Parks and the outdoors in Tampere

27 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Tampere.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Charter cruises
Cruises to Hämeenlinna (a leisurely 8 hours), to Nokia (a neighbouring town, not the company) or just on the lake are popular in the summer. There are many regular boat routes on both lakes (Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi).
See
Church of Alexander
Aleksanterin kirkko
This is a neo-gothic red brick building. Its interior is simple coloured wooden craftswork. It is surrounded by a small park containing a few old grave stones.
See
Duck Park
Sorsapuisto
Large park around a pond by Tampere Hall, near the city centre. Good choice for a summer picnic. In the summer there are also different species of birds in cages by the pond.
See
Finlayson historic factory complex
Collection of historic factory buildings gradually extended from a textile mill founded by a Scotsman named James Finlayson in 1820. The oldest building, six-storey high-rise TR1, dates back to 1837. The complex also includes the factory church, now the most popular wedding church in Tampere, stable yards with arts and crafts shops and pony rides, and the owner's mansion with park and a restaurant. The factory buildings have been transformed into shops, restaurants, museums, movie theatres, and office spaces. Well worth visiting for anyone.
See
Haihara Mansion
Haiharan kartano
A peaceful place to visit on a warm summer day. There is a cafe, art exhibitions and a garden. The mansion's history dates back to 16th century. The last stop of bus line 15 is near Haihara.
See
Hatanpää Arboretum
A mansion with an arboretum (a collection of trees and plants), a rose garden and a park by Lake Pyhäjärvi.
Eat
Hella ja Huone
Fancy, experimenting and surprising French-Scandinavian fusion cuisine next to Duck Park.
Tue-Sat 18:00-Menus (from one to eight courses) €26-€82
Do
Kauppi Sports Center
A sports centre that offers physical entertainment for both adults and children. Includes e.g. trampoline park, gym, bicycle rental and other group exercise.
See
Koskipuisto Park
Park by the Tammerkoski rapids in the centre of the city. Popular place to have a picnic or a beer on a sunny summer day.
Buy
Laukontori
Marketplace at the shore of Lake Pyhäjärvi. In addition to few booths, many cruises depart from the tiny harbour right next to the market. Here you can get a taste of the Tampere speciality, mustamakkara black sausage, look for "Tapola" sign. From Laukontori you have also a good view of one of the last remnants of the city's heavy industrial past: a fully-functioning cardboard factory at the middle of the city.
See
Näsi Park
Näsinpuisto
Nice park by Lake Näsijärvi, created in the early 20th century. Starts from the north end of Hämeenpuisto. On the highest point of the park lies a memorial for the victims of the shipwreck of S/S Kuru, which sunk off Tampere in 1929, killing 138 people. By the memorial you'll have a great view over the lake Näsijärvi and Särkänniemi Amusement Park.
Drink
Old Mates
A British-style pub near the Tulli Business Park. Several British beers on tap and a selection of British pub food. Board games also available.
Beer around €10
Do
Ravintolalaiva Tampere
Restaurant ship Tampere makes lunch and dinner cruises on lake Pyhäjärvi. Departs from Laukontori harbor.
Lunch €19, dinner €26 including the cruise, food buffet and entertainment
See
Southern Park
Eteläpuisto
A park with a fountain. From the park you can walk through the woods to Pyynikin uimaranta, the most popular beach in Tampere.
Do
Särkänniemi Amusement Park
The second largest amusement park of Finland, after Linnanmäki in Helsinki. Rides are open between May and September, and other attractions year round. The park includes a modern art museum ("Sara Hildén Art Museum"), a children's zoo with mainly domestic animals, a planetarium, an aquarium and the landmark 168-metre Näsinneula observation tower, topped by a revolving viewing deck and a fine dining restaurant serving high quality Finnish cuisine. On a clear day, the views of the surrounding forests, lakes, ridges and the city are awesome.
Free entrance, single ride ticket €5–10, day pass €45
See
Tampere Cathedral
Tampereen tuomiokirkko
Imposing church in the National Romantic style, designed by architect Lars Sonck and completed in 1907. The interior has a series of famously macabre frescos by Hugo Simberg, including The Wounded Angel (once voted Finland's "national painting") and the Garden of Death.
Do
Tour skating in the lake Näsijärvi
In the winter, when the lake Näsijärvi has thick-enough ice, a company called Hiking Travel HIT maintains a free tour skating track on the lake. The main track goes along the shore from Kaupinoja to Onkiniemi. The Siilinkari Cafe (in the middle of the lake) serves skaters and walkers alike. There is also an Eastbound track from Kaupinoja and a Northbound route from Siilinkari. Hiking Travel HIT rents all the needed equipment from their equipment rental located in Kaupinoja. Follow their website/Facebook for the up-to-date info on the track and its maintenance.
Do
Vihioja Discgolf Park
Vihiojan frisbeepuisto
The oldest discgolf course of the Pirkanmaa region since 1994.
Do
Viikinsaari Island
On a sunny summer day, take a 20-minute boat trip here from Laukontori (few blocks south of the central square). There are beaches for swimming, playgrounds for kids, places for barbecuing (buy food beforehand, there is no store on the island) and a restaurant with a dance pavilion on the island. However, most of the island is a nature reserve, and there is a short nature trail around the island.
Price for the boat: adults €10, seniors and students €8, children (4–17) €5, family €25
See
Viinikka Park
Viinikanpuisto
A peaceful park in a picturesque residential area. Lime trees are beautiful in autumn.
Do Not mapped
Circus Ruska Festival
Circus Ruska Festival is the oldest contemporary circus festival in Finland. Five circus tents will be anchored in Southern Park. The festival brings together new contemporary circus acts, where the circus techniques go hand in hand with new expression methods.
August
Do Not mapped
Hiking
In Finland, everyone has a right of public access to the wilderness provided that you don't cause damage. In Tampere, good hiking/jogging/cycling/skiing grounds with marked paths can be found in the Pyynikki and Kauppi forests. In Hervanta, there's a popular 4-km loop trail around lake Suolijärvi (take bus number 30 to get there).
Do Not mapped
Ice swimming
During winter, you can combine sauna with ice swimming: drill a hole into the ice cover of a lake and hop in! The water under the ice stays at constant temperature of +4°C, and is very refreshing. You can try ice swimming at Kaupinojan sauna or Rauhaniemen kansankylpylä on Rauhaniementie near hotel Holiday Club Tampere.
Do Not mapped
Ice walking
A popular pastime during sunny midwinter day is to go for an ice walk. In March people walk the kilometre to the small island of Siilinkari on lake Näsijärvi and have a picnic. This is only safe when the lake is well-frozen. Only go if you see other people doing so; ice-fishers don't count, they go as soon as the ice settles.
Do Not mapped
South Park
June. Heavy metal festival in Southern Park. Started in 2014 following the bankruptcy of Sauna Open Air festival.
Drink
Caffè Vèneta
A café near the shores of Lake Näsijärvi.
Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00
Do
Iso-Vilunen Skate Park
Iso-Vilusen skeittipuisto
A high-quality skatepark with BMX and trial biking courses.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Tampere (CC BY-SA 4.0).