Finland Airport Shopping: Best Buys Before Your Flight

what to buy in finland airport

Helsinki Airport in Finland has dozens of shops and kiosks for passengers to enjoy. The airport offers a variety of shopping opportunities, from duty-free shops to Finnish brands. Passengers can find shops like Marimekko, Iittala, Moomin Shop, R-kioski, and Alepa. For those looking for souvenirs, the airport is a great place to start. Reindeer skins, Finnish knives, Moomin products, and wooden cups are some of the authentic Finnish gifts available. If you're looking for food items, cloudberry jam, Lakka liqueur, and Fazer milk chocolate are some delicious options. The airport also has restaurants and services like MyFlight, which provides recommendations for shops and restaurants near your departure gate.

Characteristics Values
Number of shops Dozens
Shop type Duty-free shops, shops and kiosks
Shoppers All passengers, including domestic passengers
Shop limitations Domestic passengers are not allowed to buy strong alcohol and tobacco products in tax-free shops
Shop examples Moomin Shop, R-kioski, Alepa, Lindex, Normal, Marimekko, Iittala
Other items to buy in Finland Reindeer skins, Finnish knives, Moomin products, Marttiini factory shop knives, Fazer milk chocolate, Lumene cosmetics, Angry Birds products, Finnish design items, Iittala glass, Arabia porcelain, Marimekko, Aarika company products, Cloudberry jam, Lakka liquer, Carelian pastry, cinnamon rolls, Finnish salmiakki, Kalevala-Koru/Kalevala Jewelry, Lapponia Jewelry

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Finnish food and drink

Finland's food culture is heavily influenced by its neighbouring Scandinavian countries, as well as Russia to the east and Sweden to the west. The Finnish diet is built on surviving the harsh northern climate, with growth seasons dictated by the cold. Despite this, Finland's natural larder is enviable, with the sea and nature close by.

Foods

Finland is known for its forest fruits, including small woodland strawberries, bilberries (often called blueberries), and cloudberries. In fact, Finns are known to spend summer days lounging in parks, snacking on strawberries. You can also try these berries in a fruit soup or drink called kiisseli, eaten for breakfast or dessert. Another breakfast option is a savoury pastry, filled with potato or rice porridge and egg butter, and shaped like a little boat. This can be found in most cafes and bakeries.

Finland also has a love for rye bread, which was voted Finland's national food during its centenary celebrations. You can even buy a loaf at the airport. Another Finnish staple is new potatoes, served with herring, fresh lake fish and chantarelle sauce, fish roe, or simply a knob of butter, some dill, and a little salt.

Finland is also known for its game meats, including reindeer, wild boar, bear, and moose. These can be purchased in canned format at the central department store next to Helsinki's railway station.

If you're looking for a sweet treat, Fazer is a family-operated Finnish chocolate brand, selling the country's most iconic chocolate, Fazerin Sininen ("the Blue"). You can find these chocolates in any Finnish cafe, supermarket, or kiosk, and even in the airport's duty-free shop.

Drinks

Finland has a love for liquorice, including a salty variety called salmiakki, which can even be found in ice cream form. For something stronger, try Lakka liqueur, made from the same raw material as cloudberry jam and featuring a distinctive fine aroma. You can also try a Finnish long drink: a refreshing gin and grapefruit concoction served in saunas.

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Reindeer skins

It is important to note that some people may consider the wearing of animal skin to be cruel. When purchasing a reindeer skin, it is recommended to ensure that the hide has been well-prepared. Properly tanned hides do not shed their hair, but reindeer fur is a good insulator because its hair is hollow and vulnerable to breaking. "Premium" hides, often sold to tourists, are typically used as wall decorations, while "second-class" hides are more affordable and suitable for use as rugs.

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Moomin merchandise

Moomin Shops in Finland are designed based on a Moomin book, with the stores aiming to take visitors on a journey through the stories. The new Moomin Shop at Helsinki Airport is no different. Inspired by the picture book 'The Dangerous Journey', the last-ever Moomin story written by Tove Jansson, the store is filled with the book's colours and expressive details of nature, such as birds and the mystical nature of swamps and mangrove forests.

The Moomin Shop at Helsinki Airport offers one of the broadest ranges of Moomin products in Finland, with more than 1,000 items. The store sells Arabia's Moomin cups and other tableware, games, movies, key fobs, soft toys, children's clothing, and an extensive range of Moomin books in various languages.

The Moomin Shop at Helsinki Airport is located in the Schengen area, near gates 20-21, and is open daily from 5 am to 9 pm. The shop can only be accessed with a flight ticket.

In addition to the airport store, there is another Moomin Shop in Helsinki located on Esplanadi, inspired by 'Moominsummer Madness'. There is also a Moomin shop in the Forum shopping centre, recognisable by the Moomintroll outside.

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Finnish jewellery

If you're looking for something a little more high-end, Kalevala Koru is a popular Finnish jewellery brand that offers a range of prices depending on the materials used. Their pieces are inspired by Finnish folklore and are cherished accessories for many. Lapponia Jewelry is another well-known Finnish brand, having been worn by a Princess of Alderaan.

For antique or vintage jewellery, 1stDibs offers a range of Finnish jewellery, including pieces from acclaimed Finnish designer Kaija Aarikka. Prices for Finnish jewellery on 1stDibs range from $100 to $25,000, with an average price of $695. Elis Kauppi and Liisa Vitali have also produced popular versions of Finnish jewellery that are worth considering.

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Finnish glassware

Iittala's glassware collections showcase a seamless blend of timeless icons and contemporary brilliance. Their range includes the Ultima Thule Glassware Collection, the Kastehelmi Dewdrop Tableware Collection in assorted colours, and the Taika Tableware Collection, to name a few. These collections offer a kaleidoscope of versatile tableware and décor, with pieces designed by pioneers of Finnish design such as Kaj Franck, Alvar and Aino Aalto, Oiva Toikka, Tapio Wirkkala, and Timo Sarpaneva.

The brand's commitment to craftsmanship and innovation has made it a beloved fixture in Finnish homes and a sought-after souvenir for visitors. Iittala products can be purchased online through the Finnish Design Shop, with international shipping available, or in department stores and shops near the central Market Square in Helsinki.

In addition to Iittala, Aarika is another Finnish company that creates nature-themed home products made from natural, eco-friendly materials. Their handmade items, including jewellery, figurines, and home products, showcase the talent of Finnish artisans and provide a unique shopping experience that supports local artists.

Whether you're looking for a functional piece of art to use every day or a unique souvenir to remember your trip by, Finnish glassware is a perfect choice. With a range of prices and styles, you're sure to find something that suits your taste and budget.

Frequently asked questions

There are dozens of shops and kiosks at the Helsinki Airport in Finland, including duty-free shops. Some unique items you can buy include:

- Finnish design items such as Iittala glass and Arabia porcelain

- Moomin products

- Finnish knives

- Reindeer skins

- Finnish candies and chocolates, such as Fazer milk chocolate

- Finnish jewellery, such as Kalevala-Koru/Kalevala Jewellery and Lapponia Jewellery

You can buy Finnish candies and chocolates, such as Fazer milk chocolate, at the airport in Finland. You can also buy Finnish salmiakki at the airport. If you're looking for something more unique, try cloudberry jam, Lakka liqueur, or Carelian pastry ("karjalanpiirakka") and cinnamon rolls ("korvapuusti").

At the airport in Finland, you can buy non-edible souvenirs such as Finnish knives, reindeer skins, Moomin products, and Finnish jewellery. You can also buy Finnish design items such as Iittala glass and Arabia porcelain, as well as wooden cups and other wooden products.

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