Frequently asked questions
What is the climate like in Tampere? What about current weather?
Although Finland is one of the northernmost countries in the world, the climate is not as harsh as you might expect - thanks to the warming Gulf Stream. Still, Tampere, as well as the rest of Finland, has four distinct seasons of which winter is the longest.
The summer months are June to August, and the warmest is normally July. The highest daytime summer temperatures in Tampere are around 30 degrees Celsius, but 15-25 degrees is more common, and sometimes it gets even cooler.
Summer is also the time of a "nightless night". Midsummer is bright white: there is some 20 hours of daylight between sunrise and sunset, while the rest is twilight.
Winter begins in November-December, lasting until February or March. In Tampere, snow most often comes to stay in early December. The coldest time is normally January-February, when it can get as freezing as -30 degrees - which, however, doesn't happen every year. A more typical winter temperature is from -3 to -10 degrees.
Lakes in Tampere usually freeze in November, and the break-up of ice takes place in April or early May. However, there is annual variation.
In September, the days start to grow shorter, and winter is the dark time of the year. At Christmas, the sun rises at around 9pm, and sets at 3 in the afternoon. In the spring, again, the days gradually become longer and lighter.
More detailed information on the climate can be found here. Note that Tampere is located in southern Finland, some 170 km north of Helsinki.
Current weather and the forecast for the next few days can be checked here.
Do people speak English in Tampere?
English is the most widely spoken foreign language in Tampere (and the rest of Finland). English will be spoken at hotels, restaurants, shops, museums etc. In the street, you may bump into people with no command of the language, and your bus or taxi driver may not be fluent in English, but especially younger people usually speak English quite well.
Besides English, several other European languages - including Swedish, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Russian - are spoken at GoTampere.
How can I get to the city centre from Tampere-Pirkkala airport? And back to the airport?
The airport is located 17 km southwest of the city centre.
Bus line 61 (company: Paunu Oy) runs regularly between the airport's Terminal 1 and the centre of Tampere. The price is 4,10 Euros and the timetable can be found here. All flights except those of Ryanair's and Wizz Air's arrive at and depart from Terminal 1.
Tokee Buses serve Terminal 2 and the Ryanair passengers. After each arrival, there is a bus from the terminal to the city centre (railway station). Buses from downtown Tampere to Terminal 2 leave from the railway station's main entrance approximately 2.5 hours before each flight departure time. The ticket costs 6 Euros. Always check the exact bus schedule here (click further beneath the heading Tampere - Tampere/Pirkkala - Tampere).
Note that the two terminals are only about 200 metres apart, so you can easily use bus services by any of the two, if you don't mind the short walk.
At the airport, there are also taxi ranks in front of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. It may happen that there are no taxis available, in which case you can call one by phone, tel. 100 41, from mobile phones 0100 4131. The trip to/from the centre costs approximately 30 Euros, somewhat more on weekends and at night.
There are also car rental points at both terminals.
For the trip back to the airport, you can also book a special Airport Cab (also tel. 100 41, from mobile phones or outside Tampere 0100 4131), which must be booked at least 3 hours before take-off (even earlier booking is advised). The taxi collects people from the centre, and the fixed price is 17 Euros/person.
How can I get to Tampere from Helsinki Airport?
There are several daily connecting flights from Helsinki Airport to Tampere Airport. For them, please consult your airline.
There is also a frequent bus service right from Helsinki airport to the centre (bus station) of Tampere. Check the timetable here. The bus trip takes approximately two hours.
You can also take a shuttle bus either to the nearby railway stations of Tikkurila or Helsinki. From both, there is an hourly train to the centre of Tampere. Check the timetable here. The train trip takes approximately 1.5 hours.
Which hotel is near...?
Downtown Tampere is very compact, and practically everything is within walking distance. Most hotels are located in the central area.
Nearest to the Railway Station is Scandic Tampere City opposite the station building. Equally near is Hotel Victoria on the other side of the station. Within very short walking distance are also Holiday Inn Tampere, Sokos Hotel Villa, Sokos Hotel Ilves, Cumulus Koskikatu and Omena Hotel. Hostel Sofia, Cumulus Pinja and Sokos Hotel Tammer aren't far away either.
Nearest to Tampere Hall is Sokos Hotel Villa, practically opposite the hall. Quite close are also Holiday Inn Tampere and Hotel Victoria.
Hotels nearest to a lake are the lakeside hotels Scandic Rosendahl, Holiday Club Tampere Spa and Rantasipi Eden Spa Hotel. From Cumulus Hämeenpuisto, it's also just a stone's throw to Lake Pyhäjärvi and Tampere's southern harbour, Laukontori Quay. However, as there are 200 lakes within Tampere's city limits, no hotel is far away from a lake!
The most central location is that of Sokos Hotel Ilves and Cumulus Koskikatu. The Omena Hotels are also located on the main street.
Nearest to University of Tampere is Sokos Hotel Villa. Also Holiday Inn Tampere, Victoria, Sokos Hotel Ilves, Hotel Kauppi and Dream Hostel are within a short walking distance.
Nearest to Tampere University of Technology and Hermia Technology Centre is Hotel Hermica.
Is there a Tampere Tourist Card?
Yes, there is a Tampere Card that includes free entrance to several museums, a tourist bus card and other offers and discounts. You can find more information about Tampere Card here.
Is there, then, a tourist bus card, and where can I buy one?
Yes, there is a special bus card for tourists. The cards are sold at the City Transport Information, address Frenckellinaukio 2 B, at GoTampere tourist office, the grocery kiosk and the Juvenes kiosk at the Keskustori Central Square, the R kiosk at the railway station and the Bus Station.
There are cards for adults (25 years and over), for young people (12-24 years) and for children (under 12 years).
The prices of the Tourist Card are: adults 6 euros (extra day 4 euros), young people 4 euros (extra day 3 euros), children 3 euros (extra day 2 euros).
The Tourist Card is implemented on a contact memory card and it is valid for one or more days after it has been used for the first time. This card can not be reloaded.
The Tourist Card gives you an unlimited number of journeys in Tampere city area on Tampere City Transport buses or any bus which has a label of co-operation (joint transport). On the night buses no extra nightfare will be charged.
Remember to carry the receipt, which you receive with a bus card, when you travel; just in case an inspector comes to check.
Also see the Travel section.
Where can I buy souvenirs?
You can find souvenirs from Finland and Tampere in all the biggest department stores, for example Stockmann and Sokos, which are both situated in the main street Hämeenkatu.
In Kehräsaari area, near Sokos Hotel Ilves, there are also boutiques which sell Finnish design and souvenirs; Joulupuu has a good selection of Christmas items and themed products.
Aarikka (Aleksis Kiven katu 11) is full of imaginative utensils and jewellery made of wood and silver. Taito Shop (Hatanpään valtatie 4) is the place to buy high-quality Finnish hand-made products, gifts and materials.
Tallipiha Stable Yards in Finlayson area (Kuninkaankatu 4) is home to artisans, and you can find quite unique souvenirs at their shops.
Tip! If you are short of time, you can just pop into the office of GoTampere (at the Railway station), which carries a good selection of the most popular Finnish and Tamperean souvenirs.
What festivals, events and fairs are on?
Events are listed in the Calendar of Events.
If you can't find a particular event you are looking for, it may not have been published yet. Check out the calendar a little later, it will be updated every day.
What's on in the city's museums and galleries?
All exhibitions are listed in the Museums section.
Can I drink tap water in Tampere?
Indeed, you can. A recent scientific research proved Tampere's tap water to be cleaner and purer - by far - than any of the tested bottled waters.
