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Saarijärvi is a rural town and municipality in Central Finland, Finland. It is known for its beautiful nature, with forests and many lakes and rivers. It is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and cross-country skiing.
Understand
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Saarijärvi has a population of around 9,500 people (as of 2021) and covers an area of approximately 1,368 km², making it a relatively small and rural community. The namesake lake has several islands, as the name suggests.
Saarijärvi has a diverse range of industries, including forestry, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. The largest employers in the town include the local sawmill, a dairy farm (among Finland's biggest, with 600 cows), and a metal industry company. There are also several small businesses and entrepreneurs who contribute to the vibrant local economy.
Finland's national poet J.L. Runeberg worked as a private teacher in Saarijärvi during his studies, in 1823–1825, for the Enehjelm family. The house is a museum (temporarily closed as of 2025). There is also a trail by his name, leading to the museum. One of his most famous poems, Paavo the Peasant, is about a farmer in Saarijärvi, who met his ordeals with heroic stoicism, with sisu, the Finns would say.
Get in
[edit | edit source]Saarijärvi lies 60 km north-north-west of Jyväskylä.
By car
[edit | edit source]Highway 13 between Jyväskylä and Kokkola passes through Saarijärvi. Road 18 comes in from Seinäjoki. The Blue Highway passes 35 km north of Saarijärvi, via Kyyjärvi and Kannonkoski. Äänekoski is 30 km to the south-east, close to Highway 13.
By train
[edit | edit source]Nearest railway station is in Jyväskylä. Timetables are available from VR.
By bus
[edit | edit source]Coaches from Helsinki via Jyväskylä to Kokkola stop in Saarijärvi. See Matkahuolto. Uuraisten Liikenne operates coaches from Jyväskylä.
The main bus stop is located in the immediate vicinity of K-Supermarket Minttu.
By dial-a-ride
[edit | edit source]Get around
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By taxi
[edit | edit source]See
[edit | edit source]Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Puuhapuisto Veijari, Puistotie 1 (6 km north-west of Saarijärvi, take Highway 13), ☏ +358 400-621-663, info@puuhapuistoveijari.fi. 2025: 2 Jun–6 Aug daily 11:00–18:00. Activity park. Also animals big and small, from domestic animals to fish and snakes. Café with meals. Online: family ticket €85 (4 persons), children under 3 years free; ticket valid for two consecutive days; meals €16–20.
- 2 Pyhä-Häkki National Park (20 km north-east of the centre, by road 6510 towards Viitasaari). Mires and old-growth forest. The Mastomäki wood, with trees of an average age of 250 years and some from the 16th century, is the most remarkable old-growth forest of southern Finland.
Buy
[edit | edit source]Most shops are in the town centre or along Jyväskyläntie. The latter has several large stores.
- 1 HalpaHalli, Jyväskyläntie 33, ☏ +358 20-718-3880 (check call price). Mon–Sat 07:00–21.00 Sun 10:00–21:00. Department store selling groceries, clothing, household goods and other everyday items.
- Saarijärvi Recycling Centre, Oppitie 2, ☏ +358 44-459-8307, kierratyskeskus@saarijarvi.fi. Mon–Tue 10:00–17:00 Wed–Fri 09:00–16:00 Sat 09–14:00. Second-hand shop selling reusable household goods, clothing, books, toys, furniture and other items. Donations of usable goods are also accepted.
- Lahjapiste, Jukolankuja 4 (Near the Kusiaismäki outdoor area.), ☏ +358 45-625-0344, myynti@lahjapiste.fi. Mon-Fri 10:00–17:00 Sat 10:00–15:00. Gift and home decoration shop with a flea market, handicraft supplies, a café and locally made products.
- Eläinpalvelu Æsa Bra, Kauppakatu 8 (In the town centre.), ☏ +358 40-743-8784, info@aesabra.com. Pet shop selling food and supplies for pets, aquarium fish and horse equipment. Pet grooming and other small animal care services are also available.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- Saarijärven Ruustinna, Paavontie 1, ☏ +358 41 319-2332, info@ruustinna.com. Restaurant serving lunch made with local ingredients. Also has a summer café.
- Frisee, Kauppakatu 1, ☏ +358 50-381-7664. Lunch café serving soups, salads and buffet meals, with gluten-free and vegan options. Also has a bakery and terrace.
- 1 HH Keittiö, Jyväskyläntie 33. Restaurant inside the Halpa-Halli store, serving buffet lunches, burgers and à la carte meals.
- Karhun Kattila, Sivulantie 11, ☏ +358 41 317 2663, heidi@karhunkattila.fi. Restaurant serving homemade Finnish food and weekday buffet lunches.
- Finn Finn Thai Ravintola, Ilolantie 15, ☏ +358 46-885-9181. Thai restaurant serving buffet lunches and à la carte dishes.
- Grötören, Kauppakatu 6, ☏ +358 40-870-7404. Café serving traditional Nordic food and coffee.
- Papa's Pizzeria, Jyväskyläntie 35 C, ☏ +358 45-184-6006. Pizzeria serving pizza, kebab, döner, vegetarian Vöner kebab and salads.
- Saarijärven Pizzeria Kebab & Ravintola Isabella (Isabella), Paavontie 15, ☏ +358 14 421-554. Pizzeria serving pizzas, kebabs, salads and falafel. Weekday buffet lunch available.
- Mado Burger, Ilolantie 15, ☏ +358 40-705-4513. Fast-food restaurant serving hamburgers, pizza, kebab, salads and falafel.
- Kahvila-Ravintola Linnan Liisa, Linnan yritystie 2, ☏ +358 40-521-0978. Café and restaurant serving lunch, burgers and pizzas. Also has a summer terrace.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Ahvenlammin leirintäalue (8 km north-west from the centre, take Highway 13 towards Kokkola), ☏ +358 400-505-768, mail@ahvenlampi.com. May–Aug. Campsite by a small lake, popular among families. Cottages. Beach, barbecue facilities, kiosk, rowing boats, sauna, shop, disc golf, free Wi-Fi. The cottages have kitchen or kitchenette, some have a view to the lake. The tent site is on the forested ridge. Reception open 10:00–21:00. Tent or caravan €15 + €4/2 per person, electricity €5, cottages €45–130.
- 2 Ruustinna, Paavontie 1, ☏ +358 41-319-2332, info@ruustinna.com. B&B accommodation with the picturesque rooms, an excellent catering service and a beautiful lake view.
Connect
[edit | edit source]Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Saarijärvi |
| Kokkola ← Kaustinen ← Karstula ← | NW  SW | → Äänekoski → Jyväskylä → Lappeenranta |