Accessibility | VisitKarelia

Accessible tourism

North Karelia wants to develop accessible tourism and offer accessible tourism services.

From this site you will find tips for accessible accommodation, restaurants and different sights and nature destinations.

Accessible travelling

VR trains

VR offers assistance free of charge. The assistance service needs to be booked minimum of 24 hours in advance before the departure of the train.

More information on the VR website.

Matkahuolto – bus services

Matkahuolto offers assistance at bus station. The assistance service must be reserved from the Matkahuolto customer service minimum 36 hours before the departure or arrival of the bus.

More information on the Matkahuolto website.

Local public transport

North Karelia public transport and Joensuu area public transport information can be found from the links below. From their websites you can find REITTIOPAS, that can help you in planning your holiday.

North Karelia public transport POJO.

Joensuu public transport.

Accessible accommodation in North Karelia

As a central part of tourism is accommodation, and offering accessible rooms is especially important. From the accommodation providers listed below you can find accessible rooms in the region of North Karelia. More information and the contact details from the websites of the hotels. You are very welcome to enjoy your stay in the hospitable North Karelia!

Sustainable choice

Boutique Aparthotel Lietsu

Hotel | Joensuu

Lietsu is a new cozy aparthotel located in the center of Joensuu. Here you will find apartments, decorated in traditional Karelian spirit. Each apartment has a private kitchen, a dishwasher and a washing machine. Lietsu is also suitable for long vacations and remote work, and some of the apartments can be combined into a larger facility, for example, for families with children.

Sustainable choice

Break Sokos Hotel Bomba

Hotel | Nurmes

Bomba is a unique resort on the shore of Lake Pielinen. The Bomba House in the Karelian Village and the totally renewed Spa Bomba are attraction in themselves, and both are part of Break Sokos Hotel Bomba. The hotel's restaurant offers an à la carte menu as well as international dishes, and Italian favourites can be sampled at Restaurant Trattoria Pielinen.

Sustainable choice

Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel

Hotel | Joensuu

Sokos Hotel Kimmel is the largest hotel in Joensuu, which is located in the beautiful Sirkkala-park only a few minutes' walk from the downtown. This is a city hotel where you can comfortably spend the night and in the evening go to the restaurants located on the ground floor. The hotel has a new pampering spa.

Sustainable choice

Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna

Hotel | Joensuu

The Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna is located in the heart of Joensuu. City restaurants and cafes, nightlife and shopping are all just steps away. There are restaurants, a cozy cafe and a nightclub in the hotel building. From the hotel you can walk to the main cultural attractions of Joensuu: museums and the city square.

Sustainable choice

Break Sokos Hotel Koli

Spa hotel | Koli

Break Sokos Hotel Koli is located in the picturesque Koli National Park, close to the peaks of Koli. The challenging slopes of Ukko-Koli can be accessed directly from the hotel. It has a grill restaurant and spa with indoor pools, outdoor hot tubs and 3 saunas. Lake Pielinen provides nice fishing and boating options. Hiking, cross-country skiing and downhill skiing are popular among tourists.

Sustainable choice

Break Sokos Hotel Koli Kylä

HOTEL | KOLI

This new hotel in the center of Koli village offers a great haven for outdoor adventures and holidaymakers. Koli National Park with its unique landscapes is just behind the corner. Rental services, hiking trails, Tervaskanto restaurant and Puronmutka café make your stay complete without rush.

Scandic Joensuu

Hotel | Joensuu

Scandic Joensuu is located in the best spot in the centre of Joensuu. All of the city’s services are nearby and the hotel is 10 minutes’ walk from Joensuu Train Station. The hotel's peaceful and comfortable rooms ensure a good night’s sleep. Beverages and snacks are available in the lobby bar. Private parking and sauna are also available.

Sustainable choice

Hyvärilä Holiday Apartments

Resort | Nurmes

Hyvärilä is a former farm located by the beautiful Lake Pielinen. Hyvärilä offers accommodation for long holiday stays as well as a short visit. It provides the various range of accommodation services: rooms in the Manor Hotel, modern holiday apartments and budget stays in one of the huts. You can also stay in a trailer, camper van or tent at the campsite. A lakeside sauna is available by order.

Maatilamatkailu Jänisvaara

Cottages | Koli

Maatilamatkailu Jänisvaara is located in the wilderness of Koli, on the shores of Pielinen and Savijärvi lakes, next to the infrastructure of Koli. One of the cottages is suitable for people with disabilities. You can order fresh takeaway food from the delightful Jänisvaara bakery.

Ruunaa Hiking Center

Camping | Lieksa

Ruunaan Retkeilykeskus is located in the immediate vicinity of Neitikoski, near the border with Russia. The tourist center has places for tents and mobile homes, cottages and sheds, as well as various leisure services. The reception and the tourist center restaurant are open from April to the end of October. You can also take your pet with you to some cottages.

Valamo monastery

Hotel | Heinävesi

Valamo Monastery is an active center of the Orthodox religious life in Finland. The peaceful atmosphere of the monastery and close proximity to natural beautiful surroundings offer a rare opportunity to relax. Valamo Monastery provides simple and peaceful accommodation. The Monastery Hotel has a selection of single, twin and triple rooms. Some rooms have facilities for disabled guests.

Accessible restaurants and cafés

North Karelia is known for its traditional food culture. You can enjoy the local food culture accessibly from the restaurants and cafés listed below. You are welcome to taste for example the delicious Karelian Pies at the Joensuu marketplace!

Grill it! Koli is a restaurant based in Koli. Here you can experience the delicious variety of our taste experiences grilled over an open fire.

Bistro Heili is a restaurant located in Joensuu. The restaurant has many options for meals, including burgers, salads and soups for example.

Restaurant Aittaranta is located in Joensuu by the river offering fish, meat and vegetarian dishes.

Restaurant Kerubi is a restaurant in Ilosaari, Joensuu. Their speciality is their burgers.

Valamo Monastery has a café restaurant called Trapesa. They offer a daily buffet every day with both meat and vegetarian options.

Café Marttakahvio is located at the marketplace of Joensuu city center. They offer their famous Karelian pies in the atmospheric marketplace café.

Accessible sights and experiences

North Karelia has a wide range of accessible and partially accessible sights and experiences. How about a culture experience at the Joensuu Theatre or the inspiring exhibition at the Koli National Park Nature Center Ukko and getting to know the nature in the area? If needed, please ask for more information directly from the companies.

Market hall Joensuu

The Market hall Joensuu is centrally located at the market square of Joensuu. The services of the market hall include for example local handicrafts and small entrepreneurs foodstuff and cosmetics. Visit Joensuu tourism information can also be found at the Joensuu Market hall.

Valamo Monastery

Monastery | Heinävesi

Valamo Monastery in Heinävesi is an active centre of the Orthodox religious life and culture in Finland. It is open all year around and provides a place to enjoy peaceful atmosphere and tranquility. Several events, exhibitions and courses are arranged in Valamo. In addition, there is accommodation, restaurant and own winery.

Koli Nature Center Ukko

Nature Center | Koli

Koli Nature Center Ukko locates in Koli National Park and only 15-minutes’ walk from the top of the Koli Hills. The Koli Heritage Exhibition displays Koli's geological features, natural environment, and culture. Here you can also get tips for your hiking trips in Koli National Park.

Bomba Spa

Relax and spa | Nurmes

Bomba Spa is located in Break Sokos Hotel Bomba, in Nurmes. You can enjoy in the hot and cool water pools, try Finnish, and steam saunas and relax in massaging showers and streams. You can also take a look over the Lake Pielinen and starry sky in warm outdoor jacuzzi.

Joensuu Art Museum Onni

Museums and exhibitions | Joensuu

Joensuu Art Museum is located in Joensuu city center and provides both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions include Finnish art from 1850s to modern days, Eastern Orthodox icons, Chinese art, Greek and Roman antiquities and European church art.

A Nightwish Story exhibition

Museums and exhibitions | Kitee

A Nightwish Story exhibition in Kitee presents the history and story of internationally famous symphonic metal band, Nightwish. Exhibition is changing and has both interactive and virtual elements, so there is a lot to see around the whole year. There is also a fan shop with Nightwish products.

Koli Sculpture Garden

Sculpture Garden | Koli

Koli Sculpture Garden locates nearby the village of Koli and has one hectare area to explore. This cultural destination has both garden with colorful flowers and plants and magnificent sculptures inspired by mythology and Koli's nature. There is possibility to have a guided tour.

Accessible outdoor activities

Accessibility has been paid attention to also when planning different outdoor hiking routes so that everyone could be a part of the outdoor activities equally.

Get familiar with the outdoor destinations by looking into the links below.

Lykynlampi accessible route to the hut.

Length: 1.4 km.

Kuhasalo accessible route.

Length: 3.4 km.

The demanding accessible route at the Neitikoski rapids.

Length: 1.2 km.

Vekarus accessible route.

Length: 0.5 km.

Please note the information details from the websites of the destinations.

Learn more

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Summer highlights

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Karelian culture

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North Karelia Tourist Informations