Summary
The largest inland city in Scandinavia, Tampere in Finland is situated between two significant bodies of water in a region abundant with rivers, ponds, and lakes.
The swift Tammerkoski rapids were utilized as a source of energy, facilitating an industrial surge in the late 1800s.
Consequently, Tampere today boasts a city filled with historic warehouses and workers’ quarters, much of which has been transformed into attractions, dining establishments, and cultural hubs.
Visit for its captivating museums, a delightful amusement park, and picturesque Nordic landscapes featuring glistening lakes and expansive softwood forests.
Let us examine the top attractions in Tampere:
1. Museum Vapriikki
Housed in the spacious former engineering facility of Tampella, a 20th-century heavy industry manufacturer, Vapriikki consists of multiple museums combined into a single venue.
Visitors can find an array of exhibits appealing to various interests, including the Media Museum, Natural History Museum, Mineral Museum, Postal Museum, and Doll Museum.
The expansive complex covers approximately 14,000 square meters, providing ample space for temporary exhibitions at Vapriikki.
Check the schedule during your visit; notable exhibitions like China’s terracotta warriors and Egyptian mummies have arrived in recent years.
2. Pyynikki Observation Tower
Adjacent to the water on the western edge of Tampere, Pyynikki is situated atop the world’s largest esker (a substantial gravel ridge formed by glacial activity).
This geographic feature makes it an ideal location for leisurely afternoon walks and unobstructed views of the city and surrounding landscapes.
The Pyynikki Observation Tower, constructed in 1929, replaced a wooden structure from the late 1800s that suffered damage during World War I.
Visitors can take an elevator to the top or choose to ascend the tower on foot, with viewing portals available along the way.
Another reason to visit Pyynikki is the café renowned for its delectable, freshly baked doughnuts crafted from a secret recipe.
3. Tampere Cathedral
This Lutheran church, built at the turn of the 20th century, is exemplified by the Nordic National Romantic style, a variation of art nouveau.
What distinguishes Tampere Cathedral are its stunning frescoes, many of which adorn the interior and were created by the symbolist artist Hugo Simberg in 1905 and 1906.
These artworks were not universally accepted at the time, with pieces such as The Garden of Death depicting three eerie figures resembling the Grim Reaper tending to a garden.
Additionally, The Wounded Angel appears here, recognized as Finland’s national painting in 2006.
4. Kaleva Church
Conceived by architects Reima and Raili Pietilä, Kaleva Church was established in 1966 and received protected building status a decade ago.
The church’s design is challenging to describe. Viewed from the side, it resembles a monumental concrete grain silo, which has led to the popular local moniker, “The Silo of the Souls.”
Inside, one will immediately notice the abundance of light, as the walls fold at various angles and feature windows that extend from the floor to the ceiling.
All furnishings within, including the prominent organ housing, were crafted by the architects themselves.
5. Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame
As part of the Vapriikki museum complex, the Hockey Hall of Fame chronicles the sport’s history and celebrates the stars of possibly the most beloved sport in Finland.
Interestingly, ice hockey was first introduced to Finland in the 1920s but only became a spectator sport after the first indoor arena was built in 1965.
In the last five decades, however, the Finnish national team has achieved numerous milestones, including World Championships and Olympic medals.
Visitors can explore the evolution of hockey equipment, gain insight into training methods, and pay tribute to NHL Stanley Cup champions like Ville Nieminen and Esa Tikkanen.
6. Sarkanniemi
Sarkanniemi offers a wealth of enjoyment for a fun-filled day, extending beyond a mere amusement park.
Children can experience thrill rides like an Angry Birds-themed spinner among various trains, carousels, bouncy castles, and obstacle courses that prioritize safety and modernity.
Adults and older visitors can enjoy five distinct roller coasters, including Tornado, which features five inversions.
Additionally, Sarkanniemi balances amusements with educational attractions, such as an aquarium housing 200 species and a planetarium.
7. Nasinneula Tower
During your visit to Sarkanniemi, you can also ascend Scandinavia’s tallest observation tower, reaching a height of 168 meters.
This 1971 structure, reminiscent of Seattle’s Space Needle, uniquely features a revolving restaurant.
Given the city’s rich natural beauty, taking the high-speed elevator to the top is worthwhile for panoramic views of the lakes, Nasi Park, Tampere’s skyline, and the expansive forests beyond.
If you prefer not to dine in the restaurant, a café is available on the floor below.
8. Hatanpaa Arboretum
A tranquil location for a leisurely lakeside stroll in the summer is this park located a couple of kilometers south of the city.
The arboretum includes Hatanpaa Manor, an elegant neoclassical estate with grounds designed in the English style.
During summer, the park is lush with tall, ancient deciduous trees, and the pathways wind past beds of crocuses and a cherished rose garden.
Lake Pyhäjärvi remains prominent, allowing visitors to walk to the shore for views of the water and its avian inhabitants.
9. Saunas
A visit to Finland is incomplete without experiencing a sauna. In Tampere, you can step back in time at the Rajaportti sauna, the oldest in the country still in operation.
This facility dates back to the height of the city’s industrial era and was constructed for factory workers in the Pispala district.
For the more adventurous, head to Kaupinoja and Rauhaniemi, located by the lakeshore. In winter, these locations offer the option of ice swimming.
Rauhaniemi even features steps leading into the water, which are illuminated from the lakebed.
10. Lake Activities
When ice does not cover Tampere’s lakes, the opportunities for outdoor activities are plentiful.
It is advisable to join organized activities or group tours tailored to Lake City.
For instance, on Monday evenings, one may participate in guided kayaking tours, while Thursdays from July to August feature stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) sessions.
All necessary equipment is provided as part of the tour fee.
The rapids in Lempäälä, located 20 minutes south of Tampere, offer excellent options for river floating: participants wear a drysuit and simply follow the river’s path!
11. Viikinsaari Island
Located in the middle of Lake Pyhäjärvi, this island is accessible via ferries departing from Laukontori harbor during the summer.
In winter, visitors can opt to walk or ski across the frozen lake. Viikinsaari Island is a favored destination for outdoor activity, particularly as the local government arranges various games, classes, and events.
Activities range from dance lessons for children to live music evenings.
Visitors can also rent a variety of items from the island’s office, including board games, badminton sets, fishing rods, and rowing boats moored at the island’s dock.
12. Mustamakkara
Visit the stalls at Laukontori or Tammelantori markets to sample Tampere’s famous black sausage (mustamakkara), which is crafted from pork, blood, rye flour, and barley. While enjoyed throughout Finland, mustamakkara holds particular significance in Tampere.
The markets operate Monday to Saturday until 2 PM.
Simply approach the counter and order based on your desired expenditure; for instance, requesting “two Euros” will yield that amount in sausage.
This delicacy is served with a carton of milk and accompanied by lingonberry jam.
For dessert, consider indulging in a doughnut from the same stall to complete your quintessential Tampere snack.
13. Cycling
Tampere offers a bike-sharing service known as Citybike.
With 22 stations around the city and considerable investment in cycling infrastructure, exploring Tampere’s landmarks by bicycle is truly enjoyable.
You can also embark on larger outdoor adventures: consider touring the shores of Lake Pyhäjärvi or cycling beneath the towering fir trees of Kauppi Forest.
The rental fee is €10 plus a €40 deposit, allowing you to use the bike for an extended period.
14. Amuri Museum of Workers’ Housing
This museum immerses visitors in the lives of workers during Tampere’s industrial boom in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Encompassing an entire city block, it showcases five residential buildings, each representing a distinct phase of Tampere’s industrial progress from 1802 to 1973.
Inside, guests will uncover the stories of the residents and learn about their leisure activities and how they commemorated significant life events such as births and weddings.
In true Finnish fashion, there is a sauna included in the complex, built in 1885, while Café Amurin Helmi serves freshly baked bread as part of its breakfast offerings on weekdays.
15. Market Hall
Tampere boasts the largest enclosed market hall in any Nordic country, established in 1901.
If you need to procure food during your stay in Tampere, this is the ideal place to go.
Within, you will find an array of quality butchers, cheese shops, bakeries, fishmongers, and vegetable stalls. If mushrooms or berries are in season, be sure to take advantage of their availability, as they are truly delightful!
The Market Hall also serves as a fantastic venue for sampling traditional Finnish delicacies.
This is where you might be introduced to Lappish-style smoked reindeer meat, for example.
