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From large, well-organized malls to closet-size boutiques, Helsinki has shopping for every taste. Most sales staff in the main shopping areas speak English and are helpful. Smaller stores are generally open weekdays 9–6 and Saturday 9–1. Small grocery stores are often open on Sunday year-round; other stores are often open on Sunday from June through August and December. The Forum and Kamppi complexes and Stockmann's department store are open weekdays 9–9, Saturday 9–6, and (in summer and Christmastime) Sunday noon–6. An ever-expanding network of pedestrian tunnels connects the Forum, Stockmann's, and the train-station tunnel.
The area south and west of Mannerheimintie has been branded Design District Helsinki. It includes roughly 170 venues, most of them smaller boutiques and designer-run shops selling handmade everything from jewelry to clothing to housewares. The majority are located on Fredrikinkatu and Annankatu; look for a black Design District Helsinki sticker in the window. You can pick up a map detailing the shops in the district at most participating stores. Kiosks remain open late and on weekends; they sell such basics as milk, juice, camera film, and tissues. Stores in Asematunneli, the train-station tunnel, are open weekdays 10–10 and weekends noon–10.
Iittala glass and kitchenware represents the best and most stylish of Finnish design and makes classy souvenirs and gifts. There are two Iittala stores in central Helsinki, one in the corner of the Amos Rex art museum and a flagship store on the north side of the Esplanade.
Since the 1950s Marimekko has been selling bright, unusual clothes for men, women, and children in quality fabrics, and it is perhaps the most durable, recognizable, and iconic of all Finnish design brands, popular globally. Though the products are expensive, they're worth a look even if you don't plan to buy. There are several locations in central Helsinki and others throughout Finland, in addition to this flagship concept store.
At this Helsinki institution, open year-round on the South Harbour quayside, wooden stands with orange and gold awnings bustle in the mornings when everyone—tourists and locals alike—comes to shop, browse, or sit and enjoy coffee and conversation. You can buy a freshly caught perch for the evening's dinner along with an array of forest mushrooms, a bouquet of bright flowers for a friend, or a fur pelt. In summer the fruit, berry, and vegetable stalls are supplemented by an arts-and-crafts and souvenir market. The crepes, made to order by one of the tented vendors, are excellent, while locals swear by the meat pies and fresh jam-filled doughnuts. In summer there are several vendors selling lunch plates. In early October, there's a Baltic Herring Market, a tradition dating back to the 18th century, with small boats from the outlying islands docked at the quay to sell their wares.
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