Welcome to Tampere, a lively city nestled in the heart of Finland, known for its rich history, stunning natural landscapes, and forward-thinking attitude. As you gear up for the scientific conference on games and play, you’ll quickly discover that Tampere offers more than just academic engagement.
Tampere isn’t just a hub for academic excellence; it’s also a thriving center for gaming and videogame enthusiasts. Here in the city, you’ll find the Vapriikki Museum Centre, home to the renowned Finnish Museum of Games. Step inside and explore the captivating story of video game evolution in Finland, from classic consoles to the latest innovations. It’s an immersive journey that highlights the deep cultural significance of gaming in Finnish society.
But Tampere’s gaming culture goes beyond museum walls. The city buzzes with local gaming events and communities, where enthusiasts come together for LAN parties, exciting gaming tournaments, and casual meetups. These gatherings aren’t just about fun and competition; they’re also great opportunities to network and collaborate within the gaming community.
Did you know that Tampere is also the sauna capital of the world? Check out https://visittampere.fi/en/see-do/sauna-capital/ for more information.
Recommended activities
In the table below, we have provided some activities you can try while in Tampere:
| Date | Recommended activities |
|---|---|
| Saturday, 12.10.2024 (before the conference) | Ice hockey game: Tappara vs. Lukko |
| Sunday, 13.10.2024 (before the conference) | Donuts and view at Pyynikin observation tower Food and drinks at Näsinneula observation tower Rauhaniemie sauna Kaupinojan sauna A Walk through Hatanpää Park Arboretum Visit to Moomin museum |
| Monday, 14.10.2024 (Day 0) | Official welcome reception (registration mandatory) |
| Tuesday, 15.10.2024 (Day 1) | Game night (PS5, VR, PC) at Paidia, Nokia Arena, You can find Paidia when you come up the escalator on the left side of the arena’s main entrance. Bowling and billiards at Space Bowling & Billiards Drink and observation tower at Moro Sky Bar Ice hockey game: Ilves vs. Växjö Lakers Metal concert: PAIN at Olympia Kortteli |
| Wednesday, 16.10.2024 (Day 2) | Laser tag at ZBase Food, drink and sauna at Ravintola Kuuma Trampolin Park Wild (also for climbing and other sports) at Kauppi Sports Center Ice hockey game: Tappara vs. Lausanne HC at Nokia Arena |
| Thursday, 17.10.2024 (Day 3) | Karaoke at Kaijakka Games & Play at Ikuri Arcade |
| Friday, 18.10.2024 (after the conference) | Donuts and view at Pyynikin observation tower Food and drinks at Näsinneula observation tower Sauna at Rauhaniemi Folk Spa Sauna at Kaupinojan Sauna A Walk through Hatanpää Park Arboretum Visit to Moomin museum Ice hockey game: Ilves vs. Tappara (city derby) Rock concert: Smash Into Pieces + Cyan Kicks at Tullikamarin Pakkahuone |
| Saturday, 19.10.2024 (after the conference) | Ice hockey game: Tappara vs. Jukurit at Nokia Arena Metal concert: Amorphis at Tullikamarin Pakkahuone |
Below, you can also find a map of some other things our local faculty and staff have recommended for you:
| Title | Category | Address | Description | Link |
|---|
Notes: Most the bars and breweries also serve food!
More information on things to do and see around Tampere can be found at https://visittampere.fi/en/
