Kauppatori

I guess the middle of April is still too early in the season to enjoy the full pleasures to be found in Market Square, or Kauppatori as the Finns call it, at least as it was portrayed in Rick Steves’ summertime visit on his Helsinki episode of his endless PBS series. It was cold even by Nordic standards when we walked there from the Esplanadi which was ghost-​like as well with not a single bench occupied. Kauppatori is just past the naked mermaid statue whose exposed derrière caused quite a controversy in 1908 Finland (photo:
). Now tourists mimic her seductive pose for their Instagram photos.
A few of the souvenir peddlers braved the cold weather as well as two of the fruit merchants selling the famous local strawberries wrapped in plastic. Jamie W. and I came here to check out the one fish grill selling hot food. It was under a large orange tent that shielded customers from the Baltic trade winds (photo:
). Even though they were pushing their 6,98 € Salmon Soup, both of us went for the full lunch plates. Jamie ordered the 12 € Grilled Sea Salmon Plate with potatoes and vegetables (photo:
), while I went for the 10 € Sea Gourmet Plate, which combined octopus rings, shrimp and a whole mess of sardines with potatoes, carrots and cauliflower (photo:
).
You know how fish dishes simply taste better when you eat them outside fresh from the boats? That’s what happened to us because all of it was just delicious even as the wind was whistling between the seams of the flimsy tarp and the huddled masses were monopolizing the well-​worn picnic tables. The rest of the square was fairly barren with the occasional seagull swooping down grabbing scraps left by careless tourists who should be pecked to a catatonic state like Tippi Hedren’s character in «The Birds». Alas, no such justice was delivered that brisk afternoon. However, the waterfront views of the Baltic make the winter conditions all worthwhile, much less the salmon.
FOOD — 4 stars… fresh grilled seafood tastes particularly good next to the harbor
AMBIANCE — 4.5 stars… it’s the harbor
SERVICE — 3.5 stars… pretty fast
TOTAL — 4 stars… definitely a must-​eat when you come to Helsinki

A great market in one of the oldest parts of Helsinki. You can find fresh berries, vegetables and fish at a slightly higher cost than the grocery store, but the fish and berries are so fresh it’s entirely worth it. A great place for lunch, as they have prepared food on offer too. Eve if you don’t buy anything, the views of the presidential residence and the water make it worth a trip down to browse the many crafts, foods, and clothes available at the market.
Even though it’s often crowded with tourists, it is still always very manageable and everybody – both vendors and shoppers – are very respectful and polite.
If you visit Helsinki in the winter or early spring, the market will be much smaller with mostly just clothes, so try to come in the warmer months and late spring when there is more to see and buy.

There are so many different kinds of items being sold here! There’s souvenirs, shirts, bags, and most importantly, food! Salmon, other fish, coffee, crepes, and so on… I got a salmon plate, an apple donut, and a waffle. All were very good. Yum! Definitely come by and grab some food; there are tables and chairs as eating areas as well.

Centrally located flea market shopping in Helsinki. Around many tourist attractions and has nice harbor view. Can take ferries to nearby sights (Suomenlinna sea fortress) and much public transportation available nearby. Most vendors accept credit cards.
Food: Many shops selling seafood platters. All have similar prices, portion sizes, and similar quality (based on experiences of friends). Visited «Scandinavian Fish Market» shop nearest to the Ferris wheel. The 4 of us ordered a fish platter, salmon soup, fried shrimp, seafood paella, and fries. The only thing we really liked was the grilled salmon and fried shrimp. The fish was good quality, but prices seemed too high considering it’s a roadside shop. Crêpe shop and farmer’s market are mention worthy and serve food & fruit.
Shops: Flea market vendors selling subpar quality goods. Can try to barter with vendor for prices, but will likely still be overpriced. I bartered with a vendor for juniper hot plates (originally 16 euro each, bartered to 15 euro each) and later bought at nearby reputable shop for 12 euro each.
Bottom Line: Walk through here, maybe grab a snack (fruit/​crêpe), and get your main souvenirs/​meal elsewhere.

We stopped through this and another market several times today. Think US flea market. Lots of tents selling local street foods and produce. Prices are higher than the supermarkets. But the items we tasted seemed to indicate that they may have just been picked.
Despite the crowds everyone was well behaved and friendly.
The yellow presidential palace is on the corner nearby. The light blue building across the street is a state run building (museum on the main floor) has free bathrooms. Most bathrooms cost half a Euro to use.
All in all a fun place to visit. There is a park nearby as well.

Auf diesem Marktplatz direkt am Wasser erhält man überwiegend Frischfisch. Obst, Kleidung und Haushaltsware. Ebenso frische Blumen. Der Markt ist nicht allzu gross, bietet aber gute Ware an.

At the height of the summer season, this was the place to be in Helsinki. A large assortment of market stalls, food stands and people watching along the scenic harbor.
Of course there was an abundance of sausage (including those made from reindeer meat) and fish dishes in the food stands. The market stalls were filled with woolen clothes, wood carved items and jewelry. Oh, and the beauty of all the fresh berries in so many varieties.
We were lucky because our visit coincided with a temporary art exhibit of «Bad, Bad Boy» which was an enormous (8−½ meter) statue of a baby boy peeing into the harbour by artist Tommi Toija. It was ridiculous and awesome and great fun watching people posing in various ways to increase the spectacle.
While summer was a beautiful time to visit and stroll outdoors, there is also a large festival here in early October for the annual Helsinki herring market («silakkamarkkinat»).

One of the highlights during our visit to Helsinki was the city center’s Kauppatori (Market Square). The Kauppatori is a central square in the oldest parts of the city, and one of its most famous markets and tourist attractions. The market is filled with numerous vendors selling products from fresh fruit to flowers, souvenirs to food, and more. I don’t think I’ve seen that many fruit vendors in one place before — and all the fruits were beautifully displayed: bright, colorful, ripe, and very sweet. All the vendors are extremely friendly and welcome you to taste the fruits before you buy. Definitely a must-​stop if you’re a fan of delightfully sweet seasonal berries.

This place has gotten cheaper over the years. It is nice that they take credit cards almost everywhere there. Good thing because they took the local ATM out and I cannot find it anymore. They have this public network so you can buy with any card.
hey have the best reindeer plates there around. you can’t get any peace unless you gt there before 8 am for coffee. After 11 a.m. the place is so packed it is hard to see anything. Go early and leave early. :)

Kauppatori is a farmer’s market by the harbor. During my research on things to see and do in Helsinki, this came up time after time. While I was there about ten tents were set up. Products available ranged from souvenirs, to Finnish pastries, to fruits and vegetable, to coffee and hot dogs. Looking for more variety? You may want to skip this collection during the slow season. From what I read on tourist sites and books, the summer houses a lot more vendors. Being there in November I guess I missed out all Kauppatori has to offer. I don’t blame vendors for bowing out during late fall. I wouldn’t want to stand out in the cold. I was fine with what I could buy. I came away with a magnet and had a tasty dessert.
Even if you aren’t interested in purchasing anything, I would still stroll down the cobblestone and peak into a stand or two. You’ll be right by the harbor anyway. Soak it up.

The Market Square down by the harbor is a «mixed bag», and I am sure it means different things to each person who visits it and even then most probably changes with the seasons. In late summer, I sensed that the tone of the place was already morphing into a quieter, more autumn-​like feeling. A couple of the craft stall owners with whom I spoke said that they were not coming back after mid-​September as it would be too cold. The smells of food cooking at lunchtime were quite nice — salmon and other fish sizzling on flattop grills. The people who go there seem to be an eclectic mix of locals, tourists, students and office workers.
During my four-​day visit to Helsinki I was there three times. Each time felt different. That is reason enough to go there more than once. I also purchased a jar of sea-​buckthorn marmalade there. If you are visiting Helsinki, make sure you go someplace where you can taste this amazing yellow fruit. I wish we had it in the States!