Pirkanmaa: Lake Landscapes, Nature and Culture

Pirkanmaa brings together urban culture, rural cultural landscapes and natural destinations. In Tampere, the focus is on the amusement park, architecture and industrial history; across the region, you’ll also find lakes, natural destinations, and cycling and hiking trails. If you’re looking for a hotel in Pirkanmaa, this distinction can help you plan: first decide whether you want to focus mainly on Tampere, a landscape experience, or trails and activities.

Landscapes and lakes in Pirkanmaa

In Pirkanmaa, 29 areas and landscape attractions designated as valuable represent the region’s rural cultural landscape. Siikaneva is one of the popular natural destinations. Längelmävesi offers a specific geographic reference point: the lake is Pirkanmaa’s designated provincial lake, lies at the heart of the region, and is set within the national landscapes of Orivesi and Kangasala.

These details describe different aspects of the region: Längelmävesi represents a particular lake and its landscape, while the 29 areas and attractions represent the rural cultural landscape more broadly. Travelers who want to consider both nature and regional character when planning their trip will find several options here, rather than just one excursion destination.

Tampere: Leisure, architecture and industrial history

In Tampere, Särkänniemi Amusement Park has more than 30 rides. At the Särkänniemi theme park, Doghill Fairytale Farm offers a 19th-century fairytale world with handcrafted wooden buildings, several playgrounds and real Finnish farm animals. The two attractions offer different experiences: rides and an immersive fairytale world are both part of Tampere’s leisure options.

From the Näsinneula Observation Tower, you can take in the Tampere landscape; the tower is considered one of the city’s best-known landmarks. The Finlayson Area is also located in the heart of Tampere: a business and cultural center with red-brick buildings. The district dates back to the Finlayson cotton mill, founded in the 1820s, around which Tampere grew. Within the historic factory district, Factory Garden showcases biodiversity in a distinctive urban setting. Tampere Cathedral is another prominent part of the city’s history: it was built between 1902 and 1907.

Experience nature on foot and by bike

Iidesjärvi is a bird lake in the heart of Tampere. A recently renovated birdwatching tower stands at its eastern end, where the Iidesjärvi Nature Trail also begins. The trail is about 7 kilometers long. The lake, observation tower and nature trail offer different ways to experience nature around the same place.

In Lempäälä, the Birgitta Trail combines nature and cultural history. The trail offers options for both a short walk and longer hikes. For cycling trips, Pirkanmaa has several Lake Trails routes through the region’s lake landscapes; they can be combined with train and boat connections. If you’re planning a trip like this, coordinate your cycling routes with the relevant train and boat connections.

Regional specialties

Rievä, also called riävä in the local dialect, is a thin mixed-grain bread traditionally baked with barley flour. It is typical of Tampere and the Pirkanmaa region. Tampere Market Hall offers regional products from nearby bakeries, farms, lakes and forests. These two examples show regional food culture in different ways: Rievä is a specific bread specialty, while the market hall brings together products from several parts of the surrounding area.

This makes it easier to see which aspects of the region you want to prioritize when planning your trip.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Ikaalinen, Karhe, Kämmenniemi, Terälahti, Parkano, Suodenniemi, Västilä, Aitoo, Virrat, Killinkoski, Kangasala, Mänttä, Vammala, Pälkäne, Ruovesi, Vaskivesi, Nokia, Pirkkala, Kotala, Tampere, Valkeakoski, Kolunkylä, Lempäälä, Viiala, Orivesi, Suinula, Metsäkansa, Siuro, Punkalaidun, Kihniö, Mouhijärvi, Puutikkala, Toijala, Akaa, Ylojarvi, Urjala, Mänttä-Vilppula, Sastamala, Laitikkala

For the overview of the wider region: Finland.