Attractions

Kemijärvi attractions

Find the perfect place to relax

You might not immediately believe that Lapland has some of the most beautiful sandy beaches. The first thing you think of when you think of Lapland is the fells and hiking trails, not lounging on the beaches. Kemijärvi is located on the lakes of Lapland and the town centre is beautifully situated surrounded by water bodies. The absolute attraction of Kemijärvi in summer is the lake itself with its sandy beaches. Here you will find the coordinates for the perfect leisure experience. The sandy beach invites you to clink glasses with friends in the summer sunshine and the nearby beaches offer breathtaking views every day of the year. The local sunset is best enjoyed from the very edge of the pier.

Kemijärvi’s great beaches

Lake Pöyliöjärvi beach

Pöyliöjärvi beach is located in the centre of Kemijärvi, within walking distance of the campsite and shops.

The sun shines on the beach all day long and the summer café serves customers daily. The beach is shallow, but deepens quickly. It is easy to swim from the long jetty. The beach has a volleyball court and changing rooms. Swimming and canoeing are popular pastimes on Lake Pöyliöjärvi.

Address: Uimarannatie, 98100 Kemijärvi

Kalkonniemi beach

Experience the magic of Kalkonniemi – The perfect beach destination in Kemijärvi

Discover Kalkonniemi’s stunning sandy beach, located just 10 kilometers southeast of Kemijärvi’s city center. The sandy Imposentie road winds pleasantly through scenic countryside before reaching the idyllic summer cottages, making the journey a delightful experience. By the time you arrive, you’ll feel your stress melting away and a smile forming on your face.

At the tip of the cape, you’ll be greeted by majestic pines rising from the forest, framing the beach’s sandy shores. Here, you can relax and unwind from early spring to late autumn.

Kalkonniemi, with its beach, is the perfect destination for a family outing. From the sandy bluffs surrounding the beach, you can admire the blue-green hills across the lake. Imagine yourself lounging in a hammock, watching the water shimmer and listening to the calming sounds of nature. Geocaching enthusiasts might even find a treasure or two hidden at the tip of the cape.

Facilities near the beach include a changing room, a well-maintained grill hut with prime views, a woodshed, and a toilet. The area has remained clean and litter-free, and we hope visitors will continue to help keep it that way.

Directions

Head towards Salla from Kemijärvi.
Turn right at Isokylä onto Peräposiontie.
Continue on Peräposiontie for 3.1 km, then turn right onto Imposentie.
Kalkonniemi is located at the end of the winding Imposentie road.

Come and experience the magic of Kalkonniemi – a place where nature and happiness welcome you with open arms!

The long sandy beaches of Ailanka

For those seeking a peaceful wilderness atmosphere, the sandy beaches of Ailanka offer the best. The grasslands and heaths are a testament to their beauty. There is a fireplace on the Ailanka Bay side and it is a short walk from the car park. The distance from Kemijärvi to the beaches of Ailanka is about 37 km, part of which is on a sandy road.

Address: Ailanganniementie, 98420 Ryti-Lehtola

Juuvaara hiking trail

The Juuvaara hiking trail on Lake Juujärvi offers truly beautiful scenery to admire. The level of difficulty on the route is demanding, although long poles have been built to cross the rocky outcrops. The length of the trail is about 1 km. The trail offers a magnificent view over the Kemijoki River and the village of Juujärvi on the other side of the river. This landscape has been selected as a nationally significant landscape area in 2021.

Driving directions: from Kemijärvi, drive south on the Luusua road (Luusuantie) for about 40.4 km towards the village of Juujärvi. Turn left before Juujärvi village onto Seitakorventie (Seitakorven power plant), drive 1.6 km ahead. Turn right and drive 1.1 km. The destination is on the left.

Address: Seitakorventie 158, Kemijärvi

Räisälä Ferry

The only unique ferry in Lapland is worth hopping on board in Räisälä. Räisälä Ferry was voted the best ferry in Finland in 2017. For many, a ride on the ferry is a memorable experience, while admiring the beautiful surrounding Kemijärvi waterways and dangers. Suomutunturi can be seen in the background to the east. In winter, the experience is different when you can drive along the ice road. Both are special experiences for many tourists.

98720 Suomulahti
Kemijärvi
+358(0)400 231 247

Kotavaara observation tower

The popular tourist attraction Kotavaara observation tower is located 7 km from the centre of Kemijärvi. The climb is rewarded with a magnificent view of Kemijärvi and the Kemijoki River. To the north you can see Pyhätunturi (Pyhä-Luosto National Park) and to the east Suomutunturi. Drive E5 from Kemijärvi to Kuusamo direction. There is a signpost to Puikkola from the road E5 and you can find your way by following the signs to the näkötorni/observationtower until you reach a small parking lot. From the parking lot it is a 400 m walk to the observation tower of Kotavaara laen.

From the Kotavaara car park, it is a steep walk of about 400 metres to the top of Kotavaara. At the top of Kotavaara is a three-storey metal observation tower, which you can climb at your own risk. From the tower you can also observe birdlife and see cranes, for example. You can also see the grey partridge and other woodland birds in the surrounding area. There is also a shelter and a campfire site next to the tower. A great destination in summer and winter. It’s easy to get here and the views are stunning!

Address: Vaaralantie 38, 98100 Kemijärvi

Suomutunturi

Situated on the border of the Arctic Circle, Suomu invites you to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities all year round. Suomu is a great place to shoot in summer and winter. A night on top of the fells in the summer is a unique experience for many. In winter, the aurora borealis create a magical atmosphere in the northern skies. The diverse nature of the area gives photographers a great opportunity to express themselves and their moods.

Floated timber – Uitto history

For over a hundred years, timber was floated across the Kemijärvi to sawmills in the south. Three videos have been produced on the history of the logging, which can be found at three waypoints, Uitonniemi, Ämmänvaara and Kulmunginniemi. At each point there are boards explaining the history of the site and a QR code behind the videos. Through these three points, Kemijärvi’s history and landscapes unfold in a nicely narrative and visual experience.

The fleet of the Kemijoki River Navigation Association in the current Uitonniemi harbour in the 80s