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Aarikka
Helsinki
This shop carries one of Finland's best selections of design-conscious gifts, wood and silver jewelry, and wood toys. Unusual household utensils, fashioned from wood, are also available.This shop carries one of Finland's best selections of design-conscious
Academic Bookstore
Helsinki
Sprawling over two floors crammed with books in many languages, this store (judging from the number of titles in stock) could be the largest bookstore in Europe. It offers many English-language books, along with a number of travel aids. It also has the finest stationery department in Finland and sells greeting cards as well as high-quality gift and hobby articles. If you're here on a Friday, you can attend a literary get-together in the store, which brings together writers and members of the reading public. All of Finland's major authors and leading politicians, plus many foreign writers (including Kurt Vonnegut and Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann), have attended these meetings. The building, with large sky-lit windows and Carrara marble slabs, was designed by Aalto.Sprawling over two floors crammed with books in many languages,
Anne's Shop
Helsinki
Opposite the Temppeliaukio Church, this shop offers tax-free shopping. It also has some of the finest gifts in town, including Finnish knives, wood and ceramic products, dolls and hats from Lapland, wool sweaters, reindeer skin, and jewelry.Opposite the Temppeliaukio Church, this shop offers tax-free shopping. It
Annikki Karvinen
Helsinki
Ms. Karvinen became famous for her sophisticated and subtle choice of colors, and for elevating poppana (Finnish cotton) into the stellar peaks of fashion. All poppana fabrics are hand woven, and Ms. Karvinen has adapted the same style to velvet, silk, and viscose for more formal and more expensive fashions. She designs jackets for both indoors and outdoors. In addition, her outlet offers tablecloths, bedspreads, and other household items for sale.Ms. Karvinen became famous for her sophisticated and subtle choice
Artek
Helsinki
The roots of this shop date from 1935, when it was established by Alvar Alto (the greatest design luminary to come out of Finland) and three of his colleagues. Inside, you'll find meticulously crafted reproductions of Alto's distinctive bentwood and laminated chairs, tables, wall units, and lamps, the originals of which forever changed the use of industrial materials for home furnishings. Each of the designs is ferociously patented, and although they're distributed at other furniture stores in Finland, they each bear the Artek label. Because in some ways the shop is a showcase for the Finnish national aesthetic, and because its floor space is so large, it's also the venue for exhibitions of arts, crafts, and designs from other countries.The roots of this shop date from 1935, when it
Artisaani
Helsinki
Near Market Square, Artisaani is a cooperative of about 20 artisans who sell their own arts and crafts direct from their country workshops. Ceramic sculptures; pottery; glassware; gold, silver, and bronze jewelry; leather goods; printed fabrics; and other textiles are displayed.Near Market Square, Artisaani is a cooperative of about 20
Digelius Music
Helsinki
This store has the best selection of Finnish folk music and jazz in the country, as well as one of the largest offerings in Europe (around 10,000 titles) of folk music from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. The store provides mail-order service to customers worldwide.This store has the best selection of Finnish folk music
Forum Shopping Center
Helsinki
Covering an entire block, the Forum includes 150 shops, restaurants, service enterprises, and a seven-story atrium -- making it the number-one shopping center in Finland. You'll find a wide array of merchandise here, including art, gold, jewelry, food, decorating items, clothing, yarn, leather, records, glasses, rugs, watches, and sporting goods.Covering an entire block, the Forum includes 150 shops, restaurants,
Fuga
Helsinki
This is one of the best music stores in Helsinki, with classical recordings from all over Europe, as well as folk and a smattering of jazz. One of the two Nuotio brothers can offer advice.This is one of the best music stores in Helsinki,
Hackman Shop Arabia
Helsinki
This shop assembles under one roof the products of some of the world's most prestigious manufacturers of household porcelain and art ceramics. Most of the goods are made by Arabia and its affiliated group, Iittala, which is famous for, among other things, glass. Located in the center of Helsinki's most prestigious shopping district, it inventories first-rate household goods by Finland's leading designers. The multilingual staff can arrange for any of your purchases to be mailed home. Arabia was established in a suburb of Helsinki in 1873. Today its ceramic factories are among the most modern in the world. Arabia's artists create their own works, sometimes in highly collectible limited editions. Although most visitors buy their goods at the company's main store, Hackman Shop Arabia maintains a small museum and a spacious discount sales area at its factory 5km (3 miles) east of the center at Hämeentie 135 (tel. 0204/39-35-07). Here discontinued styles and slightly imperfect seconds are available at significant reductions off the regular prices. To reach the suburban factory, take tram no. 6 to the end of the line or, between June and mid-September, take Arabia's special bus (it's hard to miss, since it's covered with Arabia signs) from a point near the main store.This shop assembles under one roof the products of some
Itäkeskus Shopping Complex
Helsinki
This complex of shops and restaurants opened in 1992 in a residential suburb a 15-minute subway ride east of Helsinki's center. It has some resemblance to an American shopping mall, but the emphasis is on Scandinavian and Finnish merchandise. You'll find at least 240 shops, including about 20 kiosks and food stalls.This complex of shops and restaurants opened in 1992 in
Kämp Galleria
Helsinki
This is Helsinki's most desirable shopping arcade, with a cluster of about 50 aggressively upscale shops, set close to the newly developed Hotel Kämp.This is Helsinki's most desirable shopping arcade, with a cluster
Kalevala Koru
Helsinki
Founded in 1937, this store is owned by the Association of Kalevala Women in Finland, whose aim is to preserve the best cultural traditions of a long-ago Finland. They accomplish this through educational programs and through sales of the most authentic reproductions of traditional designs and styles they can find. The name of their organization is derived from the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic. The store sells both traditional and modern jewelry in bronze, silver, and gold. Many of these pieces are based on originals uncovered in archaeological excavations that date from the 10th and 11th centuries. Each is produced by some of Finland's foremost artisans, and copies of Sami jewelry are also sold. The store cooperates with the Finnish National Museum.Founded in 1937, this store is owned by the Association
Kiseleff Bazaar Hall (Kiseleffin Talo)
Helsinki
This shopping quarter in the old center of Helsinki, between the cathedral and Market Square, contains 21 small, specialized shops that sell lots of unique gifts. Here you can find handicrafts, souvenirs, old-fashioned toys, antiques, sauna accessories, knives, and Christmas decorations.This shopping quarter in the old center of Helsinki, between
Marimekko
Helsinki
Ever since the early 1960s, when Jacqueline Kennedy was photographed wearing Marimekko outfits, the name has been familiar to Americans. Meaning "Mary's frock," Marimekko offers a large variety of prints in vivid colors. This is the company's flagship store, a three-storied marble womb flooded with sunlight, with an emporium of men's fashion in the cellar. The company, founded in 1951 by Armi Ratia, and radically reorganized in the early 1990s, now includes a collection of unusually textured fabrics sold by the yard for decorating homes and offices, and housewares. Equally important are the dresses, suits, coats, bags, interior accessories, and many other goods that are sold here, including Marimekko's famous striped T-shirts and dresses. The inventory of shirts and colors changes with the season.Ever since the early 1960s, when Jacqueline Kennedy was photographed
Marttiini Oy
Helsinki
Some connoisseurs consider the knives sold within this factory outlet to be the finest within a nation known for the quality of its precision steel. The array of scary-looking knives is fascinating to anyone interested in hunting, fishing, or even in regular kitchen use. Deriving from a factory based in Finnish Lapland (in Rovaniemi), they're priced from 19€ ($24) for a serviceable all-purpose blade to 150€ ($195) for a Finnish machete, capable of doing some real damage, engraved with traditional Sami motifs. The shop faces the city's Lutheran cathedral and displays its products behind glass like works of art.Some connoisseurs consider the knives sold within this factory outlet
Ril's Concept Store
Helsinki
This women's boutique highlights the designs of Kuopio (Ritva Lisa Pohjolainen), who is currently enjoying international attention from the fashion industry -- and giving Marimekko some serious competition in the process. The designer creates innovative, daring styles, only for women, for business and social engagements; Kuopio designs are favored by various female members of the Finnish government and the media.This women's boutique highlights the designs of Kuopio (Ritva Lisa
Ryijypalavelu
Helsinki
A well-stocked second-floor shop specializing in ryas (Finnish woven goods) is operated by the Women's Organization of the Disabled War Veterans' Association to raise money for Finland's veterans with disabilities. You can also buy kits for producing the same rugs at home for about one-third the price.A well-stocked second-floor shop specializing in ryas (Finnish woven goods)
Skanno
Helsinki
This family enterprise, dating from 1946, has long been a big name in home furnishings and textiles; it continues to offer the best designs of the past along with innovative 21st-century ones. One of its most famous designs is the novel sofa, the Kameleleonitti, or chameleon, which can be stripped of its cover and given a new one. A visit to Skanno will help explain why Finland is one of the world leaders in modern design.This family enterprise, dating from 1946, has long been a
Stockmann
Helsinki
Helsinki's largest department store is also Finland's finest and oldest. Its main entrance is on Aleksanterinkatu, with other entrances on Keskuskatu, Pohjoisesplanadi, and Mannerheimintie. Stockmann has the most diversified sampling of Finnish and imported merchandise of any store: glassware, stoneware, ceramics, lamps, furniture, furs, contemporary jewelry, clothes and textiles, handmade candles, reindeer hides -- a little bit of everything. Purchases made through the store's Export Service entitle you to a full and immediate 18% deduction, and you don't have to carry your purchases home with you.Helsinki's largest department store is also Finland's finest and oldest.
Suomen Käsityön Ystävät (Friends of Finnish Handicrafts)
Helsinki
Suomen Käsityön Ystävät was founded in 1879 to develop and preserve the traditions of Finnish handicrafts. Some of the designs are more than a century old, and others, introduced by well-known Finnish artists, are fresh and contemporary. If you want to save money and produce something with your own hands, you can purchase complete rug and embroidery kits. Here you can see a permanent exhibit of museum-quality ryijy tapestries. Textiles, table linens, towels, and gift items, such as shawls and embroidered work -- including early-20th-century Jugendstil patterns -- can be purchased here. Shipping service is available.Suomen Käsityön Ystävät was founded in 1879 to develop and
Tarja Niskanen
Helsinki
This is the most famous milliner in Finland, known for designing attractive headgear that protects women from the rigors of the Finnish winter. Don't expect delicate designs here -- the emphasis is on warmth. Heavy-duty designs made from chinchilla, mink, fox, leather, or velvet range in price from about 75€ ($98) for a velvet hat to around 2,000€ ($2,600) for something made from sable.This is the most famous milliner in Finland, known for
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Helsinki
© Shutterstock
Aarikka
Helsinki
This shop carries one of Finland's best selections of design-conscious gifts, wood and silver jewelry, and wood toys. Unusual household utensils, fashioned from wood, are also available.This shop carries one of Finland's best selections of design-conscious
Academic Bookstore
Helsinki
Sprawling over two floors crammed with books in many languages, this store (judging from the number of titles in stock) could be the largest bookstore in Europe. It offers many English-language books, along with a number of travel aids. It also has the finest stationery department in Finland and sells greeting cards as well as high-quality gift and hobby articles. If you're here on a Friday, you can attend a literary get-together in the store, which brings together writers and members of the reading public. All of Finland's major authors and leading politicians, plus many foreign writers (including Kurt Vonnegut and Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann), have attended these meetings. The building, with large sky-lit windows and Carrara marble slabs, was designed by Aalto.Sprawling over two floors crammed with books in many languages,
Anne's Shop
Helsinki
Opposite the Temppeliaukio Church, this shop offers tax-free shopping. It also has some of the finest gifts in town, including Finnish knives, wood and ceramic products, dolls and hats from Lapland, wool sweaters, reindeer skin, and jewelry.Opposite the Temppeliaukio Church, this shop offers tax-free shopping. It
Annikki Karvinen
Helsinki
Ms. Karvinen became famous for her sophisticated and subtle choice of colors, and for elevating poppana (Finnish cotton) into the stellar peaks of fashion. All poppana fabrics are hand woven, and Ms. Karvinen has adapted the same style to velvet, silk, and viscose for more formal and more expensive fashions. She designs jackets for both indoors and outdoors. In addition, her outlet offers tablecloths, bedspreads, and other household items for sale.Ms. Karvinen became famous for her sophisticated and subtle choice
Artek
Helsinki
The roots of this shop date from 1935, when it was established by Alvar Alto (the greatest design luminary to come out of Finland) and three of his colleagues. Inside, you'll find meticulously crafted reproductions of Alto's distinctive bentwood and laminated chairs, tables, wall units, and lamps, the originals of which forever changed the use of industrial materials for home furnishings. Each of the designs is ferociously patented, and although they're distributed at other furniture stores in Finland, they each bear the Artek label. Because in some ways the shop is a showcase for the Finnish national aesthetic, and because its floor space is so large, it's also the venue for exhibitions of arts, crafts, and designs from other countries.The roots of this shop date from 1935, when it
Artisaani
Helsinki
Near Market Square, Artisaani is a cooperative of about 20 artisans who sell their own arts and crafts direct from their country workshops. Ceramic sculptures; pottery; glassware; gold, silver, and bronze jewelry; leather goods; printed fabrics; and other textiles are displayed.Near Market Square, Artisaani is a cooperative of about 20
Digelius Music
Helsinki
This store has the best selection of Finnish folk music and jazz in the country, as well as one of the largest offerings in Europe (around 10,000 titles) of folk music from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. The store provides mail-order service to customers worldwide.This store has the best selection of Finnish folk music
Forum Shopping Center
Helsinki
Covering an entire block, the Forum includes 150 shops, restaurants, service enterprises, and a seven-story atrium -- making it the number-one shopping center in Finland. You'll find a wide array of merchandise here, including art, gold, jewelry, food, decorating items, clothing, yarn, leather, records, glasses, rugs, watches, and sporting goods.Covering an entire block, the Forum includes 150 shops, restaurants,
Fuga
Helsinki
This is one of the best music stores in Helsinki, with classical recordings from all over Europe, as well as folk and a smattering of jazz. One of the two Nuotio brothers can offer advice.This is one of the best music stores in Helsinki,
Hackman Shop Arabia
Helsinki
This shop assembles under one roof the products of some of the world's most prestigious manufacturers of household porcelain and art ceramics. Most of the goods are made by Arabia and its affiliated group, Iittala, which is famous for, among other things, glass. Located in the center of Helsinki's most prestigious shopping district, it inventories first-rate household goods by Finland's leading designers. The multilingual staff can arrange for any of your purchases to be mailed home. Arabia was established in a suburb of Helsinki in 1873. Today its ceramic factories are among the most modern in the world. Arabia's artists create their own works, sometimes in highly collectible limited editions. Although most visitors buy their goods at the company's main store, Hackman Shop Arabia maintains a small museum and a spacious discount sales area at its factory 5km (3 miles) east of the center at Hämeentie 135 (tel. 0204/39-35-07). Here discontinued styles and slightly imperfect seconds are available at significant reductions off the regular prices. To reach the suburban factory, take tram no. 6 to the end of the line or, between June and mid-September, take Arabia's special bus (it's hard to miss, since it's covered with Arabia signs) from a point near the main store.This shop assembles under one roof the products of some
Itäkeskus Shopping Complex
Helsinki
This complex of shops and restaurants opened in 1992 in a residential suburb a 15-minute subway ride east of Helsinki's center. It has some resemblance to an American shopping mall, but the emphasis is on Scandinavian and Finnish merchandise. You'll find at least 240 shops, including about 20 kiosks and food stalls.This complex of shops and restaurants opened in 1992 in
Kämp Galleria
Helsinki
This is Helsinki's most desirable shopping arcade, with a cluster of about 50 aggressively upscale shops, set close to the newly developed Hotel Kämp.This is Helsinki's most desirable shopping arcade, with a cluster
Kalevala Koru
Helsinki
Founded in 1937, this store is owned by the Association of Kalevala Women in Finland, whose aim is to preserve the best cultural traditions of a long-ago Finland. They accomplish this through educational programs and through sales of the most authentic reproductions of traditional designs and styles they can find. The name of their organization is derived from the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic. The store sells both traditional and modern jewelry in bronze, silver, and gold. Many of these pieces are based on originals uncovered in archaeological excavations that date from the 10th and 11th centuries. Each is produced by some of Finland's foremost artisans, and copies of Sami jewelry are also sold. The store cooperates with the Finnish National Museum.Founded in 1937, this store is owned by the Association
Kiseleff Bazaar Hall (Kiseleffin Talo)
Helsinki
This shopping quarter in the old center of Helsinki, between the cathedral and Market Square, contains 21 small, specialized shops that sell lots of unique gifts. Here you can find handicrafts, souvenirs, old-fashioned toys, antiques, sauna accessories, knives, and Christmas decorations.This shopping quarter in the old center of Helsinki, between
Marimekko
Helsinki
Ever since the early 1960s, when Jacqueline Kennedy was photographed wearing Marimekko outfits, the name has been familiar to Americans. Meaning "Mary's frock," Marimekko offers a large variety of prints in vivid colors. This is the company's flagship store, a three-storied marble womb flooded with sunlight, with an emporium of men's fashion in the cellar. The company, founded in 1951 by Armi Ratia, and radically reorganized in the early 1990s, now includes a collection of unusually textured fabrics sold by the yard for decorating homes and offices, and housewares. Equally important are the dresses, suits, coats, bags, interior accessories, and many other goods that are sold here, including Marimekko's famous striped T-shirts and dresses. The inventory of shirts and colors changes with the season.Ever since the early 1960s, when Jacqueline Kennedy was photographed
Marttiini Oy
Helsinki
Some connoisseurs consider the knives sold within this factory outlet to be the finest within a nation known for the quality of its precision steel. The array of scary-looking knives is fascinating to anyone interested in hunting, fishing, or even in regular kitchen use. Deriving from a factory based in Finnish Lapland (in Rovaniemi), they're priced from 19€ ($24) for a serviceable all-purpose blade to 150€ ($195) for a Finnish machete, capable of doing some real damage, engraved with traditional Sami motifs. The shop faces the city's Lutheran cathedral and displays its products behind glass like works of art.Some connoisseurs consider the knives sold within this factory outlet
Ril's Concept Store
Helsinki
This women's boutique highlights the designs of Kuopio (Ritva Lisa Pohjolainen), who is currently enjoying international attention from the fashion industry -- and giving Marimekko some serious competition in the process. The designer creates innovative, daring styles, only for women, for business and social engagements; Kuopio designs are favored by various female members of the Finnish government and the media.This women's boutique highlights the designs of Kuopio (Ritva Lisa
Ryijypalavelu
Helsinki
A well-stocked second-floor shop specializing in ryas (Finnish woven goods) is operated by the Women's Organization of the Disabled War Veterans' Association to raise money for Finland's veterans with disabilities. You can also buy kits for producing the same rugs at home for about one-third the price.A well-stocked second-floor shop specializing in ryas (Finnish woven goods)
Skanno
Helsinki
This family enterprise, dating from 1946, has long been a big name in home furnishings and textiles; it continues to offer the best designs of the past along with innovative 21st-century ones. One of its most famous designs is the novel sofa, the Kameleleonitti, or chameleon, which can be stripped of its cover and given a new one. A visit to Skanno will help explain why Finland is one of the world leaders in modern design.This family enterprise, dating from 1946, has long been a
Stockmann
Helsinki
Helsinki's largest department store is also Finland's finest and oldest. Its main entrance is on Aleksanterinkatu, with other entrances on Keskuskatu, Pohjoisesplanadi, and Mannerheimintie. Stockmann has the most diversified sampling of Finnish and imported merchandise of any store: glassware, stoneware, ceramics, lamps, furniture, furs, contemporary jewelry, clothes and textiles, handmade candles, reindeer hides -- a little bit of everything. Purchases made through the store's Export Service entitle you to a full and immediate 18% deduction, and you don't have to carry your purchases home with you.Helsinki's largest department store is also Finland's finest and oldest.
Suomen Käsityön Ystävät (Friends of Finnish Handicrafts)
Helsinki
Suomen Käsityön Ystävät was founded in 1879 to develop and preserve the traditions of Finnish handicrafts. Some of the designs are more than a century old, and others, introduced by well-known Finnish artists, are fresh and contemporary. If you want to save money and produce something with your own hands, you can purchase complete rug and embroidery kits. Here you can see a permanent exhibit of museum-quality ryijy tapestries. Textiles, table linens, towels, and gift items, such as shawls and embroidered work -- including early-20th-century Jugendstil patterns -- can be purchased here. Shipping service is available.Suomen Käsityön Ystävät was founded in 1879 to develop and
Tarja Niskanen
Helsinki
This is the most famous milliner in Finland, known for designing attractive headgear that protects women from the rigors of the Finnish winter. Don't expect delicate designs here -- the emphasis is on warmth. Heavy-duty designs made from chinchilla, mink, fox, leather, or velvet range in price from about 75€ ($98) for a velvet hat to around 2,000€ ($2,600) for something made from sable.This is the most famous milliner in Finland, known for
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