Top-rated places to visit in Tavastia Proper, Finland

4.0 Hame Castle (243 reviews)
- History and activities with really good guided tours
Castles

Häme Castle is one of Finland's medieval royal castles. It is believed to have been built at the end of the 13th century, following the crusade by Swedish Earl Birger to Häme region. During the Middle Ages the original fortified camp was built into a residential castle for its commandant. In the 18th century a third storey was built and curtain wall buildings partly replaced the original outer walls. The castle and its surroundings were in prison use from 1837 to 1972. The main castle is now presented as a historical monument. The Häme Castle and its redbrick barracks are on the shore of Lake Vanajavesi. The promontary has been a meeting place for centuries, and the walls almost echo the voices from the Middle Ages. See more..
4.5 Suomen Moottoripyörämuseo (180 reviews)
- Returend again to a fantastic exhibition
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Motorcycle Museum in Lahti in Finland, located next to Lake Vesijarvi. An annual rotating exhibition includes almost 100 historic restored bikes all around the world within interesting stories. In the same building is also Ace Cafe Lahti cafe and restaurant. Ace Cafe Lahti is the first Ace outside of London. Ace Cafe is closed during the winter season from September to April. We work on Museum's office usually from Monday to Friday 10-16. But email or call us in advance. On weekends we can receive groups to the Museum as long as they are booked in advance. See more..
4.5 Sibelius Hall (151 reviews)
- Stunning views, fabulous acoustics
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Civic Centres

Sibelius Hall is located by the beautiful Lake Vesijarvi. Sibelius Hall is a congress- and concert center that offers diverse services for both consumers and companies. Sibelius Hall was built in 2000 adjacent to an old factory building. The modern wooden architecture is combined with the old industrial history in the most interesting way. See more..
4.5 Aulanko (119 reviews)
- Best Outdoor Activity and Recreation Area
Parks

This park covers a large area around the city centre, so it is not appropriate to put a street address. See more..
4.5 Museo Militaria (94 reviews)
- Visiting a local exhibition
Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

As residents of Hämeenlinna, this is one museum we had not visited earlier. The whole exhibition is extremely comprehensive, with many sections from early days until the modern times, the quality of the exhibits is amazing! For a short visit of around 2 hours you can certainly get a good overview, but to fully appreciate and understand the exhibition, many visits would be needed. Having said that, it is still a wonderful and enlightening exhibition, even for the casual vistor, and certainly is highly recommended, See more..
4.5 Lahti Ski Museum (86 reviews)
- The inner child will love it.
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

A fantastic little museum. The staff were great. Especially the young guy who explained to me and my son in English and Finnish what was there to see, how to interact with things and even took pics for us. My boy loved the interaction part and so did I. The ski jumping figures were my boys favourite. Mine was the shooting! I got 127m on the ski jumping simulator once too. Thats harder than it looks. The exhibitions are well kept, informed and very nice. Bit small but was free for my boy so I was happy with that. Go enjoy! See more..
4.5 Lahti Sports Center (82 reviews)
- Wow!
Sports Complexes

This is an incredible structure. Well worth the few Euros to take the lift to the top for a magnificent view of Lahti and the lake. See more..
4.5 Lahti Harbor (75 reviews)
- Popular summer spot outside the city center
Spent 1-2 hours Piers & Boardwalks

Lahti Harbor by Lake Vesijärvi offers a great environment for a summer day. There are various restaurants, ship restaurants, and cafes with terraces. Cafe Kariranta is a former train station building. In addition to restaurants, the port area has a Pro Puu center with galleries and design stores. The most striking building is Sibelius Hall, where you can admire the modern wooden architecture. Several different lake cruises depart from the port. You can choose a short lunch cruise, an evening cruise on the Vääksy canal, or travel through two canals to Heinola. There is a 15-minute walk from the city center and half an hour from the railway station. See more..
4.5 The Parola Armour Museum (73 reviews)
- Great place for small boys (and even bigger boys)
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Military Museums • Speciality Museums

Really big and spectacular tank museum. There are probably about 100 tanks in the museum, some of which are in the outdoor area. There is also one special tank (T-26 from year 1933) in the museum, the only surviving tank of that type in the world. A couple of hours in the museum goes so fast because there is so much to see. There is also one armored train in museum. The children especially liked the tanks where they could climb on or go inside. There is also a café with fantastic jelly donut on sale. See more..
4.0 Vankilamuseo (59 reviews)
- Old prison with authentic wall writings
Speciality Museums

The Prison is authentic and exciting place to visit. This is a museum, but it has been an old prison and there is many things left there and that makes it really authentic. It almost seems like the prisoners and the stuff just left. Offices and prison cells have been left intact. There is also clothing and other things to see in the museum. In a guided tour you here exciting stories about the prison history and stories about the prisoners. See more..
4.5 Suomen Lasimuseo (The Finnish Glass Museum) (57 reviews)
- The history art of Finnish glass
Speciality Museums

Experience the past, present and future of glass, all wrapped inside an authentic interior designed by the legendary Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala. See more..
5.0 Jump Up (54 reviews)
- Coolest snowmobile place in Scandinavia!
Spent 2-3 hours Safaris • Gear Rentals • Off-Road & ATV Trails

Quad and snowmobile safaris, paintball games and many other leisure activities in Lahti! See more..
5.0 Getaway Hämeenlinna (48 reviews)
- Very good escape room
Tuesday: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Getaway Room Escape Hameenlinna offers high quality room escape games. Our game center is located next to Hame Castle. Our intriguing stories, well-built rooms and insightful puzzles will get you hooked – book your game and experience it yourself! See more..
3.5 Puuhamaa (48 reviews)
- Puuhamaa
Amusement & Theme Parks

It's cheap admission, but otherwise what you want to eat, it is expensive. By you own food, it.s acceptable. Everything in the area, start to be decrepit. See more..
4.5 Birthplace of Jean Sibelius (47 reviews)
- An Oasis of Calm
Tuesday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • Historic Sites

Composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) was born and lived the first 20 years of his life in Hameenlinna. The rooms of his birthplace are decorated in the style of the era between the 1860s and the 1880s, and the museum exhibition sheds light on little Janne’s childhood years in Hameenlinna. A guided tour will provide you with more information. Chamber concerts are regularly held at the hall of the museum. Opening Hours 2.5.–31.8. Mon–Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 1.9.–30.4. Tue–Sun 12 p.m.–4 p.m. (Closed: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Labor Day, Midsummer Eve, Midsummer Day, Midsummer Sunday, Independence Day 6.12. and Christmas 23.–26.12.) See more..
4.5 Ristinkirkko (45 reviews)
- Johanna Försti concert
Churches & Cathedrals

Excellent acoustics, a little bit cold temperature. Soft chairs to sit. Lovely day light from the windows, architech by Alvar Aalto See more..
4.0 Vierumäki – Sport Institute of Finland (32 reviews)
- Sport activity holiday for families with toddlers or teenagers
Spas

Our family of two adults and four teenagers booked an ex-tempore hols for four days, during out christmas holidays. Excellent multi-sport facilities indoors & outdoors either as autonomous or as guided sport. Gym, cycling, aerobic, boxing, swimming, riding, skiing etc... Book lessons well advance in order to avoid disappointment though! Full-booked easily! Fabulous activities for toddlers while adults doing sport! School camp rooms with dryer garderobs! Excellent healthy food including! Go for it! See more..
4.5 Vääksy Canal (31 reviews)
- Must-see attraction in Vääksy
Bodies of Water

Vääksy canal is a must-see attraction when visiting in Asikkala. It is always exciting to watch boats and ships go through the canal lock. The area is bustling with people especially during sunny summer days. It is a popular meeting place for locals and tourists alike. There are plenty of cafeterias, restaurants and shops around the canal area. See more..
4.5 Laune Central Park (29 reviews)
- Free fun for kids
Spent 1-2 hours Playgrounds

On a sunny day it might be packed because it's free for all. The only thing costing is the mini golf. See more..
4.0 Iittala Village (28 reviews)
- Worth visiting
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

Iittala Village is the center of Finnish glass-making and home to the only operating Finnish glass factory. Besides, the chocolate-factory of Iittala-based Kultasuklaa, a smaller Finnish chocolatier, is located in the village. The premises also hold Finland’s biggest and most popular naïve art summer exhibition (“Naivistit Iittalassa”) with long traditions and paintings from front-line Finnish naïve artists. There are also many atmospheric artisan boutiques in the village. See more..
5.0 Church of Hollola (27 reviews)
- One of the church in Finland
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

This old greystone church is located in countryside near lake Vesijärvi. Location is beautiful both during summertime and wintertime. See more..
4.0 Lahti City Hall (26 reviews)
- Beautiful building and park
Spent < 1 hour Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings

The park and the City Hall are located half-way when you are climbing from the Railway Station to the city center. This Jugend-style building is designed by the renowned architect Eliel Saarinen. It was built in 1912. City Hall is the hub for decision-making in Lahti, housing the functions related to the city's governance and development. We didn't go inside. There was a sign that you have to register yourself to the doorman. See more..
5.0 Pako Group (25 reviews)
- Great place with cool and realistic quests!
Tuesday: Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

High quality entertainment in Lahti! We are specialized in escape rooms and in the future also in other free time activities. Our mission is to make you enjoy your time with us! Come shiver with horror and escape from the notorious Hannibal! The largest single room escape in Lahti, almost 60m² to play! See more..
5.0 Jalolautta & SUP Rentals (24 reviews)
- Amazing!
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Stand Up Paddleboarding

Beautiful place to spend a great time with friends, the lake is stunning and is great to have Sauna inside the floating house and then get into the lake. See more..
4.5 Radio and TV Museum (24 reviews)
- A museum visit to remember
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

This museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibition. Outside, you can find the old radio broadcasting building, with some activities. Inside, you get an overview of this AM stations history and the history of Finnish Broadcasting, both radio and TV. There are plenty of activities you can do - listen to samples, make a phonecall old fashion way, and of course you can buy some souvenirs and small staff. I recommend the salt liqourice (which Finns love). You can buy coffee to go during your visit. Everything is kept well and clean and the staff is super friendly. See more..
4.5 Viihdeuimala Vesihelmi (23 reviews)
- One of best swimming pools
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Health Clubs • Water Parks

The Vesihelmi Spa in Forssa is a water sports centre full on pleasure for the whole family. Feel the joy of sliding down the water slides, or swimming in the pool with artificial waves. Enjoy the heated therapy pool, whirlpools and sauna. Whether alone or in a group, you are welcome to exercise in the Vesihelmi Spa! See more..
4.0 Messilä Ski Centre (23 reviews)
- Perfect for beginning snowboarders& skiers
Spent More than 3 hours Ski & Snow Tours • Ski & Snowboard Areas • Cross-country Ski Areas

We spent 4 great ski days at the Messilä slopes. Not too busy, nice slopes for beginning skiers& snowboarders. Near Lahti& Vierumäki Resort. Stayed at Vierumäki Resort and Scandic Lahti. See more..
4.0 Hunting Museum of Finland (23 reviews)
- The Art of Hunting
Speciality Museums

The Hunting Museum of Finland is the leading information center and service institution on its field in Finland. The mission of the museum is to collect, to study, to preserve, and to display Finnish hunting culture, past and present. The museum operations include a library and an archive serving researchers and public. Every year, the museum offers multiple exhibitions and events for local and national audiences. The permanent exhibition of the museum presents a general overview of the ten thousand year-old history of Finnish hunting - the period during which hunting developed from a means of earning one's living to a free time activity. See more..
4.5 Lahti Historical Museum (23 reviews)
- Not to be missed
Speciality Museums

Dear visitors, Lahti Historical Museum is currently closed due to renovation. See more..
4.0 Pikku Vesijärvi (23 reviews)
- A popular recreational spot
Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water

Pikku-Vesijärvi is a large pond connected to Lake Vesijärvi. It is surrounded by a lush park. In the Kariniemi Arboretum, surrounding Pikku-Vesijärvi, you can find 45 different tree species to grow. There is a small pond where is Lahti Energia's water organ. It is also called the musical fountain of Lahti. See more..
4.0 Torronsuo National Park (22 reviews)
- Short trip to nature
Spent 2-3 hours National Parks

Travel from Helsinki took 1 hour and 22 min. or 97 km. It worths all your time and efforts - beautiful nature, berries and interesting walking routs. See more..
4.5 Pihamaa Estate & Winery (20 reviews)
- Surprise!
Wineries & Vineyards

Pihamaa Estate & Winery is located in the village of Kalkkinen, 28 km from Vääksy, Asikkala. The estate is one of the oldest in the region and is still operated by the same family. Pihamaa Estate offers berries, fresh vegetables and an impressive range of other locally produced goods; cheese, flowers and handicrafts. The products are sold in a renovated farm house which is worth a stroll. Pihamaa is also well-known its wines made from berries. For example the Sparkling Wine is produced by the "method classique" - the same as the ever famous Champagne. Pihamaa Winery has received numerous recognitions from the Finnish Culinary Society and the wines have won several medals in the yearly competition between all Finnish wineries. Pihamaa Estate & Winery is open daily during June - August. See more..
4.5 Hameenlinna Art Museum (18 reviews)
- Nordic contemporary masterpieces now until 7.10.2018
Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

Hämeenlinna Art Museum is a diverse museum of visual arts near the centre of Hämeenlinna. The museum operates in two buildings in the Verkatehdas area, both featuring temporary exhibitions that showcase various types of visual arts. The special exhibitions feature both older Finnish art and the very latest contemporary art styles. See more..
4.0 Hämeenlinna Church (18 reviews)
- Finland's Pantheon
Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

This stunning church is one of the most prominent representatives of Gustavian classicism in Finland. It was completed in 1798. Originally, the church was circular and amphitheater-style. The altar was in the middle of the church, the benches around it rising slightly towards the walls. The interior was later changed many times to be what it is now. See more..
4.5 Jokioinen Museum Railway (17 reviews)
- Local, friendly and interesting
Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

Jokioinen Museum Railway is a living steam railway, where you can either take a scheduled steam train, charter your own private train or just a carriage in a scheduled train for your group. When the trains are not running you can rent real railway hand cars and explore the railway on your own. In June, July and August there is a small museum and cafe open every day at Minkiö station. Over there you can also rent the hand cars. On other times you can reserve the hand car rentals on our web pages. Check also for scheduled steam trains in autumn and winter, like our famous Santa Claus Train! See more..
4.0 Evo Hiking Area (16 reviews)
- Nordic nature & silence not far from Helsinki
Nature & Wildlife Areas

In Evo there is enough space for several days of hiking. Trails are marked well and fire places are well spread. We spent two nights in a tent and enjoyed very much the autumn forest, the camp fire and a beautiful sunny morning after a cold night. We will definitely return another time. P.s. Evo is as well good with kids as distances are not far and service available. You can as well rent a number of cabins there. See more..
4.0 Musical Fountain (14 reviews)
- Relax and enjoy
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Fountains

I Went to fountain show 3 times at 18.00, loved it every time, the park looks amazing but the music was the same See more..
4.0 Shopping Centre Karisma (14 reviews)
- Everything available
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Shopping Malls

A shopping centre well wort a visit if you wish for a finish shopping experience don't forget that finish prices are expensive for visitors See more..
4.5 Ahvenisto (13 reviews)
- Beautiful place
Tuesday: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Amusement & Theme Parks

AHVENISTO ACTIVITY PARK Ahvenisto Activity Park, located in a beautiful eskar scenery in Hameenlinna. Activity Park offers experiences, recreation and fun activities to visitors of all ages! From Ahvenisto you'll find recently renovated and legendary outdoor swimming pool built for summer Olympics of 1952. Olympic pool serves nowadays as a public pool with 8 Olympic sized swimming lanes and diving tower. Wibit, an inflatable aquatic playground, brings action and joy for kids. Visitors can test their limits of bravery in Flowpark adventure park. Adventure routes are built up in live trees without harming the nature. Variable tasks will take You as high as twenty meters from ground. Tasks include moving through aerial pathways by swinging, jumping and sliding. FlowPark is designed for all adventurous people from seven years up. There's challenge for everybody! Activity Park offers lot of scenery hiking paths around lake of Ahvenisto and there is a public beach with dressing rooms free of charge. Cafe offers small snacks and handmade Italian style gelato during summer time. See more..
5.0 Holy Cross Church (12 reviews)
- WOW! Not many of these left in Finland!
Churches & Cathedrals

Everybody talks about Porvoo medieval church but this is at least as impressive! Old plank floors, drawings all over the walls and enchanting small wooden statues and coats of arms...! Definitely a pearl off the beaten track! See more..
5.0 Palander House (12 reviews)
- Very interesting home museum
Tuesday: Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • History Museums

Palander House presents the lifestyle of a bourgeois Hameenlinna family 100 years ago. The museum showcases a variety of room ensembles, ranging from the elegant drawing room to the servants’ kitchen. The museum is located in the north-east corner of the city centre in an area with lots of period houses. Admission fee includes a guided tour. These are held every 30 minutes. Opening Hours 2.5.–31.8. Tue–Sun 12 p.m.–4 p.m. 1.9.–30.4. Sat–Sun 12 p.m.–4 p.m. Christmas Exhibition 30.11.2019-6.1.2020 Mon–Sun 12 p.m.–4 p.m. See more..
4.5 Heinolan Lintutarha (11 reviews)
- Birdhouse for wounded birds and parrots
Spent 1-2 hours Zoos

Heinola birdhouse take care of wounded birds, but they have also parrots. Today they have three small houses for birds and amount of species is more than 25. Children like this birdhouse. Entrance is free of charge, but you can donate money for taking care of birds. See more..
4.5 Riihimäki Art Museum (11 reviews)
- Interesting museum
Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

The museum operates in a government office block built in 1963. The museum was opened to the public in 1995. An art and antique dealer Mr. Pentti Wähäjärvi and his wife Tatiana donated their collection, 2000 pieces of art and other objects to the City of Riihimäki in 1993. A part of that is on display here and it is regularly changed because the collection is too large for all items to be shown simultaneously. Now there were exhibitions: Female Artists and The Return of Birds - The Spring is coming. Both exhibitions display works mainly from Tatiana and Pentti Wähäjärvi Collection. In the Female Artist exhibition were many paintings from Helene Schjerfbeck. She is a famous Finnish painter, most widely known for her realist works and self-portraits. Beside these two exhibitions, there is a huge collection of Chinese porcelain. See more..
4.5 Apulandia (11 reviews)
- Maistuva historia
Tuesday: Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Cafe | Museum | Music Production See more..
5.0 Padasjoen Tuomastornit (10 reviews)
- Amazing view to Lake Päijänne
Spent < 1 hour Lookouts • Observation Decks & Towers

Well worth the climb. Theres two towers, one smaller and one bigger. From the bigger one theres amazing view to Lake Päijänne. See more..
4.5 Forssa Museum (10 reviews)
- Lovely short experience at Forssa
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

Forssa Museum is located in the middle of the historical Spinning Mill Area - the birthplace of our city! The museum has three different exhibitions: Permanent exhibition The City of Colourful Cloth, an Art Gallery and The Pattern Center that holds and showcases an extensive collection of Finnish printed fabrics and original designs. The City of Forssa was established around textile industry. Swedish born Axel Wilhelm Wahren (1814-1885) founded a cotton spinning mill by the side of Kuhalankoski rapids in 1847. The mill was soon followed by a weaving mill and Finland's first industrial fabric printing plant. In 1934 the Forssa Company founded by Wahren was merged with Finlayson textile group from Tampere and the company Finlayson-Forssa was formed. Textile production in Forssa ended in 2009. The heritage of the textile factories is now stored in Forssa museum's unique textile archives. See more..
4.0 Mukkula DiscGolfPark (10 reviews)
- If you are in this strange hoppy
Sports Complexes • Parks

Easy to access. Nice surounding. not so many pepole doing this at Mukkula. No services no fees. Parking opportunities near Holma pertol station. See more..
3.5 Lepaan Viini- Ja Puutarhatila (9 reviews)
- interesting
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

Lepaa is a popular day tour destination. You can visit the country winery and see how Finnish berry- and fruit wines are made or you can have a wine tasting and /or you can visit the orchards. Lepaa has 20 hectares of gardens, which you can just visit by your own and use the Smart Park mobile application or you can book a guided tour. The wine shop and cafeteria are open from the beginning of March until December. The winery can be visited also in the winter with prior notice/reservation. See more..
4.0 Hämeenlinnan Kaupungin Raatihuone (9 reviews)
- Beautiful building
Spent < 1 hour Civic Centres

The Town Hall of Hämeenlinna is located by Market Square. The French Renaissance building was completed in 1888. In addition to the town's own use, the premises are leased to the community for a banquet and conference place. See more..
4.0 Hauhon kirkko (9 reviews)
- One of finest pieces of Finnish history
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

Hauho stone church is from 15th century. Both belfry and the church ar made of grey stone and are very impressive by architecture, as well as the courtyard surrounding the church. It is located on a small hill by the lake at heart of beutiful Hauho village and it's wooden houses. One can find important parts of Finnish history within the church, as coats of arm of important Finnish-Swedish families. I recommend that one visits Hauho village and some of the manors nearby within one trip. See more..