# Lahti

Lahti (Swedish: Lahtis) is a city in southern Finland, on the shore of Vesijärvi and by the esker Salpausselkä.
The city is known for sports, especially ski jumping and skiing. It has hosted many world championship and hosts the yearly international Lahti Ski Games (Finnish: Salpausselän kisat).
Lahti is also a traditional industrial city. However, the city suffered heavily during the economic downturns, especially in the early 1990s, earning a somewhat gritty reputation. Unemployment and alienation are still commonplace in suburbs of Lahti. Things are however now looking brighter again with a new direct railway to Helsinki and the city centre being revamped.

## Understand

Originating from Hollola municipality, Lahti was just a village until it got the railway in 1870. It then grew quickly and got its city status in 1905. In 2016, the municipality of Nastola was incorporated into Lahti. In 2021 Lahti had a population of 120,000 making it the 8th largest city in Finland by population. It is near the country's gravity centre by population.
The area was inhabited already 9,000 years ago, with one of the oldest settlements found in Finland.
* Official web site.

## Get in
### By car

Lahti is 104 km from Helsinki, a one-hour drive on Highway 4 (E75), continuing via Jyväskylä to the north, a little less in the summer, more in the winter. Other major cities within an hour or two are Kouvola (east), Mikkeli (north-east), Jyväskylä (north), Tampere (north-west) and Hämeenlinna (west).

### By bus

There are frequent buses from Helsinki and other major cities in the region, as well as cities further north along highways 4 and 5. Coming via Tallinn or Stockholm, there may be coach connections from the ports of Helsinki with arranged transfer, mostly via Kamppi. Coming via Turku harbour, there may be a direct service from the ferry terminal to Lahti. See Matkahuolto for schedules.

### By train

Travel from Helsinki to Lahti by train takes about an hour. Trains are preferred by locals, because they're fast and comfortable. There are several train types:
* Local train Z (Lähiliikennejuna Z). Costs €11.70 adult, €5.85 child (6–16 years). On its way from Helsinki, it stops at Pasila, Tikkurila, Kerava, Haarajoki, Mäntsälä and Henna. Runs hourly from about 06:00 to about 00:00.
* InterCity trains. Cost around €16 adult, €10 children. Very comfortable trains, usually with 6 carriages, 3 of them double-deckers. They stop at Pasila and Tikkurila. Most of the Intercity trains continue onwards from Lahti and are only marginally faster than the Z train.
* Pendolino trains. Cost around €16 adult, €10 children. Very comfortable tilting trains. Stop only at Pasila and Tikkurila before Lahti. 48 minutes travel time. All of the Pendolino trains continue from Lahti.
The city centre is less than ten minutes walk from the train station. Cross Mannerheiminkatu and travel north on Rautatienkatu. Pass the radio hill (with the tall legacy masts) on your left and the railway tracks behind you.

### By plane

The nearest passenger airport is Helsinki Airport, about 90 km south of Lahti. From the airport you can travel to Lahti by bus (direct) or train (requires a transfer in Tikkurila).
There is an almost hourly ExpressBus coach connection from Helsinki Airport to Lahti bus station, departing from platform 13 in front of Terminal 2. The service operates round the clock, although there may be a gap of 1–2 hours between services in the small hours of the night. The trip takes between 1 h 15 min and 1 hr 30 min, depending on whether the service calls in towns on the way. In some cases, there is a change of coach at Kerava but it is well co-ordinated and easy. Tickets cost €20.50 (round trip €36.90) for adults, €10.30 for Finnish students and children of age 4–16.

## Get around
### By bus

Lahti has a good system of public transport organized by LSL. Kauppatori is the centre of Lahti's public transport system, with many bus lines going in both directions from there. You can use the Digitransit route planner to find bus routes. You can ride from one part of the city to another with a single ticket of €3.20, children €1.60. Mobile tickets can be bought using the Waltti or the Routes and Tickets app.

### By electric kick scooter

    See also: Finland#By motorised scooter
German Tier and Swedish Voi rent electric kick scooters for use in the centre.

### By bike

Freebike offers city bikes for rent.

### By taxi

* Lahen Taksi (Lahden Seudun Taksi), ☏ +358 600-555-805 (booking; high cost: €1.92/call + €1.44/min). Also bookable by app or web. Flag fall M–F 06:00–20:00: €4.99, Sa €5.99, other times and holidays: €7.99; 1–4 persons M-F €1.09/km + €0.79/min, other times €1.09/km + €0.89/min (January 2021). (updated Jan 2021)
* Lahden Aluetaksi
* Taksi Häme: see Päijänne Tavastia#By taxi
* Menevä Lahti, ☏ +358 50-471-0470 (head of office), toll-free: 0800-02120 (booking). Also bookable by app or web. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app or web. Flag fall M–Sa 06:00–18:00: €4, other times and holidays: €7; 1–4 persons €0.90/km + €0.90/min, 5–8 persons minimum €20, €1.60/km + €0.90/min (July 2020). (updated Jul 2020)
* Cabo. Low fare taxi. Smart phone app offers address-based routing and gives price offer. (updated Dec 2020)
* Uber
* Bolt
* Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Lahen Taksi

### By car

Many major car hire companies have offices in Lahti, as has 24rent.

## See

Lahti has a partly deserved reputation as an unattractive, economically depressed industrial town. Lahti has improved its reputation with a lovely harbour area with outdoor cafes and bars. In the harbour area there is also beautiful Sibelius Hall which is used for concerts and conferences.
* 60.99525.65161 Sibelius Hall (Sibeliustalo), Ankkurikatu 7. Built in 2000, Sibeliustalo is an example of a modern wood construction and the largest wooden building built in Finland in a century. Finnish forests were the main inspiration for the architects. The building consists of four parts: The renovated ex-carpentry factory (the oldest industrial building still existing in Lahti, built by August Fellman in 1907 to serve as a kraft pulp factory with a sawmill, the building was extended many times and it served as a glass factory, wood meal factory, carpentry factory and wooden house factory), the Main Hall with wonderful acoustics, the congress centre and the Forest Hall (a beautiful lake scenery opening from Forest Hall's windows). Guided tours for groups of 1-13 persons. The ex-carpentry factory was renovated into a restaurant, offices and cabinets. Sibelius Hall host about 800 events every year: about 140 concerts from classical music to rock, pop etc.
* 60.995825.64032 Lake Vesijärvi, Ankkurikatu. A nice way to spend a summer day is to embark on a paddle steamer (stern-wheeler) to cruise Lake Vesijärvi. Remember to have an ice-cream onshore.
* 60.982625.62713 Radio and TV museum, Radiomäki, ☏ +358 3 814 4512, fax: +358 3 814 4515, museo@lahti.fi. M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su 11:00-17:00. Lahti's radio and television museum is on Radiomäki (literally Radio Hill). You can see receiving and transmission equipment from the 1920s to modern times, and outdoors you can't miss the two long wave masts that can be seen from everywhere around the city. Adults €5, children €2.
* 60.985625.65134 Lahti Historical Museum, Lahdenkatu 4. Adults €10, children €5.
* 60.9840625.662385 Lahti Art Museum, Vesijärvenkatu 11 A. Adults €7, children €3.
* 60.983325.63266 Lahti Sports Center, Salpausselänkatu (bus 8, 10). There you can see the ski jumping hills, ski museum and Lahti stadium. In summer there is an outdoor swimming pool. It's also possible to buy ticket which allows you to use a chairlift and an elevator to get to the top of the ski jump which provides a panoramic view of Lahti.
* 61.008225.65067 Finland's Motorcycle Museum (Suomen moottoripyörämuseo), Veistämönkatu 1 (bus 2), ☏ +358 400-712-310, lahti@moottoripyoramuseo.fi. The only museum in Finland specialising on motorcycles.

## Do

Lahti has a well-known symphony orchestra, Sinfonia Lahti. The annual winter sport event Salpausselän kisat is very popular and worth seeing.
* 60.99425.64961 Puksu city train (Puksu-kaupunkijuna), ☏ +358 50 543 8222. Puksu train goes through the city's entertaining places. It starts from Vesijärvi harbour, then goes to Laune park, then Farm Animal Yard, "Little Marketplace" and back to Vesijärvi harbour.
* 60.97625.6472 Yli-Marola 4H Farm Animal Yard (Yli-Marolan 4H-kotieläinpiha), Neljänkaivonkatu 47. Barnyard animals in the sweet country milieu right in the city center. Open only in summer. Free of charge.
* 60.983425.63063 Outdoor swimming pool (Lahden maauimala), At the ski jumping centre. In the summer, the bottom part of the highest ski jump is opened as a pool. There's a shallow kids area as well as a deeper area, which goes quickly from 2m to 3m deep. Swimming ability required. You can borrow trunks and glasses.
* Football: FC Lahti were relegated in 2024 so they play soccer in Ykkösliiga, the second tier. Their home ground Lahden Stadion (capacity 14,500) is 2 km west of town centre. The playing season is April-Oct.
* 60.987525.6514 Sports Park (Kisapuisto). You can play almost anything in the sports park. There are tennis courts, a tennis wall, volleyball court, baseball field and of course a football field. Inside, there are tennis, badminton, and squash courts. Indoor tennis €12/hour, squash and badminton €8/hour..
* 60.9841625.6402555 Lahti Swimming Pool (Lahden uimahalli), Svinhufvudinkatu 8, ☏ +358 3 816-8210. In addition to the regular pool, the hall also has a therapy pool, jacuzzi and steam sauna. (updated Jun 2021)
* 60.983425.63746 $^{[deadlink]}$ Steam locomotive trip to Heinola, Salpausselänkatu 8. (departures from the old railway stop at the Lahti Stadium.). Enjoy a ride to the neighbouring city of Heinola on a 1947 steam locomotive via a 37-km track no longer used by regular passenger trains. The train stops at many old stations along the way. Schedules are published on the website, and tickets can be bought on board. €25. (updated May 2017)
* 61.00213225.6340357 Menovene, Kipparinkuja 1 (Niemi boat harbour), ☏ +358 45-7834-2471. Boats for rent. (updated May 2021)
* 60.98876825.638058 Ravintola Lokki, Jalkarannantie 19, ☏ +358 3 781-0220. Water jets, SUP boards, canoes and rowing boats for rent. (updated Jun 2022)
* Päijänneristeilyt, Satamakatu 5, ☏ +358 10-320-8820, info@paijanne-risteilythilden.fi. Cruises on Vesijärvi or to Päijänne beyond the Vääksy canal in Asikkala. Lunch or evening cruises to Vääksy, all day cruise to Heinola (Heinola timetable) or all day cruise to Jyväskylä in the far end of Päijänne (Jyväskylä timetable) with [https://www.paijanne-risteilythilden.fi/en/tuote/boat-trip-jyvaskyla-lahti/ return next day. Return €142.50/62/28–33 (lunch/dinner +€21–24), single €95/42/22; children 4–11 half price, less on the short cruises.

### Parks

* 60.970725.6489 Laune Family Park, Kaarikatu 26 (bus no. 31 from Kauppatori stop A). In Laune park, you'll have lots of fun. There's a traffic city, where you can drive with free bicycles and scooters. There are pipes and water, and parents can rest on grass while kids are having fun. Free of charge.
* 60.987825.64610 Vesiurut, Pikku-Vesijärvi park (Very close to the city center). Vesiurut means water organs. Every day at 13:00 and 18:00, at the park there is a small 15-minute concert. The fountain starts in unison with music from speakers up in the trees. There are some classical music pieces and some Finnish pop music pieces. You can sit on rocks around the fountain, but be aware - you may get wet. During the fall, there are also lights playing. Free of charge.
* 61.001225.647411 Ankkuri beach (Ankkurin Uimaranta), Ruoriniemenkatu 10, Lahti (a 1km walk north from Sibeius House harbour area). Public beach, changing rooms and toilets, a small number of public parking spots are nearby. Close to city centre on the shore of Vesijärvi, water quality in the lake is excellent. Free of Charge.
* 60.98425.626712 Salpausselkä trails (Salpausselän Virkistysalueen Ulkoilureitit), Salpausselkä, Lahti (west of the city starting from the Sports centre). Tens of kilometres of forest trails for walking, cycling and skiing. No dogs allowed on ski trails in winter. Free of charge.

### Festivals

* 60.985325.637613 Classic Motor Show (Lahti Hall). yearly, first weekend in May. An event for fans of old cars and motorcycles; American cars from the 1950s and 1960s are particularly well represented. Hobbyists, collectors and automobile clubs bring out their well-polished treasures from their garages, car-related businesses market their services, there are presentations, competitions and a motorcade. The main event takes place indoors, but there are almost as many beautiful old cars to see in the yard as well. Namely, people who arrive in a vehicle that's at least 30 years old may park it on the fairgrounds free of charge (and they will be part of the "outdoor" exhibition). tickets: €18, but the cars parked outdoors can be seen for free. (updated May 2016)

## Buy
### Shopping centres

Lahti has several big shopping centres.
* 60.98325.66331 Trio, Aleksanterinkatu 20. M–F 10:00–20:00, Sa 09:00–18:00. There are over 90 shops on 3 floors.
* 60.982325.65962 Sokos department store, Aleksanterinkatu 19-21. M–F 08:00–21:00, Sa 09:00–18:00. It's a big shopping centre. The three upper floors are filled with shoes, clothes, toys, electronics, kitchen utilities, games, movies and everything that you need in your household. In the basement, there's a S-Market grocery store.
* 60.98725.66463 Syke, Kauppakatu 18. Opposite Liike. Unlike Liike, which has a few shops. Syke has several — S-Market, which sells household products and food, Clas Ohlson, which sells electronics and household products, Emotion, which sells cosmetics and women's lingerie, TOP Sport, which sells sports equipment.
* 60.961925.65724 Laune district (Buses no. 72, 8, 13, 16, 21, 30 from Kauppatori stop C). Most stores are open M–F 09:00–18:00, Sa 09:00–17:00. A couple of kilometres south of the city centre, a large commercial area filled with large hypermarkets, electronic goods, car stores and charity shops (flea markets).
* 60.981925.73785 Karisma (5 km east from the city centre, next to the E75 motorway). Nearly 80 shops.
* 60.934425.62516 Kärkkäinen, Pasaasi 2. Independent shopping centre in Renkomäki district.
Just by walking around in the city centre you can find stores that sell almost anything (everything from buttons to cars).

### Factory outlets

Lahti has several good factory outlets. For clothing Finnkarelia Outlet in Hollola and Luhta Outlet in Lahti are good places to visit. Maria Drockila's candle factory in Orimattila's old spinning mill is also worth a visit.

## Eat

Lahti's most notorious local speciality is lihamuki, literally "meat mug", a soft drink cup filled with the cheapest grade of kebab meat and your choice of sauces.
* 61.003225.77761 Ahtialan Pizza-Kebab, Ahtialantie 137 (quite far from the town centre). There is a variety of pizzas and kebabs.
* Tonin Pitsa, Rautatienkatu 15, ☏ +358 400-156-706. An Italian restaurant serving Italian-style pizzas. It also has a catering service.
* 60.9797225.65712 Ararat, Rautatienkatu 10. Pizzas and kebabs.
* 60.9827825.657353 Aspendos Kebab, Aleksanterinkatu 15. This place is said to have the best kebabs in Lahti.
* 60.9816525.655354 El Toro, Mariankatu 8. Spanish-style food.
* 60.9844525.650465 Italiano, Jalkarannatie 1. Great variety of Italian dishes.
* 60.9836225.662436 Lahden Kebab ja Pizza, Vapaudenkatu 22.
* 60.980925.62827 Lorano, Hämeenlinnantie 26.
* 60.951925.64928 Lounaskahvila Tara, Aukeankatu 1. Lunch restaurant.
* 61.016725.66079 $^{[deadlink]}$ Marry Dian, Ritaniemenkatu 11.
* 60.9814525.6584110 Oluthuone, Rautatienkatu 11.
* 60.9850925.6544511 Pizzeria Kebab Antonio, Rauhankatu 19. Famous for their wrapped kebabs.
* 60.994725.663912 Ravintola Erika, Lahdenkatu 46.
* 60.9805125.6580813 Restaurant Roux, Rautatienkatu 7 (Near Town Hall), ☏ +358 10-279-2930. Finnish fine dining with local delicacies.
* 60.9832525.6577414 Santa Fe, Aleksanterinkatu 10 (right next to Kauppatori). An interesting restaurant specialised in Mexican food. There's also a bar downstairs.
* 60.9621825.6671715 Tähti Pizzeria, Ostoskatu 16.
* 60.981725.658516 Ravintola Taivaanranta, Rautatienkatu 13, ☏ +358 424 925 230. Grill and distillery.
* 60.9841225.6570317 Ravintola Mamma Maria, Vapaudenkatu 10, ☏ +358 3 751-6309. Italian food, good pasta and their own ice-cream. You can talk Italian with the owner.
* 60.99499325.6504618 Ravintola Lastu, Ankkurikatu 7. M–F 11:00–14:00. Lunch restaurant in Sibeliustalo. €10.90. (updated Feb 2021)
* 60.98249425.66070219 Konnichiwa, ☏ +358 45-7873-8880. M–F 11:00–20:00, Sa 12:00–20:00, Su 12:00–17:00. All-you-can-eat Asian buffet with wide sushi selection. Good salad selection with fresh fish and veg. Good vegan options too. Arrive before 3pm for a cheaper meal. (updated Aug 2021)
* 60.98876825.64023920 Ravintola Lokki, Jalkarannantie 19, ☏ +358 3 781-0220, info@ravintolalokki.fi. (updated Jun 2022)
* 60.97133625.60212221 Lounasravintola Maestro, Katsastajankatu 14, ☏ +358 45-110-5671, lounaspalvelut.kimjari@gmail.com. Lunch restaurant. (updated Nov 2022)

## Drink

* 60.983525.653441 $^{[deadlink]}$ Alexin Panimo, Aleksanterinkatu 6, ☏ +358 44-745-8887. New brewery and bar in Lahti.
* 60.9831225.657752 Amarillo Bar, Aleksanterinkatu 10, ☏ +358 3 878-9810. Tex Mex bar in Lahti.
* 60.994725.64753 $^{[deadlink]}$ Lahti passenger harbour, Vesijärven satama. At summertime it is worth visiting the Lahti passenger harbour, several restaurant ships operate as popular alfresco pubs.
* 60.98190825.6577614 Kahvila Oskari, Hämeenkatu 17, ☏ +358 41-700-0735. M–F 08:00–18:00, Sa 09:00–17:00, Su closed. Cute café in a well-preserved historic building. Excellent cakes. (updated Aug 2021)
* 60.9787625.658115 Torvi, Loviisankatu 8. The most legendary bar in Lahti. If you dig rock music, Torvi is a must.
Other places worth to visit are restaurant Taivaanranta and Teerenpeli which have their own whisky distillery and beer brewery.
* 60.9838125.661036 Teerenpeli, Vapaudenkatu 20. This place has its own whisky distillery and beer brewery. You can buy single cigars as well, they are kept in a big humidor. In Teerenpeli there is very nice atmosphere and friendly service.
* 60.9787825.657987 Tirra, Loviisankatu 8, ☏ +358 40-755-1939, info@ravintolatirra.fi. 11:00 to 00:00 mostly. One of the most famous pubs in central Lahti, dating back to 1957. (updated Jun 2024)

## Sleep
### Budget

* 60.9807825.672891 $^{[deadlink]}$ Huoneistohotelli Lahden Koti, Karjalankatu 6, ☏ +358 3 752-2173, info@lahdenkoti.fi.
* 60.9798225.672052 $^{[deadlink]}$ Koti Onnela, Onnelantie 10, ☏ +358 40-825-0443, onnela.travel@phnet.fi. Youth hostel.
* 60.9791225.660093 Matkakoti Patria, Vesijärvenkatu 3, ☏ +358 3 782-3783, info@patriahostel.fi. Budget hostel near the brailway station.
* 60.9835525.653544 Omenahotelli Lahti, Rauhankatu 14. A budget chain hotel next to the market square. Self-service, no reception.

### Mid-range

* 60.9835525.663545 Hotelli Cumulus Lahti, Vapaudenkatu 24, ☏ +358 3 813-711, fax: +358 3 781 8922, lahti.cumulus@restel.fi. Pet friendly hotel in the center of Lahti. There are conference facilities for 50 people. The hotel has 171 rooms, bar and disco.
* 60.9778725.659346 Scandic Lahti, Vesijärvenkatu 1 (Next to the railway station.), ☏ +358 3 339-3911, fax: +358 3 339 39 399, lahti@scandichotels.com. Formerly known as Next Hotel Salpaus. Standard mid-range hotel of the Swedish chain.

### Splurge

* 60.9829225.660057 Sokos Hotel Lahden Seurahuone, Aleksanterinkatu 14 (In the city center, next to the market square and shopping facilities.), ☏ +358 20-1234-655, fax: +358 3 7523 164, seurahuone.lahti@sokoshotels.fi.

## Go next

Among the neighbouring municipalities are Asikkala, Heinola and Orimattila. They are probably worth a visit, although perhaps just a brief one.
* 61.052125.432414 Medieval Greystone Church of Hollola, Rantatie 917 (Hollola kk). Mid-June to early August: M–F 10:00–18:00. Visit nearby Hollola for its medieval greystone church. Completed around 1480, it represents the best middle aged church architecture. This church is famous for its well preserved wooden carvings, some of which are from the 1400s. Free. (updated Sep 2022)
* 61.014325.551315 Messilä resort (in the municipality of Hollola, 10 km towards Tampere). One of the most popular ski resorts of southern Finland; in the summer a place to hike and play golf.
* 61.37325.44416 Päijänne National Park (Padasjoki, 45 km to the north). National park in Finland's second largest lake. Explore with boat or canoe. A nature trail with nice views is reachable by road. (updated Jun 2017)