Nature and physical recreation

Jyväskylä is situated at the northern end of scenic Lake Päijänne, in the heart of the beautiful Finnish lake district. Lake Päijänne, the second largest lake in Finland, is an essential part of the city’s surroundings offering a wide range of recreational options.

Every other year the harbour in Säynätsalo, one of the harbours in the Jyväskylä region, hosts the Volvo Lake Päijänne sailing race, one of the Europe’s biggiest sailing events on inland waterways for cruising yachts.

Central Finland’s varied and unspoilt nature starts close to the cities and attracts people with different interests all year round. Hiking, biking, boating and fishing in summer, cross-country and downhill skiing in winter – they are all an excellent way of relaxing and improving one’s fitness. In summer several golf courses are also open. Finns have a passion for summer cottages in peaceful locations, usually on a lake shore, and these are also available for visitors. One Finnish speciality, smoke sauna, just has to be tried.