Not only has the popularity of flea markets grown tremendously in recent years, but the city government seems to encourage this initiative. In addition to its famous landmarks and activities, Finland's capital is home to two major flea markets that attract hundreds of vendors and tens of thousands of visitors every year from spring to autumn. The Hietalahti flea market and the Hakaniemi Flea Market are Helsinki's most anticipated and celebrated flea markets.
Once a week in the summer, since 1897, the Hakaniemi Sunday Flea Market welcomes about 200 flea market vendors to Hakaniemi Square. In addition to flea market vendors, the event also welcomes artisans who wish to sell their own handicrafts. The Hakaniemi Sunday Flea Market is run by Päivyt Toivonen and Orvokki Hyytinen, two young entrepreneurs and flea market gurus who also run the Kattilahalli and Cable Factory flea markets.
According to the founders of the Hakaniemi Sunday flea market, the event has grown tremendously in popularity. Nowadays, people have understood the true meaning of flea markets: to save money and the environment. As a result, the Hakaniemi Sunday Flea Market is slowly becoming not only an exchange place, but also a meeting place for vendors, shoppers, and local citizens.
And since a trip to the flea market wouldn't be complete without tasting some of the local delicacies, it's highly recommended to stop at one of the nearby cafes serving traditional open-air market delicacies: salmon soup, sausages, hot dogs, sweet delicacies and waffles. The Sunday market also has a licorice (locally known as salmiakki) stand, typical of open-air markets in Finland.
Carol Green
10th August 2015 at 21:16Hakaniemi market is a good place to browse for souvenirs, find some nice Finnish artisan creation, or just walk around, get some snack or even a hearty lunch of fried fish or salmon soup – I personally love the latter.
Krista Grönqvist
13th August 2015 at 07:34The best market to visit in the city center, if you want to have a local experience. Here you will find locals doing their grocery shopping. You won’t find bargains here, but you won’t find them anywhere else. Try the soup restaurant or a sweet in any of the bakeries.
Myrl Vanburen
28th April 2016 at 14:58Short ride from central railway station by bus, tram or metro will bring you to this 2 storeyed shopping mall with food and local produce on ground floor and souvenirs and marimekko on 1st floor.