The herring fishers are in town

It is the time of the year again where Vanha Satama at Kauppatori turns into a floating market. At the Silakka Markinat small and big boats from Åland come to Helsinki to sell their fresh fish, delicious Saaristoleipä bread and much much more. It is a century old tradition that started in the 1700s.

With the beginning of October the boats come to the Finnish capital and stay for a week. And it's worth to drop by. Step onto one of the big sailing ships for a warm salmon soup or get a little fish snack from one of the many small merchant boats and enjoy the fresh sea breeze.

The market is still on until Saturday. And the weather looks quite promising as well. So go and check it out!

Christmas at Teurastamo

Are you still looking for some last presents for Christmas? Then try your luck at Teurastamo this Saturday and Sunday. The old abattoir that is famous for its excellent and modern food and urban culture turns into a Christmas market for one weekend.

by Mirri Creative

You can find beautiful products from the region. The list of participating vendors is extensive and can be viewed on the event's Facebook page. But of course you also don't have to miss out on what Teuramasto is known for. All of Teurastamo's bistros and restaurants will be open as well.

Teurastamon Joulumarkkinat is open both days from 10:00 to 16:00.

Christmas market in the Cable Factory

Helsinki is a real Christmas city. During this December there are countless possibilities to spend a nice afternoon and get into the Christmas mood.

One of them is the Kaapelin Joulu. At Kaapelitehdas in Ruoholahti you find beautiful and unique handmade products from Helsinki and around Finland. This market has a more alternative approach and presents much more than just traditional Christmas products and decoration. It's the perfect spot to get your last presents. And of course you also find delicious treats here to keep the hunger away.

The market is open every day until Sunday. For more information on opening hours, vendors and program visit the website.

Off to the Christmas market

Helsinki's biggest and most beautiful Christmas market opens today. On the city's most prestigeous square, on Senaatintori, many small huts are waiting for Christmas fans to drop by.

You can find beautiful hand-made handicraft, delicious treats, warm drinks and a whole lot of Christmas atmosphere here.

The Tuomas Christmas market is open every day from 11:00 to 20:00 until December 22. Come and have a look!

Christmas trip to Tallinn

One of the best cities to go during the Christmas time is Tallinn. The beautiful old town with all its small lights, Christmas decoration and the smell of glöggi make it the perfect traveling destination for a short Christmas trip.

The highlight during this time of the year is the Christmas market on the old market square of the city. In the scenic setting many small huts surround the big Christmas tree. You find wonderful handicraft, keep the hunger away with delicious sweet and salty Christmas treats and warm up with a cup of hot mulled wine or glöggi.

And getting to Tallinn is fairly easy. Ferries from Eckerö Line, Tallink and Viking Line operate daily and for as low as 11 € for a return trip. The ferry lines also offer very affordable hotel packages for those who want to stay for more than just a day.

Have a nice trip!

Herring from the Åland Islands

The traditional Baltic Herring Market is in Helsinki again. As done for centuries (since 1743) also this year farmers and fishers from the Åland Islands came to Helsinki on their small boats to sell their products at Kauppatori in the heart of Helsinki.

You can buy wool, handicrafts, the famous saaristo leipä, of course the famous Baltic herring as well as many other home made products directly from the boats.

In addition a small archipelago village has been erected on the docks this year. On Friday also a special market square dance will be held at Havis Amanda. The market is still on until Saturday. Don't miss it!

Food from around the world

Would you like to try some English fudge, some Italian pastry, a spicy Nepalese dish or maybe a German bratwurst? Then head to Narinkkatori at Kamppi during the next days.

Until Sunday you can get delicacies from around the world here all day until eight in the evening.

Have a look and enjoy!

Kauppatori comes back to life

The coldest time of the year is over and slowly the streets of Helsinki come back to life. As does the traditional market on Kauppatori at the Southern Harbor. Some tents are here all winter but now most of the other vendors are back again as well.

Have a stroll along the stands. Maybe you find something nice.

Dutch delicacies for the Christmas time

Are you up for some cheeses, sausages and other delicious food from the Netherlands? Then don't miss out on the Dutch and Delicious stand at Joulumaailma.

Here you can find a wide selection of fresh Dutch products. Have a look yourself and find a few nice extras e.g. for your Christmas dinner.

Have a good start into the week!

Welcome to St. Thomas Christmas Market

It's weekend again. The perfect time to go to the Christmas market at Senaatintori. The so called St. Thomas Christmas Market is the biggest Christmas market in the city. The whole square is filled with nice small huts that sell handicraft, as well as delicious food and drink (non alcoholic though).

The Christmas market is open daily from 10.00 to 19.00 and will be at the Senat Square until December 21. The entrance is of course for free.

Helsinki's longest Christmas Market

Have you already been to the Joulumaailma? If not don't worry, you will still have plenty of time to visit. This small Christmas market at the Vanha Yliopistotalo on Mannerheimintie is open until early January.

You can find lots of nice Christmas snacks as well as beautiful handicraft from Finland and from around the world.

During the Christmas days the market is closed though and will open again from the 27th till January 6th.

Drop by and have a wonderful Christmas time!

Fresh, organic and personal - grocery shopping at Anton & Anton

It is one of the nicest grocery stores in Helsinki. Anton & Anton in Kruununhaka is a small but extemely well equiped, bright and inviting place. Here you get everything from fresh meat, cheese and bread to organic fruits, vegetables, jams, pasta, sauces, teas, candies and much, much more.

The friendly staff also gladly helps you to find whatevery you are searching for. The focus on Anton & Anton is clearly on quality rathern than on quantity. Their approach of course has an effect on the prices here. Be prepared to pay a bit more than in a normal supermarket. But the visit here is definitely worth it.

You can also find Anton & Anton in Töölö and in Ullanlinna. For more information check out their website.

The Story of Vanha Kauppahalli

With the rennovated Vanha Kauppahalli a new gem came to Helsinki. Ravintola Story is located right in the middle of the old market hall and is a wonderful place for a break on your grocery shopping tour.

Story offers delicious smaller and bigger treats. You can have a filling handmade burger or some cocos curry clams accompanied by a glass of wine of their wide selection from small wineries from around the world. Or just go for some sweet or salty freshly baked pastry together with a cup of coffee.

All the food is for take away as well as to have there. But take the time and suck in the athmosphere of the beautiful old market hall while enjoying your food. Watch the people pass by or look out onto the harbor through the big windows.

Check it out and enjoy!

Herring and more from Åland

The boats from Åland are in Helsinki again. As every October farmers and fishermen from the Archipelago between Finland and Sweden come to Helsinki to sell their fresh products straight from the boat. The so called Silakkamarkkinat (Herring Market) is held already for the 272nd time this year and is the oldest traditional event in Helsinki.

And despite the name you can get much more than just herring here. Also other delicacies from
Åland like pickled fish, handicraft from the island and of course the traditional archipelago bread can be found here.

The market is still on until Saturday. Don't miss it!

Design Market at Kaapelitehdas

There is a lot to do this weekend. The Helsinki Design Week is on. As every year the Design Market in Kaapelitehdas is again part of it and will be held this weekend. Here you get great Finnish design products from numerous designers from around the country and if you are lucky find some amazing deals. Also several workshops are offered at the market. Music comes from DJ Borzin.

The market is open both on Saturday and Sunday from 11 till 17.00. The entrance is of course for free.

Kauppahalli is open again

One of Helsinki's most famous sights reopened. After long renovations Vanha Kauppahalli at Eteläranta finally opened its doors again last week.

The renewals were important to keep the old market hall in shape. It hasn't lost any of its character and still feels as it always did. The vendors are now slowly moving back in. So don't be surprised if you still see some booths closed.

Kauppahalli again offers high quality groceries and all together a genuine shopping experience. It is open Mondays through Saturdays from 8 to 18.00.

Flea market in Kattilahalli

Flea markets are quite popular in Finland. Around this time of the year they are of course much better held inside then on a square in the slush.

If you are also a fan of flea markets you should come to Kalasatama where the brand new Kattilahalli openes with a flea market from 12 till 17.

Delicious warm and cold vegan, raw, gluten-free and organic food is being provided by Niia's Healthy Kitchen.

Check it out and have a nice Sunday!

International Christmas

Part of the Joulumaalima Christmas market in the city center is the international Christmas market. Right in front of Stockmann you find Christmas delights from many different countries such as Italy, France and the UK.

Try e.g. some delicious fresh fudge or some Italian chocolate bites.

Joulumaalima is still open until Sunday and reopens after Christmas from Dec 26 till Jan 6.

Christmas market weekend

Do you like Christmas markets? Then you should be looking forward to the upcoming days. This weekend several Christmas markets in and around Helsinki open. Some just for a few days.

Already open since Wednesday is the indoor Christmas market at Vanha ylioppilastalo on Mannerheimintie. Lots of handmade products like Christmas decoration as well as Christmas pastry and other delights are sold here.

Today also We Got Beef on Iso Robertinkatu opens their own small Christmas market. Apart from Christmas stuff we can also get really nice Finnish design products here.

Fans of culture and design should come to the Christmas market in Korjaamo in Töölö opening tomorrow. The Christmas market is just there for two days.

Of course Joulumaailma and the big St. Thomas Christmas market are also open.

Have a nice christmassy weekend!

The St. Thomas Christmas Market

The biggest Christmas market in Helsinki, the St. Thomas Christmas Market, on Senaatintori opens today. Till the 22nd the small huts on the old square in front of the beautiful White Church welcome everyone to stroll around, have a hot drink or snack and maybe find a nice Christmas present among all the wonderful handmade stuff offered.

The market is open on weekdays between 10 and 18:00 and on the weekend till 19:00. Wait to go there till it's dark for an even nicer atmosphere.