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Seinäjoki is a city in Southern Ostrobothnia. Seinäjoki is the biggest city and the centre of the Region of South Ostrobothnia, in western Finland. It is in the junction of five railways and at the intersection of several main roads. Peräseinäjoki, Ylistaro and Nurmo have been merged into Seinäjoki. The municipality of Isokyrö (Storkyro) is handled in this article too.
Understand
[edit | edit source]At the beginning of the 1900s, a railway connection was established to Seinäjoki, which meant rapid development of the area. Seinäjoki railway station became an important railway hub.
In the early 1900s, several factories were also established in Seinäjoki. With the factories, industry in Seinäjoki grew rapidly and the town became a major industrial city.
In the urbanisation of the 1960s, Seinäjoki grew dramatically. Seinäjoki became the centre of the region, with a wide range of services and good job opportunities. In 1960 Seinäjoki became a trading town and in 1967 a city.
- Seinäjoki municipal office, Kirkkokatu 6, ☏ +358 6 416-2111, info@seinajoki.fi.
- Isokyrö municipal office, Pohjankyröntie 136, ☏ +358 6 470-1111, isokyro@isokyro.fi.
Get in
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By train
[edit | edit source]The easiest way to come to Seinäjoki is by train. If you take the fastest Pendolino trains the trip takes roughly three hours from Helsinki or Oulu and just over one hour from Tampere.
- 1 Seinäjoki railway station (Seinäjoen rautatieasema), Ruukintie 2.
By bus
[edit | edit source]There are coach connections from Helsinki via Tampere (mostly Onnibus) and from Vaasa (several companies). See Matkahuolto for timetables.
By plane
[edit | edit source]Seinäjoki Airport, located in the Ilmajoki municipality, is nowadays used only for some charter flights. The nearest airport with regular flights is in Vaasa VAA IATA.
There are daily regular flights to Vaasa airport from Helsinki (Finnair) and Stockholm, Sweden (SAS). An on-demand airport shuttle bus of Pahkakankaan Liikenne operates between Vaasa airport and Seinäjoki railway station. The shuttle bus can be pre-ordered at latest two days before arrival or departure (phone +358 45-645-3811, also SMS and e-mail orders are accepted, e-mail posti@pahkakangas.fi. The ride from Vaasa airport to Seinäjoki railway station costs €19 per traveller.
By car
[edit | edit source]Roads come in from all directions, as Seinäjoki is one of Western Finland's most important road junctions. Seinäjoki is about one hour's drive from Vaasa, and two and a half hours from both Tampere and Jyväskylä.
Isokyrö and Ylistaro are on the road from Vaasa, Peräseinäjoki to the south, Nurmo just north-east of the centre.
Get around
[edit | edit source]By foot
[edit | edit source]Seinäjoki is small enough that most of the things to see are easily reached by foot. When you exit the railway station, you will be facing the centre.
By bus
[edit | edit source]Härmän Liikenne offers local bus connections on weekdays and Saturdays but on Sundays there is no traffic. Route planner is available. Local connections can also be searched on Google Maps. With the CityApp smartphone application, you can buy a bus ticket and, for example, search for routes. Contactless payment (NFC) is available on buses.
City of Seinäjoki operates an on-demand minibus] in the city and nearby region M–F 08:00–17:00.
Coaches can also be used; on Sundays they are the only form of public transport available. To go west you can use coaches to Teuva, Kauhajoki and Närpiö, and to go east, coaches to Karstula, Vimpeli and Kuortane.
You can reach Isokyrö and Ylistaro using regional buses that run between Seinäjoki and Vaasa.
By electric kick scooter
[edit | edit source]German Tier rents electric kick scooters for use in the centre.
By taxi
[edit | edit source]- Keskustaksi, Taksini: see Southern Ostrobothnia#By taxi
- Isokyrö:
- Puputaksi ☏ +358 400-268-088 info@puputaksi.fi
- Paulan Pirssit ☏ +358 400-668-113, +358 400-362-027
- Marja Mullola ☏ +358 6 471-3435, +358 500-261-435, Alariihitie 1
- Tapio Lae Oy ☏ +358 400-363-343 info@tapiolaeoy.com
- Smartphone apps: 02 Taksi, Valopilkku
By bike
[edit | edit source]Easybike[dead link] offers city bikes for rent.
Other
[edit | edit source]See
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- 1 Alvar Aalto Centre, Kauppakatu 17, ☏ +358 6 416-2734. 15 May–31 Aug: Wed 12:00–18:00, Thu-Sun 12:00–16:00; 1 Sep–14 May: Wed 12:00–18:00, Thu Fri Sun 12:00–16:00. This centre is the administrative and cultural centre of Seinäjoki. The centre was designed by Alvar Aalto, a renowned Finnish architect and designer of the 20th century and one of the most important architects in the world, and as such part of the Aalto Works
UNESCO World Heritage Site. His work includes outstanding architecture, furniture, textiles and glassware. The Aalto Centre is composed of six buildings which were mainly completed between 1960 and 1968. The first building created was the church, Lakeuden Risti ("Cross on the Plain") and the last one, the theatre, in 1987. - 2 Lakeuden Risti Church and Parish Centre (Cross of the Plain), Koulukatu 24, ☏ +358 6 418-4111. Mon–Fri 14:00–18:00; summer: daily 10:00–20:00. There was a competition for the design of Seinäjoki church which took place in 1951. There was no agreement because Aalto’s design did not follow some patterns required. Finally the construction took place until 1957–1960. The adjacent congregational centre was constructed in 1965–1966. The church seats 1200 people, the gallery another 124 and the small chapel 50 people. Everything, even in the interior, was designed by Alvar Aalto. It is absolutely a fascinating and impressive to see how perfect the measurements and details in the inside are. As part of the church there is a cross bell tower, which is 65 m, Seinäjoki’s highest building, which can be visited as well. There are 36 more steps to get to the top of the tower; if you ask one of the church wardens you can ride the lift to the top for €1.
- 3 City Hall, Kirkkokatu 6, ☏ +358 6 416-2111. Mon–Fri 09:00–15:00. The competition for the City Hall design took place in 1958–1959. It was constructed in 1961–1962. The Council's meeting chamber is also used for concerts. The façade of the City Hall is clad with special blue porcelain rods. The whole interior of the building is characterized with Aalto’s singular style and design.
- 4 City Library, Koulukatu 21, ☏ +358 6 416-2326, kirjasto@seinajoki.fi. Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 11:00–15:00; summer: Mon–Thu 10:00–19:00, Fri 10:00–17:00, Sat closed. The City Library – Regional Library, the architectural pearl of the Aalto Centre, was constructed in 1964–1965. The open book shaped building is a very unique design. There is free Wi-Fi and computers with scanner/printer connection. Check also in the bookmobiles if you happen to stumble upon them.
- 5 State Office Building, Alvar Aallonkatu 12. This building constructed in 1966–1968 holds many city and state offices in Seinäjoki. Its most significant feature in the interior is the court room.
- 6 City Theatre, Alvar Aallonkatu 12, ☏ +358 6 416-2600. Alvar Aalto presented his plans for the theatre building as early as 1969, but its construction was not carried out until 1986–1987 under Elissa Aalto's supervision. The theatre seats 429 people and the small stage 120. In the lobby there are famous wooden reliefs and Aalto’s biggest glass designs exhibition.
- 7 Isokyrö old church, Museotie (in Isokyrö centre, by the local museum). Church built 1513–1533. Wall paintings from 1560.
- 8 Isokyrö local museum, Museotie, ☏ +358 400-947-275.
- 9 Kyrkösjärvi. One of the few artificial lakes in Finland.
- 10 Törnävä Church (Törnävän kirkko). The old, idyllic church of Seinäjoki.
- 11 Törnävä mansion area (Törnävän kartano). Old mansion built in 1806. Features a beautiful old garden.
- 12 Wanha Markki - Animal nursing home (Wanha Markki - Eläinten vanhainkoti), Lapuantie 511 (along Highway 16 from Ylistaro about 4.5 km towards Lapua (Jyväskylä)), ☏ +358 50 357 2432, liisa-cristiina.laaksonen@wanhamarkki.fi. More than a hundred animals such as alpacas, sheep, bunnies, horses, goats, various birds, mini-pigs, boars, cats and dogs. €8.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Kalliojärvi, Kortesluomantie 146 (in Valtaala, Isokyrö), ☏ +358 6 472-4860 (Tu–F 10:00–17:00). Dances Mar–Dec Sa 19:30–00:30 mid Jun–early Aug also W 19:30–24:00, otherwise occasionally. Dance restaurant, a major social dancing venue. Also other events and programme services. Dances of autumn 2026 cancelled. Possible bankruptcy.
- 2 Pukkilansaari, Pohjankyröntie 115 (Isokyrö; ferry connection to the island across the river), ☏ +358 40-507-0290, +358 40-737-9820, asko.frusti@netikka.fi. Fri 19:00–01:00 (or irregularly?). Dance pavilion. Also other events. Café which also serves alcohol, thus 18 years age limit. Unguarded cloakroom. Run by the sports club.
- Football: SJK (Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho) play soccer in Veikkausliiga the top tier. Their home ground OmaSP Stadion (capacity 5800) is 1.5 km west of town centre.
Festivals
[edit | edit source]- 1 Provinssirock: . One of the biggest rock festivals in Finland. Takes place in late June in Törnävä village, about 5 km south of downtown. 3-day ticket from €159 (2022).
(date needs fixing) - Vauhtiajot Race & Rock: . Motorsport and rock festival in mid-August. (date needs fixing)
- Solar Sound Festival: August. An urban and electronic music festival in late July. (date needs updating)
Tangomarkkinat
[edit | edit source] Seinäjoki Tango Festival (Tangomarkkinat): July annually, ☏ +358 06 420-1111, info@tangomarkkinat.fi. Forty-year anniversary 11–14 July 2024. A "dance camp" with dance courses (all levels, taking individual lessons possible) starts already on Tuesday. 
The Tango Festival gathers a huge crowd of over 100,000 people every year. There are several tango dance floors around the festival area – either in front of the stages or in some karaoke bars – as well as several events to please different kinds of tastes. There is even a “Tango-free Zone”, with rock and jazz concerts. People can enjoy the daily Tango parade, the Tango Street, and tango shows in the theatre and in the Seinäjoki Arena. It pays to schedule what you want to experience.
The event takes place every year since 1985, during the month of July, usually from Wednesday to Sunday. This is the Tango event with the most tickets sold worldwide. It is incredible to see thousands of people dancing in the streets, especially at the Tango Street (Tangokatu). Most of them start dancing at around 17:00 until 03:00.
The coronation of the Tango King and Queen is one of the most important and emotional parts of the event. These figures receive much domestic media attention and often recording contracts as well and they also perform their own shows at the tango Festival the following years. They will be fully booked to dance pavilions and other stages through the rest of the summer, and for some time onwards.
Besides the opportunity for dancing and the Tango Royalty contest, another purpose of this festival is to show new ways to do tango and to erase the idea that Tango has to be in the traditional style. There are many innovations, such us combining Finnish folk and tango, or jazz and tango, electronic tango and so on.
Many artists from around the world come to perform in this festival, including Argentinean tango artists.
It is a great experience to be in the Tango Street and feel the excitement of people. They are dancing from 17:00 until 03:00. Couples have the chance to be reunited, beginners to learn and practice the basic steps and friends to have a lot of fun. It is even hard to get tired because even the sun goes down after 23:00, the day light stay all night long, so before you know it is 02:00 or 03:00 in the morning. There are rock and jazz shows in bars and nightclubs, especially popular with the youth.
You have the choice of staying at one of the hotels or, as the majority does, bring a camper and park at the camping sites near the centre and just enjoy the spectacle from morning to late night.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Musiikki Järvenpää, Alvar Aallon katu 1. Music store with guitars, drums, other instruments and accessories.
- 2 Ideapark. Shopping mall.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Holy Smoke, Koulukatu 20, ☏ +358 44-235-4113. Burgers, grill dishes and salads, with a wide range of vegan options.
- 2 Ravintola Juku, Koulukatu 22, ☏ +358 44-970-9698, jukusushi@gmail.com. Sushi and stir-fried Asian dishes, with a lunch buffet and vegan options.
- 3 Juurella, Kauppakatu 19 (At the edge of the market square), ☏ +358 6 414-0720, ravintola@juurella.fi. Restaurant using local ingredients and seasonal produce. Wine tastings; bread to take away on Fridays.
- 4 Mallas Kabacka (Malla Kabacka), Kauppakatu 15 C, ☏ +358 44-978-4562, mallas@kabacka.fi. Afternoon till late. Town centre craft beer pub with Finnish and foreign beers, including the whole Mallaskoski range. Street food-style snacks.
- 5 Ravintola Marttilan Talli, Puskantie 38 (in the former stables of the regional hospital), ☏ +358 6 420-4816. Weekday lunch buffet 10:30–13:30. Atmospheric lunch restaurant with local ingredients. Seats 150, also hosts events.
- 6 Mallaskoski Brewery Restaurant (Mallaskosken Panimoravintola), Vesitorninkatu 11 (About 1 km from the centre), ☏ +358 50-413-1280, ravintola@panimoravinto.la. Restaurant of the local Mallaskoski brewery, with a summer terrace. Brewery tours with tasting are available (about €21 per person, group minimum).
- 7 Street 15 (Bar 15 Street), Kauppakatu 15, ☏ +358 45-7872-9613, bar15street@bar15.fi. Lunch Tu–F 11:00–15:00, à la carte W–Sa. Relaxed restaurant with fine dining-style dishes. Lunch emphasises vegetarian and vegan food, with a buffet of salads, bread and spreads.
- 8 Uppalan Kartano (Uppala Manor), Ilmarisenkatu 14, ☏ +358 50-537-2000, myynti@uppalankartano.fi. Booking-based restaurant in a manor setting, suited for parties and meetings. Wine tastings and courses are also available.
- 9 Ravintola Verstas, Seuralantie 25 (In the historic Piiri area, Törnävä), ☏ +358 50-324-8357, info@ravintolaverstas.fi. Weekday lunch buffet 10:30–14:00. Lunch all year, snacks and dinner during Teatteri Hysteria shows. Summer menu on the terrace, with many vegan dishes. Lunch €13.50.
- 10 Ravintola Varicko, Vaasantie 11 (In Rytmikorjaamo), ☏ +358 44-244-8775, ravintola@varicko.fi. Weekday lunch 10:30–14:00. Lunch and event restaurant with homemade food and a salad buffet. Seats up to 150.
- 11 Äärellä Kuppi ja Kattila, Nyykoolinkatu 25 (ground floor of the Kalevan Navetta art and culture centre), ☏ +358 50-350-5312, ravintola@aarella.fi. Lunch, bistro and café with Finnish and international flavours.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 Karma, Kauppatori 3. Rock bar and nightclub.
- 2 Cafe and Bar Palaveri, Koulukatu 22. Fairly decent beer selection.
- 3 Minibaari, Torikatu 9 (opposite to the church). Sells locally brewed beer "Mallaskoski" on tap.
- 4 Bar 15 (Warttibaari), Kauppakatu 15. Features cheap beer and heavy music.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]Camping
[edit | edit source]- 1 Kalliojärven Lukkuhaka, Kortesluomantie 148 (by the event centre Kalliojärvi), ☏ +358 400-905-308, lukkuhaka@netikka.fi. Caravan camping. Also cottages (by the event venue?). Caravan €32, cottages, e.g., 12 m²/4 persons €50, 40 m²/6 persons €100, 85 m²/8 persons €240.
- 2 Kalliojärvi, Kortesluomantie 146 (in Valtaala, Isokyrö), ☏ +358 6 472-4860 (Tu–F 10:00–17:00), info@kalliojarvi.fi. Cottages, dance restaurant (in summer dances most W Sa 19:30–24:00, otherwise more irregularly), events, programme services. Cottages e.g. 12 m²/4 persons €50, 40 m²/6 persons €100, 85 m²/8 persons €240.
Budget
[edit | edit source]- 3 Perhehotelli Nurmela, Kalevankatu 29, ☏ +358 6 414-1771. from Euro 35/55.
- 4 Hotelli Fooninki, Kaarretie 4 (in Hyllykallio district), ☏ +358 6 421-7700. from €65
Mid-range
[edit | edit source]- 5 Hotel Alma, Ruukintie 4 (next to the railway station), ☏ +358 6 421-5200, alma@hotelalma.fi. Breakfast, lunch and à la carte in a Jugend-style main hall in a railway workers' house from 1909.
- 6 Sorsanpesä, Törnäväntie 27, ☏ +358 20-741-8181 (check price). Stylish à la carte restaurant with river view and full-course meals.
- 7 Cumulus Seinäjoki, Kauppakatu 10, ☏ +358 6 418-6111.
Splurge
[edit | edit source]- 8 Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, Kauppatori 1-3, ☏ +358 10-764-7000 (check price), +358 10-764-7050 (restaurant; check price). Very nice hotel in a central location. Fine sauna and meeting facilities. Restaurant with a seasonal menu that emphasises local ingredients. Soup lunches and set menus.
- 9 Sokos Hotel Lakeus, Torikatu 2, ☏ +358 10-764-8000 (check price), +358 10-764-8040 (restaurant; check price). Another Sokos Hotel. Restaurant with a salad and soup buffet, plus main courses at weekday lunch.
Go next
[edit | edit source]From Seinäjoki there are easy train connections to the rest of Finland.
- Ilmajoki, a neighbouring municipality, well-known as the origin of the Koskenkorva ("Kossu") aqua vitae