Päijät-Häme is a region in Southern Finland with a population of approximately 206,000. It consists of the following municipalities: Asikkala, Hartola, Heinola, Hollola, Iitti, Kärkölä, Lahti, Orimattila, Padasjoki and Sysmä.
The Päijät-Häme region is characterised by lively urban centres and rural areas as well as pleasant residential areas, all a short distance from each other.
More than a third of the jobs in the region are in social and health services and industry. Industrial companies in Päijät-Häme manufacture furniture, beverages, clothing and drainage pipes, among others. In addition, the plastic and sawmill industries as well as environmental technology are strong in the region. Trade and construction are also important employers. Most jobs are in urban or peri-urban areas.
One third of the working population in the region go to work outside their municipality of residence. Of these, 40 per cent work in another region, mostly in the Helsinki metropolitan area. Helsinki is one hour away by train or car from Lahti, the central city of the region.
Popular for holiday homes
In summertime, Asikkala, Hartola, Heinola, Padasjoki and Sysmä are popular and lively centres of activity with many events, summer residents and tourists. With the exception of Heinola, there are more holiday homes than permanent residences in these municipalities, with an increasing number of people buying a lakeside holiday home for themselves. In Päijät-Häme, holiday home owners often stay for long periods of time, and teleworking from the holiday home is also more common here compared with other Finnish regions. The City of Heinola offers free-of-charge teleworking facilities also for holiday home occupants.
LUT – Finland’s newest university
LUT offers degree programmes in technology and business administration. Students can choose courses from both fields of study. LUT focuses on solutions related to clean energy and water, the circular economy and sustainable business. For instance, LUT’s expertise in the minimisation of the environmental impact of cultural and sports events has been used by the Finnish Ice Hockey League (Lahti Pelicans) and in a golf course climate campaign (Messilä Golf).
LAB University of Applied Sciences is a higher education institution focusing on innovation, business and industry. It has campuses in Lahti and Lappeenranta, and it also provides online education. LAB offers degree programmes in five fields of study: Health Care and Social Services; Technology; Business, Tourism and Hospitality; and Design and Fine Arts. LAB has over 8,500 students, of whom nearly 900 are international degree students. LAB’s strongest areas of expertise are the circular economy, design, innovation and well-being.
LUT and LAB co-operate closely with each other and with local businesses. There are many ongoing research and development projects with municipalities, companies and other partners.
Active region
Lots of marked walking trails for all fitness levels can be found along the slopes of the Salpausselkä Ridge and around the clean lakes of the region. Päijänne National Park can be accessed by boat and by walking the Pulkkila Ridge nature trails. Read more about Päijänne National Park.
Elite athletes, students, families, participants of occupational well-being courses and sports lovers meet at the two sports centres of the region: Vierumäki and Pajulahti.
Read more about walking trails in the Päijät-Häme region.
Our Events, Restaurants, Hotels and Activities
Sibelius Hall and Lahti City Theatre offer diverse cultural experiences and excellent venues for large congresses and events. International annual events in the region include the Salpausselkä Ski Games and the Sibelius Festival. Read more on the Visit Lahti website and check what is happening.
In Lahti, you can visit museums that you won’t find anywhere else in Finland: The Motorcycle Museum, the Ski Museum and the Mastola Radio and TV Museum as well as the Apulandia rock music museum in the former Hennala garrison area, featuring the rock group Apulanta.
