Things to Do in Tampere

Fascinated by James Bond and the likes? Pay a visit to World’s first Spy Museum for interesting displays and history about the world of espionage.

Housed in an old factory building, Museum was made open to public in 1998 and was founded by Teppo Turja. It has on display devices used by International spies, specifically during Cold War. It also has on display spy gadgets.

Kim Philby, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, Richard Sorge, Mata Hari, Oleg Gordievsky and Sidney Reilly are some of the spies whose work and lives are described in detail. Visitors can take guided tours to better understand the Museum and its inhabitants. It also organized an “agent test” and the participants get a recommendation letter to take back as a souvenir.

Located in close proximity to City, Pyynikki Park has been and is a top favorite among locals and a must visit for the tourists. A beautiful park and a recreation area that was made open to public since 1868.

The park also has an observation tower that was initially made open in 1888 but was damaged in Civil war and was re-opened in 1929. This 26 meter tower is built on a ridge that stands approximately 150 meters above sea level – giving its visitors stunning views of the City and the lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhajarvi. Although, there is a lift available to get to the top of the Tower, it is best if you climb it as there are observation windows at various levels providing magnificent view.

If visiting Tampere during summer (Mid-June through August), then visitors have an opportunity to watch a play in an outdoor theatre – first ever in the World! Though the plays are generally in Finnish, it is an experience in itself and there is a summary available in English.

Do not forget to enjoy the best doughnuts and warm coffee at the end of your visit. Doughnuts at this cafe are City’s best!

Considering a family’s day out? Then Sarkanniemi Adventure Park is the best place to go to. Not only it is the biggest amusement park in the City, it also has an aquarium, planetarium, dolphinarium, zoo, angry birds land, dog hill, an art museum, an observation tower and much more!

Observation tower at the Park – Nasinneula Observation Tower – is the second highest in Nordic region! Get panoramic view of the City and its lakes!

Adventure Park also has a restaurant - Restaurant Nasinneula at the top of Nasinneula Observation Tower! Enjoy the fine dishes while overlooking breath taking view of the City! It changes menu as per the season and their wine selection as well – something that goes along with the food just fine!

Try the best of Finnish Cuisine at the tallest observation tower in Nordic region – in a revolving tower at 124 metres above the ground. One revolution takes approximately 45 minutes. The design of the tower has been influenced by Space Needle in Seattle.

Originally known as the church of St. John, it became a Cathedral in 1923 post moving the Bishop’s seat to the City and since then it is called Tampere Cathedral.

One of the most important Church in the City due to its historical and architectural importance. It is a Lutheran church built in National Romantic Style by Lars Sonck – considered to be his most important work.

Built around the time when Finland was under Russian rule and working to free itself and gain independence, it was a common sentiment among the Finnish that the Church be built using local resources. The end result was a Church with magnificent architecture and craftsmen-ship.

The Church can accommodate up to 2000 people and is one of the preferred destination for weddings and concerts in the City.

Housed in an old textile mill, Vapriiki Museokeskus is situated right beside Tammerkoski rapids. Location of the Museum combined with exhibitions inside make the Museum beautiful outside and interesting inside – there is something for everyone here!

Permanent exhibitions in the Museum has on display themes on history, technology and natural sciences. Vapriiki Museum is also home to smaller displays like - Natural History Museum of Tampere, the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame, the Shoe Museum, and the Doll Museum. Postal Museum and Tampere Mineral Museum.

Museum also a restaurant and a gift shop.

One of its kind house museum that consists of approximately 30 apartments, a bakery, a sauna, couple of general shops and a cafe – giving visitors a peek into the worker’s housing from 1880s to 1970s. A must for all the history buffs.

Located in Sarkanniemi Adventure Park, this Art museum is situated on Särkänniemi peninsula providing its visitors some of the stunning views on the outside as well, apart from a rich collection of Modern Art inside.

Owned by Sara Hilden Foundation, this Art museum has on display modern art from Finnish artists and foreign artists as well. The permanent exhibition is a collection of modern art pieces that showcases evolution of modern art in the last forty years and has approximately 5000 works of art.

One of the best places to chill out with friends and family. Divided into two parts – one a shallow water area perfect for children and the other side opens to Lake Nasijarvi – a rocky side more apt for adults and it also has a diving tower for those interested!

Beach also has two Saunas – these are open year round. Enjoy a good round of massage and try out Ice swimming during winters or enjoy a good, relaxed day at the Beach during summers!

Get the best sauna experience at oldest public sauna in Finland. Started in 1906, it still uses wood to heat the Sauna in a traditional manner. Only change made in the Sauna is the partition made for men’s and women’s washroom somewhere around 1930s.

There’s also a cafe right across serving pastries, pies, soups, salads, lemonade and much more. Guests can even organize a private party at the Café with a prior booking.

Apart from the regular sauna and massages, guests can avail of “Adam First” massages – named after therapist Adam, they are a wonderful treat for anyone suffering from joint tensions and muscle tension and is equally effective in relieving stress and correcting spine and body alignment.

Best place in Tampere to try out Ice swimming! Located by the Lake Näsijärv and in close proximity to UKK Institute, the Sauna building has undergone quite a few renovations but it still remains a top favorite among locals and is a must visit for all the tourists.

There are separate dressing rooms for men and women and shower areas are equipped with lake water tap for visitors to use. Although, sauna and ice swimming areas are common and must be shared with other guests. It is recommended that guests maintain silence at these areas in order to make the best of Sauna and Ice swimming experience. Also follow instructions given by the Sauna staff in order to have a fulfilling experience and to protect yourself against cold and dehydration.

One of the most popular Club in Tampere. Put on your best party dress and get ready to dance the night away on foot tapping numbers!

Get ready to think out of the box as you and your team figure out a way to escape the room in a span of 60 minutes! Only things that you are encouraged to bring along is creativity and logical thinking.

Game is available only to a group of 2 to 6 people – so gather your friends and family and race against the time to solve puzzles in an hour or less!

A must visit for all the tourists – this Church building is quite unique in the sense that its architecture is very different as compared to other Churches. It is built in the shape of a fish – a symbol of early Christianity – visible only when viewed from the top.

Called as "The Silo of Souls" (Sielujen siilo) by the locals, the Church has equally impressive interiors. Designed by Reima and Raili Pietila, some of notable features are – use of space and light, arch pillars, wooden surfaces and no square or rectangular corners since it is in the shape of a fish.

Founded in 1953, it took quite some time for the committee members to receive a Church of their own. The Church was finally made open to public in 1966.

This Art museum is named after its founder, Kustaa Hiekka – one of the best goldsmith in Finland.

Museum has on display approximately 400 pieces of art consisting of paintings, sculptures, antiques, coins and various other objects that Hiekka collected during his trips abroad. Objects on display range from 1850s till today. Some of the artists whose work is on display at the Museum - Ferdinand von Wright, Berndt Lindholm, Hjalmar Munsterhjelm, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Albert Edelfelt, Eero Jarnefelt, Pekka Halonen and Hugo Simberg and many more!