Kajaani
Discover Kajaani
Kajaani (Swedish Kajana) is a town and municipality in Finland and the administrative capital of the Kainuu region. It lies south-east of Oulujärvi (Lake Oulu), which drains to the Gulf of Bothnia along Oulujoki (river Oulu). Kajaani is a typical small and quiescent former industrial city. For many visitors, Kajaani is a stop on their way to the Vuokatti skiing centre, 40 km east of the city. As Kajaani is the largest city (36,000 inhabitants in 2020) in Kainuu, there are more shopping opportunities than in Vuokatti. Before 2022, Russian tourists staying in Vuokatti were a common sight in the shops of Kajaani in the winter.
What to Experience in Kajaani
Taste of Kajaani...
Kajaani is a very safe city. The area between Kauppakatu and Välikatu may be a little restless during weekend nights when bars close their doors at 02:00 or 03:00 and drunken local people wander out.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Kajaani.
Kajaani is a very safe city. The area between Kauppakatu and Välikatu may be a little restless during weekend nights when bars close their doors at 02:00 or 03:00 and drunken local people wander out.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsHighway 5, one of the major roads between northern and southern Finland, passes through Kajaani. Highway 6 links the city with Joensuu, highways 22 and 28 link Kajaani to Oulu and Kokkola respectively on the west coast. Roads are well maintained and taken good care of overall. In the Kainuu region (and Finland generally) driving is a very practical way to get around and that's not only because of the long distances (and the weaker public transport). Landscapes are magnificent and it's so relaxing to drive around in almost empty roads. Moose alert! If you are continuing your trip towards north or east from Kajaani, watch out for elk and reindeer that may run out of nowhere to the road. Be cautious particularly in dusk and dawn when driving trough vastly uninhabited areas. There are many trains daily from Helsinki via Kuopio or Oulu. The train station is within walking distance from the centre. See VR....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The centre and main attractions, like the castle, can be easily reached by foot. Driving everywhere in the town area is easy. There are minor weekday rushes in the mornings and afternoons. Finding parking space is not usually a problem. Bus timetables are available on the website of the city. You can use matka.fi or Nysse mobile app to seek local bus routes between given locations and addresses. Waltti mobile app can be used for ticket purchase. Local transport operates during weekdays and Saturdays but not on Sundays. You can also use coaches. On Sundays they are the only form of public transport. Use coaches to Sotkamo for going south, coaches to Oulu, Rovaniemi and Kuhmo for the north-east, and to Kokkola and Oulu for the south-west. Finnish Move on East rents electric kick scooters for use in the centre. Kajaani is a very safe city.
Where to Stay
Kajaani is a very safe city. The area between Kauppakatu and Välikatu may be a little restless during weekend nights when bars close their doors at 02:00 or 03:00 and drunken local people wander out.
Money & Budget
Kajaani is a very safe city. The area between Kauppakatu and Välikatu may be a little restless during weekend nights when bars close their doors at 02:00 or 03:00 and drunken local people wander out.
Language & Talk
As in most of Finland, the English language is widely understood, as is Swedish to some extent, since both are compulsory languages in Finnish comprehensive schools. Since the Kainuu region borders Russia, that language holds an important position as residents from both countries visit the other for business and pleasure. Some residents can also speak German and French. The locally strong Finnish accent adds extra vowels to words. If you're capable of speaking and understanding Finnish only at a basic level, you may find it hard to understand some elderly people. For the same reason, English spoken by the locals may in some cases be hard to understand. Highway 5, one of the major roads between northern and southern Finland, passes through Kajaani.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Kajaani is a very safe city. The area between Kauppakatu and Välikatu may be a little restless during weekend nights when bars close their doors at 02:00 or 03:00 and drunken local people wander out.
Glimpses of Kajaani
a building sitting on top of a river next to a bridge
a building with a lot of snow in front of it
a tall brick building sitting on top of a snow covered field
a building sitting on top of a river next to a bridge
a building with a lot of snow in front of it
a tall brick building sitting on top of a snow covered field
a building sitting on top of a river next to a bridge
a building with a lot of snow in front of it
a tall brick building sitting on top of a snow covered field
a building sitting on top of a river next to a bridge
a building with a lot of snow in front of it
a tall brick building sitting on top of a snow covered field
a building sitting on top of a river next to a bridge