Tampere

No visit to Finland is complete without a visit to Tampere, the largest Finnish city not situated on the coastline. It is a perfect location for tourists to travel to: it is easily reachable - just two hours north from Helsinki, and it has a rich and colourful history. In addition to this there are numerous sights and attractions for visitors of all ages, reasonably priced accommodation and lots of untouched, natural beauty to enjoy.

Tampere was founded on the grounds of Tammerkoski Manor by the western bank of the rapids. In the beginning of the nineteenth century the population still numbered less than 500 people and the town area was some three square kilometres. At the beginning the townspeople lived in modest grey timbered houses with turf roofs. The facades of the houses faced the main street; the dwellers entered the houses via a porch and through the yard.

Tampere urbanised with industrialisation towards the end of the nineteenth century. The population increased to 35,000 by the turn of the century, making Tampere the third largest city in Finland. The streets were characterised by one-and-a-half-storied carpenter-style wooden houses with towers and skilfully carved ornaments.

The social change of the 1960s brought many people from the countryside to Tampere. The housing shortage was solved by regional building and prefabricated blocks of flats. Amuri and Tammela grew vertically, as blocks of flats replaced the blocks of low wooden houses.


Aerial view of downtown Tampere

Possibly the number one attraction in Tampere is the Särkänniemi Amusement Park, located a nice 20 minute walk from the city centre. It has all types of rides from carousels to massive roller coasters, an aquarium, a dolphinarium, an art gallery, and also boasts the tallest tower in Scandinavia, the Näsinneula. The views from the top of the almost 200 metre high tower are absolutely magnificent – especially during the warm summer nights when the sun never really sets.


Aerial View of Särkänniemi

Another experience that should under no circumstances be missed is eating Tapolan Mustaa Makkaraa (black sausage by Tapola – a brilliant local delicacy) at the Laukontori square on a warm summer day. For around 2€ you will receive a sizable portion that will keep you going through most of the day, and possibly night also. The drink of choice by the way while eating ‘mustaa’ is milk. If milk is not your thing, I strongly recommend you to try the traditional Pommac soft drink.


Should be eaten fresh but it's pretty good from the package also

Tampere also has a host of interesting museums, one of which is the historical Lenin-museum. This is a small, very cozy museum with lots of memorabilia from the days when communism was still going strong. It also has an extremely interesting historical section describing in detail Finland’s relations with its eastern neighbour.