Forssa is a town of 18,000 inhabitants in Tavastia Proper. The municipality of Tammela, just east of Forssa, and the former municipality of Koijärvi, in the northern part of Forssa, are also handled in this article.
Understand
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In the late 1800s, Forssa began to develop as an important centre for textile manufacturing. The town was known for its cotton mills and other textile factories, which provided employment to thousands of people in the region. After the large Finlayson textile factory closed down in 2008, part of the buildings host museums, exhibitions and activities.
Get in
[edit]If you draw a triangle where the corners are the three most populous areas in Finland – Helsinki, Tampere and Turku – Forssa is roughly in the middle, about 100 km from each of them.
By bus
[edit]Forssa has coach connections from Helsinki, Pori, Turku, Lahti, Hämeenlinna and Loimaa. The 1 Bus station is in the centre. Onnibus uses the 2 Autokeidas stop 4 km from the centre, at the junction of highways 2 and 10.
By train
[edit]Humppila is the nearest (21 km away) train station, on the Turku–Tampere railway, with a train most hours in daytime. There are a few daily buses from there to Forssa, and a heritage narrow-gauge railway from Humppila to Jokioinen, 7,5 km from Forssa centre, serviced Sundays in summer. Hämeenlinna, on the Helsinki–Tampere–Oulu railway, is 55 km away.
Get around
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By dial-a-ride
[edit]For transport in the centre, a dial-a-ride service, Tyykikyyti, is available, as of 2026:
Tyykikyyti runs on a fixed schedule and route M–F 07:30–08:00 (in the school year), on a fixed schedule and route with deviations possible M–F 13:00–17:00 and Sa 09:00–14:00, and as agreed M–F 08:00–12:00. The service may be delayed when there is high demand, but will turn up eventually.
The ride is ordered by calling the car (☏ +358 44-555-5812) well in advance, preferably one or two days beforehand or by agreeing with the driver on the previous trip. As the driver won't answer calls while driving, you will mostly need to wait for the driver to call back.
By taxi
[edit]- Taksi Häme, iTaksi: see Tavastia Proper#By taxi
- Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi
See
[edit]- 1 Spinning Mill Area (Kehräämöalue), Wahreninkatu 12. The area is home to cultural and educational services, including the Forssa Museum, the Kuosikeskus, the Forssa Nature Museum, the city library, a bowling alley, a school of fine arts, the Southwest Häme Music Institute, the Häme University of Applied Sciences, the Kuutamo youth centre, the Wahren Institute, and the Vinkkeli exhibition space.
- 2 Forssa church, in the city centre. A Neo-Gothic Lutheran church which was finished in 1917.
- 3 Koijärvi church, Kojontie 94 (in the Koijärvi village). A wooden church from 1922.
- 4 Forssan Elävienkuvienteatteri, Keskuskatu 1. The old rural cinema is from 1906, thus the oldest functioning movie theatre in Finland. Silent-film festivals are held annually at the turn of August and September (see Events below).
- 5 Parks. There are 110 different parks in Forssa, with a combined area of 303 hectares. The most central is Ankkalammi next to the market square where swans swim in the summer.
Do
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- 1 Vesihelmi Spa (Viihdeuimala Vesihelmi), Eteläinen puistokatu 2 (1 km from the centre). The large spa department offers a therapy pool, a children's pool, jacuzzis, a cold pool, a fitness pool, a wave pool, a family pool and a water slide. Spa from €6 to €8, also other services available.
- 2 Folk Park of Saari (Saaren kansanpuisto) (on the isthmus between Pyhäjärvi and Kuivajärvi, 5 km from Tammela centre, 15 km southeast of Forssa).
National parks
[edit]- 3 Liesjärvi National Park (22km towards Helsinki along national road 2). Heritage farm, lake and esker landscapes
- 4 Torronsuo National Park (3km towards Helsinki along national road 2, then 7km along road 282). Forests, eskers and rocks surrounding Finland's deepest bog. The large mire area is important for many birds.
Events
[edit]- Holjat. Early August. A pop music festival held each summer.
- Pick-Nick (on the horse track). Early August. Vintage-car show. free entry, parking fee €10.
- Silent movie festival (Mykkäelokuvafestivaalit). Late August–early September. Yes, the silent films have their own festival, which are performed annually at Forssan Elävienkuvienteatteri.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]There are several restaurants. See also Drink and Sleep below.
- 1 Gusto, Keskuskatu 6, ☏ +358 45-256-2973, [email protected]. W Th 16:00–21:00, F 16:00–22:00, Sa 13:00–22:00, Su 13:00–18:00. Pizzeria. €15–20.
- 2 Ravintola Vapriikki, Kutomonkuja 2 A 6-7, ☏ +358 50 324 8699, [email protected].
Drink
[edit]- 1 Kahvila Wanhakoulu, Joosentie 1. A cosy cafe in a former school near the Prisma shopping mall. On weekdays they have a soup lunch offer at €5.
Sleep
[edit]Budget
[edit]- 1 Autokeidas Forssa Motelli, Keitaankatu 1, ☏ +358 50 917 5534. Open 24/7. Rooms are equipped with high-speed internet access, television, refrigerator and rooms with sauna are also available. A breakfast is included in the price.
Mid-range
[edit]- 2 Hotelli Mesku, Saarelankatu 12, ☏ +358 3 419-41, [email protected]. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel you will find a beach with jumping towers, an ice rink & training hall, a sports field and outdoor sports areas.
- 3 Fabrik, Hämeentie 7, ☏ +358 40-484-8111, [email protected]. Hotel and restaurant. €100–120; salad and burger meals €15–20.
- 4 Keppana Kellari & Koivulan lomamökit, Koivulantie 6 (Liesjärvi in Tammela, 30 km south-east from Forssa), ☏ +358 3 435-5308 (restaurant), +358 3 422-2308 (reception), [email protected]. Summer 12:00–19:00, peak season 11:00–21:00. Restaurant and cottages. The cottages are mainly rented for a week or all summer, but a weekend, night or just an evening possible. Cleaning not included. Peaceful environment, in the outskirts of a small village. Beach. Trails of Liesjärvi National Park 4–6 km away on roads and pathways through the woods. Meals €17–40; cottages €100/day/2 persons, €350–650/week; linen €15/set.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Forssa |
| Turku ← Jokioinen ← | SW  NE
|
→ Hämeenlinna → Tuulos |
| Pori ← Huittinen ← | NW  SE
|
→ Karkkila → Helsinki |