The Metropolis of the Lakes: Tampere

Good morning, ready for a classic breakfast in Tampere? Two for one: ride the elevator to the top of the tower to enjoy the panoramic view of the lake and forests and, as a reward afterwards, a delicious coffee with donuts.
Café Pyynikki is well known for its Munkki, the addictive and fresh Finnish doughnuts that include ingredients such as sugar, cinnamon... If you are vegan, celiac or lactose intolerant, don't worry, in this cafe they have egg-free, lactose-free, gluten-free or vegan donuts made with oat milk. The secret recipe of the Munkki was created by Eva Suoste in the 80's after several experiments and tests.
Pyynikki continues to honor this sweet treat by serving dozens of them every day freshly baked. Many claim that they are the best doughnuts in Finland. Would you like to try them and tell us what you think?
Opening hours Every day of the week from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Phone: +358 32123247 Official Website

Tampere is what it is thanks to a vibrant industrial past where the chimneys of the blast furnaces were the geographical reference for its inhabitants as the bell towers are for any other European city.
Tampere Cathedral - originally conceived as St. John's Church - is commanded by the Evangelical Lutheran Church and does not shrink with its tower in front of the prevailing chimneys.
Built between 1902 and 1907, it is notable for its macabre frescoes painted by the symbolist Hugo Simberg in the early 20th century, a national treasure whose images revolve around mortality and the supernatural. Simberg was fascinated by the idea that death and decay surround us wherever we go.
Hours Every day of the week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Phone: +358 408048765 Official Website

Paid parking next to the amusement park which is open 24 hours. Leave your car with total tranquility and remember not to leave valuables in sight. You can make the payment thanks to this app.
Of course it is also possible to get there by public transport, bicycle, boat or on foot from the center of Tampere.

On the shores of the beautiful Lake Näsijärvi, the Särkänniemi theme park offers locals and visitors alike four areas to have a blast:
1. The amusement park with 30 rides for every taste. Accelerate on the Hype roller coaster, have fun spinning on the Caramel Carousel, feel the water on the Rapids Ride... The interactive zoo Doghill Fairytale Farm where you will meet the famous characters created by the Finnish author Mauri Kunnas. The observation tower with a panoramic view at 120 meters high. The Näsinneula Aquarium with a multitude of fish, reptiles and amphibians.
The first two are open only in season while the observation tower and the Näsinneula aquarium are open all year round. If you get the Särkänniemi Pass (only available during the summer season) you will have unlimited access to all attractions.
Opening hours Amusement park (open in summer) Doghill Fairytale Farm (open in summer) Aquarium from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Näsinneula Observation Tower from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Phone: +358 20 713 0200 Official website

One floor above Neula Sky Cafe an epic, romantic, unique, high-altitude feast awaits you. The Näsinneula Restaurant rotates at a height of 124 meters while you taste the sensational flavors cooked by its chefs.
From Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 15:00 hours the restaurant serves only menu (https://sarkanniemi.fi/en/naesinneula-restaurant) and no à la carte dishes. On the other hand, on weekends and holidays during lunchtime there is no menu and only a la carte dishes can be ordered during the entire service. In their gastronomic proposal they have several three-course menus, including a children's menu.
Book in advance by calling +358 (0) 207 130 234 or sending an email to ravintola.nasinneula@sarkanniemi.fi and include the following information:

• Full name
• Full name
• Phone number
• Number of guests
• Date and time
• Special requests and allergies -if any-.

Timetable Monday to Sunday from 11:00 to 00:00 Monday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 00:00 a.m. Official Website

Tampere at your feet with a bird's eye view. With its more than 120 meters wingspan, it is the second highest observation tower in the Nordic countries. This structure is inspired by the Space Needle in Seattle that reaches 168 meters. You will fill your phone's camera roll with lots of photos and videos.
Neula Sky Cafe is an elegant high altitude cafeteria where if you feel like it you can taste some of the delicacies offered to customers. The entrance fee includes coffee, tea or juice and/or a discount for a glass of sparkling wine.
Opening hours Monday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Phone: +358 207130234 Official Website

The best way to get to the Spy Museum is to take Satakunnankatu street. Very close to the museum you have two parking options: Plevna and Frenckel.
The Spy Museum, founded in 1998, is the first public museum dedicated to international espionage, an ideal activity for both adults and families with children. In Europe, there is only one other museum dedicated to this subject: the German Spy Museum in Berlin. Believe it or not, Finland, because of its geopolitical and technological status, has been a very active country in terms of espionage.
You will delve into the fascinating lives of dozens of spies, their tactics, methods and tools. The exhibition includes eavesdropping devices, encryption devices, cyber espionage, counterfeits, miniature cameras and other optical devices, hidden weapons, medals, badges, spy radios, secret maps, handcuffs, lie detectors...
You will discover things that are not in the history books, such as the intelligence work Richard Sorge did to stop Hitler's advance or the deciphering of the Enigma machine codes that saved Europe.
Would you dare to take a lie detector test?
Schedule. WINTER (August 28 to May 31) Monday to Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00 hours SUMMER (June 1 to August 27) Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00 hours Phone: +358 32123007 Official Website

It would not be crazy to say that in Finland there are more saunas than cars and in Tampere almost more saunas than inhabitants :) What is a reality is that this Finnish city is considered the sauna capital.
It's time to relax. Kuuma is the ideal place to live this immersive experience that is part of the daily life of the Finns. Don't forget your swimsuit.
Kuuma has two mixed saunas: a wood-fired sauna where you will try the more traditional experience and a more modern, large smoke sauna for the more enthusiastic. Two terms you should keep in mind to be an expert sauna user:

• Löyly refers to the steam and heat of the sauna.
• Heittää löylyä means pouring water over the stones of the stove to create more heat and steam.

If you don't have a towel and bathing suit you can rent one for a small fee at Kuuma's reception.
Opening hours Monday and Tuesday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 to 23:00 hours Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 am Saturday from 12:00 to 2:00 hours Sunday Closed
Official Website Phone: +358 10 4065121

Before returning to Helsinki, you can't leave Tampere without trying a hot mustamakkara - literally translated as black sausage - at the Tapola stall at Lauko market. It is traditionally served with lingonberry jam.
Mustamakkara is a Finnish sausage made from pork, blood and rye flour that has been produced in this region since the 19th century.
A curiosity: when locals buy these typical sausages at the market they specify how much money they want to spend instead of the weight or the number of units. Another way to buy mustamakkara is to ask for "menopaluu" (a "round trip") which refers to the U-shape of the whole sausage.
Hours of operation Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday closed

The Sääksmäki suspension bridge over Lake Vanajavesi was completed in 1963 as part of Highway 3 between Helsinki and Tampere. It is now part of the regional road network, specifically Highway 130, as the main road now connecting the two cities is the E12.
On the way back to Helsinki it is a good idea to take a slight detour to cross this bridge that was designed by the Danish engineering firm Chr. Ostenfeld & W. Jønson, designers also of the longest suspension bridge in Finland: the Kirjalansalmi Bridge. This place is ideal for enjoying the endless scenery of the Finland of 1000 lakes and watching spectacular sunsets.
Other facts that will interest you: Säaksmäki has three spans, the main one 155 meters. It was the second longest bridge in Finland in terms of span until 1993, when it was taken over by the Tähtniemi Bridge in Heinola.

Very close to the bridge is this well-equipped bird watching tower.
If you have binoculars with you, you are sure to see some native species such as swans, blackbirds, weasels, woodpeckers... You will hear the strident sound of frogs among the reeds or the characteristic song of the grouse. If you are lucky you will see the occasional deer drinking on the shore.
If you are fond of photography and sharpen your eyesight, with a telephoto lens you are sure to capture a wild animal or bird in its natural habitat.

This restaurant ("The Gingerbread House") is located in a historic house built between 1906 and 1907 that was designed by Selim A. Lindqvist, Finland's most famous architect of the time. It was the home of the merchant Anders Skogster whose store was adjacent to the house.
Piparkakkutalo is an ideal space for lunch or dinner in both formal and informal attire. If you want a more private atmosphere you have the option of booking a cabinet. You can choose dishes a la carte or one of their menus (traditional, vegetarian, seasonal and chef's).
On the first floor of the restaurant you have a cozy pub, Albertin Kellari, which serves various types of beers, ciders and other drinks as well as snacks. There is also live music every week.
Opening hours Tuesday to Thursday from 17:00 to 22:00 hrs. Friday from 17:00 to 23:00 hours Saturday from 12:00 to 23:00 hours Sunday and Monday closed
Phone: +358 3 648 040 Official website

Back to Helsinki, beautiful, glittering, splendorous. You take with you in your traveling heart a walk through history in capital letters; from the Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution, ending this road trip in contemporary times with a well-served stomach.