The vibrancy and vitality of Tampere city centre is growing
According to the recently completed City Centre Vitality Index assessment, 36.4 million people visited Tampere's commercial city centre in 2025, which is 4% more than a year earlier. The share of using services has stabilised at 63% of visits, with a 3% increase compared to the previous year. There were two survey areas: the commercial city centre and the wider City of Tampere City Centre Development Programme area. As in previous years, the end of the year was the busiest, while Fridays were the busiest days of the week. The City Centre Vitality Index measures the number of visitors and the time spent in the city centre using mobile phone data.
-We are of course pleased that the city centre has grown in popularity as an attractive place to spend time. This result is particularly good as there are also a number of developments currently underway that have had an impact on how to move around in the city centre. It's great that it hasn't affected the number of people living in or visiting, says strategic urban development director Tero Tenhunen.
Increasing number of restaurants in the city centre
In addition to the vitality index, the commercial vitality of Tampere city centre is on the rise this year. Commercial vitality is measured by the Living City Centres Association's method of mapping commercial premises in the city centre. While during and after the pandemic a downward trend has prevailed in many urban centres, Tampere's vitality index has been on an upward trend and has developed favourably over the last two years.
In particular, the share of restaurants and cafés is higher than in many other cities, as in previous years. There are now 12 more cafés and restaurants than a year ago and 34 more than three years ago. The commercial, mathematically measured centre of the city centre is currently located on the Hatanpää highway, around Verkaranta.
Result of strategic city centre development
According to the Vitality report, the factors that have contributed to the development and vitality of the City of Tampere's city centre over the last decade have been new shopping and event venues, traffic arrangements and good growth in the number of residents and jobs in the city as a whole. The most significant of these strategic projects in recent years have been Rantaväväylä tunnel, P-Hämppi undergound parking and Tram, which have contributed to the accessibility of the city centre. Nokia Arena, Tammela Stadium, Tavara asema, waterfront trails and Ratina shopping centre have created reasons to come to the city centre to experience the city.
-The positive results show that Tampere's strategic investment in the city centre has paid off. In particular, we would like to thank the active people, companies, property owners and developers who have contributed to creating an interesting, vibrant and attractive city centre, says Tenhunen.
The City of Tampere continues to strategically increase the attractiveness of the city centre. In the coming years, major changes and cityscape development will be seen in areas such as the Station District and Viinikanlahti, Sori and Särkänniemi areas.
