Discovering Medieval and Romantic Hämeenlinna

Finland, like other Scandinavian countries, is a country where the weather can have a significant influence on road conditions. That is why you should consult the website Fintraffic to check the road conditions as well as the weather forecast (temperatures, wind, rain, warnings...) from the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
As you leave the metropolis of Helsinki behind, nature will invade you as you drive north towards Hämeenlinna. If you are traveling in winter, remember that some areas can be icy and slippery, so it is a good idea to bring suitable waterproof footwear.

On the way to Hämeenlinna it is worth a short detour to admire the rapid of the Vantaanjoki River popularly known as Nukarinkoski and observe the undergrowth of southern Finland. If the color of the water has a brownish tint on the day you visit it is due to the sediments carried by the river.
There is an open-air trail running along the rapids that you can walk along. The river scenery and the beautiful nature will convey a great relaxation early in the morning. The green riverbank that accompanies the river has easily accessible fishing spots. Nukarinkoski is also perfect for families.

Entering the castle you will go back in time to the Middle Ages to feel the grandeur and decline of a 700-year-old fortress that served as a military base in the border area between Sweden and Novgorod.
Home to Swedish nobility, it was also used as a prison and is now managed by the National Museum of Finland. Through the permanent exhibitions you can delve into the rich history of Häme, visit the Hall of Arms on the third floor of the keep where swords, spears, cannonballs and crossbows are displayed, the Knights' Hall with armor and swords and the Tapestry Hall.
You can make the visit either on your own or on a guided tour.
Opening hours January - April: Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday closed. May: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00 hours, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 16:00 hours June - August: Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. September - 15 December: Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00 hours, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00 hours, Monday closed. Phone: +358 295 33 6932
Official website

Very close to the castle you have the Artillery and Engineering Museum, a three-story building whose collection shows in chronological order the military history of Finland from the Middle Ages, when Finland was ruled by Sweden, to modern times.
In the exhibition space you can, for example, interact and try out how the telegraph works. In the museum auditorium, war documentaries are shown and outside you can see cannons from 1870 to 1980, military radio equipment as well as heavy equipment of the pioneers. The cannons with the greatest historical value are exhibited in the Artillery Hall.
Hours of operation January to April: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00 hours. Mondays closed May to August: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 hours. September to December 15: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00 hours. Monday closed Phone: +358 40 450 747 Official website

On this visit you will travel back in time to the childhood home and youth of Johan Julius Christian Sibelius, who adopted the stage name Jean and was called Janne by his family.
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), considered the national composer of Finland, was the initiator of the modern school of musical composition in his country and during his career he composed more than 500 works. Among the best known are Finlandia, the Karelian Suite, Valse Triste, the Violin Concerto, the Kullervo Choral Symphony and The Swan of Tuonela.
Sibelius lived his first 20 years in Hämeenlinna. The house-museum allows you to enter the rooms where the artist resided, which are decorated in the style of the period (1860-1880). A guided tour will give you all the keys to get to know better a great of Finnish culture.
In the hall of the house, chamber concerts are regularly held for visitors. If it coincides with your visit, your ears will be filled with emotional notes and melodies.
Sibelius died in 1957 at the age of 91.
Opening times June to August: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. September to May: Tuesday to Sunday 12:00 to 16:00 hours Monday Closed Phone: +358 3 621 2755 Official website

Visual arts museum consisting of two buildings located in the center of Hämeenlinna. It offers visitors both temporary exhibitions with various types of visual arts as well as special exhibitions displaying traditional Finnish art and the latest in contemporary art.
The core of the museum's collection consists of the works evacuated from the Vyborg Art Museum in 1939 due to World War II and moved to the Hämeenlinna Art Museum in 1952. One of the buildings was formerly a state grain store. Its collection has more than 8000 works.
Check dates and times of the guided tours.
Hours of operation Monday Closed Tuesday to Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone: +358 3 621 2669 / +358 3 621 3017 Email: taidemuseo@hameenlinna.fi Official website

Ellilä Kievari is located just one kilometer from the E12 highway connecting Helsinki to Tampere. This family business has been serving travelers for more than 30 years in its guesthouse and good home cooking in its 80-seat restaurant.
Take exit number 30 from the Tarttila highway and turn towards Toijala. There is plenty of parking space for cars and buses in the well-kept courtyard.
An idyllic inn over 400 years old, homey atmosphere and personal service in a peaceful rural setting, so much so that it would not be unusual to hear the cows mooing from the surrounding meadow. The food will be delicious.
Book well in advance by calling +358 400555981
Opening hours Every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Email: info@ellilankievari.fi Official website

Vapriikki is a museum for the whole family with dozens of exhibits on topics as varied as history, technology and natural sciences, interactive content and multisensory experiences. A place that inspires you through knowledge. It is located in what used to be the industrial buildings where the engineering works of Tampella Ltd. were carried out.
Vapriikki also houses the headquarters of the Tampere Natural History Museum, the Rupriikki Media Museum, the Mineral Museum, the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame, the Postal Museum and the Finnish Video Game Museum where creations such as Angry Birds, Clash of Clans or the mythical Snake of Nokia mobiles converge.
Opening hours Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Official website

Hiedanranta is an old industrial area of Tampere. This Finnish city grew up around factories surrounded by water. Over time this restricted area fenced with gates was opened to the inhabitants of the city transforming these factories into cultural centers.
Walk and get lost among the warehouses to admire the graffiti that cover their walls. Some signs will give you more context about the history of these buildings and, if you let your imagination run wild, you can be transported back in time. Here you will also find some places like Café Mielihyvin for ice cream, tea or coffee with sweets, a business that also supports charitable causes, the sauna whose changing rooms are in two containers, the Gallery Heitto of contemporary art whose entrance is free and the park The Spraycankontrol with urban art murals of more than 200 artists from 20 countries and 4 continents. 3000 m2 full of art that make it the largest graffiti space in Finland.
Manor Café Mielihyvin Manor Café Mielihyvin. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 11:00 to 16:00 hours. Closed Sundays and Mondays
Gallery Muuntotila Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00 hours Saturdays from 11:00 to 16:00 hours Closed Mondays
Sauna The sauna is open every Wednesday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Book by sending a message to 041 511 6853 or by writing an email to korentoartofficial@gmail.com.
The Spraycankontrol Monday, all day Tuesday and Wednesday after 18:00 hrs. Thursdays to Saturdays after 8:00 p.m. Sundays after 16:00 hours
Official website

After a few hours discovering a little piece of Tampere... it's time for dinner! Tampella is the dream come true of brothers Airila, Jussi and Antti. In 2016 they came up with the idea to set up a restaurant in a 170+ year old red brick industrial building where everything has to be in harmony: space, food and drink.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is in line with the enjoyment of the 5 senses because eating is not just a matter of taste. Its menu changes from season to season with classics such as pepper steak and French toast or new interpretations of dishes such as Marinated tofu with black garlic, pea puree, cauliflower and grilled potatoes, linseed and lemon sauce flavored with herbs or a Finnish beef tenderloin, three pepper sauce with cognac and potato wedges seasoned with rosemary salt.
The neighborhood where Tampella is located and its rustic buildings hide stories that the owners of the restaurant have wanted to recover in the names of their dishes such as "Ryselinin Risottoa" (Ryselin's risotto). Werner Ryselinin was the technical director of Tampella who ran other businesses in the Pirkanmaa region.
Opening hours Monday to Friday 11:00 to 23:00 hours Saturdays from 12:00 to 23:00 hours Sundays from 13:00 to 21:00 hours Phone: +358 105838958 Official website Book a table online here

Long, full and profitable journey through the interior of the country. You deserve a rest in the pleasant atmosphere of this boutique hotel with 11 unique rooms decorated with wood, vintage style furniture and a select modern taste.
This house built in 1927 was originally a home for women whose life's work had been caring for families. That caring spirit prevails in the hotel through consideration for guests, good food and an exceptionally beautiful ambience. Hyvää Yötä! (Good night).