Shops in Hetta

Shops in Hetta

Everything you can buy in Hetta — from the well-stocked supermarket and state Alko shop to hardware, the pharmacy, second-hand finds and traditional Sami silver.

A guide to the shops in Hetta, from the village's single supermarket and state-run alcohol shop to its hardware store, pharmacy, second-hand shop and traditional silver and souvenir boutiques.

  • One well-stocked supermarket, open 7 days a week in the tourism season
  • State-run Alko alcohol shop (must be 18 to buy, 20+ for spirits; supermarket max 4.7%)
  • Hardware shop, pharmacy (animal & human medicines) and a second-hand shop with community cafe
  • Traditional Sami silver at Hetta Silver and Koru Laakso — jewellery-making courses for groups

Supermarket and everyday shops

Hetta has only one supermarket, open 7 days a week in the tourism season (8:30–20:00 weekdays, with later openings and earlier closings at weekends). It is surprisingly well stocked, as many people drive over from nearby Sweden and Norway for Finland's cheaper produce and alcohol prices.

The hardware shop sits between the supermarket/alcohol shop entrance and the pharmacy; for larger items like wood or netting you drive to the back to collect before paying at the front. It closes at 18:00, is generally closed on Sundays and runs restricted hours on Saturdays. The pharmacy, between the alcohol shop and the clothes shop on the main street, sells both animal and human medicines, with English-speaking staff usually available.

Alcohol Shop (Alko)

Like all alcohol shops in Finland, Hetta's is state-run and always well stocked. Through the main supermarket entrance, the hardware and grocery shops are on the left and the Alko on the right. You'll be asked for ID 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%, and prices are standard across all shops. Alko closes at 18:00 Mon–Thu and 20:00 on Fridays, and is generally closed at weekends.

Second-hand, souvenirs and silver

The Second-Hand Shop is in the wooden building beside the supermarket (the old school), open weekdays only (Mon 10am–5pm, Tue–Fri 9am–3pm). Part fee shop, part table-rental shop, it has a good, frequently changing selection of women's clothes, warm winter jackets and useful items, plus a 'free-for-all' box and a community cafe. Hetan Aitta, beside the youth centre, is the local lottery shop and sells stationery, toiletries, books, toys, sewing items and souvenirs. The Disabled Rehabilitation Centre beside the grill sometimes sells wonderful hand-made souvenirs.

Hetta Silver, in the shopping complex by the Kautokeino junction, sells souvenirs, silver jewellery, and Finnish Sonera SIM cards and credit, and runs traditional Sami silver jewellery-making courses for groups. Koru Laakso, another traditional silver and jewellery shop in the centre of town, also offers Sami silver jewellery-making courses.

Outdoor goods and the post office

Hetta's 'Sport Butikk', in the shopping complex by the Kautokeino junction, has a linked DIY shop with a wide range of cheaper-brand products — a good place to hunt for odds and ends. The Post Office (Erämaakota) is also a flower shop, the region's main bakery, a cafe, souvenir shop and petrol station — and this petrol station is far cheaper than the one by the Norway junction. A second petrol station opposite the Kautokeino/Alta junction also has a cafe and small outdoor goods shop.