Tampere is Finland’s third largest city, surrounded by nearly two hundred lakes. Its cathedral is a magnificent monument to “Finnish Romanticism” and resembles a medieval castle. The city, founded in 1779 by the young Swedish monarch Gustav III, is located on an isthmus between Lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi in the heart of a hilly landscape.
Tampere has a long coastline and many water bodies, the largest of which are Lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. In addition, in summer you can go on a picnic to Viikinsaari, take a cruise to Visavuori or Hämeenlinna, or take a steamboat to the rugged rocky shores of Näsijärvi.
In summer, from early June to mid-August, charming steamboats run between Tampere and Visavuori. Operating hours: Wed-Sat, departure from Tampere from Laaksonranta at 9:30 a.m., arrival in Hämeenlinna at 5:45 p.m. Departure from Hämeenlinna at 11:30, arrival in Tampere at 19:50. During the stop in Visavuori, you can visit the house museum and studio of sculptor Emil Wikström. Visavuori is also home to the Kari Pavilion, a gallery dedicated to the work of cartoonist Kari Suomala, Wikström’s grandson, where you can see Kari’s works and temporary exhibitions by other artists.
Viikinsaari is open to tourists only from late May to mid-August. This place is considered the pearl of lake cruises and is located just twenty minutes by boat from Laakontori. Viikinsaari is a multifaceted oasis with a cozy beach, an à la carte restaurant, a dance floor, and a terrace.
One of the city’s main attractions is the Särkänniemi amusement park with more than 30 attractions, a planetarium, a zoo, a dolphinarium, and the Eden Aquarium.
The small Pikku Palatsi Palace, located in the center of Tampere at 7 Hämeenpuisto Street, is over 100 years old. The cost of a guided tour is 30-35 EUR (1.5 hours), including coffee and cake. Tel.: 0400-392-328.
Finland’s first large enterprise was the Finlayson cotton mill, which also houses the Textile Industry Museum and the Steam Engine Museum. Tours are available in the summer at 1:00 p.m., last 1.5 hours, and cost EUR 5 per museum.
Churches in Tampere:
- Cathedral (Lars Sonck 1907), address: Tuomiokirkonkatu 3, opening hours: May-August 10:00-17:00, September-April Mon-Sun 11:00-15:00.
- Orthodox Church, address: Tuomiokirkonkatu 27, opening hours: May Mon-Fri 10:00-16:00, June-August Mon-Sat 11:00-17:00, Sun 12:00-16:00.
- Old Messukylä Church (15th century), address: Kivikirkontie 2, opening hours: summer Wed-Sun 12:00-17:00.
- Viinikylä Church (Vaskinen 1932), address: Kaartotie 1, opening hours: summer Mon-Sun 11:00-18:00.
- Kaleva Church (Raili and Reima Pietilä, 1966), address: Liisanpuisto 1, opening hours: May-August 11:00-15:00, September-April Mon-Sun 11:00-15:00.
- Finlayson Church (Kalonius 1879), address: Puuvillatehtaankatu 2, opening hours: June-August Mon-Sun 11:00-18:00.