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Jämsä is a town with about 20,000 inhabitants in Central Finland. Home to the ski resort Himos.
Understand
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Jämsä is a town and municipality located in the western part of the province of Western Finland, in the region of Central Finland. With a population of around 22,000 (as of 2021), it is one of the larger towns in the region.
A popular attraction in Jämsä is the ski resort Himos, which is just 5 km from the town centre.
Jämsä is also home to a number of industrial companies, particularly those related to the forest industry.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By car
[edit | edit source]Highway 9 between Tampere and Jyväskylä passes through Jämsä. Highway from Lahti comes in from the south.
By train
[edit | edit source]Trains on the line Helsinki-Tampere-Jyväskylä stop at Jämsä.
- 1 Jämsä railway station, Asemakatu 5.
By bus
[edit | edit source]There are buses from Tampere, Jyväskylä, Lahti and Helsinki. Onnibus stops by the highway, while other buses stop in the centre.
- 2 Jämsä bus station, Välikatu 9 (in the centre, about a kilometer from the railway station).
Get around
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Car is your best option.
By bus
[edit | edit source]There is local transport in Jämsä between the centre and villages. Most services run on weekdays.
By taxi
[edit | edit source]See also Central Finland#By taxi.
- Taksi Jämsä, ☏ +358 201 545 545. Operates in the Jämsä area. Offers regular taxis, larger vehicles and accessible taxis.
- Taksi Himos / Ruohon Taksit, ☏ +358 400 245 500. Serves Jämsä and Himos, offering also group transport and accessible taxis.
- Menevä also offers taxi services in the area.
- Jämsä taxi rank, Kiiankatu 2, ☏ +358 40 760 0117
- Jämsänkoski taxi rank, Koivutie 8, ☏ +358 100 866 44
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Jämsä church. White church from 1929 with a large cupola, has many features that were salvaged from the former church that burned down.
- 2 Aarresaari Local Museum (Aarresaaren kotiseutumuseo), Virtasalmentie 27 (Jämsänkoski). A collection of old wooden houses from the region, the oldest are from the 17th century.
- 3 Ilveslinna, Jämsäntie 4 (Jämsänkoski). Imposant building in Classicist style, built in 1937. It was a club house for different local clubs, nowadays a private building that can be looked at from the outside.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Himos. One of Finland's largest ski resorts outside Lapland. Over 40 slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. In addition to downhill skiing, the resort also offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter activities. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, horseback riding, and other warm-weather pursuits at Himos. In the summer it is an event venue, with a dozen or so of different events from music festivals to a mountainbike race.
- Jysäri: July. A music festival focusing on eurodance. (date needs updating)
Buy
[edit | edit source]Jämsä has several independent shops selling Finnish handicrafts, local products, gifts and second-hand goods. Some specialist shops are outside the town centre, so check opening hours before visiting.
- Huopatehdas J. Alho factory shop, Partalantie 131 (In Partala, outside the town centre.), ☏ +358 50 516 5475, asiakaspalvelu@alhonhuopatehdas.fi. Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM. Factory shop selling locally made felt slippers and other felt products. The factory has a long history of Finnish felt-making.
- Huopatehtaan CityShop, Keskuskatu 6 (In the town centre.), ☏ +358 40 801 7051, asiakaspalvelu@alhonhuopatehdas.fi. Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM. City-centre shop selling felt slippers and other felt products made by Huopatehdas J. Alho.
- Lahtiset, Partalantie 267 (In Partala, outside the town centre.), ☏ +358 14 768 017, info@lahtiset.fi. Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM. Factory shop selling traditional Finnish felt footwear, slippers, hats, bags and home accessories. Visitors can also see the setting where the products are made.
- Koi Design, Vaivaroistentie 38 (The shop entrance is on Seppälänkatu.), ☏ +358 40 221 9049, info@koidesign.fi. Check website; visits by arrangement are also possible.. Jewellery shop specialising in handmade jewellery combining silver and colourful wooden beads. A good place to find a distinctive Finnish design gift.
- Vehkala Jeans Dealer, Mottilantie 8, ☏ +358 40 040 6454. Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat 10AM-2PM. Independent clothing shop specialising in jeans, with shoes, bags and accessories also available.
- Witikkalan Kartano, Koskentie 12 (In the town centre.), ☏ +358 500 400 148, myynti@vitikkalankartano.fi. Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat 10AM-3PM. Lifestyle shop in a historic manor setting, selling clothing, accessories, interior decoration and gifts. There is also a café serving lunch and baked goods.
- Koskenpään Kammari, Jämsänkoskentie 25, Koskenpää (In the village of Koskenpää, about 25 minutes by car from central Jämsä.), ☏ +358 44 366 9980, info@kammari.fi. Thu-Fri 11AM-5PM, Sat 11AM-2PM; other times by arrangement. Independent gift and homeware shop selling decorative items, kitchenware, food gifts, sweets and other treats.
- Uusi-Yijälä wine shop, Yijälänsalmentie 190 (At Uusi-Yijälä organic farm, near Himos.), ☏ +358 45 651 1405, info@patapirtti.fi. Contact the farm to arrange a visit.. Farm shop selling Finnish berry and fruit wines made from locally grown ingredients. Wine tastings and farm visits can be arranged.
- Taikavakka, Keskuskatu 2-4 (In the town centre.). Self-service flea market offering second-hand goods, natural cosmetics, gifts, everyday items and products by local craftspeople.
- iCare Jämsä, Koskentie 3 (In the town centre.). Salvation Army charity shop selling second-hand goods. Donated items in good condition are also accepted.
- Menneen Tuulahdus, Teollisuuskatu 7. Flea market selling second-hand clothing, shoes, furniture, books, electronics and household goods.
- Pieni Pihapuoti, Suosaarentie 16, 42300 Jämsänkoski (Outside the main town centre.). Check before visiting.. Small shop specialising in vintage household items, furniture, lamps, tableware and Finnish glassware.
- Kellari Kirppis & Café, Keskuskatu 9 (In the town centre.). Flea market combining second-hand shopping with a café and weekday lunch. Sells clothing, furniture and household goods.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Ravintola Silkkitie, Keskuskatu 7 (In the town centre.), ☏ +358 14 712077. Chinese restaurant serving buffet meals and sushi. €€.
- 2 Vanha Mylly, Koskenväylä 9, Jämsänkoski (In Jämsänkoski, beside the rapids.), ☏ +358 41 317 1790, info@vanhamylly.com. Seasonal. Restaurant in a historic mill setting, serving modern Finnish cuisine with seasonal ingredients. Particularly atmospheric in summer. €€€.
- 3 Bistro & Pub Hilpeä Hirvi, Keskuskatu 2-4, Forum, 2nd floor (In the town centre.), ☏ +358 50 4444 001, ravintola@hilpeahirvi.fi. Mon-Thu 4PM-9PM, Fri noon-10PM, Sat noon-11PM, Sun 1PM-8PM. Relaxed bistro and pub serving hearty dishes, steaks and artisan pizzas. €€.
- 4 Ravintola Patapirtti, Yijälänsalmentie 190 (Near Himos, in a traditional log building at Uusi-Yijälä farm.), ☏ +358 45 651 1405, info@patapirtti.fi. Seasonal. Restaurant serving Finnish food made with local ingredients, including fish from Lake Päijänne, lamb, forest mushrooms and berries from the farm. The farm also produces berry wines. €€€.
- 5 Ravintola Hirvikartano (Moose Manor), Heinäseläntie 381 (In the countryside near Himos.), ☏ +358 400 488 779, ravintola@hirvikartano.com. Country restaurant specialising in game dishes. Visitors can also see moose and deer at the estate. €€€.
- 6 Kahvila ja Ravintola Elonen, Talvialantie 1 (In central Jämsä.), ☏ +358 20 7070 260. Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM, Sat 9AM-3PM; lunch Mon-Sat 11AM-2:30PM. Café and lunch restaurant serving Finnish buffet meals, fresh bread, pastries and cakes from the Elonen bakery. €€.
- 7 Akuliina (Kahvila Akuliina), Koskentie 2a (In the town centre, near Äijän aukio.), ☏ +358 14 718800. Café and casual restaurant serving coffee, pastries and light meals. It also hosts live music and other events. €€.
- 8 Jämsänkosken Vanha Pappila (Old Vicarage), Koskenväylä 6, Jämsänkoski (In a historic vicarage near the rapids.), ☏ +358 40 756 0652. Weekdays. Lunch café in a historic building, serving lunch, savoury snacks and sweet pastries in a nostalgic setting. €€.
- 9 Siskon Kahvila, Koskentie 11 (In the town centre.), ☏ +358 40 524 1183. Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4PM, Sat 9AM-2PM. Independent café known for traditional Finnish pastries and doughnuts. €.
- 10 Jämsän Kebab-pizzeria, Koskentie 10 (In the town centre.), ☏ +358 40 195 1100. Mon-Fri 10:30AM-9PM, Sat-Sun 11AM-9PM. Casual restaurant serving pizza, kebab and other filling fast-food meals. €.
- 11 Tupa kitchen & bar, Säyryläntie 445 (At the Himos holiday resort.), ☏ +358 20 711 9290. Restaurant at Himos serving à la carte meals and breakfast, with drinks and coffee also available. €€€.
- 12 Restaurant Saloon, Peikkometsäntie 2 (At the Himos resort.), ☏ +358 20 711 9285. Western-themed bistro restaurant with a large terrace, serving meals and drinks. €€.
- 13 Kahvila Jokiranta, Satamatie 3 (By the Jämsänjoki river.), ☏ +358 40 198 2111. Seasonal. Summer café and terrace beside the river, offering a pleasant stop for coffee and refreshments. €.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Motel Patalahti (Patalahti Lakeside Motel), Patalahdentie 20 (Next to Highway 9/E63, about 2 km from central Jämsä and 4 km from Himos.), ☏ +358 20 711 9200, himoslomat@himoslomat.fi. Roadside motel by Lake Patalahti, with rooms for 2–4 people, private bathrooms and lake-facing terraces or balconies. The adjacent service station has café and restaurant services. Check-in and key collection are at Himos Center, about 4 km away.
- Hotel Jämsä, Kauhkialantie 111 (Near Highway 9, about 2 km from central Jämsä.), ☏ +358 14 717 91, info@hotellijamsa.fi. Self-service hotel with private bathrooms, breakfast included and a communal kitchen and lounge. A practical base for visiting Jämsä and Himos.
- Hotel Hiisi Hill, Hiidentie 8 (In Jämsä, about 7 km from Himos.), ☏ +358 40 148 6141, hello@hotelhiisihill.fi. Small boutique hotel with individually decorated rooms, suitable for visitors seeking accommodation near the town centre.
- Break Sokos Hotel Himos, Golfintie 1 (At the foot of the western slopes of Himos.), ☏ +358 20 123 4641, reception.himos@sokoshotels.fi. Modern apartment-style hotel in the Himos resort, convenient for skiing, golf and events.
Himos also has a wide selection of holiday cottages, apartments and villas. See Himos accommodation for booking options.
Connect
[edit | edit source]Go next
[edit | edit source]- Jyväskylä
- 1 Oravivuori, Korpilahti, Central Finland — A marker on the Struve Geodetic Arc. From the Jyväskylä–Jämsä road 9 (E63), turn off to Saalahti and on along Ahvenuskyläntie. After some 10 km you should see signs to the Struve chain to the parking lot to the right. From there it's 1 km of hiking uphill. The view of lake Päijänne from the tower is nice, though at the point where the UNESCO marker is, the view is obstructed by pines. Oravivuori is 193 m ASL.
- Lahti
- Petäjävesi
- Tampere
| Routes through Jämsä |
| Tampere ← Orivesi ← | SW  NE | → Muurame → Jyväskylä |
| END ← | N  S | → Kuhmoinen → Lahti |
| END ← Mänttä-Vilppula ← | NW  SE | → END |