Not much like the original Forum in Rome, but A-Ok shopping mall…read more
This is a fairly good shopping mall in the downtown Helsinki area. It's home to a large variety of shops and department stores. They had lots of places to get shoes, clothes, and other things you'd usually get at the mall. There's some wonderful architecture in here, how they've converted a big courtyard into an atrium with a glass roof covering the open area. There is a food court here, but nothing special in there- McDonalds and other chain restaurants. I recommend going elsewhere for food.
The mall is huge- about a whole city block. It serves as a good way to cut through to the next block while staying warm and out of the snow. While here, be sure to check out the wide spiral staircase that ascends to the top floor. The mall is moderate to high end shops, with well organized shops. The mall felt safe, well lit, and clean. There's free wifi, and plenty of seating throughout the mall. I couldn't find the public restrooms.
It's a pretty good place to go shopping, or just do some browsing in the Design District of Helsinki! Every other shop here seems to sell Moomin stuff. For some reason, the Finns are into a cartoon hippo, Moomin. What do hippos have to do with Finland??! I looked and looked for actual hippopotami while in Finland, and didn't see any.
