Pirkanmaa Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Pirkanmaa is a province in the Finnish Lakeland.

Map of Pirkanmaa

•      Greater Tampere – The Tampere metropolitan area is the second largest in Finland. Here we count it to cover Tampere, a few neighbouring towns and the most of its regional lakes.
•      Higher Pirkanmaa – The northern part of the region, which is mostly known for the Helvetinjärvi National Park.
•      North Western Pirkanmaa – The mostly rural region with the towns of Ikaalinen and Parkano.
•      South Western Pirkanmaa – The mostly rural region with the town of Sastamala.
•      Lower Pirkanmaa – The southern part of the region, which mainly focuses on the surroundings of Lake Vanajavesi.

• 61.16666723.8680561 Akaa
• 61.76944423.0680562 Ikaalinen
• 61.46388924.0653 Kangasala
• 62.03333324.6166674 Mänttä-Vilppula
• 61.47666723.5052785 Nokia – where the well-known telecommunications company opened their doors
• 61.67777824.3569446 Orivesi
• 62.00972223.0257 Parkano
• 61.34166722.9083338 Sastamala
• 61.49805623.769 Tampere
• 61.26666724.03055610 Valkeakoski
• 62.24027823.77083311 Virrat
• 61.5523.58333312 Ylöjärvi

• 61.63333323.21 Hämeenkyrö
• 61.79666724.372 Juupajoki
• 62.20833323.1791673 Kihniö
• 61.56666725.1833334 Kuhmoinen (joined the province in 2021)
• 61.31388923.7527785 Lempäälä
• 61.46666723.656 Pirkkala
• 61.11166723.1057 Punkalaidun
• 61.33888924.2680568 Pälkäne
• 61.98333324.0833339 Ruovesi
• 61.08333323.5510 Urjala
• 61.31666723.61666711 Vesilahti

• 62.03333323.851 Helvetinjärvi National Park , Ruovesi
• 61.69833325.0108332 Isojärvi National Park , Kuhmoinen
• 61.93333323.4333333 Seitseminen National Park , Ylöjärvi and Ikaalinen

Pirkanmaa is the south-western end of the Finnish Lakeland, with historically important waterways and many lakes.

The Tampere region is a centre of Finnish industry since the 1800s, thanks to the rivers. There is traditional metal and forest industry, but the region is transforming into a knowledge-based economy.

Tampere is well connected to the southern, western and northern parts of the country, with roughly hourly buses and trains from Helsinki and Turku. It lies on Highway 4 (E75), the main north–south highway, as well as on the railway from Helsinki to Oulu and Lapland.

To get in from eastern Finland you will in most cases need to transfer in Jyväskylä (train, bus) or Lahti (bus).

Tampere Airport (TMP ^IATA) is Ryanair's destination in Finland and AirBaltic hub so there are a couple of direct flights from odd airports in Europe, in addition to some flights from Scandinavian destinations. If you fly in from abroad, you can fly to Helsinki and continue by bus, train or plane. Turku has some international flights, most of them operated by Wizz Air.

Trains of VR can be used for some journeys.

Coaches are the main way of getting around, see Matkahuolto.

• Taksi Tampere, ☏ +358 100-4131, [email protected]. Also bookable by app. Calling centre used by most taxis in Tampere region. Fees about the same as before deregulation. €2.84/call+pvm/mpm (app free); flag-fall M–F 07:00–18:00 €0, other times €8.50; €0.99–1.65/km+€0.99/min for 1–2 to 6+ passengers + waiting time etc.. (updated Dec 2021)
• Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Menevä, Uber

• Enjoy the view from the ridges near Kangasala.
• The 19th century industrial buildings of Tampere, "Finland's Manchester".
• The Spy museum, Lenin museum and other special museums in Tampere.

• Go on a spa holiday in Ikaalinen or Nokia.
• Watch a local ice hockey derby in Tampere.
• Hike in the "Lake of Hell" - Helvetinjärvi National Park in Ruovesi.
• Taste the infamous blood sausage "mustamakkara" in Tampere.
• Go on a shopping spree in IdeaPark in Lempäälä.

Many of the larger lakes belong to the Näsijärvi–Ruovesi waterways in the north and the Längelmävesi–Vanajavesi waterways in the south-east, both drained into the Bothnian Sea by the non-navigable Kokemäenjoki. Kuhmoinen in the east borders to Päijänne across the watershed, drained to the Gulf of Finland by the likewise mostly non-navigable Kymijoki.

There are cruises on the largest lakes and along the waterways, such as from Tampere via Ruovesi to Virrat. It should be easy to rent a boat, and there are many places to explore by canoe. While sailing is popular e.g. on Näsijärvi, several canals have bridges of only 5.5 m.

• Kirjazz & Blues: Valkeakoski. A jazz & blues festival in Kirjaslampi, Valkeakoski, in early September. (date needs fixing)
• Aitoon Kirkastusjuhlat: Pälkäne. Music festival in for the whole family in Aitoo, Pälkäne, in July. (date needs fixing)
• Työväen musiikkitapahtuma: Valkeakoski. The Workers' Music Festival in Valkeakoski is yearly gathering of the left-leaning folk in late July. (date needs fixing)
• Vanhan kirjallisuuden päivät: Sastamala. The Old Literature Days in Sastamala is a cultural event in the summer. (date needs fixing)

Pirkanmaa is a safe place.