Shops in Hetta

Supermarket and everyday shops

Hetta has one supermarket, open 7 days a week in the tourism season (8:30-20:00 weekdays, shorter weekend hours). It is surprisingly well stocked, since many drive over from Sweden and Norway for Finland's cheaper produce and alcohol.

The hardware shop sits between the supermarket entrance and the pharmacy. For larger items like wood or netting, collect at the back before paying at the front. It closes at 18:00, generally closes on Sundays and keeps restricted Saturday hours. The pharmacy on the main street sells both animal and human medicines, with English-speaking staff usually on hand.

Alcohol Shop (Alko)

Hetta's Alko, like all Finnish alcohol shops, is state-run and well stocked. Through the main supermarket entrance, it is on the right, the hardware and grocery shops on the left. Expect an ID check if you look under 18 (the legal drinking age), and you must be over 20 to buy spirits. The supermarket sells alcohol only up to 4.7%, at prices standard across all shops. Alko closes at 18:00 Mon-Thu and 20:00 on Fridays, and generally closes at weekends.

Second-hand, souvenirs and silver

The Second-Hand Shop, in the wooden old-school building beside the supermarket, opens weekdays only (Mon 10am-5pm, Tue-Fri 9am-3pm), with a frequently changing stock of women's clothes, warm winter jackets and useful finds, plus a 'free-for-all' box and community cafe. Hetan Aitta, beside the youth centre, sells lottery tickets, stationery, toiletries, books, toys, sewing items and souvenirs. The Disabled Rehabilitation Centre beside the grill sometimes sells wonderful hand-made souvenirs.

Hetta Silver, by the Kautokeino junction, sells silver jewellery, souvenirs and Finnish Sonera SIM cards, and runs traditional Sami silver jewellery-making courses for groups, as does Koru Laakso in the centre of town.

Outdoor goods and the post office

Hetta's 'Sport Butikk', by the Kautokeino junction, has a linked DIY shop full of cheaper-brand odds and ends. The Post Office (Erämaakota) is also flower shop, regional bakery, cafe, souvenir shop and petrol station, far cheaper for fuel than the Norway junction. A second petrol station opposite the Kautokeino/Alta junction has a cafe and small outdoor goods shop.