Kuopio rewards curious travelers with a blend of lake‑dotted scenery, lively Savo culture, and unique Finnish experiences. This article about the ten attractions for you to visit and enjoy, captures the city’s spirit—from panoramic towers to saunas and vibrant market life.
1. Puijo Peak Tower
The city’s most iconic landmark rises above Kuopio’s old-growth forest, offering sweeping views of the Lakeland landscape. Its revolving restaurant makes the experience even more memorable. This is the tower that hovers all over Kuopio. On a clear day you can get a snapshot of all of Kuopio from the top (luckily there is a lift!). The ever-so-slowly revolving restaurant on the top is serving local delicacies with an up-scale twist. During winter and Valentine’s there is usually a trail with beautiful lights that starts from the Tower. I will update this photo at some point, it was a bit foggy at the time of taking the photo below…
2. RIISA – Orthodox Church Museum of Finland
RIISA, the Orthodox Church Museum of Finland, is one of Kuopio’s most fascinating cultural attractions and one of the leading Orthodox museums in Europe. Located on Karjalankatu 1 in Kuopio’s university district , the museum showcases centuries of Orthodox art, icons, liturgical objects, and rare treasures that tell the story of Finnish and Karelian spiritual heritage.
The atmosphere inside RIISA is serene and beautifully curated: golden iconostasis fragments, richly decorated vestments, and delicate religious artifacts are displayed with modern lighting and thoughtful storytelling. Even visitors unfamiliar with Orthodox traditions find the museum surprisingly captivating.
3. Kuopio Market Square & Market Hall
The beating heart of the city. Here you will find local delicacies like kalakukko (meat and fish pie) and Karelian rice and rye pies, friendly vendors, and a lively atmosphere that reflects authentic Savo culture. In summer, the square buzzes with outdoor cafés; in winter, it transforms into a cozy Christmas market. In the Market Hall make sure you visit the Candyshop PikkuMakkee (Little Sweet). It has a variety of hand-made chocolates and coffee blends and teas to take home for your loved-ones. From the Market Square you can see the salmon-colored city hall and all-around the square there are shops and couple of shopping centres waiting for you.
4. Kuopio Museum
Kuopio Museum is one of the city’s most charming cultural landmarks. It is a stunning Jugend‑style building that feels like stepping into a storybook. Inside, the museum brings together natural history, regional culture, and engaging exhibitions that showcase everything from ancient fossils to the traditions of Eastern Finland. It is a place where families, history lovers, and curious travelers all find something to enjoy. With its beautifully restored architecture and thoughtfully curated displays, the Kuopio Museum offers a peaceful, inspiring look into the region’s past and the nature that surrounds it.
5. Lutheran Cathedral
Kuopio’s Lutheran Cathedral is one of the city’s most graceful landmarks. It is a light‑filled, neoclassical church standing proudly on a small hill near the market square. Built in the early 1800s, the cathedral is known for its clean architectural lines, soft pastel tones, and calm, welcoming atmosphere. Inside, the space feels airy and serene, with simple Nordic design that highlights the altar, organ, and beautiful natural light streaming through tall windows.
6. Tahko Mountain
Tahko is about one hour away from Kuopio and accessed by bus or car. It is a ski resort that has outdoorsy and sporty exercise opportunities to do all-year-round. The winter season after Christmas is usually the busiest time. There are plenty of choices for accommodation and even Kimi Räikkönen likes to have a holiday there with his family in his partly owned Panorama Landscape Hotel (which by the way looks amazing and has an amazing concept!). I can not wait to take my family up there one day!
7. Kuopio’s Saana and Luoto
If you want a more chilled vibe and a relaxing afternoon, then head for these saunas. Saana and Luoto are places where you can enjoy a sauna and swim outdoors and have lunch or dinner in their wonderful restaurants. I have eaten in both and enjoyed their fish dinners very much. Saana has more saunas and it has a heated infinity pool overlooking the lake and couple of jacuzzis. Both have the option to dip into the lake Kallavesi. Saana also has a large sundeck where you can also just sunbathe with a drink on a lovely summer day.
8. Saaristokatu (Archipelago Road)
One of Finland’s most scenic roads, Saaristokatu winds across the waters of Kallavesi. Whether you walk, cycle, or drive, the views are unforgettable—especially at sunset.
9. Kuopion Korttelimuseo (Old Kuopio Museum)
Step back in time through preserved wooden houses, historic interiors, and exhibitions that reveal everyday life in old Kuopio. This is a charming and atmospheric travel through time from the 18th century. You can visit the old pharmacy and a room dedicated to the local feminist author, Minna Canth.
10. Kuopio Harbor
A lively waterfront area with cafés, bars, events, and access to scenic lake cruises. In summer, it is one of the best places to soak up Kuopio’s relaxed lakeside vibe. Take a Roll Cruise and include a lunch with your cruise. This is wonderful also during Autumn time, when the colorful Autumn foliage is decorating your cruise.
Where to eat in Kuopio?
If you want very traditional food from the area, then head for the Sampo restaurant and try their vendace fish dish. For a five-star culinary experience and wine, head for Kuzina or Musta Lammas (Black sheep). For excellent food experience and atmosphere go for Isä Camillo or Kummisetä (The Godfather) and if you fancy authentic Italian, then enjoy Sorrento. In addition to these, there is plenty of choice, from Mexican to Greek, Korean and Nepalese food. Our kids’ favorite is the Chinese restaurant Dragon Sheng on Suokatu. They just love sushi and Chinese food so the buffet lunch is a great option, when visiting Kuopio with the family.
Where to stay in Kuopio? Accommodation in Kuopio?
There are two Scandic Hotels in Kuopio; one in the center and one by the lakeside, also within walking distance from the center. A very nostalgic and excellent choice is the Sokos Hotel Puijonsarvi. All of these have fabulous breakfast and you can wine and dine well at the hotel restaurants. If you want to stay more cheaply and enjoy a visit to the gym or the spa, then you can stay in Kunnonpaikka in Siilinjärvi. You can take the bus from Kunnonpaikka to Kuopio center and back, so you do not necessarily need your car. The rooms are a bit more basic but the pools and saunas make up for it.
You can check for prices here and book with Hotels.com. If you are looking for a seasonal getaway, Hotels.com is offering excellent hotel prices so take a look! Just change the language on the site to your liking and you are all set to browse different hotels. Also if you want to book a cheaper holiday deal you can check out this Traveup link. With Travelup you can save up to 40% + £60 extra with code TU60. This means bookings over £1299. These are affiliate links. I may earn a commission from any qualifying purchases. There is no extra cost to you, so thank you for your support!
Kuopio and the surroundings?
When visiting Kuopio, you can continue one hour further up north to the small town of Iisalmi. This is the birthplace of the best active monitors in the world (Genelec) and the best lager beer in Finland (Sandels). Please read our blog post about Iisalmi here. If you go further up, you will end up in Kajaani. You will then enter another region, Kainuu, and it is a world of its own. Read about Kajaani and things to see and do there here. If you prefer to go west instead of north, you might end up in the Finnish Athens, Jyväskylä. Read through our recommendations for Jyväskylä here.