Shopping spree in Helsinki

Shopping in Helsinki is easy. Helsinki offers a vast array of unique souvenirs from folksy handicrafts to functional Finnish design and a variety of shopping environments: malls, department stores, markets as well as small boutiques.

Moomin articles by Arabia are popular souvenirs. The Night Sailing mug celebrates the 65th anniversary year of the Moomins – available e.g. in Iittala Stores and major department stores.

Main shopping streets and centres

Helsinki’s main shopping precincts and streets are downtown – all within easy walking distance. Pohjoisesplanadi particularly is known as the design showcase with boutiques from all the main Finnish design names, such as Iittala, Arabia, Marimekko, Aarikka and Pentik. Exclusive boutiques of major international brands are housed in the elegant Kämp Gallery.

Marimekko Store at Kamppi shopping mall.
Copyright Marimekko Oyj

Further downtown shopping streets include Eteläesplanadi, Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie with Forum Shopping centre and Sokos department store. Kamppi shopping mall has shops and services on six floors housing the Helsinki Bus Station in the basement. The versatile Stockmann’s department store stands at the corner of Pohjoisesplanadi, Mannerheimintie and Aleksanterinkatu.

Shopping round at Korkeavuorenkatu, Fredrikinkatu, Iso Roobertinkatu and Bulevardi is also worth a while; there are charming small fashion boutiques selling Finnish and international creations. Helsinki also boasts the biggest shopping centre in the Nordic Countries – Itäkeskus – just within a 15-minute metro ride from the centre.

My Helsinki This Week

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What to buy to the folks back home from Finland?

Here are some hints what to get for souvenir to your loved ones at home:

- Finnish design (glass, jewellery, clothes, leather and fur coats)

- Finnish food (liquers, chocolate, sweets, cheese etc)

- books, music, dvds etc.