Lammi

Getting there

By car Exactly 100 km north from Helsinki along the road 3 (E12), which is a motorway on this leg (with the parallel older road designated 130). The nearest major city (and airport) is Tampere, about 75 km to the north by the same roads. Road number 10 between Turku and Lahti and adjacent to it the historical Hämeen Härkätie also pass by the centre.

By train As Hämeenlinna is on the most important railway line of Western Finland, the city is well connected with Helsinki and Tampere as well as cities further north, like Vaasa, Oulu and Rovaniemi. See the VR website.

1 Hämeenlinna railway station (Hämeenlinnan rautatieasema). (updated Dec 2022)

By bus Buses between Helsinki and Tampere and between Turku and Lahti stop in Hämeenlinna. The local public transport system extends to Lahti (line 802). Coming via Tallinn or Stockholm, there may be coach connections from the ports of Helsinki with arranged transfer, mostly via Kamppi. Coming via Turku harbour, there may be a direct service from the ferry terminal.

By boat Yes, there is a waterway between Tampere and Hämeenlinna. In summer it can be the most enjoyable way to travel, while the views on the lake Vanajavesi are at their best. The trip can be quite long though. Hopealinjat offers cruises, which take 8 hours one way (see Do below). Guest harbours:

2 Vaakunanranta (in the centre), ☏ +358 20-123-4636, +358 20-123-4636. 3 Virvelinranta (1 km to the south), ☏ +358 400-484-172, +358 400-484-172.

Getting around

You can get around by car, by bus or on foot. For driving around, the city centre is quite an irritating experience, with its tight intersections and numerous one-way streets. The services in the centre are within a few minutes walk, so a car is hardly necessary there.

By bus Hämeenlinna has a good system of public transport, information online in English. Tickets in 2020 for the city itself (zone A, including to Aulanko) €3.40/1.70, valid for 80 minutes, children 7–16. For a longer stay the smartphone app Waltti is useful, giving reduced adult fares. You can also use NFC payment with Visa, Mastercard or Eurocard (Diners Club and American Express do not work) or a mobile device with Apple Pay, Pivo or Google Pay: the payment card or mobile device is displayed to the reader device, which then says "Lähimaksu hyväksytty" ("Proximity payment accepted"). Many bus lines go in both directions from the centre. You can use an interactive route planner to find bus routes. Matkahuolto Routes and Tickets app is able to first plan the route and after it sell the right ticket for it. The bus station is the centre of Hämeenlinna's public transport system. Many bus lines go in both directions from bus station.

By scooter

You can rent electric kick scooters for use in the centre from American Bird and Finnish Joe Scooter.

By taxi Wanajan Hohto Taksi, Taksi Häme: see Tavastia Proper#By taxi Menevä Hämeenlinna, ☏ +358 50-471-0470 (head of office), toll-free: 0800-02120 (booking). Also bookable by app or web. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app or web. Flag fall M–Sa 06:00–18:00: €4, other times and holidays: €7; 1–4 persons €0.90/km + €0.90/min, 5–8 persons minimum €20, €1.60/km + €0.90/min (March 2021). (updated Mar 2021) Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi, Uber

See

1 Häme castle (Hämeen linna), Hattulantie 334, ☏ +358 295-336-931, [email protected]. 1 Jun–14 Aug: daily 10:00–17:00, off season Tu–F 10:00–16:00, Sa Su 11:00–16:00. The symbol and main attraction of Hämeenlinna. A medieval red brick castle, which now serves as a museum and a venue for some events. Guided tours are available. There are also couple of other museums (e.g. prison museum) next to the castle. Between the castle and city centre there is a large park area Linnanpuisto, where the annual Wanaja Festival is held at summer. €9/7/4.50 (children: 7–17 years). 2 Parola Tank Museum (Parolan panssarimuseo), Hattulantie 334 (some ten kilometres north-west from the city centre), ☏ +358 40-568-1186. May–Sep: daily 09:00–18:00, Oct–Apr: daily 10:00–15:00, closed Christmas–New Year. For those interested in military equipment. €9/7.50/5 (children: 6–15 years). 3 Holy Cross Church (Pyhän Ristin Kirkko), Vanhankirkontie 41 (in Hattula, a little north of Hämeenlinna), ☏ +358 3 672-3383. Medieval Gothic church, built mostly of red bricks. Inside there are many paintings and sculptures. (updated Aug 2016) 4 The birthplace of Jean Sibelius, Hallituskatu 11, ☏ +358 3 621-2755. Tu–Su 12:00–16:00. The birthplace of the famous 19th- and early 20th-century composer is now a museum, telling about the composer's childhood, at Hallituskatu 11. The old wooden house is conserved between bigger modern buildings. €8/6/0.

Do

1 Ahvenisto (bus 4, 14). Beautiful ridge area in western side of the city. Beach of the lake Ahvenisto, "Appara" is a popular place for hanging out, especially in the summer. The swimming arena, in which some swimming competitions of 1952 Olympics took part, isn't in use though. In the ridge area there are also paths for jogging or skiing, and a racing track which is a nuisance among locals and a synonym for Ahvenisto for others, while many motor sport events are held there. 2 Aulanko (bus 2). This natural park with great sights was equipped in late 1800s and early 1900s with an observation tower, other buildings of stone, artificial ponds and rare plant species. Today the area offers also plenty of services, including accommodation in the famous hotel and various outdoor activities. 3 Evo Hiking Area (Evon retkeilyalue/Evois), Saarelantie 1 (bus 868, stop "Evon metsäopisto"), ☏ +358 20-639-4000. The waterways are clean. The Evokeskus offers café and accommodation services. There are camping sites, lodges and campfire sites. (updated Oct 2022) 4 Hopealinjat, ☏ +358 10-422-5600, [email protected]. April–December, Tampere route June–August. Cruises on the lake, 2–3 hours, day, afternoon or evening, or route cruises to Tampere or Visavuori with several stops on the way. Optional lunch or dinner on board. "Pirate" cruises for children (lake cruise with programme and lunch included). Check what cruises are available what day of the week. €5–50 for route cruises (one way); lake cruises €12–18 (children 4–17 half price); lake cruise with lunch/dinner €24–32/30–42 (children 4–11 half price, also for the pirate cruise). (updated May 2016) 5 Linnagolf, Vanajanlinnantie 485. Another golf course, Linnagolf, next to Vanajanlinna. 6 Cafe and Rent Mahlia, Hämeentie Mahlian puisto, ☏ +358 400-175-721, [email protected]. Rental of water jets, electric kick bikes and SUP boards. (updated Jun 2021)

Festivals

1 Häme Medieval Festival (Hämeen keskiaikafestivaali): August, keskiaika

Buy

1 Kauppakeskus Goodman, Kaivokatu 7. A large mall opened in late 2014. It featured an Anttila department store plus smaller stores and eateries. Architecturally, the mall is a bit unusual as it's built on the top of the Helsinki–Tam