The city of Jyväskylä stands in the heart of southern Finland's Lake District, 17 miles north of Helsinki. If you hire a car in Jyväskylä you'll be able to drive to the capital easily - the E75/R4 leads from the city straight to Helsinki. Closer to the city, you'll be able to find several downhill skiing centres, spas and golf courses. Explore one of the four National Parks that are close enough for day trips; they'll offer an attractive mix of forest and waterways at any time of year. The most important attraction of the region is Petäjävesi Old Church, a wonderful wooden structure in the forest, which has been designated a world heritage site.
Jyväskylä is a largely modern university city with a busy pedestrianised centre. It was the hometown of acclaimed Finnish 20th-century architect Alvar Aalto and contains 30 of his buildings. Hire a car here to fully explore them all. There is, of course, an Aalto Museum too. Other interesting museums in Jyväskylä include the Art Museum and Museum of Central Finland. The gallery at the Printmaking Centre and the Craft Museum of Finland are both worth seeing too. On the edge of the city you'll find the Harju Ridge, a popular green area with great views and a restaurant, and it's easy to see the shores of Lake Jyväskylä, thanks to a well-made trail along the shore.
