Sights and museums
Picturesque nature attractions from the Pulkkilanharju esker to the Pirunkirkko rock formation, lovely little villages and the city blocks of the Lahti region as well as Lahti classics, from the Sports Centre to the harbour, provide something to see for the whole family. Museums take you to a world of local culture, art and unique themes.
Lahti Museum of Visual Arts Malva
The Lahti Museum of Visual Arts Malva opened in Malski old brewery buildning in the spring of 2022. Malva is a new museum full of art, design, posters and culture in Lahti, less than a 50-minute trip from Helsinki.
In addition to fascinating exhibitions you can find a great gift shop and several cosy restaurants under the same roof.
Fall in love with Malva
Dive into enthralling stories in a museum
Radio and TV Museum
The exhibitions at the Radio and TV Museum show the histrory of the Finnish radio and TV industry. The Radio and TV Museum is located on Radiomäki next to the 150 meter-high radio masts, which are the main landmark of Lahti.
Heinola Art Museum
Under renovation until May 2025. Heinola´s art museum is located in an empire house built in the 1820s. The permanent exhibitions at the Heinola art museum include the Spranger Collection of 18th–20th century porcelain, and the library of Minister P. J. Hynninen’s Art Foundation. The art museum organizes changing exhibitions all year round.
Ski Museum
The Ski Museum is located in the Sports Centre, close to the ski jumps, only a short walk from Lahti city centre. The museum tells the story of the Lahti Ski Games and the Nordic World Ski Championships held in Lahti from the 1920s to the present day, through interesting exhibitions on the history of ski sports.
Päijännetalo in Asikkala
Near the Vääksy Canal in an old dairy building, Päijännetalo, there is The Recreational Fishing Museum of Finland and changing art exhibitions. The museum showcases the history of leisure fishing and fishing culture in the region. It also tells the international success story of Rapala lures, which began in Asikkala. Open all year round.
Itä-Häme Museum and Koskipää Manor
The Itä-Häme Museum is located in Hartola and it covers seven parishes. The museum was founded by the authoress Maila Talvio, born in Hartola. The museum is housed in the former Koskipää mansion.
Public art on the map
Around Lahti there are over 100 works of art that you can explore while you’re in the city. Take a city walk to admire the art.
To the mapFinnish Motorcycle Museum
The Finnish Motorcycle Museum is even more magnificent, as the museum’s Art Deco-style extension has now been completed. The museum exhibits over 100 old motorcycles and fascinating stories. The museum also houses the only Ace Café in the Nordic countries.
Open all year round.
More about the museumVillages and old town centres in the Lahti region charm visitors with their unique atmosphere
Hollola Village
The impressive medieval Hollola Church and its charming village make for a perfect day-trip destination. Here, you’ll find cozy restaurant, a charming café, local art and a history museum to be explored.
Old Vääksy and the Vääksy canal
Wooden house blocks in Heinola
Did you know that Heinola’s town center is home to a charming district of historic wooden houses? Take a stroll along Kauppakatu, and you’ll uncover hidden treasures at every turn.
The Heinola Town Museum is housed in a beautifully preserved Biedermeier-era shopkeeper’s residence. A little further along, you’ll find the Art Museum, showcasing captivating exhibitions.
At the end of the street, step through a gate into a picturesque courtyard, where vegetable patches add to the quaint charm. Nestled at the back is the Aschan House, once home to police chief Lars Adolf Aschan. Here, you can step back in time and experience life as it was in the late 1700s.
Vuolenkoski village
The charming village of Vuolenkoski, located near the Kimola Canal, offers cozy cafés, inviting restaurants, local food markets, and even exotic farm animals, making it a delightful destination to explore.
Tips for accessible destinations in Lahti
Here you can find tips on accessible nature destinations, cafes, restaurants and some other attractions in Lahti. The accessibility of these places has been tested by a wheelchair user.
Find your favoritesThe most photogenic nature destinations
Located in the Lahti region, Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark is a stunning landscape formed by the Ice Age and water. It offers more “most instagrammable” views than you could possibly post, but you can always focus on enjoying them along the way. Learn about the Salpausselkä ridges formed by the Ice Age, Lake Päijänne that is known as the pearl of the Finnish Lakeland and jaw-dropping rock formations.
Outdoors
Pulkkilanharju esker in Asikkala
The eight-kilometre long Pulkkilanharju esker proudly cuts through Lake Päijänne. You will find the esker when you head along road 314, running between Asikkala and Sysmä. On the esker, we recommend a stop at the Reimari summer restaurant. There is also a nature trail that runs for approximately two kilometres on the esker that is suitable for the whole family. And one excellent location for the coolest photos is the Karisalmi bridge.
Pirunkirkko in Heinola
Formed by the continental glacier, the steep and impressive Pirunkirkko (“the Devil’s Church”) rock formation, which resembles a gigantic lean-to in the Paistjärvi Area in Heinola, is a great spot for a day out. It is also among the most significant rock formations of Salpausselkä Geopark.
Myllysaari island in Lahti
You might not think of Myllysaari island as a nature destination because of its location in the middle of the city – on Lake Vesijärvi in front of Lahti harbour and the entire city. Idyllic wooden bridges take you to the island, where you will find the popular summer restaurant Myllysaaren Kommodori, which is also the pavilion of Lahti Sailing Club.
Kapatuosia hill fort in Hollola
Kapatuosia hill fort rises towards the sky behind the medieval Hollola church. You can climb to the top of the hill along paths or take the stairs. There is also an observation tower at the top of the hill that is open in the summer. The name Kapatuosia derives from a period before the Middle Ages when the Vikings and, in the early Middle Ages, Sweden, Denmark and Novgorod tried to gain influence in the Baltic Sea and attempted to take over the territory that is now part of Finland. During the Iron Age, the people of Häme protected themselves against these attacks by building forts from timber and stones on high hills and rocks. In archaeology, these structures are known as hill forts.
Lahti’s “Most Instagrammable” walking tour
Where can you find the statue of the most successful Finnish footballer, Jari Litmanen? How about the most impressive mural in Lahti? The invigorating walking tour includes the most photogenic Lahti destinations and refueling spots along the way.
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