Nivala is a town in the Southern Oulu region of Northern Finland.

Understand

One of the towns in the Kalajoki river basin, Nivala is best known as the home of Kyösti Kallio — the 4th president of Finland.

The first church in Nivala was built in the 1620s, and the town became an independent parish in the 1650s. During the 18th century, Nivala developed as a regional trade center for commerce between the north and south of the country. The town's location at the crossroads of several important trade routes played a significant role in its development.

In the late 19th century, the construction of the Jyväskylä–Oulu railway line brought new opportunities for growth and development to Nivala. The railway connection allowed for increased trade and commerce, as well as improved transportation and communication between Nivala and other parts of the country.

During the 20th century, Nivala continued to grow and modernize. In the 1960s, the town's industrial sector began to expand, with the establishment of several new factories and businesses. Today, Nivala has a diverse range of industries, including agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, and services.

Get in

By train

Nivala is situated along the Ylivieska-Iisalmi track; the former can be reached from most parts of Western, Southern and Northern Finland and the latter from the most of Eastern Finland.

• 1 Nivala railway station. (updated Jun 2019)

By bus

Buses between Jyväskylä and Ylivieska stop in Nivala, and if you are coming from Oulu you can take a direct bus.

By car

Nivala is at the crossroads of highways 27 and 28, north-west to south-east between Kalajoki and Iisalmi, and west to east between Kokkola and Kajaani, respectively.

Being a bit off the beaten track, the best way to get in is driving, and having your own car is also useful if you want to move about outside the town centre. Nivala is a two-hour drive from Oulu.

Get around

Walk.

By taxi

See also: Southern Oulu region#By taxi

See

Nivala Church

Nivala Water Tower

• 1 Kyösti ja Kalervo Kallion museo, Ruojantie 11. A museum dedicated to Kyösti Kallio, president of Finland 1937-40 and his son Kalervo, a famous sculptor. admission €5. 
• 2 Nivala Church (Nivalan kirkko). 
• 3 Kyösti Wilkuna museum, Kalliontie 23. A museum dedicated to early 20th century author and playwright Kyösti Wilkuna in his former home. 
• 4 Katvala regional museum (Katvalan kotiseutumuseo), Katvalantie 4. open in the summer months only, Tu-Su 12:00-16:00. A museum where you can learn about the daily life at a farm a hundred years ago. 
• Statues and monuments. Nivala has its fair share of statues of monuments for example to commemorate the famine of 1868, Second World War POW's and other WWII and Civil War related monuments, statues of farmers such as "the sower" and "the milk maid". 
• 5 The water tower (Vesitorni). 

Eat

• 1 Pizzeria Mamma Mia, Kalliontie 18. Pizzas and kebabs. 
• 2 Ravintola Ronai, Kalliontie 36. Turkish restaurant. 
• 3 Sapuska, Pajatie 5. 7:00-15:00 weekdays. Serves lunch only. 
• 4 Jussin Grilli, Toritie 11. Fast food. 

Drink

• 1 Myllypub, Kalliontie 17. 
• 2 Night Club Forty 46 Six, Kalliontie 18. 

Sleep

• 1 Hotelli Puustelli, Toritie 7, ☏ +358 8 442 700, myynti@puustellihotellit.fi. The only hotel in Nivala, a bit aged but decent. WiFi and breakfast are included in the price. double room €98. 

Go next

• Ylivieska: about 18 miles northwest from Nivala