Ähtäri is a town in Southern Ostrobothnia.
Understand[edit]
Ähtäri, like Ranua in Northern Finland, is a town relatively off the largest thoroughfares that is famous for a large zoo.
Get in[edit]
By train[edit]
Local trains come in from Seinäjoki, there may be trains from Jyväskylä too. There's a railway station in central Ähtäri, and another one next to the zoo.
By car[edit]
Ähtäri is at the junction of highways 18 between Vaasa and Jyväskylä and 68 between Virrat and Jakobstad.
By bus[edit]
There are buses from Virrat, Seinäjoki and Alavus.
Get around[edit]
See[edit]
- 1 Ähtäri Zoo (Ähtärin eläinpuisto), Karhunkierros 150 (in the village Inha, 5 km east of the centre, near highway 18; two daily trains in each direction between Jyväskylä and Seinäjoki), ☏ +358 30-621-50, info@ahtarizoo.fi. 10:00–20:00. Wildlife, mostly species of the taiga, such as bears, wolves and wolverines, and at the rare end: snow leopards and two pandas (which have been an economic disaster). Restaurant (M–Sa), hotel, cabin (by the bears), camping (tent/RV/cabin). €36/21, €34/19 online, two days €46/29 (children: 3–14 years).
- 2 Pirkanpohja art gallery (Pirkanpohjan taidekeskus), Ähtärintie 36. Art gallery.
Do[edit]
- 1 Ähtäri Golf, Moksuntie 109. Golf course next to the zoo.
Buy[edit]
Eat[edit]
- 1 Oppo Pizzeria, Ostolantie 6. Pizza and other fast food.
- 2 Lounasravintola Hovitar, Sahakuja 2. Lunch restaurant.
Drink[edit]
Sleep[edit]
- 1 Hotelli Mesikämmen, Karhunkierros 149, ☏ +358 30 62150, reception@hotellimesikammen.fi. Hotel just next to the zoo, featuring a restaurant, spa, bowling alley and a night club.
- 2 Vanha Pappila Hetki, Kiertotie 4, ☏ +358 45 630 1399, info@vanhapappilahetki.fi. The old clergy house has been turned into a hotel.