Winter in Finland might be synonymous with long, dark and cold days, and most people immediately think of Lapland with its northern lights, igloo hotels and reindeer safaris. But Finland isn’t only about the Arctic north. Cities in the south, like Tampere, turn winter into something just as magical in their own way.
Tampere is a city-break destination that has it all: from glowing light installations and frozen lakes to steaming saunas and warming local delicacies. Walk under the wonderful lights on Hämeenkatu during Valoviikot, hike through snowy pine forests, or experience the many saunas and ice-hole swimming locations spread across town. And of course, try some uniquely seasonal and local treats you can’t get anywhere else.
Here are some of the best things to do in Tampere during the winter, whether you’re coming for a quick visit or a week-long stay. Hopefully, you will be inspired by our hometown and see that you don’t have to go all the way to Lapland to experience Finland and its wintery magic.
Scroll all the way to the bottom for a more detailed guide about transportation to and around Tampere, plus some hotel suggestions.
What to do Outside?
1. Valoviikot
When you come to Finland for the first time, you will notice the biggest drawback of winter: it’s dark all the time. The days are very short in winter (the opposite is true in the summer) which can be very depressing. Luckily Tampere has a remedy to this in the form of one of its longest traditions: Valoviikot or “light weeks”.
Since the 1960s the main street Hämeenkatu has been lit up with bright lights in the form of various shapes and animals to make the darkest months of the year a little more pleasant. In recent years this festival has changed shape and now includes all sorts of beautiful light installations, projected art pieces and even light shows.
The best time to enjoy this festival is during its opening weeks in November, as there are scheduled light shows and activities, but the installations remain on the streets until March. So even if you come to Tampere in January or February, you can still enjoy this festival of lights.
If you like the Moomins and are coming during winter 2025–2026, you are in luck! Tove Jansson’s original artwork has been projected onto many buildings across town to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Moomins.
2. Pyynikin harju
Of course, it’s not all gloom and darkness outside in the winter. If it happens to be a sunny day and the ground is covered in snow, taking a mid-day walk in the fresh winter air can help lift your spirits.
Head to Pyynikin harju (Pyynikki esker) and walk along the many footpaths lined with pine trees and enjoy views from the world’s tallest esker. It’s located right on the edge of the city center and is accessible by walking or by bus. Start your walk around Koulukatu street and begin a steady climb up the hill from there. Alternatively, take a bus to either side of it and climb some of its extremely long stairways.
Once you’ve had enough exercise, head to the Pyynikki watchtower and grab yourself a freshly baked Finnish donut and a hot beverage. These donuts are considered the best in town (and perhaps Finland?) and they are a must-try!
3. Ice hole swimming
If you are brave enough, a memorable thing to do on your wintery trip to Tampere is plunging into the ice-cold water. It may sound like a dangerous endeavour, but in fact it’s quite the opposite! Multiple positive health effects have been recorded with ice swimmers, including improved circulation and pain relief, and it may relieve depression and insomnia.
There are multiple places where this is possible, most notably Rauhanniemen kansankylpylä, Kaupinojan sauna and Lake Kaukajärvi. You can also visit Saunaravintola Kuuma on Laukontori, right in the heart of the city. In this modern “sauna restaurant” you can dip into the cold Tammerkoski, albeit there won’t be any hole to go into.
Part of the whole experience is of course going to a sauna to warm yourself after the cold dip. You’d be a fool not to…
4. Winter Sports & Hiking
At this point, if you’re not too tired of walking, you can rent a pair of skates, skis, or snowshoes and trek across the endless snowy landscape that is Lake Näsijärvi. In the winter, the lake freezes over completely, making it possible to safely walk across the lake. Make your way to Mustalahti harbour or Ranta-Tampella to start you walk on the lake. You can also rent out equipment like skates, skis and snow shoes in Kaupinoja.
Located in the middle of Lake Näsijärvi, is Siilinkari – a rocky island in the warmer months turned popular resting spot for trekkers, skiers, and skaters and includes a lighthouse and small cafe. Perfect for a quick rest and warm-up before venturing back out onto the frozen lake again.
During milder winters it might not be possible to trek on the lake (thin ice), but you can still enjoy winter and nature in the large forest of Kauppi. Just make sure you don’t walk on the dedicated cross-country skiing paths.
What to do inside?
1. Vapriikki Museum Center
Head to the large Vapriikki museum to take a break from the cold and fill your day with some indoor activities. Their permanent exhibitions, like the history of the Finlayson textile factory, the hockey hall of fame, and the gaming museum are sure to keep you occupied. Also check out Vapriikki’s temporary exhibitions, which are usually a mix of history and culture.
For the price of the entrance fee, you are guaranteed to have your money’s worth of things to see and experience. A lot of the materials are also in English if you are not well-versed in Finnish just yet.
One of the most exciting permanent exhibitions is the Finnish Game Museum which gathers together over 100 years of gaming history. What makes it special is that you can play dozens of video games from throughout the years, including many Finnish gems. There is also an arcade room with classic arcade games and pinball machines.
If you get hungry after (or during) your visit, you can have a filling lunch at Museoravintola Valssi for a very reasonable price!
2. Moomin Museum
The Moomin Museum is located in Tampere-talo, a large concert/ convention hall in the center of town, not far from the train station.
The museum exhibits pieces of original artwork from the creator of the Moomins, Tove Jansson, as well as detailed dioramas from the books. These were handmade by Tove and her partner, Tuulikki Pietilä, which makes them extra special. The highlight of the museum is the massive diorama of the towering Moomin house which reaches an impressive height.
Don’t forget to visit the park next door and say “hi” to the legendary Moomin troll statue too!
3. Saunas
Finland is a nation of millions of saunas and Tampere is officially the sauna capital of the world. There are numerous public saunas scattered across the town with different amenities and vibes.
Some of the most popular ones can be found in Laukontori, Rauhanniemi, Kaukajärvi, and of course in Pispala there is the legendary Rajaportin Sauna.
As mentioned earlier, in some of these spots it’s also possible to take a plunge into freezing cold water, a popular pastime for locals. It’s something that can make the heat of the sauna much more enjoyable.
What To Eat In Tampere In The Winter
1. Mustamakkara (Blood Sausage)
The most iconic dish in Tampere is mustamakkara (black sausage): a sausage made from pork, grains and blood, which gives it its distinctive colour. If you are not afraid of its ominous exterior, give it a try!
They are made fresh daily at the Tapola sausage factory in town and then transported to sales locations. You can get these from Laukontori square where Tapola’s own sausage truck resides.
Remember to have yours with the sweet and sour lingonberry jam, which suits the sausage perfectly.
2. Lihapiirakka (Meat Pies)
Fast food grills are a very popular part of the Finnish food scene that covers all the basics: burgers, hot dogs, fries and more. Look out for signs that say “Grilli” and you are not far from having your stomach filled for the day. The undisputed king of greasy foods is the uniquely Finnish lihapiirakka (meat pie).
A lihapiirakka is a meat pie filled with a mixture of beef, pork, onion and boiled rice, fried in a donut-like dough. Eat it with your favourite condiments: ketchup, mustard, relish or burger sauce for the ultimate Finnish cheap-eat. Try to get it grilled on a panini press or flat top grill for that crunchy texture.
You can also fill it up with additional hot dogs, sausages, burger patties or even a fried egg. Perfect if you are looking to fill yourself after a long day exploring the city, or a long night exploring Tampere’s many bars.
3. Seasonal Treats
Seasonal treats include the laskiaispulla, a soft split bun filled with whipped cream and jam and often topped with almonds. These are traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday, but the season has expanded to cover the entire winter season… which I can’t be mad about. Recently, a lot of bakeries have gotten creative with laskiaispulla and have created their own versions, flavoured with Biscoff, lemon, and chocolate hazelnut. Give them all a try!
Another February treat is the Runebergintorttu. A small cylindrical cake topped with a ring of frosting and raspberry jam. While these may look quite plain, the cardamom, almond, and sour raspberry jam flavours pack a satisfying punch.
There are also Finnish donuts or munkki, a deep-fried donut covered in sugar. These are available all year round but nonetheless, they are a great treat to have on a cold winter day, either with a hot coffee or other hot drink of your choice.
4. Salmon Soup
When listing some of the most popular Finnish dishes, you must mention salmon soup: a warm, milky soup with root vegetables (potato, carrot, swede) and salmon. In fact, is there anything better to eat on a cold winter day than a bowl of hot soup? Probably not.
Go to Kauppahalli or get it from Panimoravintola Plevna. There you are guaranteed to find a warm and delicious lunch or dinner.
You can probably find all sorts of warm soups and stews in various lunch cafes too, such as jauhelihakeitto (ground meat stew) or siskonmakkarakeitto (sausage stew). Lunch menus tend to change daily, so you never know what you might get!
If you’re not looking for traditional Finnish, there are a lot of great Asian restaurants in town like Biang (Asian fusion), Seoul Good (Korean fried chicken buffet) and Noodle Master.
How To Get To Tampere In The Winter?
Whether you’re traveling by train, bus or car, getting to Tampere is easy and straightforward. See how you can find your way here:
Plane – The airport in Tampere is small and has limited connections currently. The best way to reach Tampere currently is to fly with Air Baltic via Riga, Latvia. You can get to Riga from dozens of cities in Europe and elsewhere in the world to catch a connecting flight to Tampere.
Train – Tampere has convenient train links all across the country thanks to its central southern location. Popular departure points are Helsinki, Turku and even as far as Rovaniemi.
Check out the VR website for train times and ticket prices. Download the VR Matkalla app so you can have your tickets on hand.
Bus – Look into Onnibus for super-cheap bus travel. These double-decker buses have room for your luggage, comfortable seating, WiFi, and USB charging zones. Good option if you’re not fussed by a longer travel time.
Car – If you want to explore Tampere, but don’t want to be held to train and bus times and crave a little more spontaneity, consider renting a car from rental centers like 24rent, Europcar, Sixt or Hertz.
Getting Around In Tampere
Tampere is compact, easily navigable and extremely walkable. Here are some options to get around the city. I recommend downloading any transport apps ahead of time so you can get going immediately.
Bus – Large, well connected bus system to get you in and out of the city. I would recommend taking the bus if you’re traveling outside the city center or if you’re staying in the suburbs.
Download the Nysse Mobiili app, to buy single tickets for the bus and tram ahead of time – just make sure to scan when you get on. The app can be used in English. Zones A – B will get you around the city centre, Zone C will take you outside. You can also buy tickets on the bus or tram via contactless payment as well.
Tram – Relatively new, with lots of tram stops in and around the city, but a little lacking outside. Super easy to use and convenient to use, especially in the colder, icier months. Buy tickets on the Nysse app and validate once you’re on board.
Walking – Honestly, if you plan on staying in the city-center, the best way to get around is by walking. There’s so many nooks and crannies to discover. Be mindful that the sidewalks and pathways can be icy and slippery. Luckily road maintenance crews are quick to plow and sand so walking remains a safe option.
Conclusion
Though Tampere can’t compete with Lapland when it comes to northern lights and igloo hotels, for those looking for a laidback, Nordic city break this winter, Tampere can’t be beat.
If the weather allows, you can still do a lot of winter activities like skating, skiing and swimming in ice-cold waters, as well as enjoy the cosy atmosphere and indulge in wintery treats.
Planning a trip to Tampere when it’s a bit warmer? Read our guide to 11+ Things To Do In Tampere In The Summer. If you want to read more articles like these, check our Travel Blog page for all travel-related posts.
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