Shopping
The city’s main shopping streets are Pohjoisesplanadi, Aleksanterinkatu and Fredrikinkatu. A walk around the Esplanadi reveals most of Finland’s best-known design stores, including Artek (Alvar Aalto’s store), Aarikka (jewellery), Design Forum Finland (cutting-edge furniture and accessory design) and Marimekko (fashion). Stockmann, the oldest, largest department store in Helsinki, is the place where most Helsinkiliset buy their staples and doubles as a good hunting ground for souvenirs. Forum, Mannerheimintie, is the city centre’s largest shopping centre, while Itkeskus, the largest shopping centre in Finland, can be found a short metro ride from the city centre.
For smaller, one-off boutiques, Fredrikinkatu is the street for nick-nacks and fashion and Annankatu for antique furniture. The biggest and best markets are the Market Square (see Key Attractions), situated by the South Harbour, and the nearby Old Market Hall, where shoppers can purchase wonderful fresh food and handicrafts. The market is open Monday-Thursday 0800-1700, Friday 0800-1800 and Saturday 0800-1500. Hakaniemi Market Hall has everything from Sami dolls to reindeer skins and is probably the best place for visitors to find more unusual souvenirs. At the end of one of Helsinki’s most upmarket streets, the Bulevardi, is the Hietalahti Flea Market, where rich Helsinkiliset discard their designer gear. The range is huge, with covetable purchases including Russian accordions, second-hand jewellery and general junk. The market is open weekdays 0800-1400 and Saturday 0800-1500. Hietalahti Market Hall is an organic produce market located in a newly restored building in art nouveau style and open Monday-Friday 0800-1800 and Saturday 0800-1500.
Shops are generally open weekdays 0900-1700 and Saturday 0900-1300/1400. Department stores and shopping centres open weekdays 0900-2100 and Saturday 0900-1800. VAT, charged at 22.5%, is included in the marked price. Foreign visitors from outside the EU can claim 12-16% tax back upon departure, for items over 42 purchased from stores with the ‘Tax Free for Visitors’ sign. Presentation of receipts and a passport will be required.
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Shopping