If you’d like to find the most famous Finnish design brands, such as Marimekko, Iittala or Aarikka, their stores are located in the city center on Pohjoisesplanadi street. On the same street it’s easy to spot many other Finnish brands, as well as the luxurious international ones, such as Louis Vuitton.

Marimekko has also a store in Forum Shopping Center, as well as an outlet store in Herttoniemi, which is outside of the city center, however there’s an easy access to the store by metro (address: Kirvesmiehenkatu 7, Helsinki, Metrostop: Herttoniemi). The outlet store is open every day, except on Sundays. This outlet store is very popular especially amongst Asian tourists.

Alvar Aalto design can be found in the store called Artek, next to the Stockmann department store, on Keskuskatu.  You can also visit an interesting and unique store called Artek 2nd Cycle, on Pieni Roobertinkatu. In addition to Alvar Aalto design, the products in this boutique include items by such classic designers as Ilmari Tapiovaara and Yrjö Kukkapuro.

Aleksanterinkatu street is full of nice shops, too. In the big department store, Stockmann, you can find a great selection of Finnish brands as well as the international ones. When you walk the street towards the Market square, you’ll find a funky shoe store, Minna Parikka Shoes. Many famous stars, including Lady Gaga, have fallen in love with Minna’s playful shoes.

The Moomin Shop can be found in the Forum Shopping Center, in the heart of Helsinki, as well. There’s a Moomin Shop also at the Helsinki Airport. Check all the shops at the Moomin store locator.

Within walking distance from the city center, you can find a so called “Helsinki Design District” in Punavuori area where you can shop in various smaller Finnish boutiques. One of them is called Ivana Helsinki, also seen in New York Fashion Week. Check all the stores and happenings on the Design District website.

Helsinki is a unique Nordic Capital, between East and West. There are lots of interesting shops, restaurants and sights that you can find, with the help of this little guide, including some inside tips from real people living in Helsinki. As a Helsinki native myself, many of these places on the list are my favourite places, as well. In this list I have included the favourites of trendy city people living in the heart of Helsinki.

The writer of this article is Kata, a Finnish flight attendant living in Helsinki.

Shopping

Finnish design:

• Marimekko
• Marimekko Outlet
• Iittala
• Artek
• Minna Parikka
• Moomin shop
• Aarikka
• Pentik
• Ivana Helsinki
• Stockmann

Finnish souvenirs:

• Market Square
• Torikortteli
• Kauppahalli
• Stockmann

Famous International Brands:

• Stockmann
• Louis Vuitton
• Luxbag
• Della Marga
• Furla, Boss, Michael Kors etc. Galleria Esplanad
• L’Occitane
• Mulberry

Flea Markets:

• Hietalahti Square
• Konepajan Bruno
• Vallilan Stoori
• Kaivarin Kanuuna

Restaurants

Finnish Cuisine:

• Saaga
• Lappi
• Juuri
• Nokka
• Olo
• Havis
• Saari

Asian Cuisine:

• Restaurant China
• Long Wall
• Kabuki
• Koto
• Samrat
• Namaskaar
• Farang
• Gaijin

International Cuisine:

• Saslik (Russian food)
• Boulevard Social
• Bronda
• Pjazza
• Yume
• Grotesk
• Sandro’s

Cafés:

• Kamome (A Japanese film “Kamome” was partly filmed in this cafe), Address: Pursimiehenkatu 12
• Café Engel
• Café Esplanad
• Café Strindberg
• Kappeli
• Aschan Cafe Jugend
• Café Veranda (Finlandia-talo)
• Fazer Café
• Ekberg
• Johan & Nyström (Katajanokka)
• Marke Square and Kauppahalli

Bars:

• Kafe Moskova
• Putte’s Bar & Pizza
• Grotesk
• Teatteri
• Kiila
• Pjazza

Terraces and seaside cafés/bars:

• Torni Ateljé Bar
• Ursula
• Café Carousel
• Birgitta
• Hernesaaren ranta
• Mattolaituri
• Piritta

Island restaurants:

• Restaurant Saaristo
• Saari
• Restaurant Boathouse
• Restaurant NJK
• Restaurant Pihlajasaari

Great picnic spots:

• Suomenlinna Fortress Island
• Kaivopuisto
• The stairs of the Helsinki Cathedral
• Pihlajasaari
• Seurasaari

Sauna and swimming:

• Löyly design sauna (New in 2016!)
• Allas Sea Pool (New in 2016!)
• Yrjönkadun uimahalli
• Stadionin uimala

For families & kids:

• Finnair Sky Wheel
• Linnanmäki
• Sea Life
• Korkeasaari Helsinki Zoo
• Suomenlinna
• Natural History Museum
• Science Center Heureka

Daytrips outside of Helsinki:

• Ferrytrip to Tallinn (Estonia)
• Nuuksio
• Porvoo
• Fiskars
• Tammisaari, Hanko

1. Have a picnic in the Suomenlinna Fortress island

Buy your food supplies from the main Market Square or hall and take a 20 minute ferry ride from the Market Square to Suomenlinna island. Suomenlinna ferry is part of the city transport network and oneway ticket costs around 2 euros. Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Finland’s most popular sights. It attracts more than 700,000 visitors every year.

2. Take a ride on the Finnair Sky Wheel

See Helsinki from a bird’s eye view! The 40-metre-tall observation wheel called Finnair SkyWheel opened in summer 2014 at Katajanokka harbour in central Helsinki. It has climate-controlled gondolas, and the 15-minute ride costs 12 euros for adults and 9 euros for a child. The VIP cabin with a glass floor costs 199 euros for 4 persons, including a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Champagne.

3. Take a selfie in front of the amazing big white church, Helsinki Cathedral

Enjoy an ice-cream on the stairs of the Helsinki Cathedral  while watching tourists and locals bustling around. The church was originally built during 1830-1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. The Cathedral is surrounded by The University of Helsinki and Government buildings.

4. Shop at Stockmann‘s, the largest department store in the Northern Europe

You can find almost anything at Stockmann‘s located in the heart of Helsinki. Summer sale starts at the end of June and there are many world famous brands to choose from. Check the fabulous food section downstairs called Herkku. You can find many restaurant corners to have a bite in fish, meat or cheese sections as well as enjoy the freshly brewed coffee from all over the world.

5. Have a drink at Mattolaituri restaurant in Kaivopuisto park 

A 20-minute walk away from The Market Square you can find a nice summer restaurant Mattolaituri (“a carpet pier” in English), which has a great variety of drinks. You can watch yachts and boats passing by and locals washing their carpets on a warm summer day.

Book your accommodation in Helsinki here.