Helsinki - Market Square

Date of visit: 20th October 2015

Everyone who has been to Helsinki was recommending to us that Market Square is a must visit place. I was a little bit disappointed when I first saw the market in the morning. Not much stalls were at the square but I thought to myself that maybe it was too early, still. But then again, after we return back from Fortress Suomenlinna in the afternoon, there's not much improvement in terms of the number of stall. Not that many if we were to compare to the market square in many other cities.

The Market Square, called “Kauppatori” in Finnish is a central square in Helsinki, Finland, and one of the most famous market places and tourist attractions in the city. As it happens that this are the main place for a tourist to catch a ferry or boat to Fortress Suomenlinna.

It is located near the centre of Helsinki, at the eastern end of Esplanadi and bordering the Baltic Sea to the south and Katajanokka to the east. The Helsinki City Transport maintains an all-year-round ferry link from the Market Square to Suomenlinna, and in the summer there are also private companies providing ferry cruises, both to Suomenlinna and other nearby islands. You may see a lot of other things from this place, beside a quay to depart to the Fortress Suomenlinna.

Among other things are, both Helsinki Cathedral and Uspensky Cathedral seated so nearby from where the market square is. Both cathedrals are visible from the Market Square. Infant, mostly all important attractions, or a must visit is reachable by foot, seated not far from another. This are the city that we did not relying on Google Map at all.

From spring to autumn, the Market Square is bustling with activity with vendors selling fresh Finnish food and souvenirs. There are also many outdoor cafés at the square that a visitor must make effort to stop for lunch or at least a coffee break while savoring a local dessert. Some cafes in this area also provide meat pastries called "lihapiirakka". But we were told that the height of the square's popularity is in early October, where we were visiting, when the annual Helsinki herring market ("silakkamarkkinat" in Finnish) begins. Below photos are among those herring that I've first tested in Amsterdam.

Another even that is famously held at the Market Square is an old American cars displays at the Market Square on the first Friday of May month. A long tradition at the Market Square is a display of old American cars on the first Friday of every month. Any motorist with an interest in old American cars can take part in this display. How the tradition originally started is unclear.

Market Square monument structure

Among items that were put up for sales

Please take note that the Market square is the most convenience place for you to buy local souvenirs to bring back as moment. Seagulls have become an increasing menace in the Market Square, swooping down to snatch snacks and ice-cream from the hands of unsuspecting tourists.