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Alexanterin Kirkko
The notable Alexanterin Kirkko is beautiful with its red brick and green spires, named for the Tsar Alexander II.
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Amuri Museum of Workers' Housing
An entire block of 19th-century wooden houses, including 32 apartments, a bakery, a shoemaker, two general shops and a café is preserved in the Amuri Museum of Workers' Housing. It's one of the most realistic home museums in Finland - many homes look as if the tenant had left just moments ago to go shopping.
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Aquarium
The Aquarium has limited information in English and isn't especially memorable, with the fish found in Finnish waters (including some rare sturgeon-relatives) more interesting than the colourful hobby-tank favourites.
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Arboretum Park
The large Arboretum Park has about 350 species of flora.
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Central Museum of Labour
In the Finlayson Centre is the Central Museum of Labour, aptly devoted to the history of the labour industry and workers' movements.
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Finlayson Centre
The Finlayson Centre is inside a rejuvenated cotton mill founded by Scot industrialist James Finlayson in the 19th century; it was the first building in the Nordic countries to boast electric lighting, which went on in 1882. Although the massive red brick building remains intact, the interior has now been converted into a modern complex of restaurants, bars, shops, exhibition spaces and a cinema.
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Finlaysonin Kirkko
The notable Finlaysonin Kirkko was built for employees of the cotton mill and their families.
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Hiekka Art Museum
The collection of Kustaa Hiekka, a wealthy industrialist, is contained in the Hiekka museum. There are paintings, furniture and fine old gold and silver items in the impressive building.
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Lenin Museum
Don't miss the tiny Lenin Museum, which gives a fascinating insight into the life and work of the Russian revolutionary leader who spent some time drumming up support in Tampere; there's a zany gift shop and the couch he slept on while in Helsinki.
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Mineral Museum
Inside the public library, the small Mineral Museum is devoted to glittering rocks and gemstones.
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Moominvalley
In the basement of the public library, Moominvalley is a whimsical exhibition based on the children's books of Tove Jansson. It features original drawings and tableaux models from the world of Moomintrolls - a Finnish cultural phenomenon. Kids and fans of Moominworld will love it.
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Museum of Dolls & Costumes
This fascinating museum at Hatanpää Manor, south of the city, has more than 4000 dolls on display. The oldest and rarest date from the 12th century. There are also temporary exhibitions on various doll-related themes. Hatanpää Manor house is surrounded by the large Arboretum Park.
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Näsinneula Observation Tower
At 168m Näsinneula Observation Tower is the tallest such tower in these Northern lands and it is worth the visit, with spectacular views of the city and its surrounding lakes. There's a revolving restaurant near the top.
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Orthodox Church
There is a small but beautifully ornate Orthodox church south of the train station area.
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Pyynikki Ridge & Observation Tower
Rising between Tampere's two lakes, this ridge is a forested area of walking and cycling trails with fine views on both sides. It rises 85m above the shores of the lake; this is an Everest by Finnish standards and claims to be the highest gravel ridge in the world. There's an old stone observation tower on the ridge, which also has a great café serving Tampere's best doughnuts.
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Rupriikki Media Museum
The third museum inside the Finlayson Centre is Rupriikki Media Museum , of interest if you have a passion for the history of media and mass communications.
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Sara Hilden Taidemuseo
In the Särkänniemi amusement park, adults may want to visit the Sara Hilden Taidemuseo , which is included in the park ticket. It displays changing exhibitions of modern and Finnish art and sculpture from the 4500-strong collection of the Sara Hilden Foundation.
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Särkänniemi Amusement Park
Särkänniemi amusement park is great for kids, with carnival rides, an aquarium and planetarium, a children's zoo and the Dolphinarium. A pass gives unlimited rides, or you can pay as you go. Different parts of the park have different seasons and opening hours so call ahead or check the website. The park's 168m Näsinneula Observation Tower is the tallest in Finland and has a revolving restaurant at the top.
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Spy Museum
Downstairs in the Finlayson Centre, the offbeat Spy Museum explores the world of espionage with a collection of James Bond-type gadgets, KGB documents and a lie-detector machine. Some of the items look a bit comical given today's technology, but they were all genuine espionage tools in their time. Kids and adults will enjoy this unusual museum, and multilingual exhibit information ensures visitors of all nationalities can distinguish a phone tap from a shoe phone!
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Tallipiha Stable Yards
In the attractive Näsinpuisto park, Tallipiha Stable Yards is a restored collection of 19th-century stable yards and staff cottages that now house artists and craftworkers making handicrafts, chocolates, ceramics and shoes. Traditional Midsummer and Christmas celebrations are held here and you can ride in a horse-drawn carriage or recharge your batteries at the Russian-style Café Vatruska.
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Tammerkoski Rapids
A walk along the banks of the Tammerkoski rapids gives a good feel for Tampere's industrial past. From the tourist office, cross Hämeenkatu and walk north along the west bank of the river passing another set of man-made rapids before crossing the bridge at the Finlayson Centre and wandering up to the old Tampella mills and Vapriikki Centre. Return along the east bank, past the Sokos Hotel Tammer and through Koskipuisto, a popular riverside park.
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Tampere Cathedral
Tampere Cathedral, built in the National Romantic style, features the weird frescoes of Hugo Simberg.
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Tampere United
Tampere United, the local football team is also quite successful in the national league. It plays games in summer at Tampere Stadium and sometimes at the Ratina Stadium.
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Vakoilumuseo
This popular but off-beat spy museum under the Finlayson centre plays to the budding secret agent in all of us, with a large and well-assembled display of the devices of international espionage, mainly from the Cold War era. As well as histories of famous Finnish and foreign spies, it has numerous Bond-style gadgets and some interactive displays - write your name in invisible ink, tap a telephone call, intercept an email, or measure the microwave emissions of your mobile.
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Vanha Kirkko
The landmark Vanha Kirkko just north of Keskustori Square is a lovely old wooden building and has occasional gospel concerts on Saturday evenings.
