24 Best Shopping in Helsinki, Finland

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. 

Wooden jewelry, silver, and gifts are for sale here.

Anna Heino uses stones in her cleverly designed women's necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets, an example being a silver bracelet with removable links. She also does custom designs.

Antiikkiliike Karl Fredrik stocks high-class 19th-century antiques, including furniture, chandeliers and other light fixtures, glass, and paintings, as well as a good selection of Russian objects.

Artek Helsinki, opposite the Stockmann department store on the Keskuskatu pedestrian street, offers two floors of premium classic Finnish design items in addition to international brands. Artek's original product range comprised items by Alvar Aalto, probably the country's best-known designer and architect, including the classic three-legged stool and other bent-birch furniture. These have stood the test of time and are still on show and for purchase at Artek. Many other smaller accessories, tableware, books, magazines, and wellness products are also for sale.

A local favorite, Helsinki 10 sells high-end clothing, shoes, and accessories for the young-and-stylish by a bevy of designers worldwide—a good place for parents hoping to buy teenagers and twentysomethings clothes they might actually wear.

At the outdoor flea market (open weekdays 8–7, Saturday 8–4) that's held here, you can get an ever-changing assortment of used items; the indoor market brims with food, flowers, fish, and more.

Arabia, Hackman, and Iittala tableware, glassware, cutlery, and cookware are sold here at outlet prices, along with Finlayson textiles and Fiskars garden tools and scissors. The shop is on the site of the old Arabia factory in the Arabiankeskus (Arabia center) and is some way out of central Helsinki in the Arabianranta district, but it's worth the diversion if you are looking for a one-stop shop for practical Finnish design items for your home or as gifts. It's a great spot to find Moomin character mugs!

The Iittala Concept Store sells the crisp, functional glass and tableware designs of Iittala and Arabia.

IVANAhelsinki has earned international recognition for its women's sweaters and dresses, done in either solid colors or bold and bright patterns.

This company bases its designs on traditional motifs dating back as far as the Iron Age and inspired in part by the imagery of the Finnish national epic, The Kalevala. Its designs are also available at most jewelry shops around Finland and in the Stockmann department store.

Visit Kauppatori, Helsinki's Market Square, to browse among the colorful stalls or just relax with a coffee.

Next to Senaatintori is the Kiseleff Bazaar Hall, an attractive shopping gallery.

Combining "Nordic" and "Suomi" (meaning "Finnish"), NORSU is both an exhibition space and a high-end shop with contemporary crafts, including jewelry and glassware.

Nounou sells beautiful colored glassware by designer Anu Penttinen.

At the Old Market Hall, almost adjacent to Kauppatori, you can browse and shop for flowers, vegetables, meat, and fish.

This company, with several stores in and around Helsinki, is known for its classy but country-home style of ceramic dishes and other housewares, including bed linens, cushion covers, and duvet covers (the Peony design is a classic). Inventive gift items and cards are also for sale. The main store is in the Forum mall, right in the center of town.

North Esplanade Street packs in most of Helsinki's trademark design stores.

Head here for genuine Finnish sauna supplies, such as wooden buckets, bath brushes, and birch-scented soap.

A great source for cool, inexpensive gifts, this company turns found materials into "treasures of wasteland": purses made from tire rubber, messenger bags from old seat belts, and bowls from vinyl records.

This is Helsinki's premier department store. A one-stop shop for Finnish interior design and top-label clothing and established in the 19th century, Stockmann occupies a single block at the southern end of the Keskuskatu pedestrian street and is favored by a well-heeled clientele. The entrance on Aleksanterinkatu, under the clock and opposite the Three Smiths statue, is a traditional rendezvous point for locals. The food market in the basement is a good (although not the cheapest) place to stock up on edible souvenirs and picnic ingredients, including an excellent choice of fresh breads, cheeses, fruit, and (when in season) berries. There are also branches in the Itäkeskus suburb, in Tapiola in Espoo, in the Jumbo mall in Vantaa, and in the cities of Turku and Tampere.

Displaying top-notch talent in Finnish design, Union Design is a workshop of goldsmiths, silversmiths, and jewelers that emphasize limited series and unique pieces.