Finland Travel Guide

Finland — Shopping

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Shopping

Like other countries in the region, Finland can be an expensive place to shop, but standards are high. Finnish designers are world-famous - the colorful fabrics and homewares of Marimekko were said to be a personal favorite of Jackie Kennedy. Furniture design houses of note include Artek, which concentrates on the classic designs of Alvar Aalto, and Skanno, which offers more contemporary styling. Designer ceramics by Arabia and designer glassware by Iitala are also popular souvenirs. All these studios have stores in Helsinki. Almost all Finnish towns have a kauppahalli (indoor market) selling local delicacies and seasonal foods; in summer these markets expand out into the adjoining kauppatori (market square).

Finland has all sorts of traditional handicrafts - handwoven ryijy rugs, Sámi jewelry and knives, and objects carved from reindeer horn are popular souvenirs. Look out for kuksa - traditional Lapland cups carved from birch wood. Handknitted jumpers are of excellent quality but be wary of mass-produced copies. Genuine Lapland handicrafts will bear the Duodji label which signifies that the item has been produced in an regional craft workshop. Stockmann is a large traditional department store that offers decent Finnish craft and souvenir items. Also look out for souvenirs depicting the Moomin trolls, stars of the famous Finnish children's stories. Fur and animal skins are generally sourced from farms.

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 check 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

Euro (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 Exchange

Foreign currency and traveler's checks can be exchanged in banks, post offices and at bureau de change in major cities, ports and airports. Banks tend to charge higher commissions. As there are direct train and bus links from Helsinki to St Petersburg in Russia, it is easy to exchange Euros for Russian Roubles.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

All major international credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are found in every town and even in small villages.

Travelers Checks

Traveller's checks can be exchanged at banks or exchange offices (at a lower commission), and can be used to pay for goods in some tourist-oriented shops. Travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding €10,000 or equivalent must be declared if traveling from or to a country outside the European Union.