The best bookshops in Helsinki

Many publishing professionals name the tiny Pp. among their favourite bookshops. Opened in 2023, this petite store operates inside Tekstin talo (“The House of Text”) in the Sörnäinen district of Helsinki.

‘Pp. offers a tightly curated selection of high-quality literature: contemporary fiction, poetry and non-fiction. It also has the feel of a world-class bookstore. When I travel, I make a point of visiting small, distinctive bookshops – and Pp. is exactly that kind of place. If I stumbled upon a similar shop abroad, I’d probably think, “I wish we had one like this in Helsinki,”’ says Ville Blåfield, a Helsinki-based journalist, non-fiction author and programme director of the Helsinki Book Fair.

‘Pp. is a stylish, minimalist, kiosk-sized shop inside Tekstin talo. It’s the perfect spot for a curious, discerning reader who craves intellectual challenge and fresh perspectives. The insiders know – and they buy their books here. I trust the staff’s curation completely and feel like I’m in the company of people wiser than myself. The adjoining Bar Tÿpo is also the home base for the reading events of Piiri Media, which I founded,’ says journalist and author Ronja Salmi.

‘At Pp., part of the service is the curation itself. The staff are passionate readers who genuinely care about literature. It’s always a pleasure to step inside, and there’s always something unexpected to discover – an experience you simply don’t get in chain stores. Pp. also stocks cultural magazines, zines and other small-press titles that aren’t available elsewhere. And the best part? You can wander in with a coffee in hand straight from Bar Tÿpo next door,’ adds Anni Moilanen, editor for translated literature at publishing house Kosmos.

Address: Lintulahdenkatu 3

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 12.00–18.00, Sat 12.00–16.00

KIRJA-kauppa is a weekday-only bookstore selling titles from Finnish publishers including WSOY, Tammi, Johnny Kniga, Kosmos, Bazar, Readme and Docendo.

‘I want to recommend the KIRJA shop on Lönnrotinkatu, especially because of the bookseller,’ says author Satu Rämö. ‘Harri Mäki is there whenever the shop is open. These days we all handle things online, but we still need real human conversation. Visiting this shop lifts my mood – it’s a small, joyful moment in everyday life. When you browse in person, you might find something you didn’t even know existed. Harri always gives great recommendations, and I end up discovering something for both myself and my kids.’

At KIRJA, books published by Bonnier Finland are organised by genre – from literary fiction and crime to non-fiction, experimental prose and poetry. There’s also a well-stocked section for children and young adults. You might even spot older titles on the shelves, since books aren’t removed from the selection after a set period.

‘Times are uncertain, and people are cautious – spending needs to be cut, and many small bookshops have had to close. But I believe that without books, we simply can’t cope. If you can afford to buy books, think about doing it in a local shop rather than through an international online store,’ Rämö adds.

Satu Rämö is a Finland-born author based in Iceland. Her Hildur crime series has been translated into more than 20 languages and adapted into both a TV series and a stage play.

Address: Lönnrotinkatu, Helsinki

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8.30–17.00

You can’t talk about Helsinki’s bookshops without mentioning Rosebud Sivullinen, said to have the city’s widest selection of books. Recently, locals were outraged by the University of Helsinki’s decision to terminate the shop’s lease in its long-time Kaisaniemi location. In November 2025, the store will relocate to the former main post office building and reopen as Rosebud Posti. Rosebud also runs four smaller bookshops around the city.

‘Rosebud Sivullinen focuses less on aesthetics and more on having Finland’s largest selection. You never have to wonder whether they have the book you’re after – they always do. The children’s section is also extensive and thoughtfully curated, which isn’t always the case in Helsinki bookshops. There’s plenty of staff on hand, and the shop hosts interesting events. Visitors to the city will also appreciate the excellent range of English-language books,’ says Ronja Salmi.

‘Unlike many other bookshops, Rosebud Sivullinen doesn’t only stock new releases. You’ll find books from last year, or even from five years ago. Rosebud’s excellent branch on Mariankatu used to be my local when I lived in Kruununhaka. I often found new English-language titles there – the kind many people might otherwise order from Amazon,’ adds Ville Blåfield.

Address: Kaisaniemenkatu 5

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 10.00–19.00, Sat 10.00–18.00, Sun 12.00–17.00

Founded in 2008, Arkadia International Bookshop is a second-hand bookstore located in Etu-Töölö, just a short stroll from central Helsinki. Spread over two floors, it welcomes visitors with warmth and charm – you move from room to room as if visiting a friend’s home. The shop also displays artworks alongside its shelves of books.

‘Arkadia International Bookshop has a broad yet carefully curated selection. You’ll find both new and old literature in multiple languages. I love how the British owner, Ian, has left his mark on the place,’ says Ville Blåfield.

‘Arkadia also hosts a variety of talks and events. It has that wonderful feeling of stepping into a bookshop in an American city, where a discussion or interview is just getting underway in the corner,’ he adds.

Address: Nervanderinkatu 11

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11.00–19.00, Sat 12.00–18.00

Opened in 2013, Vihreä Planeetta (“Green Planet”) is an antiquarian bookshop that both buys and sells books.

‘My eternal Helsinki favourite is the antiquarian bookshop Vihreä Planeetta. It’s a warm, human-sized shop where you don’t have to wade through endless shelves. The selection includes everything from literary classics to contemporary fiction, as well as poetry and philosophy. At the back there’s a crime section – that’s where I hunt for Agatha Christie editions I don’t yet own,’ says Anni Moilanen.

‘Located on Toinen linja, it’s often on my route and easy to pop into. The same owners also run two other second-hand bookshops: Oranssi Planeetta on Hämeentie and Punainen Planeetta on Harjutori. All are worth visiting – the service is excellent, and each has a slightly different focus. Part of the joy of reading is stepping into a bookstore and discovering a new edition of an old classic, or something you’ve never heard of before.’

Address: Toinen linja 1

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 10.00–18.00, Sat 10.00–15.00