Set between two large lakes, the Finnish city of Tampere is an old industrial town turned into an exciting city of culture and modern technology. In addition to interesting museums, nice restaurants, bars, nightlife, festivals and shopping opportunities, the dynamic Tampere also hosts beautiful rapids, parks and historical 19th-century buildings, as well as skiing centers and lake cruises.
An inland city located in Pirkanmaa region of southern Finland, Tampere is nestled between two big lakes, Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. It is the biggest inland city in the Nordic countries, with a metropolitan population of over 340.000. Originally founded as a market place in 1775, Tampere grew into an industrial center in the 19th century, with the Tammerkoski Rapids generating energy for textile and metal industries. In the late19th and early 20th centuries, it was called the ”Manchester of the North" because of its industry. Today, the heavy industries have been replaced with information technology and telecommunications, and the old red-brick industrial buildings now house modern offices, restaurants and cultural activities.
Culture & outdoor city. Tampere is also known for its active cultural life. It hosts some major concerts and festivals, such as Tampere Film Festival in March and Tammerfest rock festival in July, and also boasts theaters, art galleries and a philharmonic orchestra. The variety of museums in Tampere includes such oddities as the world's only Lenin Museum, an espionage museum and a Moomin museum. Winter sport facilities in Tampere are nice, including skiing, ice-walking, ice-fishing or even ice-swimming during the winter. Lake cruises from Tampere to for example to Hämeenlinna in the south and Virrat in the north are available in summer. Fishing in Tampere is possible even right at the city center. Tampere also has golf courses and a spa hotel, and the nearby Nokia has a large spa.
An inland city located in Pirkanmaa region of southern Finland, Tampere is nestled between two big lakes, Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. It is the biggest inland city in the Nordic countries, with a metropolitan population of over 340.000. Originally founded as a market place in 1775, Tampere grew into an industrial center in the 19th century, with the Tammerkoski Rapids generating energy for textile and metal industries. In the late19th and early 20th centuries, it was called the ”Manchester of the North" because of its industry. Today, the heavy industries have been replaced with information technology and telecommunications, and the old red-brick industrial buildings now house modern offices, restaurants and cultural activities.
Sights and activities in Tampere:Lakes & museums, shopping, festivals & skiing
The downtown Tampere is set along the Tammerkoski Rapids that run from Lake Näsijärvi in the north to Lake Pyhäjärvi in the south, and are now dammed. There you can find a historical factory area of Finlayson, as well as many parks, bridges and the central square of Tampere. The main street, called Hämeenkatu, runs from east to west through the city center, offering plenty of bars and opportunities for shopping in Tampere. West of the city center, the historical neighbourhood of Pispala and the Pyynikki Ridge are nice areas for walking and biking. The amusement park Särkänniemi is a popular attraction of the city, with plenty of rides, a high observation tower and a dolphinarium.Culture & outdoor city. Tampere is also known for its active cultural life. It hosts some major concerts and festivals, such as Tampere Film Festival in March and Tammerfest rock festival in July, and also boasts theaters, art galleries and a philharmonic orchestra. The variety of museums in Tampere includes such oddities as the world's only Lenin Museum, an espionage museum and a Moomin museum. Winter sport facilities in Tampere are nice, including skiing, ice-walking, ice-fishing or even ice-swimming during the winter. Lake cruises from Tampere to for example to Hämeenlinna in the south and Virrat in the north are available in summer. Fishing in Tampere is possible even right at the city center. Tampere also has golf courses and a spa hotel, and the nearby Nokia has a large spa.
Tampere travel information and practical tips
Situated in the North of Europe, Tampere has a cool climate with four seasons.
Photo: magnusfranklin, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
During the cold and snowy winters, temperatures can sink as low as -30 degrees Celsius, while the summers are quite warm but short. The autumn is generally dark and wet, while the spring has more light. Midsummer nights are white as the sun stays up almost through the night.
Traveling to Tampere is possible by air, road and rail. Tampere has a small airport with some international and regular domestic flights to Tampere from Helsinki, that has a bigger international airport. Direct flights are offered from London, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Riga and Frankfurt. Buses and trains to Tampere can be taken from all major cities and towns in Finland. You can also drive there easily.
Public transport in Tampere is available in form of local buses, although you can also explore central Tampere easily by foot. Metered but quite expensive taxis are well available. Car rental in Tampere is a good way to explore Finland beyond cities. You can also take a lake cruise from Tampere during the summer.
Services & safety. There is a good number of hotels in Tampere, including international chain hotels as well as charming local hotels. Other accommodation such as apartment hotels, a hostel and a camping area are also available. Restaurants in Tampere offer a wide range of cuisines from Finnish and Scandinavian to Russian, Asian and international fast food. There are also many bars, pubs and nightclubs in this university city, making nightlife in Tampere quite lively. Tampere is a safe city where many residents speak also English. Pickpocketing may occur in crowded areas.
