Based on My 2 Previous Visits, These Are the 10 Best Things to Do in Tampere

If I had to choose one Finnish city to live in, it would probably be Tampere. I’ve been here twice; on both occasions, I found laid-back locals, interesting architecture, and lovely natural scenery. Whether you’ve got some time on a broader trip, or you want to visit Tampere for a standalone weekend trip, Finland’s second-biggest city has plenty to keep you entertained for a few days. 

Based on my two visits, I’ve put together the best things to do in Tampere in this guide. From saunas to amusement parks and nature reserves, you’ll find something that fits your interests. 

1. Visit the Pyynikki Observation Tower

In my opinion, the best trips start with a panoramic view of the city. By far my favorite thing to do in Tampere is visit the Pyyniki Observation Tower and Café. You’ll get not just a great view of the city from the top, but also the two lakes on which Tampere is built. 

From the observation tower, you’ll also get to see the nearby forests. It’s great in all seasons, but I particularly loved it in the winter when both lakes were frozen. 

After enjoying the best view in town, be sure to visit the café downstairs. The donuts here are pretty famous; while quite simple, I can confirm that they’re very good. You’ll also find a coffee here that was brewed specifically to be partnered with these donuts. 

Entry tickets cost €2 for adults and €1 for children (4-15), and you can pay for these in the café. To get to the tower, you’ll take an elevator; there are some stairs at the top. 

Address: Näkötornintie 20, 33230 Tampere, Finland

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2. Unleash Your Inner Child at Särkänniemi

Finland is a very child-friendly country in general, and Tampere is no exception. Särkänniemi is the city’s main amusement park, and here, you’ll find rollercoasters plus various other rides. 

Särkänniemi is also home to the Näsinnelua TV tower, which is one of Tampere’s main landmarks. You’ll find a sky café and restaurant at the top, both with another view of the city. 

But that’s not all. Särkänniemi also has an aquarium and is where you’ll find the Sara Hildén Art Museum. The amusement park has numerous year-round events, and you can buy tickets for ride access, the observation tower, and more online. 

Address: Laiturikatu 1, 33230 Tampere, Finland

Website: https://sarkanniemi.fi/en

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3. Check Out the Moro Sky Bar

While quite expensive, the Moro Sky Bar is worth checking out while you’re in Tampere for the view alone. This bar is located inside Solo Sokos Tampere; I stayed here on one of my trips, and it would be my top recommendation if you’re visiting Finland’s second city. 

Before 6 pm, you can also visit with your kids; after that, there’s an age limit. You also don’t have to be staying at the hotel to visit. Get the elevator from the hotel lobby; the route was signposted when I was there, so you should have no problems finding them. 

Address: Ratapihankatu 43, 33100 Tampere, Finland

Website: https://www.raflaamo.fi/en/restaurant/tampere/moro-sky-bar

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4. Walk Around Pispala

One thing you’ll quickly notice about Tampere is how much of its architecture is quite functional and modern. Nonetheless, you can still find pockets of those wooden-style Finnish homes that are so synonymous with this country. Pispala is the best place to do this. 

I wandered around Pispala at 5am on a summer morning, caused largely by the sun shining through my Airbnb’s window at 3am and not being able to sleep. You can get great views of the nearby lakes and forests, especially from the famous 310 wooden steps. I can confirm that it’s much easier walking down them than up, but going up is at least some nice cardio 🙂. 

Pispala is connected to the downtown area by several bus routes. 

5. Explore Tampere’s Industrial Architecture

The Tammerkoski Rapids cascade through Tampere’s city center, and lining these are red brick buildings that look quite similar to what you’ll find in Manchester. Tampere has been an important industrial center for centuries, with cotton and heavy-duty machine production being some of the main ones, along with paper and textiles. 

It’s completely free to wander around and admire Tampere’s industrial buildings. Today, many of them have been converted into offices and restaurants. 

6. Visit a Sauna

Tampere is often referred to as the Sauna Capital of the World. This is a pretty big statement in and of itself, considering how much Finns love the sauna (as I can attest through having a Finnish girlfriend). 

You’ll find numerous saunas in Tampere that range in luxury levels. For an authentic experience, consider visiting Rajaportti. This is Finland’s oldest still-functioning public sauna and in the Pispala district. 

Closer to the city center, you’ll find Kuuma. This sauna is similar to Löyly in Helsinki; it’s more of a luxury option, and you can also enjoy food at its restaurant. You should book a reservation in advance on Kuuma’s website. 

7. Explore the Pyynikki Nature Reserve

Close to the Pyynikki Observation Deck is a large nature reserve that I strongly recommend wandering around. One of the nicest things about being in Finland is to simply wander through its forests, and this is the perfect place to do just that. 

You’ll find a marked nature trail here, and in several spots, you can get pleasant views of the lakes bordering Tampere on both sides. Pyynikki is one of various nature reserves in and around Tampere; you can take day tours to some of the others. 

8. Try Some Local Delicacies

Finnish cuisine is hugely underrated, and while in Tampere, it only makes sense to try some of the most popular dishes. 

Besides the donuts at Pyynikki, don’t forget to sample some local blood sausage while you’re in town. Usually served with lingonberry jam, these are pretty polarizing in my opinion. 

The Karelian pie isn’t from the Tampere region, but I always think it’s worth trying whenever you’re in Finland. Pretty much any bakery will serve these, so you should have no problems finding a place to sample them. 

9. Go to the Beach

What’s the first thing you think of when visiting Finland? Husky sledding, hiking, or skiing, perhaps… but probably not going to the beach. Nonetheless, if you visit Tampere during the summer months, you can do precisely this. 

Tampere has several beaches, including one close to Pyynikki. Facilities vary depending on which one you visit, and you’ll need to check the water safety level before visiting. Tampere’s municipality has a handy page on its website about beaches in the city.

10. Visit the Nordic Region’s Largest Market Hall

One of the main things I love about Finland is how practically every city has a market hall with locally-sourced food. Tampere is no exception. Located in a beautiful old building right in the center of town, Tampere’s market hall is the biggest indoor hall of its kind in the Nordic region. 

At the market hall, you’ll find plenty of goodies worth buying from Finland and other countries. It’s also an ideal place to try the Karelian pies that I spoke about earlier.

Tampere’s market hall is open from 09:00 to 18:00 on weekdays, and 09:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays; it’s closed on Sunday. 

Address: Hämeenkatu 19, 33200 Tampere

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How to Get to Tampere

Tampere is well-connected to the rest of Finland and also has a small international airport. 

Bus and Train

Tampere is 2-2.5 hours from Helsinki and easily accessible by bus and train. Onnibus is the most cost-effective way to get here; I got return tickets in 2022 for €10. Some of the buses are more comfortable than others; it’s luck of the draw. 

You can also get the train from Helsinki. Prices vary, and booking in advance will get you a better deal most of the time. Tickets are available on the VR website. 

If you’re not sure whether to choose the bus or train, you can compare departure times and prices below 👇: 

Air 

Tampere Pirkkala (TMP) is a small but efficient airport. I flew here from Copenhagen in June 2024, but unfortunately, that route no longer operates. 

Direct flights operate from a handful of international destinations, such as Riga and Málaga. Although expensive, I recommend taking a taxi into town; bus waiting times can be quite long.

Generally speaking, I think you’re better off starting your Finland adventure in Helsinki and coming to Tampere by bus or train. There are plenty of fun things to do in Helsinki, and the journey is very straightforward. Nonetheless, if you fly to Tampere, you can check prices on Skyscanner.

Getting Around Tampere

Walking is by far the easiest way to get around Tampere, but you can also take the bus or tram to some of its more far-reaching stretches. Cycling is also a viable option in the summer. City bikes are available for rent during the spring and summer. 

Public transport tickets are available on the Nysse app (iOS and Android).

Where to Stay in Tampere

Tampere has a solid selection of accommodation. I recommend Solo Sokos Hotel Torni, especially if you visit in the summer as it has blackout curtains. The beds were also very comfortable here, and the breakfast was pretty good. Solo Sokos Torni is close to the city’s train and bus stations. 

Besides hotels, you’ll find multiple short-term apartment rentals in Tampere. Doing so is a good idea if you want to cook or you plan to work for a bit while here. 

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