Skip to content
Home » Europe » Finland

10 Best Souvenirs from Finland

If you are traveling to Finland soon you are probably wondering which are the best things to buy in Finland to bring home. Finnish design may not be as well known as Swedish or Danish design – what we generally consider to be Scandinavian design – but it is authentic and robust. But most of all, Finnish design is unique. Who can say they have a piece of Finnish design in their home? And of course, there are always items of historical, cultural or culinary interest. So we decided to go ahead and compile a list for you of the 10 best souvenirs from Finland. Your friends and family will love you 😉

Please note that this article contains affiliate links. Read more about it on our Disclosure page.

1. Kuksa

A kuksa is a traditional Sami drinking cup made from a birch burl. The semi-nomadic Sami people of northern Fenno-Scandia and Russia have been crafting these cups for over a thousand years and when preserved well make an excellent hiking companion. You will find these especially in Lapland, e.g. in Rovaniemi, but be aware that many are made very cheaply. Be prepared to spend a few more euros on a handcrafted Kuksa (if you wish to purchase one), but also know that you support the livelihood of the Sami people through the purchase.

best souvenirs from finland kuksa finland souvenir

2. Puukko

A puukko is a traditional Finnish belt knife used for various purposes such as carving, cutting meats, etc. The handle is often made from birch, but other possible materials include oak, ash, horn (e.g. moose or reindeer) or bone. It is considered an every-day tool with a short blade and not a weapon, but in any case, consult the import regulations before bringing them on a plane. One of the most popular brands amongst Finns is the Marttiini Puuko. You can find puukkos in specialized outdoor stores, or at the big department stores Sokos and Stockmann.

finland souvenirs puukko

3. Sauna Supplies

The land of a thousand lakes should rather be called the land of an inappropriately huge amount of saunas. And because Finns love their sauna so much, you can get sauna supplies (towels, oils, ..) just about anywhere. You don’t need to shell out a lot of money in a souvenir shop – Just check out the next home supply store (e.g. Tokmanni).

souvenir from finland sauna supplies

4. Berry Galore

My favorite souvenir to bring back for my mother is cloudberry jam. Cloudberries, along with other berries such as buckthorn, grow best in arctic climates and are harvested here in Finland during the summer. But because they are so rare, the prices can be somewhat outrageous – be prepared to spend about 7€ on a small jar of cloudberry jam. Alternatively, you could also go for fruit syrups, shower gels, body scrubs, moisture lotions or other skin care products (e.g. by Lumene). A good bet is to check out department stores Stockmann or Sokos.

finland souvenir berries

5. Finnish Liqueur

Finns like to drink – a stereotype that mostly holds true. Also, Finns have weird tastes. So bring back a licorice vodka. Or mint vodka. Or just a normal bottle of plain Finlandia vodka. If vodka is not your thing, try some Finnish beer – only, not Lapin Kulta. Please, for the love of God, no Lapin Kulta 😀 And if that still doesn’t tickle your fancy, try a locally distilled bottle of Teerenpeli whiskey – totally recommended. Hard liquors are only sold at Alko in Finland. Alternatively, you can also pick some up at the duty-free on your way home! Just please remember to always drink responsibly 🙂

souvenirs from finland finlandia

6. Moomin Dishes

Tove Jansson’s Moomin characters are a favorite of all Finnish children and of mine. Yes, I have a somewhat ridiculously extensive collection of Moomin mugs. They are easy to find and very sturdy so you don’t have to worry too much about transporting them in a suitcase. And of course, they are really, really cute. You can find them in any of the department stores and often even in supermarkets.

souvenir from finland moomin

 

7. Marimekko Prints

Marimekko debuted in 1951 and has been a Finnish favorite ever since. From dishtowels to bags, to dresses, to wallets, to plates and bowls – Marimekko prints can be found almost anywhere. If you don’t want to go all out, a small tote bag makes a lovely little gift for a friend. Marimekko usually have their own outlets around town (often in malls), but if you can’t find a flagship store, just pop into any of the department stores!

finland souvenirs marimekko

8. The Aalto Vase

The first time Mihir met my family, he proudly handed my mother a beautiful Aalto Vase, also known as a Savoy Vase. Perhaps she could not appreciate the full extent of the gesture at first but was happy to learn how it really was an iconic piece of Finnish design. It has recently inspired adaptations by several contemporary designers and continues to shine a bright light on Finland and Finnish design. The vases are on sale at many design shops but are most easily found at the big department stores Stockmann and Sokos.

souvenirs from finland finnish design aalto

9. Fiskars Scissors

Oh, you brought me a souvenir from Finland? Really, you shouldn’t have. What is it? Scissors? Really, you shouldn’t have…

Oh well. This may seem like a somewhat odd recommendation for a souvenir, but Fiskars scissors are so essential to Finnish households, Finns cannot imagine scissors without orange handles (never mind the fact that our personal Fiskars scissors have pink handles…). They are very sturdy and will serve you well for several decades – a really considerate gift, actually.

souvenir from finland fiskars

10. Safety Reflectors

Speaking of being considerate, in Finland, you will see many people running about with dangly things on their coats. They are not price-tags the people have forgotten to take off, but reflectors which will keep them safe from oncoming traffic during dark winter nights. Keep your friends safe too! By the way, the safety reflector was invented in Finland. The more you know! You can find them in any supermarket.

 finland souvenirs reflector

Where to Buy Souvenirs from Finland

If you are in a rush and don’t have time to check out many stores, let us make your life easier. The shops below should have everything you’re looking for (except the alcohol perhaps). Just check which store is the closest to your accommodation and take it from there 🙂

 


Now, what do you think? What have you brought back from your travels to Finland? Is there anything we have missed? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! Let’s stay in touch!

About Jacky

Hello there, fellow globetrotters! I’m Jacky, a passionate travel blogger with an insatiable wanderlust. With several years of experience in online marketing, I leverage my expertise to ensure that you get the best travel advice, tailored for the digital age. My travels have taken me to over 30 countries, and I love sharing those experiences with readers like you. Besides traveling, my other loves are my beloved cats, architecture, art, science fiction, coffee, and all things cute. My travel tips have been featured on lonelyplanet.com and in the EasyJet Traveller magazine.

1 thought on “10 Best Souvenirs from Finland”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.