Kainuu Museum in Kajaani

Visit the Kainuu Museum’s permanent exhibition, you will discover Kainuu’s history and culture from prehistoric times until the mid-20th century. The museum also has changing exhibitions.

The museum’s permanent exhibition presents Kainuu’s history and culture from prehistoric times until the mid-1900s.

The exhibition begins with the interesting prehistoric times in the region and related discoveries. The exhibition takes you from the different stages of the Kainuu Castle to the self-sufficient day-to-day lives of Kainuu residents and the early stages of industrialisation in Kainuu. You can also explore the history and growth of the city of Kajaani from a small town with wooden buildings to the capital of the region. The artefacts and images displayed in the exhibition originate mainly from the museum’s own archives compiled since the 1930s through active collection efforts and donations.

The upstairs and the small gallery room downstairs have changing exhibitions.

Changing exhibitions in 2025:

23.10.2024 – 9.2.2025 Kiisken kapoja ja nauriin napoja – kainuulaista ruokaperinnettä (exhibition of the food culture in Kainuu)
26.2.2025–28.5.2025 Metsie – metsäsuhdekuvia ja -tarinoita (exhibition of tales of forests)
18.6.2025–17.9.2025 Kaupunkilaisten kesäparatiisit – huvilaelämää Kainuussa (exhibition of summer paradises of people living in the city)
11.10.2025–31.1.2026 Kummituksia, keikkaita ja kalmalaisia (exhibition of ghosts and local spirits)

Free entry to the museum and all its exhibitions!

Opening times:
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 12–16
Wed 12–19
Sun closed

Our location on the map

Asemakatu 4, Kajaani

Ärjänsaari summer café

The summer café in Ärjänsaari at Lake Oulujärvi offers delicacies for the summer’s day.

Wu Kong

Asian Sushi and Wok Buffet Restaurant in Kajaani, with a view to River Kajaaninjoki.

Wine Bar Térapija

The cozy wine bar Térapija offers high-quality wines, cocktails and tasty tapas with proficient and personal service. Pop in for a glass of wine and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere!

Wanha kerho’s banqueting and conference services

Enjoy delicious and simple home cooking at Wanha Kerho in the milieu of a museum building that is over 100 years old, whether to celebrate a special occasion or as part of your everyday life.

Wanha Kerho lunch

Enjoy simple home cooking at Wanha Kerho in the milieu of a museum building that is over 100 years old, whether to celebrate a special occasion or just enjoy your everyday life. Come enjoy lunch from Monday to Saturday!

Wanha Kerho bakery

Enjoy simple home cooking at Wanha Kerho in the milieu of a museum building that is over 100 years old, whether to celebrate a special occasion or just everyday life. You can also order the bakery’s delicacies home!

The Kainuun Meri cottages and holiday accommodation

Comfortable cottages and modern holiday accommodation on the shores of Lake Oulujärvi in Kajaani.

The Elias Sauna Along the River Kajaaninjoki

Elias is a beautiful beach sauna that guides its guests from the gentle heat of sauna to spend time at the River Kajaaninjoki.

The Break – pool room

The Break is the best and only pool room in Kajaani. The pool tables are not only good but the best you can find. The quality of game (and entertainment) does not depend on equipment!

Spa getaway in Kajaani for the whole family

Enjoy a delightful spa getaway in Kajaani! Hotel Kajanus is located just by the city center.

Rock House Kulma

A warm atmosphere and live music, that’s what we're happy to serve you in the Kulma restaurant in the centre of Kajaani.

Restaurant Sulo

Restaurant Sulo food and wine attracts you to enjoy delicacies from a charcoal oven with wine. The restaurant is located at the Original Sokos Hotel Valjus.

Restaurant Rosso

Rosso is an Italian restaurant known by all Finns. Rosso in Kajaani also offers lunch on weekdays.

Restaurant Ranch

Good food and drinks and relaxed but proficient service. Kajaani’s very own Ranch.

Restaurant Fors

Restaurant Fors offers local home food from Kainuu and flavours from around the world. The restaurant’s catering service bakes and makes tasty treats for any event, happy or sad.

Rental hut Kivelä

The rental hut has a plank wood structure and was originally constructed in the 1930s.

Rental hut Kallela

The rental hut has a plank wood structure and was originally constructed in the 1930s.

Private Restaurant Makuhelmi

Delicacies in the way of the giants with a big heart, a handful of love and a dash of tenderness.

Pioppo Taproom & Eatery

Pioppo Taproom & Eatery is open since the summer of 2024. Enjoy lunch, Neapolitan style pizza and other specialities!

Pekka Heikkinen Bakery Shop and Café

The bakery–confectionery founded by Pekka Heikkinen in 1913 starts buzzing early in the morning. Customers are buying loaves of bread baked in a wood-burning oven known nation-wide.

Panoramic House

Step on the roof of Kainuu – experience and enjoy the unique freedom of the hilly landscape!

Pancho Villa Kajaani

Pancho Villa is a restaurant that offers à la carte meals and lunch. The restaurant is famous for its burgers, juicy steaks, fresh salads, delicious Mexican delicacies and a special menu for children. Lunch is served Pancho style on weekdays.

Original Sokos Hotel Valjus

Original Sokos Hotel Valjus offers high-quality accommodation, conference and restaurant services in the centre of Kajaani. The hotel also offers a venue for events such as meetings, banquets or weddings for up to 150 people.

Monument of the Kainuu settlement

The monument of the Kainuu settlement is located at Kiehimänvaara in Paltamo with an exceptional view of Lake Oulujärvi.

Manor House Hotel Karolineburg

Meeting and event customers are pampered in the Manor House, that offers facilities for up to 90 guests.

Manor accommodation in Kajaani

Atmospheric accommodation in a manor very close to the Kajaani city centre. Staying overnight includes breakfast under chandeliers.

Lyni Dancebar

Lyni Dancebar at the Kauppakatu bar street is a setting for upscale parties.

Kitchen & Bar Kajanus

Kitchen & Bar Kajanus serves flavors in a cozy atmosphere by the Kajaani River, next to the city center.

Kaukametsä Conference and Cultural Centre

The versatile facilities of Kaukametsä Conference and Cultural Centre, awarded for its architecture, are great for organising various events and concerts.

Kalkkisilta Laituriterassi pier terrace

Enjoy the summery river landscape on the pier terrace! Located in the peaceful landscape of River Kajaaninjoki, the Kalkkisilta Laituriterassi pier terrace is open from Wednesday to Saturday during summers.

Kajaani Camping & Cottages

Kajaani Cottages & Camping: some camping pitches for caravans, motorhomes and tents.

Kainuu Museum in Kajaani

Visit the Kainuu Museum’s permanent exhibition, you will discover Kainuu’s history and culture from prehistoric times until the mid-20th century. The museum also has changing exhibitions.

Igloo accommodation at Lake Oulujärvi

Experience the magnificent landscapes of Lake Oulujärvi in an atmospheric, floating igloo on the shore of Lake Oulujärvi or on the frozen lake in the winter.

Hotel Kajanus

Hotel Kajanus is a comfortable 181-room hotel located very close to Kajaani city centre.

Hotel Kajaani

Hotel Kajaani serves business and leisure travellers in a soothing natural environment. The hotel is surrounded by water and lush greenness, and all the services in the city are within walking distance.

Grön Night Bar & Karaoke

Grön Night Bar & Karaoke is a restaurant with a warm atmosphere, good customer service and a nice drink selection located in the city centre.

Giant’s super soup

Exploring the forest is best when you have a belly full of warmth. A taste experience in the way of giants!

Giant’s dinner

Delicacies in the way of the giants with a big heart, a handful of love and a dash of tenderness!

Café Onnikka

The pleasant Café Onnikka is located in the heart of the Kajaani Travel Centre. All pastries sold at the café are baked in Onnikka's own kitchen daily.

Cafe Kaema (Prisma Kajaani)

Cafe Kaema is located in the hypermarket Prisma in Kajaani. Take a break and relax with a nice cup of coffee and freshly baked goods. The café is accessible.

Birdhouse Hotel

Feel free as a bird and enter the Arctic Giant Birdhouse high up on the hill. An unforgettable nature experience – become one with nature.

Bar96

Bar96 is a lively and versatile bar located underground. The bar has been fully renovated and is a great place for a night-out for those of us with more adult tastes.

Bar Tuttu

Bar Tuttu is an easy place to come to and grab a drink. Pop over during your shopping trip, spend a night-out or enjoy a drink on the terrace during the summer while making new friends.

Bar Narnia

Have a lovely drink at Bar Narnia! Narnia is a bar in the centre of Kajaani, located along the so-called bar street. Come and enjoy high-quality drinks and good beers at the bar.

Aurora Birdhouse

At Aurora Birdhouse, you’ll be enchanted by natural phenomena and the surrounding silence. Experience the wonders of nature!

Arctic House

Take a break in the Arctic Giant by a quiet hilly landscape to experience unforgettable nature. The enchantment of hill landscapes - above the roofs of Kainuu!

Arctic Giant Birdhouse Hotel Jättiläisenmaa

Feel free as a bird as you arrive at the hilltop and enter the Arctic Giant, located in Paltamo, high up on the Kivesvaara hill.

Accommodation in Kotolinna

Kotolinna offers guests an old-timey atmosphere with modern comfort and inspiring facilities for remote work, parties and meetings along the Kiehimänjoki River near Lake Oulujärvi.