Virrat

Virrat is a municipality in Pirkanmaa, Finland.

The municipality is rich in lakes, which is why Virrat is well known for water sports and fishing.

Neighboring Parkano and Haapamäki have railway stations. Timetables are available from VR website.

Long-distance buses from Tampere and Parkano. For timetables of ordinary coaches, see Matkahuolto.

Virrat is on the 130-km Näsijärvi–Toisvesi waterway. Between Näsijärvi in Tampere and Virrat centre, the route leads from one scenic labyrinthine lake to the next (Näsijärvi, Palovesi, Ruovesi, Tarjanne and Vaskivesi), all of them with many islands; max draught is 2.4 m. The route connects to a 1.0/1.9-m fairway from Mänttä-Vilppula. On Toisvesi, reachable through the centre, max draught is 1.8 m.

• 61.505323.751 S/S Tarjanne, Mustanlahden satama, Tampere (From Mustalahti harbour (Mustanlahden satama) in Tampere, near Särkänniemi, via Ruovesi), ☏ +358 10 422 5699 (booking), +358 400 234 816 (the ship), asiakaspalvelu@hopealinja.fi. Summer season; check the timetable online. A steamer built in 1908, on its original route between Tampere and Virrat via Ruovesi. Restaurant on board; advance booking is recommended. Also operates cruises and packages with on-shore activities.  

There is service transport (palveluliikenne) in Virrat.

• Taksi Tuomo Luodes, ☏ +358 50 023 9336.  (updated Jun 2024)
• Ylitalo, ☏ +358 44 088 4008.  (updated Jun 2024)
• Taksipalvelu Jytilä Ky, ☏ +358 10 020 20.  (updated Jun 2024)

• Smartphone apps: Valopilkku, 02 Taksi

• 62.20850123.8125211 Toriseva Ravine Lakes (Torisevan rotkojärvet), Torisevajärventie 493 (Along highway 66, about 4 km south of the town centre towards Ruovesi). Open year-round. Three deep ravine lakes surrounded by steep rocky cliffs and forest. A marked nature trail of about 6.5 km passes through the scenic area. Toriseva Coffee House is open in summer. Free.  
• Virrat Heritage Village (Virtain Perinnekylä), Herrasentie 16 (On Marttinen island, about 4 km from the town centre towards Parkano), ☏ +358 3 485 1921, perinnekyla@virrat.fi. Museums open mainly in summer; group visits by arrangement. An open-air museum with historic farm buildings, a logger's camp museum, a war veterans' museum and exhibitions on rural life and forestry. The area also includes a playground, craft and gift shops, and the Herraskoski canal. 
• Herraskoski Canal (Herraskosken kanava), Herrasentie 16 (Next to the Heritage Village), ☏ +358 3 485 1921, perinnekyla@virrat.fi. A historic lock canal built in 1903–1907, connecting the waterways of Vaskivesi and Toisvesi. The canal and its surroundings are pleasant for a short walk. Free. 
• 62.40368623.8907362 Killinkoski Old Factory (Killinkosken Wanha Tehdas), Inkantie 60, Killinkoski (In the village of Killinkoski, outside the town centre), ☏ +358 45 1649 798 (village association), rvehmasaho@gmail.com. Check current opening hours. A historic ribbon factory designed by architect Josef Stenbäck. The complex houses museums and exhibitions, including displays on ribbon manufacturing, cameras, firefighting equipment and toys. There are also shops and a café.  
• Virrat Church (Virtain kirkko), Rantatie 9 (In the town centre). A traditional wooden cruciform church built in 1773–1774. Free. 
• Virrat Harbour and Lakeside Park (Virtain laivaranta), Pohjolantie 5 (Near the town centre), ☏ +358 3 485 1276 (tourist information), matkailu@virrat.fi. A lakeside recreational area with a swimming beach, diving tower, guest marina and views over the lake. The harbour is the northern terminus of the S/S Tarjanne steamboat route. Free. 

• Steamboat S/S Tarjanne, Pohjolantie 5 (Departs from Virrat harbour), ☏ +358 10 422 5699, asiakaspalvelu@hopealinja.fi. Summer season; check the timetable online. A historic steamship built in 1908, sailing on the Poet's Way between Tampere, Ruovesi and Virrat. Seasonal departures; advance booking is recommended. 
• 62.20850123.8125211 Toriseva Nature Trail, Torisevajärventie 493 (Along highway 66). Open year-round. A marked hiking route of about 6.5 km through forests, along rocky cliffs and beside the Toriseva ravine lakes. There are information boards and campfire sites along the route. Free.  
• Pukkivuori Ski Centre (Pukkivuoren laskettelurinne), Urheilukuja 1 (Near the town centre, by the sports centre), ☏ +358 44 090 0965, pukkivuori@gmail.com. Winter season, depending on snow conditions; check online. A local ski centre offering downhill skiing and snowboarding. There is also a sledding hill, a café and nearby cross-country ski trails. 
• Marttinen Island Nature Trail, Herrasentie 16 (On Marttinen island, near the Heritage Village), ☏ +358 3 485 1900, info@marttinen.fi. Open year-round. A nature trail through the wooded island around the Heritage Village. Marttinen also offers outdoor activities and visitor services. Free. 

• 62.40368623.8907361 Killinkoski Old Factory Shops (Killinkosken Wanha Tehdas), Inkantie 60, Killinkoski (At the Old Factory complex), ☏ +358 45 1649 798 (village association), rvehmasaho@gmail.com. Check current opening hours. The historic factory complex has a ribbon shop, a flea market, galleries and other small shops. Opening times vary by season.  
• Vilénin Bakery Shop (Vilénin Leipomo), Kiertotie 4 (In the Sampola area), ☏ +358 3 475 2900, leipomo@vileninleipomo.fi. Mon–Fri 08:50–16:00. A local family-owned bakery with a shop and café selling freshly baked Finnish pastries, bread and savoury baked goods. 

• 62.2496923.7826741 Kitusen Kievari, Sampolantie 7, ☏ +358 3 475 2000. Check the restaurant's website. A roadside restaurant serving Finnish-style food.  (updated Oct 2026)
• Mikontalon Ravintola (Restaurant Mikontalo), Herrasentie 16 (At the Heritage Village on Marttinen island), ☏ +358 3 485 1921, perinnekyla@virrat.fi. Check current opening hours. A traditional Finnish home-style buffet restaurant in the Heritage Village. Convenient for visitors exploring the museums and historic buildings. 
• Rantaterassi Baarpuuri, Pohjolantie 5 (At the harbour and lakeside park), ☏ +358 3 485 1367. Seasonal; mainly summer. A lakeside terrace serving coffee, ice cream and refreshments by the marina and swimming beach. Opening times vary by season. (updated Oct 2026)
• 62.20850123.8125212 Toriseva Coffee House (Torisevan kahvimaja), Torisevajärventie 493 (Beside the Toriseva ravine lakes along highway 66), ☏ +358 3 475 5330; +358 50 531 8125Phone with wrong format. Summer season, usually early June to mid-August. A traditional summer café in a scenic location overlooking the Toriseva ravine lakes. It serves coffee and freshly baked pastries.  
• Vilénin Bakery Café (Vilénin Leipomo), Kiertotie 4 (In the Sampola area), ☏ +358 3 475 2900, leipomo@vileninleipomo.fi. Mon–Fri 08:50–16:00. A bakery café selling freshly baked pastries, bread and savoury snacks. 
• RasinTupa, Vaskivedentie 1482, Vaskivesi (In the village of Vaskivesi), ☏ +358 44 241 2085. Check current opening hours. A countryside café serving refreshments and pizza on selected days. (updated Oct 2026)

• 62.23957423.7528031 S/S Tarjanne, Pohjolantie 7, ☏ +358 10 422 5699, asiakaspalvelu@hopealinja.fi. An historic steamship offering simple overnight accommodation. Shared toilets and showers; check availability and facilities with the operator. €50.  (updated Jan 2021)

• 62.2414223.769172 Hotelli Tarjanteen majoitus (Huoneistohotelli Tarjanne Virrat), Virtaintie 35 (Opposite the market square in the town centre), ☏ +358 41 461 0165, info@tarjanne.com. Small year-round hotel in the centre of Virrat. Rooms for 1–6 people, all with private bathroom and kitchenette. Shops, restaurants and bus stops are within walking distance.  

• Rajaniemen Pappila, Rajaniementie 35 (About 3 km from the town centre), ☏ +358 50 376 2178, info@rajaniemenpappila.fi. Hotel and event venue in a former vicarage by Lake Siekkisjärvi. Private beach, saunas and peaceful surroundings close to nature. 

• 62.2638123.72423 Marttinen (Youth Centre Marttinen), Herrasentie 16 (On Marttinen island, about 4 km from the town centre), ☏ +358 3 485 1900, info@marttinen.fi. Accommodation centre offering hotel rooms and log cottages by Lake Tarjannevesi. Canoe rental, nature trails, swimming, fishing and other outdoor activities available on site.  

• 62.238123.763744 Summer Hotel DomusVirrat (Kesähotelli DomusVirrat), Sipiläntie 3 (Near the church and sports field in the town centre), ☏ +358 3 475 5600, hotelli@domusvirrat.fi. Seasonal hotel with rooms and family apartments. All units have a private bathroom and kitchen facilities. Beach and harbour are within walking distance.  

• 62.2496923.782675 Kitusen Kievari Motel, Sampolantie 7 (At the junction of highways 23, 66 and 68), ☏ +358 3 475 2000, kitunen@kitusenkievari.fi. Roadside motel connected to the Kitusen Kievari restaurant. Rooms for 2–4 people, some with private sauna. Breakfast included.  

• Lakari Camping, Lakarintie 405 (About 6 km south of Virrat along highway 66), ☏ +358 400 991 040. Camping area and cottage village on an isthmus between two lakes. Tent and caravan sites, camping cabins and holiday cottages, many with lakeside access. Open seasonally. 

• Vankkurimännikkö (SF-Caravan Vankkurimännikkö), Lakarintie 580 (In Jäähdyspohja, about 7 km south of Virrat), ☏ +358 43 214 0014, vastaanotto@vankkurimannikko.fi. Large caravan and camping area with beach, saunas, playgrounds, mini golf and fishing opportunities. Open year-round.