Tampere is the third largest city in Finland, surrounded by almost two hundred lakes. Its cathedral is a majestic monument of “Finnish romanticism” and resembles a medieval castle. The city, founded in 1779 by the young Swedish monarch Gustav III, is located on the isthmus between lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi in the bosom of a hilly landscape. See ANDYEDUCATION for education and training in Finland.
The tourist information center GoTampere is located at the railway station at Rautatienkatu 25 A; tel.: (03) 5656-6800, fax: (03) 5653-4629; working hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00.
How to get there
Russian tourists visit Tampere primarily due to its international airport, where budget airlines fly from. Having reached the city from the Moscow railway station in St. Petersburg, from here you can fly to almost any European capital for “ridiculous” money compared to the prices of Russian airlines.
Tampere beaches
Tampere has a long coastline and many water bodies, the largest being Lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. In addition, in the summer you can go to Viikinsaari for a picnic, take a cruise to Visavuori or Hämeenlinna, take a boat ride to the harsh rocky coast of Näsijärvi.
In summer, from early June to mid-August, nice steamboats run between Tampere and Visavuori. Opening hours: Wed-Sat, departure from Tampere from Laukontori at 9:30, arrival in Hämeenlinna at 17:45. Departure from Hämeenlinna at 11:30, arrival in Tampere at 19:50. During a stop in Visavuori, you can get acquainted with the house-museum and studio of the sculptor Emil Wikström. Visavuori also houses the Kari Pavilion, a gallery of the caricaturist Kari Suomalainen, Wikström’s grandson, where you can see Kari’s works and temporary exhibitions of other artists.
Viikinsaari is only open to tourists from late May to mid-August. This place is considered the pearl of lake cruises, and is only a twenty-minute boat ride from Laukontory. Viikinsaari is a versatile oasis with a cozy beach, an a la carte restaurant, a dance floor and a terrace.
Entertainment and attractions in Tampere
One of the main attractions of the city is the Särkänniemi amusement park with more than 30 attractions, a planetarium, a zoo, a dolphinarium, and the Eden aquarium.
The small Pikkupalatsi Palace, located in the center of Tampere at Hämeenpuisto 7, 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.
The first major enterprise in Finland is the Finlayson cotton factory, which also houses the Museum of the Textile Industry and the Museum of Steam Engines. Excursions in summer at 13:00, duration 1.5 hours, entry 5 EUR to each museum.
Churches of 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 Church of Messukylä (15th century), address: Kivikirkontie 2, opening hours: summer Wed-Sun 12:00-17:00
- Viinikka Church (Vaskinen 1932), address: Kaartotie 1, opening hours: Mon-Sun 11:00-18:00 in summer
- Kaleva Church (Reilly 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
One of the main attractions of the city is the Särkänniemi amusement park with more than 30 attractions, a planetarium, a zoo, a dolphinarium, and the Eden aquarium.
Museums in Tampere
There are more than 20 museums in the city: the Boxing Museum, the Mineral Museum, the Sarah Hilden Art Museum with a collection of modern art, the Ice Hockey Museum, the Tampere Art Museum with a collection of modern Finnish art, the Pharmacy Museum, the wonderful Mummilaasko Museum (Valley of the Moomin Trolls), the Museum Hatanpää-kartano dolls and costumes, the Mobilia Automobile Museum, the Amuri Workers’ Quarter Museum, the Teisko Museum, the Finnish Workers’ Central Museum, the Vapriikki Museum Center with dozens of exhibits, as well as three art and photography centers.