Helsinki is Finland's capital, a seaside city of neoclassical squares, Art Nouveau districts, public saunas and island fortresses, compact enough to explore on foot and by tram.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Fazer Blue chocolate
Finland's classic milk chocolate bar, sold in all supermarkets and at Stockmann.
Price: €2-4 (about $2.30-4.60 USD)
Where: Any supermarket, Stockmann Herkku, airport shops
Salmiakki and Finnish licorice
Salty licorice, an acquired taste, in tins and bags.
Price: €3-6 (about $3.50-7 USD)
Where: Supermarkets, Old Market Hall
Cloudberry and lingonberry preserves
Wild-berry jams and liqueurs.
Price: €6-15 (about $7-17 USD)
Where: Old Market Hall, Hakaniemi Market Hall, Kauppatori
Marimekko textiles and bags
Bold-print Finnish design, from tote bags to cushion covers.
Price: €25-150 (about $29-173 USD)
Where: Marimekko flagship (Esplanadi), Stockmann
Iittala and Arabia tableware
Glassware and ceramics; the Arabia factory outlet sells seconds at a discount.
Price: €10-120 (about $12-138 USD)
Where: Iittala and Arabia Design Centre
Wooden kuksa cups and puukko knives
Traditional wooden drinking cups and Finnish knives.
Price: €20-120 (about $23-138 USD)
Where: Fiskars Village, Kauppatori souvenir stalls
Reindeer-hide and wool goods
Hand-knitted wool socks and reindeer-hide coasters.
Price: €15-80 (about $17-92 USD)
Where: Kauppatori, Hakaniemi Market Hall upper floor
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli)
1889 covered food hall on the harbour with fish, game, deli counters and small cafés.
Where: Helsinki - Market Square
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:00-18:00; Sunday hours only in summer and holiday periods (about 10:00-17:00)
Hakaniemi Market Hall
Neighbourhood market hall beside Hakaniemi metro station with an outdoor square market in summer.
Where: Helsinki - Hakaniemi
Hours: Mon-Sat 08:00-18:00; upper floor crafts Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat 10:00-15:00
Hietalahti Market Hall and flea market
Hall with food stalls and restaurants beside an open-air flea market on Hietalahdentori.
Where: Helsinki - Hietalahti
Hours: Hall hours vary by source (about 08:00-18:00 early in the week, later Fri-Sat); the outdoor flea market runs mainly in warmer months. Confirm locally.
Kauppatori (Market Square)
Waterfront square with open-air stalls selling berries, fried fish and Finnish souvenirs, and the ferry piers for Suomenlinna.
Where: Helsinki - South Harbour
Hours: Summer daily from about 06:30 to 18:00; shorter hours in winter
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Stockmann Helsinki
Flagship department store with a food hall, design floors and tax-free service.
Hours: Typically Mon-Fri 10:00-21:00, Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 12:00-18:00; verify at stockmann.com
Kamppi Centre
Large mall above the Kamppi metro and long-distance bus station.
Hours: Typically Mon-Fri 10:00-21:00, Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 12:00-18:00; verify
Mall of Tripla
Big mall on top of Pasila railway station, one train stop from Helsinki Central Station.
Hours: Typically Mon-Fri 10:00-21:00, Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 12:00-18:00; verify
Iittala and Arabia Design Centre
Arabia factory site with the Iittala store, outlet finds and a design museum; tram 6 from the city centre.
Hours: Iittala store Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-16:00, Sun 12:00-16:00; museum hours differ
Marimekko Helsinki Flagship
Flagship store of the Finnish textile brand, at the Esplanadi park.
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices in shops and halls are fixed; only flea-market sellers at Hietalahti may accept a lower offer on second-hand items.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Tipping is not expected in shops; say "Hei" when entering small shops and "Kiitos" when leaving.