Finland isn’t a cheap place to shop, but the quality on offer is very high. If something looks like a bargain, it is probably been mass produced. Finnish
design studios are world-famous, and the major ones all have outlets in Helsinki, including Artek, which concentrates on the classic designs of Alvar Aalto, and Skanno, which offers more avant-garde pieces. Arabia
ceramics and Iitala
glassware are also world famous, as are the optimistic and
colorful textiles of Marimekko. Stockmann is a large traditional
department store that offers decent Finnish
craft and
souvenir products. In all
Finnish towns, the kauppahalli
(
indoor market) is a great place to try and buy local foods; in summer this expands out to the kauppatori (
market square); Helsinki’s is by the water in the center of town and is touristy but well worth a stroll.
Finnish
handicrafts make appealing purchases, with handcarved wooden curios, handwoven
ryijy rugs,
Sámi jewelry and knives, and objects carved from reindeer horn. Look out for the
Duodji label - this signifies that the object has been produced in an authentic
Lapland craft workshop. Handknitted jumpers are of excellent quality but be wary of mass-produced copies.
Duty-free: Anyone permanently resident outside the EU can claim a refund of 12-16% on goods that cost more than €40 at the time of departure from the EU. Retailers (look out for the ’Tax Free for Tourists’ sign) will provide a cheque that can be redeemed at airports, ports or major land borders.
Shopping hours Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1500. Many department stores are also open 0900-2100 during the week and Sat 0900-1800; some also open on Sunday.
Currency Information:CurrencyEuro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents. Note that 1 and 2 cent coins, while valid in other Eurozone countries, are not used in Finland.
Currency ExchangeForeign currency and traveller's cheques can be exchanged in banks, post offices and at bureaux de change in major cities, ports and airports. Banks tend to charge higher commissions.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsAll major international credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and there are ATMs that accept them even in small villages.
Traveller's ChequesTraveller's cheques are also accepted in banks, some shops and in exchange offices, which charge less commission than the banks. Travelers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
Banking HoursMon-Fri 0900-1630 (regional variations may occur).
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Jan 09 |
| £1.00= | 1.06 |
| $1.00= | 0.73 |
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