Welcoming Guide

Leisure activities, social life and sports

We have gathered here some tips about places and activities that you might be interested in visiting or seeing when you have some free time in Joensuu. You can find updated information in FB groups, and in the local newspapers Karjalainen and Karjalan Heili. The information is updated in October 2020.

Google map with various destinations 

 

Cinemas, theatre, music

Cinema Tapio
Kauppakatu 27 (www.savonkinot.fi/joensuu)

Foreign films are shown in the original language with Finnish and Swedish subtitles. Tickets cost 9,50 - 13 euros. Films usually run one to three weeks.

Rock and pop
The rock and pop scene in Joensuu is very active. A popular rock festival called Ilosaarirock is arranged every year in mid July drawing tens of thouKäyttäjäryhmä, Konsertti, Musiikkisands of young people into the city (www.ilosaarirock.fi). At other times there are several live performances weekly. Please follow the advertisements and bulletin boards.

Restaurant Kerubi
www.kerubi.fi (website only in Finnish). Restaurant and rock club.

Joensuu City Orchestra
Concerts at Carelia Hall, Yliopistokatu 2, are usually on Thursdays. Information and tickets available at Carelicum and
at Carelia Hall one hour before the concert.

Joensuu City Theatre
Town Hall, Rantakatu 20, information and tickets at Carelicum, tel. (013) 267 5222 or at the Town Hall one hour before the performance.

Student Theatre
Kulttuuritehdas/Artfactory Siihtala, Nurmeksentie 4
http://joensuunyt.wordpress.com/etusivu/ (website only in Finnish)

Artfactory Siihtala

Gathering place for theater, events, shows, art and culture. Address: Nurmeksentie 4.

 

Museums

Art Museum Onni
https://joensuuntaidemuseo.fi/in-english
Kirkkokatu 23 (the large red-brick building)

A permanent collection of Finnish art, sections of Chinese art, ancient Greek and Roman art, and Orthodox icons from the monastery of Megri. Changing exhibitions.

Art Centre Ahjo
www.taidekeskusahjo.net
Kirkkokatu 23 (the yellow wooden building)

A fresh view of North Karelian and other Finnish art in exhibitions of photographic art, paintings and handicrafts.

Carelicum - North Karelian Museum
https://pohjoiskarjalanmuseo.fi/in-english
Koskikatu 5

A modern museum of history and culture. An exhibition entitled “Karelia
– both sides of the border” takes a look at the region of Karelia in its historical and cultural entity. Please ask at the Tourist Information Desk in Carelicum for information on the smaller art galleries!

 

Sports

Sykettä Joensuu Sport activities / Joensuu university sports: a good variety of ball games, different group exercises, gyms!

 

Dancing clubs (websites mostly in Finnish)
Joensuun tanssiopisto
Cat People
PoKaTa
Jokipata
Motora (folk dance)


Fishing
Persons 18 years of age and over must pay a fisheries management fee (kalastonhoitomaksu in Finnish), more information on the Eraluvat.fi website. In addition, a local fishing license (kalastuslupa) might be required. Fishing licenses for the rapids of the River Pielisjoki are available at the Joensuu Tourist Office, Carelicum and Hotel Kimmel, Itäranta 1. However, no fishing licenses are needed for ice fishing or hook and line fishing


Fitness clubs and gyms

  • BB-Gym, Yliopistokatu 41
  • EasyFit, Rantakatu 26
  • Energy (Joensuu Centre: Torikatu 31 /  Rantakylä: Ranta-Mutalantie 100)
  • Fittari, Teollisuuskatu 1
  • Forever Joensuu, Kaislakatu 4
  • Liikku, Raatekankaantie 4
  • Vesikko (swimming hall), Uimarintie 1 (near UEF)

A monthly membership card for a gym costs between 30 to 70 euros.


Sport halls

Joensuun Kuntokeidas  www.joensuunkuntokeidas.fi
Linnunlahdentie 10, tel. +358 13 126 558 E.g. bowling, padel, squash, badminton, indoor climbing, table tennis, minigolf, billiards.

Tennis: Karjalan Tennis, Hallitie 3. Book a court on the website.

Raatekankaan liikuntakeskus  www.liikuntakeskus.net
Raatekankaantie 12. Badminton, indoor bandy, skateboarding, futsal

Swimming
Public swimming pools
Vesikko, Uimarintie 1(opposite the Carelia Hall building of the University of Joensuu), also a gym available.
Rantakylä Pataluodonkatu 2

Ice-swimming
https://www.joensuunjaakarhut.fi/in-english/
Joensuun Jääkarhut (Joensuu Polar Bears Winter Swimming Club), Mäntyniementie 1. Possibility to visit (fee 6 €) or become a member.


Winter sports

There are excellent opportunities for skiing and skating in Joensuu. You can find skating rinks around the town in wintertime. Skates can be purchased at sports shops, department stores or flea markets. Alternatively, you can borrow a pair of skates from a fellow Finnish student.

Skiing is a very important part of Finnish culture. If you have never skied before, in Finland you have a unique opportunity of trying both cross-country and downhill skiing. There are many publicly maintained trails in Joensuu, for example the one at Mehtimäki, very close to the Joensuu Areena. Trails are always open, naturally depending on the snow conditions, and some of the trails are lit. There are also many downhill skiing centres in the surroundings of Joensuu, such as Mustavaara and Koli. Koli is situatedLuistimet, Lumi, Kylmä, Ice, Luistelu

about 70 km north of Joensuu. It is a beautiful, popular downhill skiing centre. There are bus trips to Koli January-March on Saturdays. All centres also rent the necessary equipment for downhill skiing. Equipment for cross-country skiing is rented at Koli. If you want to try skiing in Joensuu, please ask the Student Unions. There might also be second-hand skies for sale at the flea markets.

Snowshoeing is a popular form of winter sports. For renting snowshoes, please contact:
Pohjois-Karjalan liikunta, www.pokali.fi

 

Miscellaneous


Botania - botanical garden

www.botania.fi

Joensuun Botania Oy is a privately owned botanical garden in Linnunlahti, Joensuu. In Botania there is two greenhouses and a 8 acres outdoor garden. Greenhouses have plants from different zones near and far. There you will also find a variety of butterflies. The outdoor garden has a sensory garden, a children's garden, a kitchen garden and much more. Botania also organises different events and concerts.


City library
Koskikatu 25
https://vaara.finna.fi/

The City Library has books in several languages, music, videos, magazines, international newspapers and a café. The library also has material for studying the Finnish language. Library cards can be obtained from the main desk. The Branch Libraries are located in Rantakylä/ Pataluodonkatu 2, Niinivaara/ Suvikatu 16 and Karsikko/Kettuvaarantie 28.


Community resource centre of Joensuu

Kansalaistalo, Torikatu 30. An Internet cafe, a meeting place, bikes for rent.

www.kansalaistalo.fi

 

The Joensuu Tourist Office, Carelicum, Koskikatu 5. Tel. +358 13 267 5222.

City of Joensuu website in English

Visit Karelia

 

Joensuu Region Adult Education Centre

Joensuun seudun kansalaisopisto
Papinkatu 3.
Link to the website

The Adult Education Centre offers a wide selection of courses ranging from philosophy to car repairing; courses are open to everyone, regardless of a person’s previous education. Registration fees are usually from 20 to 100 euros. Finnish for Foreigners courses are also offered. For detailed programmes, please contact the Adult Education Centre office.

 

Pubs, restaurants and cafés
There are several pubs, restaurants, pizzerias and cafés in Joensuu. The opening hours vary, but usually the cafeterias are open at 8-18, but restaurants stay open till later in the evening. Most pubs open around 13 and  close around 02. Nightclubs open at 22 and close at 04.

 

LGBTI
The Joensuu division of SETA has activities and parties monthly, and provides support services for its members. More information in English is available at
https://pohjoiskarjalanseta.fi/
https://en.seta.fi/

 

Erasmus Student network, ESN Joensuu


Religious denominations

Student ministers
Help and information is available for students from different religious backgrounds. Student minister can be reached by mobile telephone or e-mail.
Contact Minister Markku Fräntilä, tel. 050 383 0336, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Joensuu Lutheran Student Parish offers various activities. During semesters the main gatherings are at Kirkkokatu 28. Discussion topics vary from religious matters to relationships. Information on the FB site.

Lutheran congregations
Parish hall, Kirkkokatu 28, tel. (013) 263 5300
Church of Joensuu, at the south end of Kirkkokatu street
Church of Noljakka, Noljakantie 81
Church of Pielisensuu, Tikkamäentie 15
Church of Rantakylä, Rantakylänkatu 2

The Orthodox Church of Saint Nikolaos, at the north end of Kirkkokatu street, Saturday Vigilia at 6 p.m., Sunday Liturgy at 10 a.m.

The International Christian Fellowship in Joensuu is an interdenominational and international group of people, seeking to build bridges, encourage unity and love between people of all nations. You are welcome to share with and meet others in these meetings. Activities: regular get-to-gethers, English Services, Holy Catholic Masses. Contact Lea Honkanen, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Catholic Church, activities published on FB site
Evangelical Free Church, Leinikkitie 1, interpretation into English on Family Service on Sundays, information on website.
Pentecostal Church, Niinivaarantie 26; information on website
Joensuu Mosque, information on their FB site