Tampere has a very active cultural life for its inhabitants and visitors. According to the Finns, Tampere is the most loved residential and tourism city in Finland. It is a way of life that takes you along.
The secret of Tampere is its originality. It has some of the most unique museums in the world, exquisite Finnish food, and a showcase of local and national history, alongside modern architecture and futuristic projects in progress.
Tampere is internationally known as a city of technology, often going in the forefront of development.
There is so much to discover, you’ll be going back for more.
- Sightseeing tour of the city
- Nordic walking tour
- Morning sauna in true Finnish style
- Festivals for your every fancy
- The hot wings capital of Finland
- The Finnish love of hockey
- German cultural events in Tampere
Sightseeing tour of the city
Tampere is one of the best-kept secrets in Northern Europe.
Surrounded by two large lakes that give the city its distinctive air of natural peace, Tampere is a vibrant regional capital with an active cultural life and a versatile event scene.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere
This is your chance to explore Tampere like a local.
The Industry Museum inside the Werstas Museum is in the centre of the city, which tells the two-hundred-year-old story of Tampere’s industry as part of a global phenomenon – the Industrial Revolution.
Photo by Olli-Pekka Latvala on visit Tampere
The world’s only Moomin Museum is a place to discover the wit, wisdom, warmth and adventure of the Moomin books and illustrations known and loved by legions of fans all around the world.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere
The Lenin Museum presents the shared history of Finland and Russia in a vivid, comprehensive and critical way.
The museum takes visitors to a fascinating journey through some of the most remarkable events in their shared history.
Nordic walking tour
A brisk walk that you feel in your whole body!
Visit the Pyynikki Nature Reserve and Observation Tower to discover Tampere’s wild nature during this athletic walk.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere
After a pleasant walk in the park, climb up the tower to see great views of the lakes, the city and the surrounding forests. Fresh winter air makes the experience even better.
End your visit to observation tower with a coffee and one of the world’s best doughnuts to further enjoy the viewing experience and fuel you for the next thing on your to-do list.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere
If you would like to explore the variety of plant life in Finland, you can visit the Hatanpää Arboretum, which has been described as white in the winter, green in the summer, yellow or red in the autumn and all the colors under the sun in spring.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere
Morning sauna in true Finnish style
If you haven’t yet tried a Finnish sauna, don’t miss this unforgettable experience while in the world’s capital of sauna! For the bravest, you can even dip in the frozen lake waters.
The Sauna Capital of the World boasts over 50 public saunas in the country.
Sauna is highly popular in Finland, and you will truly feel relaxed after your visit.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere
The historical gem of the town is the Rajaportti sauna – the oldest public sauna still in operation in Finland.
The sauna is located in the old workers’ quarter in Pispala and its roots go back to 1906.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere
If you want to have a sauna on the lake shore next to the city center, you should head to the legendary Rauhaniemi Folk Spa or Kaupinoja sauna.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere
Kuuma is located in a central spot in the heart of Tampere, by the Laukontori market square and boat quay, and it boasts a café-restaurant, a big two-story terrace and two saunas, open all year round.
From the sauna heat, you only need to take a couple of steps to plunge into the refreshing waters of the Pyhäjärvi Lake, in Kuuma’s own pool area.
You can swim in either – even in winter, if you feel that you have enough courage.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere
Festivals for your every fancy
Photo on visit Tampere
Tammerfest, Tampere’s urban rock festival, is held every July, featuring Finnish bands and singers, as well as big artists from other countries.
The Blockfest, which also takes place in Tampere during the summer months, is the largest hip hop event in the Nordic countries and artists from all over the world come to perform for the festival attendees.
Photo by Olli-Pekka Latvala on visit Tampere
Another event that might strike your fancy could be the Tampere Film Festival which gathers filmmakers, students and film lovers together annually in March.
The first international edition was held in 1970, and now – 50 years later – the festival is ranked amongst the top three most important short film festivals in the world.
The hot wings capital of Finland
Tampere claims the title of “wings capital of Finland” for consuming nearly half of all the hot wings in Finland.
The restaurant chain Siipiweikot, a Finnish restaurant chain founded in 1993 specializing in hot chicken wings, spicy sauces, french fries and beer and originates from Tampere.
Photo on visit Tampere
It’s the perfect place to go if you’re seeking out a spicy meal, a great assortment of sauces, French fries and beer. They even offer a variety of vegetarian options made from seitan.
You can try their iconic wings, sauces and more at any of their 5 locations across Finland.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more ‘local’ experience, right in the city centre, on the main street Hämeenkatu, hidden in the heart of the city, is Tampere Market Hall.
Opened in 1901, Tampere Market Hall is the biggest indoor market in the Nordic countries, and with its 32 vendors, the Hall offers only the best.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere
The Finnish love of hockey
Photo by Marko Kallio on visit Tampere
Tampere Central Arena, also known as Nokia Arena, is a brand new indoor arena in Tampere, replacing the old Tampere Ice Stadium.
The deck of the building will have the multi-purpose arena, offices, commercial development, housing, hotel and casino. The Arena will host ice hockey games and will be the home of Ilves and Tappara of the SM-liiga.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere
The first scheduled events in the arena were the local matches of the Finnish Championship League.
The Finns are well known for their success in ice hockey, as it is their most popular sport and they are currently ranked 3rd in the world.
In May 2022, Tampere hosted the International Ice Hockey Federation Championships and visitors to the town was able to watch some of the best hockey players from all over the world compete for gold.
German cultural events in Tampere
Since 1998, promoting German culture in Tampere has been the task of the German Cultural Centre, which include readings, music evenings, film screenings, seminars and discussions, as well as other events for both adults and children.
It is a great community centre for any Germans living in Tampere, as well as any students or Tampere residents hoping to learn more about German culture or attend language lessons.
Photo by Laura Vanzo on visit Tampere