Kinnula in Finland: Happiest Place in the World's Happiest Country

As bettercities.net recently reported, Finland claimed its top spot in the World Happiness Report for the seventh consecutive time in 2024 - as the happiest country in the world. But is there a place in the country where the happiest people live? Perhaps in the dynamic capital Helsinki? In Tampere, the sauna capital of the world? Further north in Oulu, the culture capital of 2026, or in Rovaniemi, where Santa Claus has settled?

No! According to the locals, the happiest Finns live in Kinnula. The village, with just over 1500 souls, is located 162 kilometers northwest of the Aalto capital Jyväskylä. And with its idyllic surroundings of lakes and forests, friendly locals, a picture-perfect guesthouse and restaurant with the finest local cuisine, it offers travelers plenty as well. bettercities.net was on site and reveals why you should definitely travel to Kinnula, no matter the season.

'If Finland is the happiest country in the world, then Kinnula is the happiest place in Finland.' Restaurant owner Marja Hakkarainen (51) is convinced of this, and she's not alone. But why are people in a village, some 160 kilometers from the nearest big city, Jyväskylä, so happy? 'We have forests, lakes, and can roam freely in nature.' In winter, people explore with snowshoes or skis, and in summer by canoe on lakes or the Lestijoki River.

To be fair: The neighboring village of Lestijärvi (with just under 700 residents) is also part of Kinnula's happiness. Even the tourist map combines the 20 attractions of Kinnula and Lestijärvi in the region called Syvänmaa (translated: Lowlands). The first recommendation on the list is for those who love water adventures: At Lesti-Hunter, you can rent a canoe and explore the river and lakes, either solo or with a guide. The organizer also offers activities like fishing or hunting.

In addition, there are hiking trails through forests, marshlands, and along lakes. The only thing that breaks the silence there is the sound of birds chirping. Even 77 kilometers of the Peuran polku (Reindeer Path) run through the region and into the Salamajärvi National Park with 70 kilometers of trails. The map of Kinnula and Lestijärvi refers to the national park as 'the largest peaceful marshland in southern Finland.' That it has a reindeer as a symbol is no coincidence: With a bit of luck, you may spot some of the roughly 2000 forest reindeer.

Since September 2023, the 333-kilometer-long bike route called Green Gold Gravel Loop also runs through the region - a great way to explore the Finnish lake landscape on two wheels. However, there are no trail markers, so you should download the GPS data beforehand!

Also attractive for the whole family is the Valkeinen Loop Trail, about 5.5 kilometers long, which circles Lake Valkeisjärvi with its clear water. Where you can undertake great snowshoe hikes in the winter, the grill area invites you to relax in the summer, with views over the serene lake, making 'Finnish happiness' a bit more tangible.

So far, it is mainly Finnish travelers who discover the happiness of Kinnula and Lestijärvi - yet the area has good tourist infrastructure. For instance, Marja Hakkarainen runs the Gamerestaurant Pikku Peura with local delicacies. However, you should make a reservation since it's not always open. In the village of Kinnula, besides the small church, there is also a supermarket, ideal for those who want to cook for themselves during their vacation. Plenty of accommodations are available.

Our favorite is the Karkausmäki Guesthouse, a red wooden house nestled among trees near the lake that looks like it's been cut from a Scandinavian vacation brochure. The owner, Jenni Numminen (43), opened it in 2015 - alongside the farm she runs a few kilometers away with her husband. Travelers meet in the large kitchen with an open fireplace on wooden benches or in the traditional sauna in the courtyard, where you have to make your own fire.

In addition, the area offers other nature-oriented accommodations, whether it's the Saarensalmi Holiday Village on the shore of Lake Kivijärvi, next door Markojärvi Holiday Cottages or Valkeisjärvi Camping, where cottages and camping options are available along with RV parking.

Our tip for anyone looking for Finnish happiness not just in outdoor activities but also among the locals: Take the time to chat with the locals, who mostly speak very good English. Only then will you develop a sense for why people in a place like Kinnula may not always be happy, but are still very satisfied with their lives.

Spoiler: This happiness is linked, among other things, to the Finnish concept of 'Sisu', which cannot be literally translated, but means something like 'resilience' or 'perseverance.' Anyone like Marja who opens a restaurant or like Jenni who runs a guesthouse in the middle of nature doesn't have it easy.

'I wanted to do something for a lively country life,' explains Jenni. 'You don't need much, just a few authentic experiences, and I want to inspire others to grasp this, too.' Marja's country restaurant also comes with many challenges, but both women, like most locals, have never given up, never filed for bankruptcy. They owe it to 'Sisu,' the primal force that all Finns possess. And certainly, people from other backgrounds, too.

No matter who you talk to in Kinnula, people have determination in their eyes. Marja speaks of a certain stubbornness to do her own thing, Jenni talks about having the courage to do things that make everyone shake their heads. Few locals seem to have an easy life. But they have a source of 'Sisu' that is as inexhaustible as the summer berry stock in the forests. And so it seems that alongside the nature, there's a lot of 'Sisu' underlying Kinnula's secret to happiness.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations bundled at bettercities.net.