Turku Archipelago| Tampere Region

The Tampere Region

The Tampere region marks the western edge of the central Finnish lake area – an area of truly outstanding natural beauty stretching from the Russian border. The region has 10s of thousands of square kilometres of shimmering lakes, thick forests of pine and birch and romantic log cabins. Large and small boats drift over the lakes, with most being small rowing boats or motor craft owned by the occupants of the cabins dotting the shoreline.

Tampere

Tampere is the former industrial heartland of Finland; don’t let that, or the saying that it is the ‘Manchester of Finland’ put you off. The city is attractive, lively, but yet small by international standards with only 200,000 inhabitants.

What first attracted the industrialist James Finlayson to Tampere is exactly what attracts today’s tourist: a thin strip of land nestling between 2 huge lakes with white-water rapids coursing between them. For Finlayson, the white water was essential to power the huge brick mills still hugging each bank of the river as it passes through the city centre.

Tampere is not, however, a scarred post-industrial town. The brick factories and warehouses have been attractively restored and put to use as shopping centres, cinemas and hotels. They now provide an attractive backdrop for the fisherman attempting to lure trout from the rapids. This last comment will tell you how clean the city and the surrounding environment are – spotless!

Modern Tampere is a major university town, and a creative and industrial centre with a lively buzz. It has attractive squares and parks overlooking the lakes and is a pleasant town to stroll through, taking not long to discover on foot.

Attractions

Sarkaniemi Adventure Park is essentially and amusement park (think rollercoasters etc) with an aquarium and a children’s zoo thrown in. If you are with children, or are just a big kid then you will like this place. What’s more, given that this is Finland the park is not overcrowded and it’s clean.

http://www.sarkanniemi.fi/english/index.php

Nasineula is a 120-metre high observation tower perched on the rocks just next to lake Nasijarvi. From the top the view of the surrounding lakes and forests is simply stunning. At the top of the tower there is a café and a more expensive restaurant. The restaurant is of an extremely high quality (our team ate there twice in 2005), serving fresh Finnish food and with backdrop to die for – oh yes, and the restaurant rotates!

Market Halls (KauppaHalli) – Tampere’s charming old covered market is located in the centre of the city next to the ‘Sokos’ department store. Here you will find all kinds of regional and Finnish delicacies from Tampere’s ‘black sausage’ to smoked and cured fish and air-dried reindeer meat.

Pyynikki is an area of Tampere located next to lake Pyhajarvi and is popular for summer sunbathing by the lake, its observation tower and the summer theatre.

Lake Cruising is a relaxing way of seeing the region and a variety of longer and shorter cruises are on offer. Full detail can be obtained from the Tampere tourist office on: tel.+358 3146 6800 ( http://www.tampere.fi/tourism). One of the most pleasant cruises is a full day on Pyhajarvi down to Hameenlinna with its castle. Departures are daily in the summer.

The Surrounding Region

Only lakes, forests and occasional small towns and villages surround Tampere. The real reason for being here is to enjoy the wonderful wilderness. Whether you are in search of perfect tranquillity, the perfect sauna, or snowbound sports, you will find something here for you.

The National Parks of Helvetinjarvi and Seitseminen provide a haven for hikers. Helvetinjarvi (Hell’s Lake) is typified by deep gorges formed millions of years ago.

The deep gorges of Helvetinjärvi National Park were formed millions of years ago by faults in the bedrock running right through the area. Today this rugged scenery and wild forest attracts hikers for both day trips and camping. (http://www.luontoon.fi/page.asp?Section=5418 for more details)

Popular winter activities include: cross country and downhill skiing, snowmobiling, skating, ice-fishing, snowshoeing and walking on frozen lakes. In the summer kayaking, rowing, sailing, hiking, fishing, golf, horse riding, nature tours and mushroom picking are all recommended.