Aleksanterinkatu is the main shopping street in Helsinki. It starts from Stockmann in the western end and ends at the Presidential Palace in the east. In addition to the shopping along the way, the street runs past several famous buildings, such as Ritarihuone (the seat of Finnish nobility), the Helsinki Cathedral, and the main building of the University of Helsinki.

The street, colloquially known in Helsinki as private://Aleksiprivate://, is named after tsar Alexander I of Russia. It was originally named Suurkatu (Swedish: Storgatan), meaning private://Grand Streetprivate://, but was renamed after the Emperor's death in his honour. The streets crossing Aleksanterinkatu are named after the Emperor's mother, his brothers, and his sisters.