5. Most Authentic Cultural & Nature Tourism Destination 2026 of concerts, festivals, cultural events, and local celebrations, all of which showcase its exceptional character and traditions. Joensuu, the regional capital of North Karelia, has a reputation as one of Finland’s great cities for live music, which it has earned through events like the Ilosaarirock Festival. This is just a taste of a region that has so much to offer visitors from all around the world, and VisitKarelia is doing everything it can to make North Karelia even more attractive for international visitors, following a decline in visits from its eastern neighbours in recent years. Despite this absence, the region has become a real tourist hotspot, and 2026 has seen another rise in the number of international visitors to this underrated location. VisitKarelia-led initiatives such as the North Karelia Gravel & Bikepacking Routes, a cycling tourism initiative that creates and promotes an extensive network of gravel and bikepacking routes across North Karelia and the North Karelia Biosphere Reserve, have helped with this, with this notable initiative connecting the region’s most desirable natural, cultural, and tourism sites through gravel tracks offering incredible scenic views. As a spokesperson for VisitKarelia told us: “The project includes approximately 1,500– 1,700 km of bikepacking routes and 1,700 km of gravel day routes, designed for both multiday adventures and shorter rides. All routes will be developed, branded, and published on digital platforms in both Finnish and English.” This initiative supports sustainable tourism, outdoor recreation, and biodiversity awareness, in addition to strengthening North Karelia’s position as a renowned cycling destination.” Ultimately, regardless of what it is that first draws a person to North Karelia, they are invited to explore the region at their leisure, and fall in love with Eastern Finland in the process. What makes this all the more achievable is that travelling to this region in Lakeland Finland is easy. There are good flight connections from across Europe to Helsinki, and from here it is simply a case of hopping on a domestic flight of around an hour to Joensuu. Alternatively, the region can be reached by a scenic train journey from Helsinki. For more on the area we have named the Most Authentic Cultural & Nature Tourism Destination 2026 in this year’s edition of the European Travel Awards, peruse the passion and dedication reflected across the VisitKarelia website below. Contact: Terhi Millar Company: VisitKarelia Web Address: https://www.visitkarelia.fi/en/
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