Villas in Ruovesi
Ruovesi is a sparsely populated lake municipality in Pirkanmaa, with Helvetinjärvi National Park inside its borders. Every home here has a sauna and nearly all have a fireplace. The homes are scattered across a large area, so you will rely on a car.
- Villas
- 11
- From, per week
- £574
About Ruovesi
Ruovesi is a municipality of about 4,000 people spread over 950 square kilometres, of which about 174 are water. The church village, the administrative centre, has fewer than 2,000 residents, and with around five people per square kilometre the rest is thinly settled. The homes are scattered over a wide area, so there is no single centre to stay in. The municipality takes its name from Lake Ruovesi, its biggest lake, whose name may come from the word for reed. Helvetinjärvi National Park, with rugged cliffs around Helvetinjärvi and Helvetinkolu, lies within Ruovesi. Evenings are spent at the sauna, not in town.
Is Ruovesi right for you?
- Best for
- Walkers and sauna lovers wanting lake and forest
- Not for you if
- You want shops or restaurants within walking distance, as the homes are scattered around a large rural municipality.
Near Ruovesi
Helvetinjärvi National Park
Rugged cliffs around Helvetinjärvi and Helvetinkolu, trails with some challenging climbs, and a sandy lakeshore for a rest at Haukanhieta.
Virrat
A neighbouring municipality, at the far end of the summer steamboat route from Tampere through Lake Ruovesi.
Tampere
A neighbouring municipality, where the s/s Tarjanne steamboat route to Virrat starts at Mustalahti Harbour.
Getting to Ruovesi
Tampere-Pirkkala Airport is at Pirkkala, and Tampere is one of Ruovesi's neighbouring municipalities. In summer the s/s Tarjanne links Tampere and Virrat through Lake Ruovesi, but it is a scenic trip, not a transfer. Ruovesi is rural and the homes are scattered, so a car is needed.
When to go to Ruovesi
Summer brings the steamboat s/s Tarjanne, built in 1908, which runs between Tampere and Virrat in June, July and August through Lake Ruovesi. Helvetinjärvi National Park is suitable for visitors all year, though some trail sections are challenging because of the changes in elevation.
Villas in Ruovesi
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Villa miestamo
Ruovesi, Pirkanmaa, Finland
10
3
0
BBQDishwasherFireplace+9 more
from£233
per night
3-star property
3-star property
4-star property
Ruovesi villa holidays: questions answered
Is Ruovesi good for a sauna holiday?
Yes. Every home in this area has a sauna and nearly all have a fireplace, in a municipality where water covers about 174 square kilometres and there are only about five people per square kilometre.
What is Helvetinjärvi National Park like near Ruovesi?
Expect rugged cliffs around Helvetinjärvi and Helvetinkolu, with trails that are challenging in places because of the climbs. Haukanhieta has a sandy lakeshore for a rest, and the park suits visitors all year.
Is there a historic steamboat near Ruovesi?
There is. The s/s Tarjanne, built in 1908, runs between Tampere and Virrat in June, July and August, crossing Lake Ruovesi on the way. It is the last passenger steamboat still on a regular route in Finland.
Do you need a car in Ruovesi?
Realistically, yes. The municipality covers about 950 square kilometres with around 4,000 people, and the homes are scattered, so shops, trails and lakes are reached by car.
Nearby towns to Ruovesi
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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