Tampere
With more than 200,000 residents, Tampere is Finland's third-largest city. You wouldn't guess it at first glance, though; the place has more of a lively small-town feel.
People here love their art, their theatre and good coffee. If you want to get to know this interesting city properly, set aside a few days for it.
The location of the city
Tampere lies in southern Finland, roughly 170 kilometres north of the capital Helsinki. By car, the drive from one city to the other takes just an hour and a half.
Beautifully placed between the lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi, the city sits on a narrow strip of land. The two lakes are connected by the Tammerkoski rapids.
The history of the city
Tampere has two historical claims to fame that not everyone knows about. Finnish industrialisation actually began in the Tampere region: Finland's first electric light was switched on here, in a cotton mill.
And Nokia, today a global company, was founded in this city in 1865 by the engineer Fredrik Idestam.
Tampere has always been known for its broad cultural scene, which covers everything from performing arts and distinctive architecture to historical collections of all kinds.
What not to miss
If you are spending your holiday in Tampere, don't miss the unusual museums, the two most beautiful churches and the Finlayson factory area.
Popular museums
- The Lenin Museum: This quirky museum sits on the 2.5th floor of the city's Workers' Hall. Lenin and Stalin met for the first time in this building in 1905. The exhibitions cover that era, Finland's independence in 1917, the civil war that followed, and Russian-Finnish relations from the Cold War to the present day.
- The Spy Museum: The world's first spy museum is located beneath the Finlayson factory area. Visitors can explore a large collection of espionage equipment and spy stories from around the world, and even take an aptitude test for the KGB cadet school. The tongue-in-cheek diploma you get afterwards makes a nice souvenir.
- The Moomin Museum: The new Moomin Museum has been housed in Tampere Hall since 2017 and delights Moomin fans of all ages. The author Tove Jansson created the funny characters known as the Moomins in her popular children's books, which went on to conquer the world. In 1986 she donated a unique collection of her original drawings to the Tampere Art Museum, and they are now on display in Tampere Hall.
The Old Church Vanha kirkko and the Orthodox church
Probably the most beautiful church in Tampere is the Vanha kirkko (Old Church) on the main square, Keskustori. The yellow wooden church was built in 1824 in the Empire style and got its bell tower four years later.
The Orthodox church near the main railway station, with its small onion domes, is also worth seeing.
Finlayson factory area
Modern Tampere was founded in 1779 as a new trading and industrial town under the Swedish king Gustav III. Soon afterwards, in 1783, Finland's first paper mill was built here.
But the real industrial era only began with the Scotsman James Finlayson, who opened a small textile workshop on the Tammerkoski river in 1820.
Today the historic factory site is popular with businesses and houses a colourful mix of museums, shops, cinemas, restaurants and pubs. Some of the former industrial buildings are also home to small shops selling Finnish designer pieces.
Day trips in Tampere
When your head is buzzing from all the culture, the immediate surroundings offer some lovely outings.
Pyynikki and Pispala
A popular destination is the Pyynikki forest area on the Pispala ridge between the two lakes. Pyynikki is the city's largest park, with plenty of hiking and cycling paths. Its highlight is the 30-metre observation tower, which houses a cafe serving the best doughnuts in town.
Right next to Pyynikki is the pretty district of Pispala. The colourful wooden houses and the streets with their steep stairways are a favourite photo motif. These houses, with their wonderful views of the lakes, were once built for working-class families. Today they are among the most sought-after properties in the city, not least because Pispala was officially voted the most beautiful residential area in Finland.
Hatanpää Arboretum
A visit to the Hatanpää Arboretum offers a break from the bustle of the city. Just under half an hour's walk from Keskustori, this charming park holds a collection of exotic trees and roses. The cafe in the middle of the park is a good spot for a coffee break while the scent of the roses hangs in the air.
Särkänniemi amusement park
If you are travelling to Tampere with children, a visit to the Särkänniemi amusement park is a must to keep the little ones (and the grown-ups) happy. Just a stone's throw from the city centre, the park draws thrill-seekers and families alike with a wide range of attractions.
While the rides only run in summer, the aquarium and the planetarium can be visited all year round. In the off-season there are various family events, such as Halloween and the Doghill Christmas celebration.
Information on opening hours and ticket prices is available here: https://sarkanniemi.fi/fi
Themed playgrounds
Families with children will get plenty of use out of the many themed playgrounds around the city. Here are the three best playgrounds in Tampere:
- Pikku Kakkonen playground
- Näsinpuisto park and playground
- Emil Aaltonen park and playground
Flowpark Varala adventure park
This climbing park in the woods suits young and old alike. Varied courses with zip lines, swings and other obstacles can be tackled with a view over lake Pyhäjärvi. Flowpark Varala is suitable for children aged 7 and up.
Food and drink in the region
The local speciality in Tampere is Mustamakkara, Finnish blood sausage, also known as "black sausage". It is made from pork, blood and rye flour and tastes best warm from a market stall. To eat it like a true Finn, have it with lingonberry jam and a glass of milk.
Finns also love their hot wings. There is no better place for the ultimate hot wings experience than the restaurant SiipiWeikot. The hot sauce served with them is said to be addictive.
For fans of good drinks, the Moro Sky Bar in the Sokos Hotel is well worth a visit. Along with tasty drinks, you get a spectacular view of Tampere and the lakes thrown in for free.
The heart of the city is the market hall, the largest in the Nordic countries. There is little you won't find here: local specialities, fresh pastries, fish, cheese and other produce straight from nature.
The market hall impresses from the outside too. The beautiful Art Nouveau building has an atmosphere all of its own!
Popular activities
What could be better than spending time outdoors in good weather? Tampere and its surroundings offer plenty of activities for the whole family.
Outdoor fun
The lakes around the city centre offer countless ways to have fun on the water, such as canoeing, stand-up paddling or a boat tour.
A lake and countryside tour by bike is just as popular, as is a hike on the many trails through Finland's nature.
In winter, a ride on a snowmobile is highly recommended.
Sauna: pure relaxation
The Finns are true sauna world champions, and with more than 20 public saunas, Tampere is something like the sauna capital of Finland. The Rajaportti sauna in Pispala is well worth a visit. It is the oldest public sauna in Finland.
Probably the most popular sauna for unwinding after an eventful day in the city is the Rauhaniemi sauna on Näsijärvi. Swimming in the lake, sunbathing on the rocks and warming up in the sauna: a perfect sauna day.
If you can't choose between the many saunas, a sauna tour might be just the thing. A tour takes between 2.5 and 3 hours and introduces you to Finnish sauna culture along the way.
Art and theatre
Art and theatre take up a lot of space in Tampere. The Tampereen Taidemuseo presents art-historical themes alongside Finnish and international contemporary art. The museum is best known for its Young Artist of the Year event, held every year in mid-June.
The two large theatres, Tampereen Työväen Teatteri and Tampereen Teatteri, are the mainstays of Tampere's theatre scene and are open all year round.
The open-air theatre Pyynikin Kesäteatteri only opens in summer, and with its revolving auditorium right on the lake, it is quite an experience. The fire shows at dusk are also worth seeing.
Shopping in the city
Tampere is a mecca for fans of Finnish design. In the design district between the well-known streets Hatanpään valtatie, Otavalankatu, Aleksanterinkatu and Verkatehtaankatu, design lovers can browse and buy clothing, jewellery and homeware made in Finland.
Where to stay in Tampere
Tampere has some really nice design hotels, along with simple B & Bs and hostels for smaller budgets. If you want a bit more space and freedom during your holiday, a holiday apartment or even a lakeside holiday home is a good option.
Getting there
- By plane, fly from Germany to Helsinki and then take a connecting flight to Tampere. Alternatively, you can continue from Helsinki by train, bus or rental car.
- With your own car, drive from Germany to Travemünde, take the ferry from there to Helsinki, and continue overland to Tampere.
Conclusion
It takes a little time to soak up Tampere's special atmosphere and get to know this interesting place in all its facets. You will find historic architecture, culture, art, theatre, Finnish design, good food and plenty of ways to explore the beautiful countryside outdoors.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Tampere special?
Tampere is Finland's third-largest city yet still manages to give off a certain small-town charm. It is lively and friendly, and besides a city break it also offers the chance to take a breather in the surrounding countryside.
Where is Tampere?
Tampere lies in southern Finland, about 170 kilometres from the capital Helsinki, set between the lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi.
What are popular sights in Tampere?
Must-sees in Tampere include the old church Vanha kirkko, the Finlayson factory area with its small shops, restaurants and pubs, and the unusual museums, such as the Spy Museum.
What can you do in Tampere?
In and around Tampere there is something for every taste: historic architecture, culture, art, theatre, shopping and regional food, plus outdoor activities such as canoeing, hiking, a trip to an amusement park or even a sauna session.
Where can you stay in Tampere?
In Tampere you can stay in a classic hotel or a bed & breakfast. Holiday apartments and holiday homes, some right on the lake, are also very popular.
How do you get there?
The easiest way to reach Tampere is to fly from Germany to Helsinki and continue from there by plane, bus, train or rental car. Alternatively, you can drive your own car and take the ferry from Travemünde to Helsinki.
More cities in Finland
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Sergej Gerber
I am an absolute Scandinavia fan and have been traveling to the beautiful Scandinavian countries for over 12 years. Here I share my experiences and tips about the Scandinavian countries and the Baltic Sea region.