Kajaani (Swedish Kajana) is a town and municipality in Finland and the administrative capital of the Kainuu region. It is southeast of Oulujärvi (Lake Oulu), which drains to the Gulf of Bothnia along the 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 Kainuu, there are more shopping opportunities than in Vuokatti. Especially Russian tourists staying in Vuokatti are a common sight in the shops of Kajaani in the winter.
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. Even if you're capable of speaking and understanding Finnish 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.
- Kajaani Art Museum, Linnankatu 14 (in front of the 2nd town hall, +358 8 61552599. Su-F 10:00-17:00, W 10:00-20:00 (closed Sa). This small, two-story art museum in the middle of downtown Kajaani exhibits a wide variety of art, in medium, content and theme. Photography, videography, installation art, and more can be found here. Exhibits change about 6 times a year. They also offer workshops, lectures, and performances (in Finnish, of course). There is little to no English available here, but that's rarely an issue. (Take a Finn with you if you'd like a more detailed description of each piece of art.) The museum is in front of the historic, yellow town hall (which features a clock tower). Just look for the nondescript, white-gray building with the word Taidemuseo on it. €2 (free on W).
- Kajaani Castle, middle of the Ämmäkoski bridge (follow the river or Ahontie road. This 17th-century ruin of Kajaani castle (fortress is a more likely term) doesn't offer much more than the experience of walking through the ruins of a 400-year-old castle. There are a few plaques placed around the castle (in English, as well as others) that detail its history and the placement and purpose of the original rooms. 15 to 20 minutes enough to explore the castle and its grounds. Free.
Kajaani Art Museum, Linnankatu 14 (in front of the 2nd town hall, +358 8 61552599. Su-F 10:00-17:00, W 10:00-20:00 (closed Sa). This small, two-story art museum in the middle of downtown Kajaani exhibits a wide variety of art, in medium, content and theme. Photography, videography, installation art, and more can be found here. Exhibits change about 6 times a year. They also offer workshops, lectures, and performances (in Finnish, of course). There is little to no English available here, but that's rarely an issue. (Take a Finn with you if you'd like a more detailed description of each piece of art.) The museum is in front of the historic, yellow town hall (which features a clock tower). Just look for the nondescript, white-gray building with the word Taidemuseo on it. €2 (free on W).
Kajaani Castle, middle of the Ämmäkoski bridge (follow the river or Ahontie road. This 17th-century ruin of Kajaani castle (fortress is a more likely term) doesn't offer much more than the experience of walking through the ruins of a 400-year-old castle. There are a few plaques placed around the castle (in English, as well as others) that detail its history and the placement and purpose of the original rooms. 15 to 20 minutes enough to explore the castle and its grounds. Free.
- Taito Shop Kainuun Pirtti, Brahenkatu 3, +358 40 534 7851. M-F 09:00-16:00, Sa 09:00-14:00. Traditional handicrafts and knit garments. Arranges handicraft courses.
- Kauppapaikka 18, Kauppakatu 18. Small shopping centre in the center of the city. Few international chains, like H&M and Benetton. In same building you can also find a bank, ATM, cosy cafe and a fast food restaurant.
Taito Shop Kainuun Pirtti, Brahenkatu 3, +358 40 534 7851. M-F 09:00-16:00, Sa 09:00-14:00. Traditional handicrafts and knit garments. Arranges handicraft courses.
Kauppapaikka 18, Kauppakatu 18. Small shopping centre in the center of the city. Few international chains, like H&M and Benetton. In same building you can also find a bank, ATM, cosy cafe and a fast food restaurant.
- Ravintola Sirius, Brahenkatu 5, +358 8 612 2087. M-F 10:30-17:00. Tasty, no-nonsense Finnish food with a good wine list. Main dishes €6.5-14, fixed menu a little more. The restaurant is situated on a beautiful site next to river.
- Ravintola Ranch, Kauppakatu 26, 87100, +358 8 636 696. M 10:30 – 14:30, Tu 10:30 – 20:00, W 10:30 – 22:00, Th 10:30 – 22:00, F 10:30 – 23:00, Sa 12:00 – 23:00, Su 14:00 – 20:00. As implied by the restaurant's name, the food is influenced heavily by sort of "wild-west", Texas or Mexico thing or such. Delicious hamburgers, steaks, french fries and wedges can be found on menu, and restaurant also haves daily lunch. Place is decorated in wooden style of old "wild west" saloons.
- Mantan Grilli-Kioski, Sudenpolku 15, +358 8 6141 515. M-F 10:00-23:30, Sa Su 11:00-23:30. Famous local hamburger-grill. Big take-away dishes of kebab and fries, but location is rather far away from the city center. €5-9.
- Pekka Heikkinen, Välikatu 7, +358 8 617 890. M-F 07:30-19:30, Sa 07:30-14:00. Legendary bakery that has been awarded for its quality rye bread. There is a factory shop where you can buy the products of the bakery and a small cafe if you want to enjoy them right there.
Ravintola Sirius, Brahenkatu 5, +358 8 612 2087. M-F 10:30-17:00. Tasty, no-nonsense Finnish food with a good wine list. Main dishes €6.5-14, fixed menu a little more. The restaurant is situated on a beautiful site next to river.
Ravintola Ranch, Kauppakatu 26, 87100, +358 8 636 696. M 10:30 – 14:30, Tu 10:30 – 20:00, W 10:30 – 22:00, Th 10:30 – 22:00, F 10:30 – 23:00, Sa 12:00 – 23:00, Su 14:00 – 20:00. As implied by the restaurant's name, the food is influenced heavily by sort of "wild-west", Texas or Mexico thing or such. Delicious hamburgers, steaks, french fries and wedges can be found on menu, and restaurant also haves daily lunch. Place is decorated in wooden style of old "wild west" saloons.
Mantan Grilli-Kioski, Sudenpolku 15, +358 8 6141 515. M-F 10:00-23:30, Sa Su 11:00-23:30. Famous local hamburger-grill. Big take-away dishes of kebab and fries, but location is rather far away from the city center. €5-9.
Pekka Heikkinen, Välikatu 7, +358 8 617 890. M-F 07:30-19:30, Sa 07:30-14:00. Legendary bakery that has been awarded for its quality rye bread. There is a factory shop where you can buy the products of the bakery and a small cafe if you want to enjoy them right there.
- Pitkä Taneli, Linnankatu 21, +358 8 010 7637010. M Tu Su 09:00-00:00, W Th 09:00-02:00, F Sa 09:00-03:00. The most famous pub in Kajaani. The 40-year-old pub gathers young and old people to sing karaoke during weekends.
- Onnela, Linnankatu 18, +358 8 0207759485. W F Sa 22:00-04:00. Onnela ("Place of happiness") is the largest nightclub in Kajaani. DJs play Top 40 hits and Finnish classics. Targeted to young adults, but older folks have started to hang around after few other clubs have been closed.
- Club96, Kauppakatu 26, +358 8 636 696. F Sa 22:00-04:00. Club96 attracts just-turned-eighteen clubbers. Trendy dance & hip-hop music.
- Balls, Lönnrotinkatu 5, +358 44 358 6411. Su-Tu 11:00-02:00, W-Sa 11:00-03:00. Local rock´n´roll fans stare into their half-empty pints in this place which offers rock and metal gigs at weekends.
Pitkä Taneli, Linnankatu 21, +358 8 010 7637010. M Tu Su 09:00-00:00, W Th 09:00-02:00, F Sa 09:00-03:00. The most famous pub in Kajaani. The 40-year-old pub gathers young and old people to sing karaoke during weekends.
Onnela, Linnankatu 18, +358 8 0207759485. W F Sa 22:00-04:00. Onnela ("Place of happiness") is the largest nightclub in Kajaani. DJs play Top 40 hits and Finnish classics. Targeted to young adults, but older folks have started to hang around after few other clubs have been closed.
Club96, Kauppakatu 26, +358 8 636 696. F Sa 22:00-04:00. Club96 attracts just-turned-eighteen clubbers. Trendy dance & hip-hop music.
Balls, Lönnrotinkatu 5, +358 44 358 6411. Su-Tu 11:00-02:00, W-Sa 11:00-03:00. Local rock´n´roll fans stare into their half-empty pints in this place which offers rock and metal gigs at weekends.
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.
- Paltaniemi. Paltaniemi is a picturesque rural village next to airport. The view is dominated by Paltaniemi Church and long fields. Paltaniemi is also the birthplace of Finnish poet Eino Leino and his home has been turned into a museum-cafe. Families gather to Paltaniemi Beach on hot summer days. Although Paltaniemi is officially a neighbourhood of Kajaani, you´ll need a bike or car to reach the place. Buses move far apart.
- Vuokatti. Vuokatti is a ski- and spa-resort in the municipality of Sotkamo. Vuokatti offers 13 slopes for downhill skiing and extensive network of ski tracks. Daily bus connection from Kajaani.
- Kuhmo. Small city of Kuhmo offers a chance to meet wildlife. Travel agencies arrange bear watching tours. City draws also classical music artists to participate in Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival every July. For more information about the festival: kuhmofestival.fi
Paltaniemi. Paltaniemi is a picturesque rural village next to airport. The view is dominated by Paltaniemi Church and long fields. Paltaniemi is also the birthplace of Finnish poet Eino Leino and his home has been turned into a museum-cafe. Families gather to Paltaniemi Beach on hot summer days. Although Paltaniemi is officially a neighbourhood of Kajaani, you´ll need a bike or car to reach the place. Buses move far apart.
Vuokatti. Vuokatti is a ski- and spa-resort in the municipality of [[Sotkamo]]. Vuokatti offers 13 slopes for downhill skiing and extensive network of ski tracks. Daily bus connection from Kajaani.
Kuhmo. Small city of Kuhmo offers a chance to meet wildlife. Travel agencies arrange bear watching tours. City draws also classical music artists to participate in Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival every July. For more information about the festival: kuhmofestival.fi