Sunset at Lake Päijänne

Päijänne Tavastia (Päijät-Häme) is a region in Southern Finland.

Cities

• 1 Heinola
• 2 Lahti
• 3 Orimattila

Municipalities

• 1 Asikkala
• 2 Hartola
• 3 Hollola
• 4 Iitti
• 5 Hämeenkoski
• 6 Kärkölä
• 7 Nastola
• 8 Padasjoki
• 9 Sysmä

Other destinations

• 1 Päijänne National Park — a national park on islands and peninsulas of the lake Päijänne, known for its rugged landscape and rocky shores.

Understand

Päijänne Tavastia is known for its beautiful nature, with forest and numerous lakes. The namesake lake can be experienced by boat or canoe, perhaps best in the national park, by a cruise, such as between Lahti and Jyväskylä, or from its shores.

The province is also home to several cultural and historical sites, such as the medieval church of Hollola, the medieval castle of Hämeenlinna, and the Lahti Art Museum. Additionally, Päijänne Tavastia is known for its vibrant music scene, with several music festivals taking place in the region every year, including the famous Lahti Symphony Orchestra's Sibelius Festival.

Get in

Järvelä railway station in the municipality of Kärkölä

The region doesn't have any passenger airports, but there are good connections from the Helsinki region by bus; some places like Lahti and Kärkölä are connected by train too. Tampere (TMP ^IATA) and Lappeenranta (LPP ^IATA) airports have some international flights.

By bus

Several coach companies serve the region, see Matkahuolto for options. Some routes:

V. Alamäki:

• Helsinki–Lahti–Heinola–Joutsa–Jyväskylä–Rovaniemi

Soisalon liikenne:

• Helsinki–Lahti–Heinola–Mikkeli–Kuopio

S. Kosonen

• K14 Helsinki–Lahti–Heinola–Mikkeli–Savonlinna

Väinö Paunu

• Tampere–Hämeenlinna–Hollola–Lahti

Pekolan Liikenne

• Tampere–Hämeenlinna–Hollola–Lahti

OnniBus (cheap tickets if bought early enough; little legroom, restrictions on children, no pets or bikes):

• M4 (Helsinki—Lahti—Jyväskylä—Oulu—Rovaniemi)
• M5 (Helsinki—Mikkeli—Kuopio)
• M12 (Tampere—Lahti—Kouvola—Kotka)
• M14 (Helsinki—Lahti—Mikkeli—Savonlinna)
• F24 (Helsinki—Lahti—Jämsä—Jyväskylä)

Get around

Train of VR can be used between the few stations were they stop.

See Matkahuolto for coaches and LSL for local and regional buses. Matkahuolto Reittiopas can also find some indirect routes. opas.matka.fi may list some additional services.

By taxi

• NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Lahen Taksi (Kuitusen Keikka Ky), ☏ +358 600-555-805 (high cost: €1.92/call + €1.44/min - queuing toll-free 3 min). Also bookable by app or web. Flag fall M–F 06:00–20:00: €5, Sa €6, other times and holidays: €8; 1–4 persons M-F €1.10/km + €0.80/min, other times €1.10/km + €0.90/min (January 2021). (updated Jul 2021)
• Lahden Aluetaksi
• Uber
• Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Menevä, Cabo, Lahen Taksi

See

The wooden church of Nastola

• The radio hill and its long wave masts in Lahti.
• The medieval greystone church of Hollola.
• The ski jumping hills in Lahti, and if you're visiting in the winter there might be a ski jumping event going on there.
• Vääksy canal in Asikkala.
• Birds at Heinola Bird Park

Do

• Boating or canoeing, see Boating in Finland#Keitele–Päijänne–Vesijärvi
• Enjoy a classical music concert in Lahti's Sibelius hall.
• Hit the slopes at Messilä ski center in Hollola.
• Go shopping at one of Lahti's many factory outlets.
• Hike along the Pulkkilanharju trail in Asikkala.
• Drive, bike or walk along the road from Sysmä to Asikkala across several islands of Lake Päijänne.

Festivals

• Nastolan rautalankafestarit: . A rock'n'roll festival in early July. Arranged by nonprofit Nastola Art Association (date needs fixing)

Stay safe

Päijänne Tavastia region is a safe place.

Go next

• Tavastia Proper, a neighbouring region