Shopping in Finland
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Kauppahalli
This intriguing indoor market is one of Finland’s best, with picturesque wooden stalls serving a dazzling array of wonderful meat, fruit, baked goodies and fish. There are good cafes, and, at No 50, Teivon Liha, the best place to try cheap mustamakkara with berry jam.
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Hämeenkatu
Cobbled Hämeenkatu is Tampere's broad main street, running east-west from the train station to Hämeenpuisto, and it's along (or just off) here that you'll find most of the city's top restaurants, cafés, bars and the kauppatori (market square), where you can sample Tampere's scary speciality, mustamakkara (blood sausage). Also here is the kauppahalli (market hall), but in Tampere it's indistinguishable from the rest of the streetscape.
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Handicrafts
Sámi handicrafts made from reindeer skin and horn, or Arctic birch, are popular souvenirs; trekkers may want to buy a kuksa (carved birch cup).
The traditional Sámi costume, which is very colourful, and handmade Sámi hats, mittens and shoes are also top sellers.
The widest selection of souvenirs (and decent prices) can be found in shops at Napapiiri.
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Academic Book Shop
A behemoth among book shops, the Academic (Akateeminen kirjakauppa to Finns) was designed by Finland's premier architect Alvar Aalto. Don't be misled by the 'academic' tag, you don't have to sew on leather elbow patches to shop here, it caters to everyone. There's a range of international newspapers and an IT department if you're missing some vital software.
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Pikku-Pietarin Market Alley
Just off Puistokatu, Pikku-Pietarin Market Alley is an atmospheric narrow lane of renovated red wooden houses converted into quirky shops stocking jewellery, clothing, handicrafts and other items. Halfway along is an excellent cafe with cosy upstairs seating and a great little back deck for the summer sun.
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Kauppahalli
At the southern end of the kauppatori is this classic Finnish indoor market hall. Here, wrapped in foil, stalls sell local speciality kalakukko, a large rye loaf stuffed with whitefish and then baked. It’s delicious hot or cold but you’ll probably have to buy a whole one (around €20), enough for several picnics.
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Disndat Records
Disndat records has a wild variety of local and imported sounds. Browse through Japanese hardcore, Finnish electro, 60s boogaloo and Italian disco - and that's just for starters. They also have a buy 10 get one free offer, definitely a good place to compile your own personal 'European vacation' soundtrack.
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Arabia Porcelain
Arabia's porcelain is a Finnish icon and if tableware and cookware are on your shopping list then go no further this factory outlet. It is located in a slightly dreary part of town but well worth a visit for that typically well-designed and functional souvenir that the Finn's are noted for.
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Pikku-Pietarin Torikuja
Just off Puistokatu, about 200m west of the kauppatori, Pikku-Pietarin Torikuja is an atmospheric narrow lane of renovated red wooden houses converted into quirky shops stocking jewellery, clothing, handicrafts and other items. There's also a good little café with a terrace.
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Mental Wear
Wondering where everyone’s getting those ‘Lost in Helsinki’ metro map threads? Or maybe you just need to tell the world ‘I am a heterosexual and drive a Volvo’ through the medium of cotton. With slogans in Finnish and English these are Helsinki’s most sought-after T-shirts.
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Wanha Naantali Kauppa
The main thoroughfare is Mannerheiminkatu and at number 13, Wanha Naantali Kauppa is a much-visited shop selling old-fashioned Finnish sweets, bottled soft drinks, stamps, postcards and souvenirs - it's a nostalgia trip, although not a cheap one.
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Marttiini Old Knife-Factory
This former factory of Finland’s famous knife manufacturer is now a shop open to visitors with a small knife exhibition, and cheaper prices than you can get elsewhere. It’s near the Arktikum. They’ve another shop at Napapiiri.
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Stockmann
Helsinki’s ‘everything store’ does a good line of Finnish souvenirs and Sámi handicrafts, as well as Finnish textiles, Kalevala Koru jewellery, Lapponia jewellery, Moomintroll souvenirs and lots more. It offers an export service.
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Wanha Naantali Kauppa
Wanha Naantali Kauppa is a popular shop selling old-fashioned Finnish sweets (brace yourself for liquorice and tar drops), bottled soft drinks, postcards and souvenirs – it’s a slightly pricey nostalgia trip.
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Craft Shops
Linnankatu, the quaint back street running up towards the castle, is lined with old wooden houses, some of which are craft shops and studios selling local handicrafts at hefty prices. There's some good quality here though.
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Digelius Music
For music, check out Digelius Music .They stock a range of Finnish music and world music. It's one of those small independent record shops where the staff know everything and they stock obscure CDs like High Fidelity!
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Kehräsaari
Across the footbridge from Verkaranta, just east of Laukontori Market Square, this converted brick-factory building has many boutiques selling authentic Finnish glassware, handicrafts, knitted clothing and T-shirts.
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Verkaranta Arts & Crafts Centre
Beautiful textiles and handicrafts are sold at the Verkaranta Arts & Crafts Centre near the tourist office, which also hosts craft exhibitions. There's a café here in a lovely spot overlooking the river.
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Swamp Music
Swamp Music is a good place to pick up Finnish music, and they also have an online store. There’s also a good-value secondhand outlet (Verkatehtaankatu 11) around the corner.
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Samekki
Down a small lane behind the library is the studio of Petteri Laiti, a famous artisan among Finnish Sámi. The silverwork and handicrafts are very highly regarded; you’ll often see the artist at work here.
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Design Forum Finland
You can get some good pointers from Design Forum Finland, which operates a shop that hosts many designers’ work. You’re often better off price-wise to hunt down your own bargains though.
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Tallipiha Stable Yards
Tallipiha Stable Yards is a restored collection of 19th-century stable yards and staff cottages that house artists and craftworkers who make handicrafts, chocolates, ceramics and shoes.
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Sámi Duodji Ry
This place on the main road is the main shop of the Finnish association of Sámi craftspeople. It has a good range of Sámi books and CDs, as well as beautifully crafted silverware and handmade clothing.
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Kauppahalli
Located on the market square is the kauppahalli, with freshly filleted salmon glistening in the market stalls and plenty of spots to snack on anything from cloudberries to sushi.
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Kauppatori
Famous market that’s on the waterfront and often busy with tour groups; fishmongers still sell from boats moored at the quay, with local handicrafts and souvenirs at (sometimes) inflated prices.
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