Tampere is as famous for its sauna and winter swimming culture as for its old red brick industrial buildings. Most of those red giants are situated around Tammerkoski, the rapids which divides the city in the north-south direction. Those buildings and the rapids are regarded as one of the national landscapes of Finland. This landscape was even found in the old national 20 markka note.
Where Näsijärvi lake meets Tammerkoski, the rapid, there is a great place to swim, Mältinranta, - just in the middle of this national landscape. As a part of my all year morning routine I head to Mältinranta to swim. During winter time, especially on very early mornings, the most enthusiastic swimmers can be seen, mainly elderly ones.
It is said that the water in Mältinranta is the coldest in Tampere, because the place is in the middle of the rapids and the water flows quite quickly. Mältinranta is also a very urban place to swim because it is only a few hundred meters away from the main street Hämeenkatu and the long-distance trains pass by it only a hundred meter away. However, it is also surrounded by Näsipuisto, a beautiful park, as well as Tallipiha, a yard full of old wooden buildings which hide a nice cafe and cute little shops.
However, be prepared to change your clothes at a park bench because there is no publicly available changing room (only the members of the winter swimming club may have a key to this small changing room)!
Mältinranta
€
no-price
Find your way with 92 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
The large Kalavenkangas cemetery in Tampere is serene and scenic throughout the year, with nice views over its surroundings... Great for a quiet moment.
by
"CHU" Asian Street Food is a buffet restaurant in Tampere. You shouldn't miss it if you like your Asian tasty and affordable!
by
"Huurupiilo" is an incredibly tiny neighborhood pub but which has a very warm atmosphere! It's perfect for beer aficionados who enjoy trying new things...
by
Quite fittingly, this interactive "Spy Museum" is hidden away in the basement of the Finlayson Area in Tampere. It's the first of its kind in the world!
by
Underpasses don't have to be dull, boring and gray, and these ones in Tampere are proof of that...
by
"Haulitorni", or the Red Tower, is a marvellous part of Tampere's industrial history. You can't visit it without grabbing something to eat from nearby!
by
"Santalahti" is a small Tampere suburb that has big red-brick industrial buildings and villas - the former are being given an exciting new lease of life.
by
"Wilhelm von Nottbeck Park" and Finlaysonin Palatsi in Tampere are a perfect spot to stop and admire the beauty of this English-style garden...
by
The most spectacular walking route in the heart of the Tampere is absolutely "Vapriikin raitti" - it's the best place to admire the frothing rapids...
by
"Pyynikinharju" the ridge on the west side of central Tampere, is a real nature paradise. Here you can even go rappeling - the views are great!
by
The pond of "Ahvenisjärvi" in Tampere is home to lots of squirrels who aren't shy of humans at all! Be prepared to feed them or have them even climb on your hand...
by
A really nice way to see art in Tampere is to take a walk and spot the street art on the electrical cabinets all over the city...
by
92 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 92 Insider Tips