiple options for rent in Kajaani, starting from 39.86 EUR per day or 279.05 EUR per week. The cheapest manual rental car is a Volkswagen Up 1.0.

Learn more about the different types of cars you can rent in Kajaani, Finland, below.

Popular types of car rental in Kajaani

Discover and choose from our broad range of popular car rental options in the city of Kajaani to find the best car for your travel plans. Travelers in Kajaani can choose from small cars, medium cars, large cars, estate cars, mini vans, SUVs, convertibles, premium cars, camper vans, mini campers, vans, cars. All car rentals come with CDW insurance for added protection throughout your trip.

Renting a car is a popular choice among travelers who want to explore Finland at their own pace. The most popular type of car rental among small groups of travelers in Kajaani is a TopLevel.

Another very popular type of car to rent in Kajaani is a TopLevel. This car is particularly popular among couples and solo travelers touring the city of Kajaani.

Check out all options available in Kajaani and book the car rental for your upcoming adventures in Finland below.

Search for car rental in Kajaani

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful city of Kajaani. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Kajaani, Finland, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

Popular destinations to visit after Kajaani

The city of Kajaani is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in Finland. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that Finland has it all.

Finland is calling, and the country is asking you to experience its culture and diversity to the fullest! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in Finland that are as magical as the city of Kajaani. The most popular travel destinations in Finland are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

All the best destinations in Finland

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Finland. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Domestic flights from Kajaani

A taste of Finland through a visit to Kajaani can often reignite a traveler's passion for adventure. When this happens, the best way to satisfy this wanderlust is to book a domestic flight from Kajaani to another remarkable destination in Finland.

To begin your search for the best or cheapest flights from the city of Kajaani to other spectacular locations in Finland, jump to the last section of this travel guide.

Popular domestic flights from Kajaani

Travelers in Finland can catch flights to domestic airports in Helsinki. Domestic flights in Finland are operated by 1 airline: Finnair. There are around 1 scheduled flight routes operating to Kajaani on a weekly basis.

From Kajaani, travelers can book scheduled flights to 1 domestic destinations.

Search domestic flights from Kajaani

Traveling to another city or region in Finland? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Kajaani to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Finland on the selected dates.

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