Are you looking for a unique adventure that will take you off the beaten path? There are tons of things to do in Tampere, making it an excellent travel destination!
In 2021, my partner and I decided to move to Tampere as he used to live here while I have family living in the city. I’ve always been in awe of Tampere’s industrial vibe and have always adored the city’s architecture. It was a brainer when we were looking for places to settle in.
On top of that, Tampere is an amazing day trip from Helsinki as it is only 2hrs away by train and could easily be visited for a day.
Located in the south of Finland, Tampere is known for its thriving culture and natural beauty. There are so many different things to do in this city that it can be hard to choose – but I’ve made it easy by providing a list of our top 15 favorite activities!
From exploring nature and cultural sites to going out on Lake Pyhäjärvi’s waterbus, there is something here for even the most adventurous traveler.
Read on to learn more about this underrated Finnish gem and why Tampere should be your next vacation stop!
Do you need help planning your trips? Start here!
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Experiences and top things to do in Tampere
Museum Vapriikki
The 20th-century heavy industry complex – Vapriikki, is a combination of several museums and resides in the former engineering works of Tampella. The museums such as the Doll Museum, Postal Museum, Mineral Museum, Natural history museum, and Media museum make a fantastic Tampere activity for children and adults alike.
This complex is immense in the literal sense as it takes up almost 14,000 square meters, also providing space for exhibitions to be hosted. China’s terracotta armies and the Egyptian mummies are the latest arrivals here.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Pyynikki Observation Tower
The observation tower Pyynikki is situated next to the waters on the city’s western side. Sitting on top of the gravel ridge formed due to glacier activity, this tower offers astonishing Tampere sightseeing. You can take the lift to the top or try climbing the stairs – they can reward you with many viewing angles.
The Pyynikki Observation Tower was rebuilt in 1929 after it was damaged in a bomb blast in the First World War, replacing the old wooden tower from the mid-1800s. Around the tower is a spacious place for visitors interested in late-night strolls and provides unobstructed breathtaking views of the city. There’s also a famous cafe in Pyynikki that amazes tourists with freshly baked doughnuts.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Tampere Cathedral
Built in the Nordic romantic style, the Lutheran Church is a must-visit Tampere tourist attraction and ages back to the 20th century. Tampere Cathedral is an awe-inspiring presentation of Art Nouveau and is often said to be its offshoot.
The artist Hugo Simberg painted and adorned the interior of this church with sparkling frescoes between 1905 and 1906, giving a look of uniqueness to this Cathedral. The Wounded Angel, voted Finland’s national painting in 2006, is also present here. However, The Garden of Death painting has three scary figures that aren’t popular among the kids.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!
I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!
- Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
- Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
- Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
- SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
- GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
- My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
- Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.
Kaleva Church
Still wondering what to see in Tampere? Think no more because Kaleva Church is a major Tampere highlight and an astounding architectural creation. This church was designed by Reima and Raili Pietilä in 1966 and became a protected building a decade ago.
The appearance of this church is extraordinary and looks more like a giant concrete silo from the side, leading to its famous nickname, “The Silo of The Souls.” The interior of this building is very bright, with folded walls and windows that extend up to the roof from the floor.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame
A famous Tampere attraction and part of the Vapriikki complex, the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame preserves the enriching history and legacy of the most popular sports in Finland. Ice Hockey was first introduced in the late 1920s in Finland and wasn’t popular until an indoor arena was built in 1965.
The Finnish National Team has won many awards in the last 50 years, from World Champion to Olympic medals. Visitors can take a close look at the ice hockey equipment, study the evolution of training and pay tribute to the stars.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Särkänniemi
One of the best things to do in Tampere in summer and a wonderful place for your kids and way more than an amusement park, Sarkanniemi is a famous Tampere point of interest. Being a wonderland, this park has all sorts of fun rides, such as an angry-bird-themed spinner, obstacle courses, trains, and bouncing castles that are pure joy.
For children over the age of 5, there are thrilling roller coasters of 5 different kinds. Not only that, but this park is also bliss from an educational perspective, as it holds an aquarium with over 200 different water species and a planetarium.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Nasinneula Tower
Nasinneula Tower is worth visiting tourist spot, the tallest observation tower reaching up to 168 meters. This magnificent tower was constructed in 1971 and resembles the Seattle Space Needle.
A revolving restaurant around this tower offers lavish dining to tourists. Take the lift up to the top and observe the breathtaking sights of Tampere’s city space, Nasi park, lakes, and the soft woodland below.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?
Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!
The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.
I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.
Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.
Hatanpaa Arboretum
The heart of Tampere sightseeing – Hatanpaa Arboretum is a park a few kilometers south of the city known for its refined atmosphere and soothing lakeside saunter.
Hatanpaa Manors is a blend of Finnish classical touch and English architectural style and resides in the Arboretum. The stunning strolls in summer between the lush deciduous trees and the flowerbed of crocuses, along with the rose garden, make it the top-rated Tampere activity. Lake Pyhäjärvi is also present for fantastic sightseeing.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Experience the public Sauna
Saunas are a specialty of Finland, and Tampere tourism is never complete without them. Rajaportti sauna is the oldest in Finland and dates back to when the city reached its industrial peak.
It was initially built for the industrial workers of the Pispala District and is still in use. Kaupinoja and Rauhaniemi are other saunas on the lake shore that offer the alternative of ice swimming in the winter.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Experience some of the lake activities during the summer
Tampere lake activities are your chance for outdoor fun if there isn’t a thick layer of ice. You can join an organized group activity at the lake city or head out for the thrilling kayaking tour.
Stand-Up Paddling is also another fun activity you’ll get to do at Lake Näsijärvi. River floating at Lempaala in the south of Tampere also proves adventurous among the tourists. What’s more, is that you don’t need to buy your gear, it’s all included in the package.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Viikinsaari Island
Viikinsaari island is situated in the center of Lake Pyhäjärvi, and tourists can visit this island by ferry leaving from Laukontori harbor. Said to be the top Tampere tourist attraction; you can walk or ski across the lake in the winter.
The local government also organizes activities, games, and events. From dance classes to live music nights, anything can be hosted through the booking in the island’s office.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
What are my favorite travel must-haves?
As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!
- Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
- Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
- Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
- Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
- Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.
Tammelantori market
If you are a foodie, try visiting the Tammelantori market of Tampere. Mustamakkara – a delicious black sausage made with pork, barley, rye flour, and blood is a real delight of Tampere and famous all over Finland.
These pickles are served with a carton of milk and lingonberry jam on the side, doubling the taste. These markets remain open all week except for Sunday. The doughnuts here are also very succulent, according to the tourists.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Amuri Museum of Workers’ Housing
Amuri Museum covers an entire block and occupies five residential buildings presenting the industrial boom of the 19th and 20th centuries. Giving you a close view of the factory worker’s life, you’ll learn how they spent their time and celebrated birthdays and weddings.
The living legacy of the industrial development from 1802 to 1973, Amuri Museum is a worth-seeing Tampere tourist attraction.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Tampere Market Hall
What to see in Tampere? Go to one of the largest Market Halls in Finland dates back to 1901. This Nordic hallmark has all the collections of goods and stuff, and you won’t find any better place for shopping.
This is the point if you are on a journey to try Finnish Delicacies. The smoky reindeer meat, cheese seller bakeries, fishmongers, and delicious, healthy vegetables get this market hall in the long list of Tampere points of interest.
The exhausting list of Tampere tourist attractions ranging from cultural sites to historical attractions, is meant to be explored. Tampere also has the best variety of theaters in all of Finland. Distinctive festivals and lively musical concerts feel like they are happening right at your doorstep.
Overall, Tampere is the perfect blend of the urban world and the natural atmosphere, with abundant cultural festivals, events, and theaters.
Where to stay in Tampere? Check out this list of hotels, grab bargains, and how to book!
Do you need help planning your trip to Finland? Here are my top tips!
- The Best Finland Travel Guide – My Finland overview, you’ll find everything you’d need to know about Finland.
- When is the best time to visit Finland for northern lights
- When is the best time to visit Finland – Monthly breakdown
- BEST Places to Visit in Finland and Best Cities in Finland – Cities, and towns you must not miss!
- Things to do in Finland, Finland Holidays to Experience, Tourist Attractions in Finland – Touristy stuff, but still worth reading! Finland, in general, offers pretty cool experiences regardless of how “hyped” it is.
- If you’re staying in Helsinki, you can book your hotel stay in Helsinki or near Helsinki airport.
- Cities to visit during a short visit: Helsinki, Porvoo, Tampere, Turku, Ålands, Hanko, and Vaasa.
- When to visit? Summer, Autumn, Spring, and Winter – Decide when to come and then base your activities on that!
- How to dress for winter in Finland – Always dress according to the weather. It will make your experience much better!
- Top tips and important info: Supermarkets in Finland, Budgeting tips for Finland, Tipping in Finland, What to wear in Sauna, Sauna etiquette, Public Saunas in Helsinki
- Finnish culture introductions: How to say hello, Finnish food and cuisine, Facts about Finland, Finnish Breakfast Guide, Finnish drinks
Where to stay in Tampere
Booking.comActivities to do in Tampere
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