Helsinki

Compact Records (Dark Side of the)

Lã¶nnrotinkatu 23.

Levylaivuri

Laivurinkatu 41.

In Kallio, easily accessed via Hakaniemi metro station:

Goofin Records

Hã¤meentie 46, (http://www.goofinrecords....). rockabilly.

Elsewhere around the city center:

A bit further:

Helsinki has a selection of great "underground" record stores with a greatly varying selection of both Finnish and international music. Most of them also sell vinyl 12"/10"/7". Generally speaking, prices aren't cheap, but the selection may be worth it. Some of the more collectible stuff may even be cheaper than elsewhere.

If you have only a limited amount of time, check out the record stores around Viiskulma', a brisk walk from the city center:

Darkside Records

Albertinkatu 12.

Streetbeat

Kirvesmiehenkatu 4 metro: herttoniemi, (http://www.streetbeat.ac/...). one of finland's dance/electronic music pioneers, but they've closed their city center store and moved into the suburbs.

Arabia Factory Shop

Hã¤meentie 135 tram 6 & 8 terminus, (http://www.arabia.fi). factory outlet for arabia ceramics and iittala glassware, best known for selling slightly defective goods at modestly discounted prices. open m-f 10am-8pm, sa-su 10am-4pm.

Myymälä2

Uudenmaankatu 23, (http://www.myymala2.com/). gallery and shop for young designers, artists and musicians. and while you are there, check out lux shop on the opposite side of the street.

Iittala Shop

Pohjoisesplanadi 25, (http://www.iittala.fi/). an airy concept store for the iittala brand of finnish glassware, pans, kitchen utensils and more. personal service by the friendly staff. open m-f 10am-7pm, sa 10am-4pm.

There are high-end design stores around Aleksanterinkatu and Etelä-Esplanadi. The Design District Helsinki area around Uudenmaankatu and Iso Roobertinkatu is full of design and antique shops, fashion stores, museums, art galleries, restaurants and showrooms. Here you can find the most interesting names, classics, trend-setters and so much more. Visit Design Forum Finland (http://www.designforum.fi...) at Erottajankatu 7 to get a map of shops and galleries.

Helsinki's main shopping drag is Aleksanterinkatu Aleksi, which runs from Senate Square to Mannerheimintie. On Aleksi you can find plenty of shops and the largest department store in Scandinavia, Stockmann, which is definitely worth a visit. 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. Close by, in the Kamppi area, you can find the shopping centres Kamppi and Forum and the department store Sokos. Large shopping malls can be found in the suburbs and accessed by public transport from the Central Railway Station.

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 suburbs of Vantaa and Espoo you can also find big shopping malls. Vantaa has Jumboincluding Flamingo (http://www.jumbo.fi/kaupp...) and Myyrmanni (http://www.myyrmanni.fi), while Espoo has Iso Omena (http://www.isoomena.fi/) and Sello (http://www.sello.fi/index...). All of these are easily accessible by public transport or by car free parking.

Kamppi Center

kampin keskus, (http://www.kamppi.fi/en/). big shopping mall in the center of helsinki. plenty of international brands and restaurants. long-distance bus terminal in the basement. metro: kamppi.

Itäkeskus

(http://www.itakeskuskaupp...). 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: itã¤keskus, about 16 minutes from the center.

Hietalahti Open Air Flea market

Next to hietalahti antique and art hall, this is the most popular flea market in helsinki. open year round, but busiest from may to august.

Old Market Hall

vanha kauppahalli, (http://www.wanhakauppahal...). right next to market square, this old brick building houses finland's best collection of gourmet food boutiques. try to find the stall which sells beaver sausage!

Hakaniemi Market Hall

hakaniemen kauppahalli and hakaniemi open-air market hakaniemen tori. a busy market frequented by locals, this is where you can find specialities at affordable prices. the first floor of the market hall is largely food. head to the second floor for handicrafts and souvenirs. the open-air market offers fresh vegetables and seasonal products. walking up hã¤meentie from hakaniemi market, you'll find most of helsinki's african, middle eastern, indian and asian grocery stores. metro: hakaniemi. tram: 1, 1a, 3b, 6, 7, 9.

Hietalahti Antique and Art Hall

(http://www.hietalahdenkau...), hietalahdentori tram 6, tel. +358 9 670145. here you can find many antique shops in one place, just few kilometers west from the city centre. open m-f 10am-5pm, sa 10am-3pm.

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 and Lidl in the Kamppi Center see below and the S-Market supermarket below Sokos, next to the railway station, are open every day until 10PM. Small grocery stores and the R-Kioski convenience store chain are open till 10PM or 11PM year-round, too. A handful of small Alepa grocery stores are open 24 hours a day except on national holidays, but none of them are in the city centre. In the centre you will find small Delish and Pick A Deli convenience stores in the city center, open 24 hours a day year round but more expensive than regular grocery stores.