Nurmes

Nurmes is a town and municipality in Finland, found in the county of North Karelia. As of December 31, 2025, it is home to 8,760 people. The town covers a large area of 1,854.78 square kilometres, with a portion of this being water. The population density is relatively low, with about 3.65 people living in each square kilometre.

Nurmes has a railway station that marks the northern end of a train service running twice each day from Joensuu. This service has faced possible closure in the past, but it continues to operate because the Ministry of Transport and Communications requires the train company VR to keep it running as part of an agreement until at least 2030.

The area around Nurmes includes interesting places for visitors. Break Sokos Hotel Bomba combines a Karelian village experience with a spa hotel. Bomba Karelian Village shows traditional Karelian building styles and food culture, making it a popular spot for tourists. Nearby, there is also Hotel Hyvärilä Youth and Holiday Centre and the Pielis-Golf golf course, adding to the area's appeal.

Karelian nest

The town of Nurmes in Finland speaks only Finnish. But in 2009, Nurmes started its first group for young children to learn the Karelian language before they go to school.

Geography

Nurmes is located in Finnish Karelia near the beautiful lake Pielinen. It is close to the regions of Kainuu and North Savo. Big cities such as Kuopio, Joensuu, and Kajaani are not too far away, and you can travel by train or road to reach them. Nurmes is also near some great places to visit, like the Tahko Tourist Center, Vuokatti Ski Resort, and several national parks including Koli National Park.

The area around Nurmes is full of hills, forests, and many lakes—there are 409 lakes in total! Lake Pielinen is the largest and most well-known. You can catch fish like perch, grayling, and whitefish there if you have a fishing license. Nurmes has three lovely hiking areas: Raesärkkä, Mujejärvi, and Lake Peurajärvi, each offering different landscapes and easy paths for walking and exploring. The forests are also home to many kinds of mushrooms, wild herbs, and berries, and everyone is allowed to enjoy nature freely in Finland.

Climate

Nurmes has a continental climate, which means it has four distinct seasons. Winters are very cold, with temperatures often below -5 °C and snow covering the ground for about four to five months. North Karelia gets a lot of snow, usually more than 50 cm deep in March. Even during the darkest time of the year, the sun only shines for about four hours a day.

In the summer, days can be warm but change quickly, and during the brightest part of the year, the sun stays up for almost 20 hours!

Economy

Nurmes has important jobs in making wood products, food, and metal goods. The wood industry is very big here, making things like wooden beams and special cardboard. The town is also good at making bread, fish, and meat products, including gluten-free bread.

Metal and engineering companies in Nurmes make new products and look for chances to work with others. There is a special area called the Green Industry Area where businesses can start making products from natural materials, with good space and services to help them grow.

Culture

Nurmes was named Finland's Christmas Song City in 2005 and later became the European Christmas Song City in 2009. During Christmas, many musical concerts and events are held in Nurmes.

In the summer, there are cultural events such as Nurmes Summer Music, which happens in early July. Famous Finnish composer P. J. Hannikainen came from Nurmes, and a local theatre, street, and playschool are named after him. There is also a monument for him in the town center.

Nurmes-talu is the town's cultural center, with a library, cinema, art gallery, and museum. It was renovated in June 2019 and reopened on August 9, 2021. The Ikola Museum, open in summer, shows the area's farming history. Nurmes is also where the main character from the 2002 film by Aki Kaurismäki, Mies vailla menneisyyttä (The Man Without a Past), lives.

Notable people

Nurmes has been home to many interesting people. Some of them are:

• Elli Saurio (1899–1966), Economist
• Mikko Collan, military officer and politician
• P. J. Hannikainen, composer
• Jani Hartikainen, football player
• Juha Holopainen, skier
• Ilkka Laitinen, military officer and government executive
• Pekka Meriläinen, stonemason and politician
• Urho Peltonen, javelin thrower
• Olli Soikkeli, jazz guitarist

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Finland

Twin towns — Sister cities

Nurmes is twinned with:

• Laholm, Sweden
• Møn, Denmark
• Ørsta, Norway
• Volda, Norway
• Segezha, Russia