Tour Helsinki Market Square and Old Market Hall

Popular Finland Market Located in Helsinki's Old Town

Aug 21, 2009

The Market Square and Old Market Hall provide a casual glimpse into Finnish daily life and local foods of Helsinki, Finland.

Helsinki Market Square, also known as the Kauppatori, is popular with both tourists and locals. The square provides an open-air farmers market and a historic public market building, Old Market Hall. Local Finnish specialty foods abound and it makes a perfect casual lunch destination.

Both the Market Square and Old Market Hall overlook the South Harbor from which local boats and visiting cruise ships can be viewed. Some vendors sell directly from their small boats docked nearby.

Old Market Hall opened in 1889 and contains a variety of vendors selling baked goods, meats, cheeses, and even exotic products from Lapland. The outdoor farmer’s market fills with rows of small tents offering fresh produce, local handicrafts, souvenirs, and prepared foods.

Finland's Market Showcases Helsinki's Specialty Foods

The small and bustling market showcases local produce and delicacies. Several stands sell fried vendace, a small whitefish served whole and eaten like french fries. Or, explore the more exotic reindeer meatballs served with lingonberry sauce and fried potatoes.

Ice cream stands offer sweet treats on a sunny day, but crafty seagulls are known to swoop down and grab unsuspecting ice cream cones. One stand even offers a hand drawn depiction to ensure every customer is aware of the danger.

The brick facade of the Old Market Hall houses additional vendors selling freshly baked breads, sweets, soups and sandwiches. As with the outdoor vendors, a heavy emphasis is on fish and reindeer, the popular local meats. Herring is available at most vendors, who offer many varieties including pickled herring and smoked herring.

Helsiniki's Esplanade Park is a Relaxing Picnic Destination

Sitting by the water’s edge makes for an enjoyable picnic location but just a short 5 minute walk away is the Esplanade Park, also known as Pohjoisesplanadi or Esplanadi. The boulevard offers plenty of green space, benches, and fountains. Frommer’s travel guide notes that it was originally, “a political dividing line -- Finns walked on the south side and Swedes on the north.“ The park now offers a relaxing spot to rest for both tourists and locals alike. On busier days, street performers can be found along the park and provide free entertainment.

Helsinki Attractions are a Short Walk from Market Square

Within eyeshot of Helsiniki's Market Square and Old Market Hall is the grand Uspenski Cathedral, famous for its green copper roof and gold onion domes. Open to the public, locals or tired tourists often sunbathe on the lush lawn on warm summer days. A short walk from the Market Square is famed Helsinki Cathedral and the Central Railway Station made of pink granite.

Helsinki, Finland offers is a beautifully historic city offering many interesting attractions. The Market Square and Old Market Hall offer a view into local life by offering a broad selection of traditional foods.

The copyright of the article Tour Helsinki Market Square and Old Market Hall in European Culinary Travel is owned by Allen Williams. Permission to republish Tour Helsinki Market Square and Old Market Hall in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.