Kuopio
Discover Kuopio
Kuopio is the capital and largest city of North Savonia. The city is surrounded by lakes from three sides, which supplies loads of beaches and the feeling of water being always close. Some of the wooden houses arranged as a grid have been preserved in the centre which makes it a nice place to visit. The former municipalities of Juankoski, Karttula, Maaninka, Nilsiä, Riistavesi and Vehmersalmi have been incorporated into Kuopio and are described in this article; the municipality now covers a fifth of the area of North Savonia. Kuopio was established as a parish in the 1550s and incorporated as a city in 1782. Kuopio has a population of around 122,000 (2021).
Taste of Kuopio...
You could continue by ferry or boat, either on the route Kuopio–Heinävesi–Savonlinna (a national landscape) or Kuopio–Varkaus–Savonlinna–Lappeenranta. Savonlinna is famous for its castle and the opera festival held in its courtyard. Lappeenranta is the starting point of the Saimaa Canal to Vyborg and the sea.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsAbout 4–5 hours from Helsinki. Tickets and timetables information: VR Kuopio is also reachable by yacht from the sea, via the Saimaa Canal, via either Varkaus or Heinävesi. Some marinas: Good connections from all directions. Direct routes connect Kuopio f.ex. with Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Jyväskylä and Joensuu. Coming via Tallinn or Stockholm, there may be coach connections from the port with arranged transfer, mostly via Kamppi. Timetables, fares and tickets information: Matkahuolto National highway 5 from Helsinki and highway 9 (E63) from Turku. Kuopio is about a five hour drive from Helsinki. If you want to use alternative less busy route, drive through roads 4, 616, 447, 72, 9 and 5. Kuopio has a good system of public transport. You can ride from one part of the city to another with a single ticket of €4 (17 or older), children (7–16) €2.20, €6/3.30 in the night (23:00–04:00)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Kuopio has a good system of public transport. You can ride from one part of the city to another with a single ticket of €4 (17 or older), children (7–16) €2.20, €6/3.30 in the night (23:00–04:00). Kauppatori is the hub of Kuopio's public transport system, but be aware that many bus lines just pass through and continue somewhere to the other side of the city. Up to date pricing you can find from https://vilkku.kuopio.fi/en/ticket-and-fares/ticket-prices Smartphone tickets for the buses can be bought using Waltti or Routes and Tickets apps. Tickets are valid for an hour so you can get a connection within the same zone for free as long as you board your next bus within an hour. Information about local buses can be found at Vilkku. You can use the Digitransit route planner to find local bus routes between given locations and addresses. American Bird, Finnish Move on East and German Tier rent electric kick scooters for use in the centre.
Where to Stay
You could continue by ferry or boat, either on the route Kuopio–Heinävesi–Savonlinna (a national landscape) or Kuopio–Varkaus–Savonlinna–Lappeenranta. Savonlinna is famous for its castle and the opera festival held in its courtyard. Lappeenranta is the starting point of the Saimaa Canal to Vyborg and the sea.
Money & Budget
Alko is the national alcoholic beverage retailing monopoly in Finland. Essentially, it is the only store in the country which retails beer over 4.7% ABV, wine (except in vineyards) and spirits. Alcoholic beverages are also sold in licensed restaurants and bars to ages 18 and up. Alko is required by law to sell drinks with lower alcohol content than 4.7% and non-alcoholic alternatives, but in practice carries a very limited stock of low alcohol beer, cider and non-alcoholic drinks and mixers as supermarkets sell the same products at a lower price. You could continue by ferry or boat, either on the route Kuopio–Heinävesi–Savonlinna (a national landscape) or Kuopio–Varkaus–Savonlinna–Lappeenranta. Savonlinna is famous for its castle and the opera festival held in its courtyard.