Pirkanmaa: Lakes, Cultural Landscapes and City Life

Pirkanmaa combines lake landscapes and rural cultural landscapes with the urban experiences of Tampere. A bird lake with an observation tower, an amusement park with more than 30 rides, historic brick architecture and regional bread culture offer different ways to shape a holiday. When choosing where to stay, it helps to first decide whether your trip will focus on the city, nature, hiking or cycling routes.

Pirkanmaa in Five Facts

• Längelmävesi is Pirkanmaa’s designated provincial lake and lies at the heart of the region.
• The rural cultural landscape is represented by 29 areas and landscape attractions designated as valuable.
• Siikaneva is one of the popular nature destinations in Pirkanmaa.
• The nature trail at Iidesjärvi is about seven kilometres long.
• Rievä, a thin mixed-grain bread, is typical of Tampere and Pirkanmaa.

Lakes, Landscapes and Nature Watching

Längelmävesi lies within the national landscapes of Orivesi and Kangasala. As Pirkanmaa’s designated provincial lake, Längelmävesi lies at the heart of the region. In Pirkanmaa, 29 areas and landscape attractions designated as valuable together represent the rural cultural landscape. Siikaneva complements this picture as one of Pirkanmaa’s popular nature destinations.

Iidesjärvi, a bird lake in the heart of Tampere, offers a different nature experience. A recently renovated birdwatching tower stands at its eastern end. The Iidesjärvi Nature Trail also starts there and is about seven kilometres long. The lake, tower and trail combine nature watching with a clear point of reference for anyone planning to include a walk or a longer hike in their itinerary.

Tampere: Leisure and Views

In Tampere, Särkänniemi Amusement Park has more than 30 rides. The Särkänniemi theme park is also home to Doghill Fairytale Farm, which transports visitors to a 19th-century fairytale world featuring handmade wooden buildings, various playgrounds and real Finnish farm animals. For families interested in fairytale worlds and animals, this combination offers a vivid example of a very different kind of outing from nature trails or historic city districts.

The observation towers each offer something distinct. From Näsinneula Observation Tower, you can take in the landscape of Tampere; the tower is considered one of the city’s best-known landmarks. Pyynikki Observation Tower, by contrast, is defined by its design and history: the 26-metre-high red-granite tower opened in 1929 and offers wide-ranging views over Tampere and its surroundings. The two towers therefore stand out for different reasons: one for its views and role as a landmark, the other for its material, height and opening year.

Cultural History and Routes Through the Region

The Finlayson Area is a lively business and cultural centre in the heart of Tampere. Its district of red-brick buildings dates back to the Finlayson cotton mill, founded in the 1820s; Tampere grew up around the factory. Within the historic factory district, Factory Garden showcases biological diversity. The combination of industrial history and urban nature gives this place a distinctive character. Tampere Cathedral also tells the story of the city’s architectural history: it was built between 1902 and 1907.

The Birgitta Trail in Lempäälä offers a different mix of nature and history. The route provides an opportunity to discover the area’s natural environment and cultural history. The available walks range from a short stroll to longer hikes. This makes the Birgitta Trail different from the approximately seven-kilometre nature trail at Iidesjärvi: here, the range of possible walks is an important point of reference, while there, it is the approximate length of the individual trail.

The Lake Trails may also be useful when planning a trip. They comprise several cycling routes through Pirkanmaa’s lake landscapes, which can be combined with train and boat connections. Anyone planning a cycling trip can thus consider routes and different modes of transport together, rather than focusing their stay on just one nature or city destination.

Regional Cuisine and Local Produce

Rievä, also called riävä in the local dialect, is a thin mixed-grain bread traditionally baked with barley flour and typical of Tampere and Pirkanmaa. The two names refer to the same bread. Tampere Market Hall offers regional products from nearby bakeries, farms, lakes and forests. This provides a culinary introduction that ranges from a regional bread speciality to a wider selection of local produce.

The sweet selection offers another connection to Tampere: the café at Pyynikki Observation Tower makes doughnuts called munkki. Together with Rievä and the products at the market hall, they offer a varied impression of regional food culture, without suggesting that any one dish represents the whole region.

Choose the Right Base

If you are mainly interested in urban culture, views and leisure activities, Tampere offers several specific points of interest. The Birgitta Trail in Lempäälä combines nature and cultural history; if you would rather combine cycling routes with different modes of transport, the Lake Trails offer a useful framework for planning. For a nature outing with a stated approximate trail length, the Iidesjärvi Nature Trail is a different point of reference from the walks and longer hikes available on the Birgitta Trail.

You can also narrow down your regional search step by step: in addition to the places mentioned here, you can explore the destination pages for Ikaalinen, Karhe, Kämmenniemi, Terälahti, Parkano, Suodenniemi, Västilä, Aitoo, Virrat, Killinkoski, Mänttä, Vammala, Pälkäne, Ruovesi, Vaskivesi, Nokia, Pirkkala, Kotala, Valkeakoski, Kolunkylä, Viiala, Suinula, Metsäkansa, Siuro, Punkalaidun, Kihniö, Mouhijärvi, Puutikkala, Toijala, Akaa, Ylojarvi, Urjala, Mänttä-Vilppula, Sastamala and Laitikkala. Let the themes that matter to your trip guide your next step; this will make it easier to find a suitable place to stay.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pirkanmaa

How long is the Iidesjärvi Nature Trail?

The nature trail starts at the birdwatching tower at the eastern end of Iidesjärvi and is about seven kilometres long. The lake itself is a bird lake in the heart of Tampere.

How does the Birgitta Trail differ from the trail at Iidesjärvi?

The Iidesjärvi Nature Trail is approximately seven kilometres long. The Birgitta Trail in Lempäälä offers both short walks and longer hikes; the route also combines nature and cultural history.

Which regional foods are typical?

Rievä, also called riävä, is a traditional thin mixed-grain bread made with barley flour and typical of Tampere and Pirkanmaa. Doughnuts called munkki are also made at Pyynikki Observation Tower in Tampere; the Market Hall offers regional products.

Which experiences can help you choose where to stay?

The destinations described in Tampere are useful points of reference for urban culture, views and leisure activities. The Birgitta Trail in Lempäälä and the landscapes around Längelmävesi offer nature and cultural history. The Lake Trails provide another way to plan, with cycling routes that can be combined with train and boat connections.