Attractions - Finland

Attractions - Helsinki

Tampere, Finland

Lying between the Nasijarvi and Pyhajarvi lakes, the city of Tampere is Finland’s third largest city and one of its most popular tourist attractions. Home to the Sarkanniemi amusement park, the fascinating Lenin Museum and an annual international film festival, it is a friendly, interesting and relaxing place for a holiday.

The Sarkanniemi amusement park boasts 30 carnival rides, a huge aquarium, a children’s zoo, a planetarium, a dolphinarium, and a 125-metre high observation tower with a revolving restaurant. The dophinarium is especially entertaining with daily dolphin shows and training sessions. The city’s Lenin Museum at Hameenpuisto 28, is simply unmissable. It has two permanent exhibitions on Lenin’s life and his time in Finland as well as a host of special exhibitions. Lenin assembled Russian revolutionaries here in 1905 and 1906. Check out the Moominvalley Museum at Hameenpuisto 20. The Finnish artist and writer Tove Jansson is internationally beloved for her children’s books about the Moomin family. The museum features original drawings by Jansson as well as computer displays, toys and other memorabilia. The captivating Museum of Dolls & Costumes at Hatanpaa Manor features the favorite doll of a 12th century Inca girl as well as almost 5000 other dolls. Make sure to visit the Amuri Museum of Workers’ Housing at Makasiinikatu 12. Far more mesmerising than its name suggests, this museum is made up of a whole block of 19th century wooden houses including individual apartments, a bakery, a shoemaker and a café. Beautifully preserved, you can really imagine what it was like to live in 19th century Finland.

Enjoy a cruise on either of Tampere’s beautiful lakes or take the ferry to nearby Viikinsari island and picnic on the beach. Enjoy Finnish cuisine in the revolving restaurant atop the observation tower at Sarkanniemi. Purchase some Finnish glassware and handicrafts in the Kehrasaari shopping centre and sip a coffee in the cafes on Hameenkatu afterwards. Take in a classical music concert by the Tampere City Orchestra in Tampere Hall or attend a rock concert in the Tulliklubi venue. If you’re here in March you can enjoy the city’s international festival of short films.

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