Buy

Shopping in Helsinki is generally expensive, but fans of Finnish and Nordic design will find plenty of things of interest. Most large shops and department stores are open weekdays from 9AM-9PM. As in the rest of Finland, most shops close by 6PM on Saturday and Sunday (as of 2010 all shops are allowed to open every Sunday between noon and 6PM). A notable exception is the Asematunneli complex, located underground adjacent to the Central Railway Station, most shops here are open until 10PM almost every day of the year. Grocery stores K-Supermarket in Kamppi Center (see below) and S-Market Supermarket below Sokos are both open every day until 10PM. Small grocery stores and the R-Kioski convenience store chain are open on Sun year-round, too. You will also find Delish and Pick A Deli convenience stores in the city center, open 24 hours a day year round.

Department stores and shopping malls

Helsinki's main shopping drag is Aleksanterinkatu (Aleksi), which runs from Senate Square to Mannerheimintie and is packed with large stores. The parallel Esplanadi boulevards have specialist and generally very expensive boutiques. Access to the area is easy, as trams 3, 4/4T and 7A/7B all run down Aleksanterinkatu, and the area is just a stone's throw from the Central Railway Station and Kaisaniemi metro stations.

Academic Bookstore (Akateeminen Kirjakauppa). Keskuskatu (opposite Stockmann). The largest bookstore in Northern Europe, with extensive selections in English too. An underground passage connects the bookstore to Stockmann. Tram: 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10.
Stockmann. Corner of Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie. The flagship of Finland's premier department store chain. When Helsinkians meet "under the clock" (kellon alla), they mean the one rotating under the main entrance to Stockmann. Large selection of souvenirs and Finnish goods, and the Herkku supermarket in the basement offers an amazing range of gourmet food from all over Europe. There are also smaller branches of Stockmann at Itäkeskus, Jumbo, Tapiola and the airport. Tram: 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10.
Itäkeskus. The largest shopping mall in the Nordic countries with some 240 shops. Comes with an unexpected African and Middle Eastern vibe due to the high number of immigrants residing in the nearby neighbourhoods, who spend free time there with friends and family. Metro: Itäkeskus, about 16 minutes from the center.
Kämp Galleria, between Mikonkatu and Kluuvikatu. Helsinki's fanciest shopping mall, with brands like Marimekko, Aarikka, and Iittala goods. Tram: 3, 4, 6, 7, 9. Metro: Kaisaniemi.
Kampin Keskus. Big shopping mall in the center of Helsinki. Plenty of international brands and restaurants. Long-distance bus terminal in the basement. Metro: Kamppi.
Kauppakeskus Ruoholahti. Compared to others, a B-category shopping mall, mainly notable for the Verkkokauppa.com store, the best spot for electronics, computers, digital cameras, etc. in Helsinki. There is also a Brand Outlet Warehouse that sells cheap branded clothing. Metro: Ruoholahti. Tram: 8.
Sokos. A large department store conveniently located right next to the railway station. Tram: 1, 3B/T, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, Metro: Central Railway Station.
In the suburban cities of Vantaa and Espoo you can also find big shopping malls. Vantaa has Jumbo and Myyrmanni, while Espoo has the centers of Iso Omena and Sello. All of these are easily accessible by commuter transport or by car.