Tampere, the most populous inland city in the Nordic countries, remains a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. During Falstaff's visit, three distinctly unique experiences showcased the charm and diversity of this inner Finnish treasure.
While Tampere may be landlocked, at no point does it give that impression. After all, the city is surrounded on all sides by lakes and forest, giving it a coastal feel despite its location. The former are a major reason for Tampere's reputation in Finland as the sauna capital not of the country, but of the world. Indeed, whether you like it or not, there is absolutely no avoiding saunas here. To the uninformed, a schvitz is a schvitz – the where and how are largely irrelevant, and if you've seen one sauna, you've seen 'em all. Tampere proves the opposite: Any visitor who mixes with the locals will certainly experience Finnish sauna culture in many different ways.
As you move around Tampere, saunas can be found literally at every turn. In the heart of the city, there's even a sauna restaurant, Kuuma. There is probably a sauna in your hotel, if not your hotel room. Even business meetings in Tampere often take place in the sauna.
These two public saunas should absolutely not be missed:
Tampere itself leaves visitors with a variety of impressions. It all depends on which hotel you choose to stay in.
Since the opening of the Finlayson factory in 1820, Tampere's image has been that of a classic factory town: industrial buildings can be seen everywhere, whether in the city center or on the outskirts. Former industrial buildings, that is: The Finnish economy has changed dramatically over the years, and today, manufacturing has practically moved out of the city. Today, Tampere is instead gaining a reputation as a city of hipsters.
The best hotel for those who are – or want to be– hipsters in Tampere is Unity. The former textile factory has been transformed into a modern living environment between the forest and the lake. Here, apartment hotel residents can feel like full members of the community and experience a shared lifestyle that is both urban and close to nature.
Unity is minimalist but comfortable. The rooms are spacious and the windows offer enchanting views of the former factory exterior and the natural surroundings. The hotel's lakeside location gives you an irresistible urge to see the city from the water. There are two ways to do this: Hire a canoe or kayak for the close-up views; or go on a lake cruise for a broader panorama. In order to understand the special character of Tampere, it is a must to try both.
For nature and wellness tours in and around Tampere, see Hiking Tours, Hit.
Hopealinjat organises the lake cruise.
Lapland is synonymous with Finland. While a long way from Tampere, the Lapland lifestyle is everywhere in the country, even in the big cities. Lapland Hotels channels this lifestyle to other parts of Finland. They have two hotels in Tampere: The Arena is – somewhat surprisingly – part of the huge Nokia Arena complex. Here the Lapland lifestyle meets another of Finland's great passions – ice hockey.
The hotel has its own small entrance in a courtyard, which may go unnoticed among the many access roads leading into the Arena. Once inside, you find yourself in an unexpectedly modern environment, with numerous Lapland motifs at every turn. The first thing that greets you when you enter is Lapland's national anthem – the joig.
A much more surreal experience is entering the hotel when a hockey game is about to start: It's like staying in a bedroom above the rink. The contrast between the frigid tranquility of Lapland and the hot passion of live hockey is in the soul of every Finn. Man or woman, student or retiree. Staying at Lapland Hotels Arena is the most authentic way to experience feeling Finnish.
You'll get a very different impression of Tampere if you book a room at Hotel Lillan in the Viinikka garden district. It's located in a 100-year-old villa which has retained its dignity to this day. The boutique hotel has a small number of rooms and each guest is treated like a personal friend.
The hotel staff have plenty of ideas for things to do. The Stable Yards is a year-round attraction that offers a nostalgic glimpse into the city's past. Vapriikki is a unique collection of museums under one roof. And if you're interested in local design, they have a map showing the locations of fifty different designer shops.
Tampere is a multi-faceted city. It offers a wide range of activities for multiple trips and is a great place to visit all year round.
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