 Tampere is easy to reach. It only takes two hours by rail or
road from Helsinki, and there are direct flights from
Stockholm, Copenhagen and London.
While Finland is a country of thousands of lakes, Tampere can
well be called a city of hundreds of lakes. You could say that
the lakes are in the middle of the city, or that the city is in
the middle of the lakes. In summer, the lakes are thronged with
people, whether cruise participants, rowers, sailors,
canoeists, swimmers or fishermen. In winter, the glistening
frozen-over expanses of open lake entice ramblers, skiers,
skaters and ice fishermen - and even ice-pool swimmers, who
after a sauna bravely take a dip in an opening cut in the ice.
Besides blue lakes and verdant parks, the cityscape of Tampere
is characterised by imposing red-brick buildings. These former
factories have been revived by converting them into apartments,
spas, boutiques, restaurants, cafés, art and architectural
studios, cinemas, museums and galleries. Tampere´s industrial
heritage is a precious part of its past and proudly cherished
by the present-day city of art, science and technology.
In the minds of Finnish children, Tampere is the capital city
of the country, thanks to the Särkänniemi Adventure Park, the
leisure spa, the Moomin Valley, the Museum of Dolls and
Costumes, and many other attractions and events that appeal to
young visitors. The Särkänniemi Adventure Park has a
dolphinarium, an aquarium, a planetarium, a children´s zoo, an
observation tower (Näsinneula) and dozens of exciting rides in
the amusement park. A million kids cannot be wrong!
A city sightseeing tour is the most convenient way of seeing
the best of Tampere at a glance. Tours depart daily at 14.00
from the Tourist Office. You can also take a sightseeing tour
in an old-time wagon drawn by a pair of horses from June to
August on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, departing from the
Tallipiha Stable Yard. The island of Viikinsaari is a popular
summer recreation area and lies half an hour´s boat journey
away from the city centre. This summer paradise is open from
Tuesday to Sunday, and boats there depart on the hour, from
10.00 in the morning until late in the evening. You can also go
on a scenic cruise on Finnish Silverline´s white boat to the
attractive Visavuori Museum, the studio home of the sculptor
Emil Wickström, and return to Tampere in the evening. Cruises
depart daily in summer at 9.30.
The former industrial estates on the banks of the Tammerkoski
Rapids are home to the Vapriikki Museum Centre, the Central
Museum of Labour, the Rupriikki Media Museum, the Spy Museum
and the Tallipiha Stable Yard, and provide a fascinating
insight into the history of Tampere.
Read more about Tampere:
www.tampere.fi |
