If the Tampere Region were a dartboard, Tampere wouldn't be far off the bull's eye. This means the surrounding municipalities and their many attractions are quick and easy to reach.

The Tampere Region

There's a lot to see and experience less than half an hour from Tampere. For this modest investment of your time, you'll find cosy places to sleep, wholesome shopping opportunities, pampering, relaxation and good food.

The Tampere Region • The Tampere Region is Finland's second largest province. • More than 480,000 inhabitants. • Largest population centre the City of Tampere with more than 209,000 inhabitants. • 24 municipalities, 6 sub-regions • High-level scientific and technological expertise • Innovative, multidisciplinary research and development activity • A diverse service structure • Active cultural life, dialogue between traditional and new art • Beautiful nature • A white snowy winter, lush spring, full warm summer and bountiful clear autumn • According to many surveys, Tampere is Finland's most attractive place to live in and study

Step into the past

The Kuokkalankoski museum road (Lempäälä) is lined with charming little museums such as a shop and barber's shop. Next door are the Villa Hakkari manor restaurant, Arboretum and summer theatre. The Eräjärvi mineral museum (Orivesi) exhibits minerals and the history of the stone industry. Another fascinating place to visit is the derelict and perhaps eerie Haveri mine and diving haunt (Ylöjärvi). Traditional church buildings as well as modern sanctuaries welcome all travellers.

Following the arts

In Purnu on the shores of Lake Längelmävesi (Orivesi), see the atelier and works of Aimo Tukiainen, a leading name in modern Finnish art sculpture, as well as a changing summer exhibition.

The Atelier Tour is a guided, creative tour illuminating the work and ateliers of three local painters.

Music to all ears

Is it rock that shakes your world or compositions of a classical kind; burning emotions or feelings of finesse? Tune in to this summer's tips: Lempäälä soi (Lempäälä) and Klemetin kesä (Orivesi) captivate with classical music, Tapsan Tahdit (Nokia) with popular Finnish music, Puntala-rock (Lempäälä) with a punk attitude, Räikkä soi (Ylöjärvi) and Harjufestarit (Kangasala) with the dynamism and diversity of loud rock. Ylis'festarit (Ylöjärvi) is for the whole family. There's also music at Hinttalan kesä (Nokia).

Stop! Don't pass these

Mobilia (Kangasala) is an automobile and road museum, a rare combination even globally. You'll find changing exhibitions, various events, a traffic park and boat harbour. Horsepower of a different kind can be enjoyed at the famous Teivon trotting track (Ylöjärvi); Tuesday's races are free.

What a market This time you'll make it! The traditional Narva market (Vesilahti) takes place every five years, with over a hundred stalls, tar burning and a historic procession. You'll also find hustle and bustle at the Kuokkalankoski market (Lempäälä) in July. Restaurantapäivät (Kangasala) is a second hand event which remembers its roots in old cars.

Shopping for all

Visit the local shops, boutiques and factory outlets and you're likely to find something appropriate, individual and of high quality. Where to start? Gifts and crafts are available at Savipaja Samotti (Vesilahti) and Auvisen puoti (Orivesi), glass art items from Tuulan Taidelasitorni (Vesilahti). Crafts are also sold at Lempäälän käsityökeskus (Lempäälä), Kädentaitajien kesäpuoti and Helmiina (Kangasala). Find charming ryijy rugs at Vesilahden käsityökeskus (Vesilahti). Nanso (Nokia) sells comfortable clothes for work and leisure. Miniatures are sold at car museum shops and everything from willow at Marjamäki willow farm (Kangasala). Interior decorators love it at Villa Harmonie (Tampere). Get the necessities of life from the Ollilan maalaiskauppa country shop (Pirkkala). Size isn't everything, but the indoor retail city Ideapark (Lempäälä) boasts more than 200 shops, cafés and restaurants; the Old Town, Catwalk fashion street and children's and youth's cultural centre, Pii Poo.

Out and about

Does nature beckon? Ramble for an hour or hike several days. Find your way on marked routes and linger a while at lean-to shelters and fireplaces. Pick berries and mushrooms, catch a fish. Turn scenery into a state of mind. Walk the Kaarina and Birgitta trails (Kangasala and Lempäälä) which can also be combined. Traverse the ridges, forests and swamps of the Seitseminen national park or the Pukala recreational forest (Orivesi). The historic route of Klaus Kurki (Vesilahti) can be travelled by car, bicycle or foot. Or perhaps you'd prefer an ATV safari or a stint in a survival suit down the Kuokkalankoski rapids (Lempäälä). Only you will know.