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Forssa is a town of 18,000 inhabitants in Tavastia Proper. The municipality of Tammela, just east of Forssa, and the former municipality of Koijärvi, in the northern part of Forssa, are also handled in this article.
Understand
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In the late 1800s, Forssa began to develop as an important centre for textile manufacturing. The town was known for its cotton mills and other textile factories, which provided employment to thousands of people in the region. After the large Finlayson textile factory closed down in 2008, part of the buildings host museums, exhibitions and activities.
Get in
[edit | edit source]If you draw a triangle where the corners are the three most populous areas in Finland – Helsinki, Tampere and Turku – Forssa is roughly in the middle, about 100 km from each of them.
By bus
[edit | edit source]Forssa has coach connections from Helsinki, Pori, Turku, Lahti, Hämeenlinna and Loimaa. The 1 Bus station is in the centre. Onnibus may use the 2 Autokeidas stop 4 km from the centre, at the junction of highways 2 and 10.
By train
[edit | edit source]Humppila is the nearest (21 km away) train station, on the Turku–Tampere railway, with a train most hours in daytime. There are some daily buses from there to Forssa, and a heritage narrow-gauge railway from Humppila to Jokioinen, 7,5 km from Forssa centre, serviced Sundays in summer. Hämeenlinna, on the Helsinki–Tampere–Oulu railway, is 55 km away.
Get around
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By bus
[edit | edit source]A multi-service bus (Monipalvelubussi) operates from the Koijärvi–Matku area to the central urban area.
In addition, the local transport network includes two routes connecting the Northern Forssa area with the urban area. The Northern Forssa route runs from Raitoo, via Kalsu, to the urban area, while the two-branched Raitoo–Matku–Koijärvi route also serves the Koijärvi area.
See more information of these bus services.
By dial-a-ride
[edit | edit source]For transport in the centre, a dial-a-ride service, Tyykikyyti, is available, as of 2026:
Tyykikyyti runs on a fixed schedule and route M–F 07:30–08:00 (in the school year), on a fixed schedule and route with deviations possible M–F 13:00–17:00 and Sa 09:00–14:00, and as agreed M–F 08:00–12:00. The service may be delayed when there is high demand, but will turn up eventually.
The ride is ordered by calling the car (☏ +358 44-555-5812) well in advance, preferably one or two days beforehand or by agreeing with the driver on the previous trip. As the driver won't answer calls while driving, you will mostly need to wait for the driver to call back.
By taxi
[edit | edit source]- Taksi Häme, iTaksi: see Tavastia Proper#By taxi
- Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Spinning Mill Area (Kehräämöalue), Wahreninkatu 12. The area is home to cultural and educational services, including the Forssa Museum, the Kuosikeskus, the Forssa Nature Museum, the city library, a bowling alley, a school of fine arts, the Southwest Häme Music Institute, the Häme University of Applied Sciences, the Kuutamo youth centre, the Wahren Institute, and the Vinkkeli exhibition space.
- 2 Forssa church, in the city centre. A Neo-Gothic Lutheran church which was finished in 1917.
- 3 Koijärvi church, Kojontie 94 (in the Koijärvi village). A wooden church from 1922.
- 4 Forssan Elävienkuvienteatteri, Keskuskatu 1. The old rural cinema is from 1906, thus the oldest functioning movie theatre in Finland. Silent-film festivals are held annually at the turn of August and September (see Events below). [dead link]
- 5 Parks. There are 110 different parks in Forssa, with a combined area of 303 hectares. The most central is Ankkalammi next to the market square where swans swim in the summer.
Do
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- 1 Vesihelmi Spa (Viihdeuimala Vesihelmi), Eteläinen puistokatu 2 (1 km from the centre). The large spa department offers a therapy pool, a children's pool, jacuzzis, a cold pool, a fitness pool, a wave pool, a family pool and a water slide. Spa from €6 to €8, also other services available.
- 2 Folk Park of Saari (Saaren kansanpuisto) (on the isthmus between Pyhäjärvi and Kuivajärvi, 5 km from Tammela centre, 15 km southeast of Forssa).
National parks
[edit | edit source]- 3 Liesjärvi National Park (22km towards Helsinki along national road 2). Heritage farm, lake and esker landscapes
- 4 Torronsuo National Park (3km towards Helsinki along national road 2, then 7km along road 282). Forests, eskers and rocks surrounding Finland's deepest bog. The large mire area is important for many birds.
Events
[edit | edit source]- Holjat. Early August. A pop music festival held each summer. [dead link]
- Pick-Nick (on the horse track). Early August. Vintage-car show. free entry, parking fee €10.
- Silent movie festival (Mykkäelokuvafestivaalit). Late August–early September. Yes, the silent films have their own festival, which are performed annually at Forssan Elävienkuvienteatteri.
Buy
[edit | edit source]Eat
[edit | edit source]There are several restaurants. See also Drink and Sleep below.
- 1 Gusto, Keskuskatu 6, ☏ +358 45-256-2973, bookings@ravintolagusto.fi. Wed Thu 16:00–21:00, Fri 16:00–22:00, Sat 13:00–22:00, Sun 13:00–18:00. Pizzeria. €15–20.
- 2 Vorssan Vapriikki, Kutomonkuja 2 A 6-7.
- 3 Ravintola Gurkhali (Nepalese Restaurant Gurkhali), Turuntie 2, ☏ +358 44 988 8070, ravintolagurkhali1@gmail.com. Nepalese restaurant serving curries, tandoori dishes and other Himalayan cuisine.
- 4 Chinese Restaurant Feenix (Kiinalainen ravintola Feeniks), Rautatienkatu 17, ☏ +358 3 422 2200, ravintola@feeniksforssa.fi. Chinese restaurant serving a lunch buffet and à la carte dishes, including other Asian flavours.
- 5 Deniss Fusion Kitchen (Deniss Kebab & Pizza), Vapaudenkatu 4 (In the bus station building, near the market square), ☏ +358 3 422 6062. Restaurant serving pizzas, kebabs, burgers and salads.
- 6 SushiHouse Forssa, Kauppakatu 2, ☏ +358 45 7875 7276, sushihouse.forssa@gmail.com. Japanese-style buffet restaurant serving sushi, noodles, hot dishes and desserts.
- 7 Mr. Pastrami BBQ Ranch, Kartanonkatu 9, ☏ +358 46 543 3033, info@mrpastrami.eu. Barbecue restaurant specialising in smoked meat dishes, sandwiches and BBQ sides.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 Kahvila Wanhakoulu, Joosentie 1. A cosy cafe in a former school near the Prisma shopping mall. On weekdays they have a soup lunch offer at €5.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]There are several accommodation options in Forssa and the surrounding countryside.
Budget
[edit | edit source]- 1 Autokeidas Forssa Motelli, Keitaankatu 1 (At the junction of Highways 2 and 10), ☏ +358 50 917 5534. Open 24/7. Roadside motel with nine rooms, four with private saunas. Rooms have a refrigerator, kettle, TV and air conditioning. Breakfast is included.
- 2 Travel Park Forssa (Forssa motorhome stopover), Tapulikuja (By Prisma, on the bank of the Loimijoki river). Snow-free season. Free short-stay motorhome parking area with six marked pitches. No facilities are provided. Free.
- 3 Koivula Cottages, Koivulantie 6, Tammela (In Liesjärvi, about 30 km south-east of Forssa), ☏ +358 3 422 2308, asiakaspalvelu@keppana.com. Four modest lakeside cottages for year-round use. The cottages are rented separately.
- Oksjärvi Camping Site, Salomaantie 162, Tammela (By Lake Oksjärvi), ☏ +358 50 376 5162. Small camping site with a sauna cottage that can accommodate up to 12 people.
Mid-range
[edit | edit source]- 4 Hotelli Mesku, Saarelankatu 12, ☏ +358 3 419 41, mesku.forssa@mesku.fi. Hotel.
- 5 Hotel Fabrik, Hämeentie 7 (In the town centre), ☏ +358 10 573 0100, forssa@hotelfabrik.fi. Modern hotel with 67 rooms, a restaurant, sauna facilities with a jacuzzi and heated garage parking.
- 6 Hotelli Koskenniska (Hotel and Restaurant Koskenniska), Turuntie 1 (By the Loimijoki river), ☏ +358 3 587 9300, koskenniska@koskenniska.fi. Family-run hotel with 16 rooms, a restaurant and nightlife venues. Breakfast is included.
- 7 Hotelli Maakunta (Hotel Maakunta), Keskuskatu 12 (In the town centre, next to Vesihelmi), ☏ +358 40 417 4001. Small hotel in a protected functionalist building, with 16 rooms, shared kitchens and free parking.
- 8 HH Huoneistot Suite (HH Apartments Suite), Turuntie 27 (Near the town centre), ☏ +358 40 519 5299. Furnished 114 m² apartment for up to six people, with three bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and spa facilities.
- 9 Mattilan Majatalo (Mattila Guesthouse), Kärppälänraitti 112, Sastamala, ☏ +358 50 344 8383. Rural guesthouse in a restored historic farmstead, offering spacious rooms, a shared kitchen and sauna.
- 10 Keppana Kellari & Koivulan Cottages, Koivulantie 6, Tammela (In Liesjärvi, about 30 km south-east of Forssa), ☏ +358 3 435 5308 (restaurant), +358 3 422 2308 (cottages), asiakaspalvelu@keppana.com. Restaurant and lakeside cottages. Cottages are mainly rented by the week in summer, but shorter stays may be possible. The area has a beach and is 4–6 km from trails in Liesjärvi National Park.
- 11 Venesilta Camping, Portaantie 225, Tammela (By Lake Pyhäjärvi, about 15 km south-east of Forssa), ☏ +358 50 555 1996, venesilta.camping@gmail.com. Seasonal. Campsite with caravan pitches, tent areas and 18 rental cottages, with sauna facilities and a lakeside setting.
- 12 Eerikkilä Sport & Outdoor Resort (Eerikkilä Sports Institute), Urheiluopistontie 138, Tammela (By Lake Ruostejärvi, about 20 km north-west of Forssa), ☏ +358 201 108 200, reception@eerikkila.fi. Sports and outdoor resort offering hotel, villa and group accommodation, restaurants and extensive sports facilities.
- 13 Portaan Nahkurinverstas, Kappelintie 26, Porras, Tammela (About 25 km south-east of Forssa), ☏ +358 40 767 5928, info@nahkurinverstas.fi. Guesthouse in a historic tannery, offering apartment accommodation and sauna. Liesjärvi and Torronsuo national parks are within driving distance.
Splurge
[edit | edit source]- 14 Hevossilta (Hevossilta Museum Estate), Tampereentie 450 (In the countryside north of Forssa), ☏ +358 400 422 218. Historic farm estate offering cabin accommodation, traditional sauna experiences and a peaceful rural setting.
- 15 Villaforss, Puutarhakatu 5 (In Yhtiönpuisto Park), ☏ +358 50 590 0412. Historic villa with neo-Renaissance and Art Nouveau features, available for accommodation and private events.
- 16 Villa Rudolf, Meyerinpolku 1 (In Yhtiönpuisto Park), ☏ +358 40 245 5050. Historic event house dating from 1866, with accommodation for guests and facilities for private functions.
Connect
[edit | edit source]Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Forssa |
| Turku ← Jokioinen ← | SW  NE | → Hämeenlinna → Tuulos |
| Pori ← Huittinen ← | NW  SE | → Karkkila → Helsinki |