This 18th-century town on beautiful Lake Kallavesi is an ideal starting point for a visit to Finland's lake region. It's well worth a two-night visit to see the Russian Orthodox church (icons, religious artifacts), spectacular scenery, the Kuopio Museum (excellent history and wildlife displays), the local market and, if you're there in mid-June, the music and dance festival. For terrific views of the area, head to the observation tower on Puijo Hill—you'll be able to appreciate the scale of the lake-filled landscape. Kuopio is also a great place to try the regional
kalakukko, a breaded pie with fish and pork baked inside.
Kuopio offers easy access to such extreme sports as bungee jumping, mountain biking and rock climbing. Finns and tourists alike enjoy the local cruises on Lake Kallavesi to see the nearby Valamo Monastery and Lintula Convent or to attend the Savonlinna opera festival (July). We recommend a stop halfway between Kuopio and Savonlinna at a small inn on the lake called Wirran Wietava (Caught in the Rapids) that has cabins with saunas and boats. A national park (home to rare freshwater seals) is just a short canoe ride away. Kuopio is 220 mi/355 km northeast of Helsinki.
