Finland

Residents of Finland consider Tampere as one of the best cities to live in (in Finland). But you don’t have to move to Tampere to enjoy the city. Visit Tampere as a tourist.

Tampere is a great place for tourists of all ages, a good place for a weekend getaway. We recommend visiting this city if you are planning a long enough trip to Finland.

Tourists appreciate Tampere for its unique sights, lake nature, quality of restaurant service, variety of activities, creative atmosphere of the city and accessibility by public transport (or by car).

You can get to Helsinki or Turku by plane or ferry and then continue to Tampere by bus or train.

The Tampere region and the entire Pirkanmaa region is a good summer holiday destination. In the areas closest to the city you can find a cozy, quiet cottage on the lake. We recommend spending your summer vacation on a lake in Finland if you don’t like the hot weather (or if the heat is bad for your health).

The city of Tampere is located on an isthmus between two lakes (Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi). The Tammerkoski river flows between Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. The landscape of the Tammerkoski rapids has been named one of Finland’s national landscapes. The area next to Tammerkoski is the historical center of the city.

Places to visit

The center of Tampere is quite small, so it is easy to get around on foot. Many places to visit are within walking distance of each other. The city center is about one kilometer long both from east to west and from north to south.

The Tammerkoski river flows through Lake Näsijärvi into Lake Pyhäjärvi through the center of Tampere. Tammerkoski is a short, rapid river that flows from north to south and divides the central part of the city into two parts.

Hämeenkatu runs through the city center from east to west and divides Tampere city center into two parts. This is the main street in the city center. The street crosses the river Tammerkoski on the bridge Hämeensilta.

Hämeenkatu street starts in the east near the railway station, crosses Tammerkoski on the Hämeensilta bridge and passes through the central square (Keskustori). There are many restaurants and shops along Hämeenkatu Street and on neighboring streets.

Central square. The central square (Keskustori) is the heart of Tampere. The square is located in the city center, on the western bank of the Tammerkoski River, not far from the Hämeensylta Bridge. The square can be reached on foot from the train station along Hämeenkatu Street. (The distance from the railway station to the Central Square is approximately 600 meters.) There are many buildings on the Central Square that are considered as Tampere landmarks: the Town Hall, the Old Church, the Tampere Theater and others. It is also the main venue for public events in Tampere.

Finlayson Factory District. The Finlayson factory provided its workers with everything necessary (school, shop, church, hospital). There is no production here now. Now it is one of the most popular places in Tampere. This is a place where locals and tourists can spend their free time. The area has restaurants, cafes, a couple of museums and other places that will be interesting to visit for creative and active people. Various events are also held in the area.
Finlayson is located in the center of Tampere, 300 meters north of the Central Square (along Satakunnankatu street or Aleksis Kiven katu street).

Market hall. The Tampere market is a separate world, with its own atmosphere. It is a great place to relax a little, eat, meet friends, have a coffee. It is the largest market hall in the Nordic countries. The Tampere market building is located in the city center, 150 meters southwest of the Central Square.
Address: Hämeenkatu 19, 33200 Tampere, Finland.

Särkänniemi amusement park. Särkänniemi Amusement Park is a popular tourist destination in Finland, one of the main attractions of the city of Tampere. You will find in Särkänniemi: an amusement park, an aquarium, Näsinneula observation tower, a small zoo, a restaurant. The Sarah Hilden Art Museum is also located in the area.
It is recommended to come to Särkäniemi by public transport, as the number of parking spaces is limited.
The distance from the Central Square is about 1.5 km (20-25 minutes on foot).
Särkäniemi can be reached by bus both from the railway station and from the Central Square.

Viikinsaari island. Viikinsaari Island is located on Lake Pyhäjärvi. It is a popular summer holiday destination for Tampere residents. The island has beaches, playgrounds, a barbecue shed and a sauna. The distance from the pier at Laukantori Square is about 4 kilometers. The boat trip takes about 20 minutes. Boats to Viikinsaari depart from the pier on Laukontori Square from about June to mid-August.

Observation decks

While walking around the city, you will see many beautiful places and buildings. But we also recommend looking at the city from above.

Moro Sky Bar. The Moro Sky Bar restaurant is located on the top 25th floor of the Solo Sokos Hotel Torni Tampere. This is the highest bar in Finland. The bar offers great views of the city center and both lakes. The hotel is located in the heart of Tampere, next to the train station.

Periscope Restaurant. (Ravintola Periscope.) The restaurant offers spectacular views of the city and Lake Pyhäjärvi. Visit the outdoor terrace of the Periscope restaurant. The restaurant is located in the Ratina shopping center, in the very center of Tampere (in the southern part), next to the stadium. The distance from the Central Square is about 650 meters.

The roof of the Finlayson factory. Walking on the rooftops of historic buildings is a popular pastime. The Roof Walk Finlayson Area is a unique adventure in a unique location where you can see and enjoy the Tampere landscape from a completely new perspective, from the rooftops of historic buildings.

Observation deck on the Näsinneula tower. Näsinneula is the tallest observation tower in Finland and a famous landmark in Tampere. The tower belongs to the amusement park Särkänniemi. It offers a beautiful view of the lake and the city from a height of 168 meters. The tower also houses the Neula Sky Café and the Näsinneula Revolving Restaurant.

Pyynikin näkötorni observation tower. From the top of the Pyynikki observation tower (Pyynikin näkötorni) you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Tampere surroundings. It is a tower 26 meters high, built on the highest point of a gravel ridge formed by an ancient glacier. The Pyynikki Monk cafe located there is famous for its donuts. The distance from the Central Square is about 1.6 km (25-30 minutes on foot).

Museums

There are many museums in Tampere that will be interesting to visit for those who are interested in history, culture and art.

Vapriikki Museum Center. The Vapriikki Museum Center has several museums dedicated to the history of Tampere, natural sciences, art, industry and culture.

Postal Museum. The Postal Museum collection presents the history of Finnish postal service from the 17th century to the present day.

Finnish Ice Hockey Museum. The museum specializes in the history of hockey. Find out what hockey fans in Finland are proud of.

Moomin Museum. The only Moomin Museum in the world. The museum will appeal to those who have read books about the Moomins.

Police Museum. The exposition of the museum tells about the Finnish police and its work from the Middle Ages to the present day. A varied and interesting museum. The Police Museum is suitable for both children and adults. The entrance is free.

Tampere Art Museum. The Tampere Art Museum presents local, domestic and foreign fine art.

Workers’ Museum Werstas. The Werstas Workers’ Museum is the second largest museum in Tampere. A multifaceted and interesting place worth visiting for both children and adults. Free entry.

Museum of Lenin. The museum has little information about Lenin’s life. Mostly information about the Soviet Union. (Probably, in the future, the museum will also have a theme of modern Russia.)

Transport accessibility

Tampere can be reached by train, bus or private car.

Distances from some cities (by car):

• Jyväskylä – Tampere – 150 kilometers.
• Turku – Tampere – 160 kilometers.
• Helsinki – Tampere – 170 kilometers.
• Kotka – Tampere – 250 kilometers.
• Lappeenranta – Tampere – 275 kilometers.
• Kuopio – Tampere – 295 kilometers.

Tampere railway station. Tampere railway station is located in the city center. The city’s main street, Hämeenkatu, starts from the train station and runs through the city centre. Trains arrive to the station from Helsinki, Turku, Pori, Seinäjoki, Kuopio.

Tampere bus station. The Tampere bus station is located in the central part of the city. The building is a protected cultural object and architectural landmark. From Tampere you can get by bus to many cities in Finland.
The Ratina shopping center is located next to the bus station.
The bus station is located in the city center, south of the railway station. The distance from the railway station to the bus station is about 600 meters (on foot).
Address: Hatanpää Highway 7, 33100 Tampere, Finland.

Tampere-Pirkkala Airport. The closest airport to Tampere is at Pirkkala. It is about 17 kilometers southwest of Tampere. The airport has two terminals. The airport can be reached by bus from the city center. Travel time is about half an hour.

Cruises

Tampere is located between two lakes. This provides additional opportunities for an interesting pastime in the summer. A boat trip on the lake is an unforgettable experience. Do not deny yourself this pleasure. Enjoy the beautiful and green landscapes of Pyhäjärvi and Näsijärvi lakes in summer.

Pier on Laukontori Square. Laukontori Square (also Alaranta) is located on the shores of Lake Pyhäjärvi, in the southern part of the city center of Tampere. The embankment of the square serves as a pier for pleasure boats. In summer, cruise ships depart from Laukontori Pier for cruises on Lake Pyhäjärvi and even to the town of Hämeenlinna. You can also try the famous, authentic black sausage (a Tampere delicacy) at Laukontori Square. The distance from Central Square to Laukontori Square is about 0.5 km (5-10 minutes walk).

Port of Mustalahti. The port of Mustanlahti is located on the shore of Lake Näsijärvi near Särkänniemi amusement park. Various events are held in the port area during the summer. This is a good place to visit in summer for both yachtsmen and those who love the water.
Cruises depart from the port of Mustalahti to Lake Näsijärvi (approximately from May to October).

Hotels

There are enough places for tourists to stay in Tampere – hotels and apartments. You just have to choose the one that suits you. The city center is the most convenient area for tourists. It is easy to get from the city center to the place you need by bus or by tram. But sometimes it’s more convenient to stay closer to place where you plan to spend most of your time.

The area around the train station is a great place to stay in Tampere. This is convenient for those arriving in Tampere by train or bus.

Between the railway station and the Tammerkoski river there are, for example, hotels:

Omena Hotel Tampere. On foot: Tampere railway station – 200 meters, bus station – 550 meters, Central square – 400 meters, Särkänniemi amusement park – 2 kilometers.
Scandic Tampere City.
Scandic Tampere Koskipuisto. Located next to the park on the banks of Tammerkoski.

There are good hotels in the area east of the station (Tummel and Tully areas). For example:

Solo Sokos Hotel Torni Tampere. Walking distances: Tampere railway station – 250 meters, bus station – 600 meters, Central square – 900 meters, Särkänniemi amusement park – 2.4 kilometers.
Scandic Tampere Station. The hotel is located in the center of Tampere, next to the train station and Tammelantori market square.

Nearest hotels to some places:
Bus station – “Original Sokos Hotel Ilves” (about 600 meters on foot).
Amusement park Särkänniemi – “Forenom Serviced Apartments Tampere Pyynikki” (about 700 meters on foot).

Hotel by the lake:
Holiday Club Tampereen Kulpylä. Walking distance: Tampere railway station – 2 km, Särkänniemi amusement park – 2.5 km.

Why do we love travel? Travel is a change of scenery, a change of environment, new emotions and impressions. If you live in a big and noisy city, if you live in a hot and sunny country, if you are tired of the hustle and bustle and a lot of people around you, then we recommend spending a vacation in Finland.

More than 8 million foreign tourists visit Finland every year. It is quite difficult to find accurate information because many tourists come only for one day, or spend the night on a cruise ship or ferry. (In 2019, 8.9 million foreign tourists visited Finland.) 8 million foreign tourists may not seem like a lot, but it is more than the entire population of the country. There are no crowds of tourists around you!

In 2023, the largest number of nights in hotels in Finland were spent by citizens of Germany (680 thousand nights), Great Britain (567 thousand nights), Sweden (503 thousand nights), the USA (383) and France (377). Regular ferry service allows residents of Estonia and Sweden to come to Finland for just one day and not stay in a hotel. Cruise ships also call at the ports of Helsinki, Mariehamn and Turku in the summer. These tourists may not be counted in statistics.

A little about Finland

Finland is a relatively small country. The length of the country from north to south is approximately 1,150 kilometers, from west to east approximately 530 kilometers. Finland is located in northern Europe. A significant part of its territory (25%) lies beyond the Arctic Circle.

Finland is the most sparsely populated country in the European Union. The population of Finland is approximately 5.6 million (2023). There are no cities too big in Finland and you can certainly find quite secluded places for a relaxing holiday.

Finland borders Sweden to the west, Norway to the north, Russia to the east and Estonia to the south (across the Gulf of Finland). In the south and southwest, Finland is bordered by the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Finland).

Helsinki is the capital and most visited city of Finland. The cities of Turku, Tampere, and Pori are also popular among tourists. Residents of Finland call their country “Suomi”.

Finland has often been called the happiest country, the country where the happiest people live! Why? Go on a journey and find out for yourself.

Regions of Finland, as tourists see it

There are several regions of Finland that are of greatest interest to tourists.

Helsinki. Helsinki, together with the cities of Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen and the capital region (Uusimaa region). Helsinki is the capital of Finland. Helsinki is home to Finland’s busiest airport. Cruise ships often visit the port of Helsinki in the summer.

The Baltic Sea coast and sea islands. The Baltic Sea coast can be divided into two parts. One part of the coast stretches from Helsinki to the east, to the city of Kotka and further to the border with Russia. The other part of the coast stretches from Helsinki north to the cities of Turku and Oulu. (Almost all the coastal islands of Finland belong to the archipelagos: the Kotka archipelago, the Helsinki archipelago, the Turku archipelago, the Åland archipelago.)

Finnish Lakeland. There are about 190 thousand lakes in Finland. The largest number of lakes are in the central and eastern parts of the country and this region is called the Finnish Lake District (Järvi-Suomi). The nature of these places is charming, but the beauty of the Lakeland is most impressive only in summer. In winter, the lakes are covered with ice and snow. Finns’ favorite summer holiday destinations are in the Lakes region. The cities of Savonlinna, Mikkeli, Lappeenranta, and Imatra are located there. If you really want to enjoy the beauty of Finland nature, rent a house on the lake, like the Finns do.

Lapland. The northern part of Finland attracts tourists with its unique, northern nature. Santa Claus Village and ski resorts are tourist attractions in Lapland. Located in Lapland, Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is Finland’s most popular national park.

• The capital region (Helsinki) and Lapland are the most popular among foreign tourists, followed by the Baltic Sea coast and the Lakes region.
• Residents of Finland have slightly different preferences. In first place in popularity among residents of Finland are the Lakes region and the coast of the Gulf of Finland with islands (Baltic Sea), while the capital region and Lapland are in third and fourth place in popularity.

What makes Finland attractive to tourists?

Sea, lakes, islands, coast

The length of the Baltic Sea coast in Finland is approximately 1,100 kilometers, but this does not take into account all the bends of the coastline, without taking into account the numerous bays and islands.

In reality, the length of of Finland’s coastline consists of:

• 6,300 kilometers of continental coastline.
• 39,000 kilometers of coastline of sea islands.
• Almost 100 kilometers of lake shores that exist on the islands of the sea.
• Almost 130 kilometers of shores of islands that are located on lakes that are located on sea islands.
• 215 thousand kilometers of lake coastline.
• 53 thousand kilometers of river coastline.

Thus, the total length of of Finland’s coastline is 315 thousand kilometers!

Do you like relaxing by the water, on the beach, swimming in the lake, or boating? Unfortunately, this type of holiday is only available in summer. (You can swim in the water park in winter.)

Nature is what attracts tourists to Finland!

What is your dream vacation spot? Do you want to be in a place where the air is clean, and you can drink water from the tap or from the river, and eat wild berries straight from the bush in the forest?

The most valuable thing that Finland offers tourists is its unique nature, almost unspoiled by man. Finland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe and the nature here has not been greatly damaged by humans.

There are not many people on the beaches and not many cars on the roads. You can enjoy peace and quiet and have a truly relaxing holiday. Focus your attention on the sounds of nature: the sound of the wind, the rustling of leaves on the trees, the singing of birds, the murmur of water in a stream.

Summer in Finland is not as hot as in southern countries. Here you can enjoy comfortable temperatures and get a respite from the sweltering heat.

Winter in Finland lasts from approximately December to March, and in Lapland even longer. Tourists from southern countries can enjoy a truly snowy and frosty winter. Do you still remember how the snow creaks under your feet? Perhaps you will be lucky and see the northern lights!

Finns know how to enjoy winter. Try winter sports too. In winter you can go skiing or ride a reindeer sled (dog sled). In December, Santa Claus Village, which is located near the city of Rovaniemi, is especially popular among foreign tourists.

In Finland there are many places where you can practice winter sports, many ski resorts (Salla, Ruka, Levi, Ylläs).

What time of year is the best to travel to Finland? In our opinion, you need to come at least twice.

June and July are the best months to travel to Finland. This is the warmest time of the year. June nights are very light (White nights), and this is unusual for residents of southern countries. (The sun rises around 4 am and sets around 10 pm in June in Helsinki.)

Finnish winter. If you are more interested in snow and frost, then you will probably like December, January, February. March can be a very good month to travel to Lapland.

What not to do in Finland? Don’t rush anywhere. You can do this at home. Look at your smartphone less, the surrounding reality is more interesting. Don’t try to get pleasure from the Finnish Sauna – only Finns know this secret of how to get pleasure from staying in the sauna.

Residents of Finland also like to travel. Finns travel a lot within their own country. Many people like to spend their summer vacation in a rented house on the lake. The largest number of foreign trips is made to neighboring countries: Estonia, Sweden.
Spain, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Italy are the most popular countries for summer holidays.