A picture tour of Tampere in September. Walk around town. I'll guide you where to go.
Come to Tampere in September for a great weekend getaway. Even for taking pictures of a top tourist town in Finland.Our starting point is at the top of the highest tower in Tampere. Enjoying the view from the highest of cafes in Tampere. Our walking tour of Tampere in September starts at the Särkänniemi Amusement Park.
Lappinniemi
Here is a picture of Lappinniemi, at Lake Näsijärvi as seen from the Näsinneula Observation tower at the Särkänniemi Amusement Park.
Visit the tower, if you want a panoramic picturesque view of Tampere in September. Eat at the Näsinneula restaurant or sip coffee 124 meter (407 foot) above sea level.
Another photo from the top of the Näsinneula tower. Notice the fall season in Finland is approaching. Color appears on the leaves of the trees.(See the red splotch at lower part of the picture).
The Dolphinarium building at the Särkänniemi
Amusement Park
Check to see if the Dolphinarium is open before going. The kids will like watching the dolphins swim and perform. We went in September.
The dolphinarium in Tampere
A Dolphin above water at the Dolphinarium at the Särkänniemi Amusement Park.
Another pic of the Särkänniemi Amusement Park in Tampere from the top of the Näsinneula observation tower.
The Särkänniemi amusement park
View Walks around downtown Tampere in a larger map
To begin with is a walk which originates at the Särkänniemi Amusement Park. (See the green pinpoint on the map.) The first walking stretch is to the west and east of the amusement park. Connected with this walking path, I have shown how you can slowly begin walking your way to the center of town.
It will take a total of 2 to 3 hours to walk these paths, depending how long you stop at the tourist attractions I have noted in the map.
For more detailed viewing of the walks, click into the map and zoom in. Use Street View to see more photos. Oh, and, no worries! There are only 15 different places on the map to visit. Use the links in Google maps to bring you back to the corresponding location on this page.
Walking Tampere in September along Paasikiventie -a view of Näsijärvi
First we'll start walking to the west. Begin walking west along the main road Paasikiventie (road 12), for a ten minute walk.
Soon you will see an open park area on the right side of the road. (north of the main road) Here is where you can walk along the shore of lake Näsijärvi, play frisbee, and have a picnic.
At the opposite side of the park area, as you are looking up toward Pispala ridge, you'll notice an industrial area below, residences, and...
The pellet shot tower in Tampere Pispala
The 1908 made Pispala Shot Tower Haulitorni in Tampere. Shotgun pellets were formed by dropping molten lead droplets from the top of tower down...
...through the 50 meter high tube of this tower to the bottom of the tower.
The hot lead droplets met with the upstream of air, forming a round contour giving the cooling lead its round shape.
For a final cool down, at the very bottom, the pellets splashed into a basin of water.
This time we'll walk past the park toward the east.
Along the way, you'll walk by the boat landing harbor called Mustalahti. This is where you can see tour boats, like the Tarjanne, which offers cruises from Tampere to Virrat during the warmer season. For more information see: www.runoilijantie.fi/sivut/english/home.htm
At this point, Paasikiventie(road) turns into Kekkosentie(road) and along the left of this road you will see the lakeside shores of Näsijärvi. The walking and biking path are on the north side of the road.
As you are walking toward the east for 10 minutes turn around facing the west. -a good view of the Näsinneula Observation Tower.
After walking another 5-10 minutes on the left you will see another boat harbor. Walk along the pedestrian path. When you get to Laivakatu 1, look to the north, and across the boat harbor you can see the Holiday Club Tampere Spa Hotel Holiday Club Tampereen Kylpylä.
If you happen to be staying at the hotel, the popular Rauhaniemi swimming beach and Rauhaniemi best ice-swimming sauna in Finland is only a 7 minute walk from the Hotel.
A pine tree at the Rauhaniemi swimming beach
The ice-swimming is great once the lake temperature is between 2 - 9 Celsius (35.5 F - 48.2 F). In Tampere the lakes are too warm for ice-swimming in September. Visit this beach front for a nice view of Lake Näsijärvi.
Stop by Vapriikki to see exhibitions. Some exhibits are free to enter.
Vapriikki
Playground for children near Tammerinpuisto.
Playground near Tammerinpuisto
Grand Hotel Tammer building is on the left. To the opposite of this view is the Sokos Ilves Hotel. This playground is nicely located close to Hämeenpuisto, Tammerpuisto, and Tammerkoski. If you have children, you can spend hours at this playground.
Tomi and Rosa always beg me to let them stop and play at the playground.
Playing in the park
Dear brother Tomi, not sooo fast!
Close to where the kids are playing at Tammer Park Tammerpuisto is...
Maple tree at Tammerpuisto
...a maple tree.
Due north 200 meters from this playground, we see the Grand Hotel Tammer. Notice the turning of the leaves on the top right tree.
Grand Hotel Tammer
Walk about 20 meters to the right of Sokos Hotel Tammer heading northeast opposite of the direction that yellow car is driving on a street called Ojakatu. Walk through Ojakatu 2, to visit the best of Tampere Finland Cafes. -have a waffle and a cup of coffee at the Vohveli Cafe.
Street view of Ojakatu
Walking this stretch of Tampere in September make sure to also visit the Tampere central fire station. -built in 1908 and designed by a women architect, Wivi Lönn.
Walk past the main fire station on Satakunnankatu heading away from the town center, and you'll encounter an antique shop before getting to Hotel Pinja.
A short walk toward the central/main railway station called tampereen rautatieasema. A street view of the corner of the railway station main building. Address: Rautatienkatu, 33100, Tampere.
Across from the Tampere Railway Station
The building on the right -- The Tampere Railway Station.
Check what time it is from the top of the tower. -left of the building.Finnish trains are comfortable, clean and quiet. If you want to travel cheaply by train, with limited flexibility, use VR, -the Finnish railway system. Here is a price comparison between using the train, bus or rental car.
Stop to shop at the Stockmannin Tampereen tavaratalo(Hämeenkatu 4), where in the basement holds my favorite section. -fresh wide variety of veggies, exotic foods and delicacies from around the world.
Inside Stockmanns upper floors are: cosmetics, children's clothing section, home appliances, clothing section for men and women, a forex exchange point, textiles, gifts, glassware, and sportswear. You name it!
Around the corner is the academic bookstore Akateeminen Kirjakauppa(Hämeenkatu 6)
Find English books at the Akateeminen kirjakauppa
Need to preview English books while in Tampere? This is where we go. From books about Finland, children's, fiction, technology, social sciences, law, computing, medicine and the arts. -just to name a few. Compare their online store with Amazon.Com to get the cheapest prices.
Walk through the Koskipuisto park of Tampere in September. Once you have walked about 10 minutes toward the center of town from the Akateeminen Kirjakauppa, you will get to Koskikatu(street). This is where you will find the Koskipuisto Park...which looks like this.
Koskipuisto Park
Notice the waterfalls in the middle of this picture. We'll walk over there later.
Walk downstream and you'll see some interesting trees like we did along the way.
Tree in Tampere
Tampere in September. -a typical city tree.
Keep walking until you pass under the Hämeensilta Bridge. Walk through the Koskipuisto Park toward the "Rosso Koskipuisto" restaurant. This leads you to a walking path running parallel to the Tammerkoski river.
Hotel Sokos Ilves in the backround
The bridge is above our head.
After walking under the Hämeensilta Bridge, turn around and you'll see the Tammerkoski River.
Hämeensilta bridge
Tampere in September. The Hämeensilta bridge is designed by E.R. Eriksson, and built in 1979. In the middle of the above photo, notice the statue...right side of the tree on top of the edge of the bridge?
Another view looking from the other side of the bridge. You can see three of the four statues on the bridge.
Tammerkoski River Canal Hämeensilta bridge sideview
...of the statue on each side of the bridge opposite of each other on the Hämeensilta Bridge. (a total of 4 statues)
Notice the statue of a large man on the right side of the picture. To our left is the other statue from the previous picture.(hidden)
The Tampere Theater Tampereen teatteri
This yellow structure is called the Tampere Theater Tampereen Teatteri(Hämeenkatu 15).
Walk toward the Tampere city center square across the cobblestone street of Hämeenkatu 15 behind the Tampere Theater Tampereen Teatteri is the old church Vanha Kirkko.
Old Church Tower Vanha Tampereen Kirkko
Tampere in September is the time when yellow turning leaves blend in with the colors of building.
Trees near the church bell tower
Tampere in September. Deciduous tree on the left, and conifer --right.
Behind the bell tower of the church is the Old Library of Tampere Vanha Kirjastotalo.
Old Library of Tampere Vanha Kirjastotalo
Tomi is standing on the stairs in the early afternoon sun. See the location of this building in Google Maps Street View of Hämeenkatu 17, Tampere, Finland
Tampere in September at Keskustori, where each time you turn your head, there is something to see in every direction. Our location is at the intersection of Puutarhakatu 1 and Alexis Kiven Katu(street)
Finlayson building
At the town center Keskustori. In this picture, Rosa is in her warm clothes. In the background is the Finlayson building. -the building with the white text lettering and red brick chimney.
Finlayson is a popular brand name in Finland. The company is known for manufacturing products like: luxury towels, linens, pillows and beds. -just to name a few. Try a Finlayson towel against your wet body after a sauna and you'll be aware of the quality material.
To buy a bath robe towel or other Finlayson gifts go to the genuine factory outlet shop in Tampere at: Kuninkaankatu 3, 33210 Tampere. Phone 020 7213 750
Whats For free in Tampere
Museums of course!
Walk around the city to different art exhibitions and visit them for free. Here are a few.
Walk toward the Finlayson building. You will see an entrance to a pedestrian street. Notice the movie theater Plevna is on the left side. Keep walking about 100 meters to the end of the road, turn right and walk into a courtyard. You are surrounded by the old industrial area of Finlayson.
Here you will find a free(on Fridays) art exhibition center called TR1. -for viewing visual arts like: media art, applied art or photography.
Another freebie(on Fridays) is the Rubriiki Media Museum which is in the same building as TR1. Interested in the history of mobile phones, radio or television. This is your
place. Map location of both museums.
Near Tammerkoski, 50 meters after Puutarhakatu 1 ends in the town center is the Kirjastonpuisto Park. In the backdrop is one of the prettiest chimneys in Finland. The blue skies of Tampere in September.
Kirjastonpuisto park -Tampere in September
A swing set in the foreground near Keskustori. At the town center of Tampere in September.
Now, let's walk toward that chimney. We'll soon go inside a quiet building where you can keep up on current events.
First, for a close-up of this beautiful chimney. -southern view.
View of chimney at the reading room
To the left of the chimney...
The Newspaper Reading Room Lehtilukusali
...Tomi and Rosa are standing at the entrance of the Tampere Newspaper Reading Room. -part of the Tampere City Library system.
Inside the Reading room
The Tampere City Library contains books from over 70 different countries. This brick building serves as a reading room for hundreds of daily visitors reading about the current affairs both locally and globally.
Inside you will find newspapers and magazines from all over the world...for vacation reading, study
research, and handcraft magazines.
Newspapers from different countries like: The Baltic Times; Beijing Review; Gentleman's Quarterly; House and Garden; Moscow News; New York Times Sunday Edition; Sunday Times; De Telegraaf; L'espresso;
Wprost; Senska Dagbladet; Frankfurter Allgemeine; Neue Zurcher Zeitung; Presse; Welt; Zeit
Opening Times: Mondays - Fridays 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, Saturdays 10:00 am
- 4:00 pm
Address: Puutarhakatu 1, phone 03 5656 4048
Tampere in September outside the reading room. -a typical city tree.
Canopy of a city tree
On either side of the river Tammer Tammerkoski, the city of Tampere once thrived off the power of water to drive industry. Today, both sides of the the banks have walking paths with parks on either sides of the river. You can even go fishing at the falls.
The Tammer Waterfalls
Up closer, we see the old dam and the waterfall on the left side. On top is
Tammerkoski 1930's dam with a pedestrians walkway on top
a walkway for pedestrian and cyclist to cross the Tammerkoski River while getting a pretty view of the river Tammer which connects the northern lake Näsijärvi with the southern Pyhäjärvi, and runs through the center of Tampere.
Tampere in September -the Tammerkoski falls.
The Tammerkoski dam waterfalls
The highest waterfall and most visually attractive sight in Tampere seen from the lower river.
Looking at the top of the dam we see the walkway on the left, the spillway, and extra spillway. -located inside the brick building (center).
Top of the Tammerkoski dam
Walk on top of the dam to get a look at the extra spillway.
Top of Tammerkoski viewing the enclosed spillway
Keep walking toward the Grand Hotel Tammer away from the city center, turn to the left and view the Tampella area. -see the white lettering written on the building in the middle of the following picture.
Viewing the Tampella area from the top of Tammerkoski
Now let's walk back toward the town center across the above arched bridge. We will head toward Puutarhakatu.
Our first stop is at Kauppakatu 11 where there is this attractive yellow building near Puutarhakatu.(street view)
Tampere building architecture at Kauppakatu 11 near Keskustori
Closer
Previous building close up of roof
A walk along Puutarhakatu looking toward the west.
Puutarhakatu street in the center of Tampere
Tampere in September -city trees and Ruska
A maple tree in the Tampere, Kaleva area
Maple tree with a birch in the backround
A close up on the leaves in September
In the sun and shade
Tree trimming in September
Watch this video showing what Tampere in September is like. See the Tammerkoski (connecting river), Keskustori, The Tampere Theater, Hämeensilta bridge with statues and Finlayson building.
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