Shopping in Iceland

Icelandic shopping is delightful and merciless. The price tag is especially high for handmade things - and this is the lion's share of really worthwhile souvenirs. Due to the limited human resources on the island, everything that is made by human hands, and not on a machine, is highly valued in Iceland. Therefore, do not be surprised that even items of similar size and quality in Iceland will cost ten times more than, for example, in Asian countries.

The Icelanders themselves are trying to stock up on clothes and other goods during trips to Europe, where the price tag for things is much more loyal than in their homeland. Considering this, it is definitely not worth buying goods of world brands in Iceland. Instead, switch your attention to locally produced items, the variety of which will please everyone. Unique handmade souvenirs, unusual chocolate and licorice, sheep wool socks and sweaters, cool protective jackets, lava jewelry, Icelandic designer clothes, leather goods, cosmetics based on minerals from local thermal springs - these are really worth spending money on, let not even small ones.

What to bring from Iceland? Prices in Iceland

Shops with goods of Icelandic production can be found throughout the island. Even in the most remote areas of Iceland , in the town of Isafjordur in the Westfjords, there are several excellent souvenir shops. But most of the trading floors are concentrated, of course, in Reykjavik. It is here, on the Laugavegur shopping street and in local shopping centers, that you need to look for local brand clothes. There are a lot of interesting souvenir shops in the capital, but there are also places with passing goods among them, without pretensions to unique handicrafts. If you want to find something really original and authentic, you should go to the local flea market Kolaportið . Fashionable designer items and interesting souvenirs are also widely presented in the shopping centers and boutiques of Akureyri.

Traditional Icelandic lopapeysa sweater

This is one of the most coveted souvenirs from Iceland - you must admit, few people will refuse an incredibly warm sweater with beautiful ethnic motifs. They are knitted by hand from the wool of local sheep, and, in fact, the complex name of the product is translated very simply: a sweater (peysa) made of sheep wool (lopa).Surprisingly, lopapeysa has no ancient history - they began to actively knit sweaters only in the 20s of the last century, and Greenlandic motifs were used as the basis for patterns. The traditional Icelandic sweater is seamless, with a wide jacquard pattern on the top and narrow stripes on the cuffs and bottom. According to the canon, undyed wool must be used - white, brown and black. But now in stores there are sweaters of various colors and styles (including zippers, with a hood). Thanks to the special wool of Icelandic sheep, the product is especially warm and light. True, the sweater is a little prickly, so they wear it on a T-shirt or T-shirt.

Gifts from Iceland

Icelandic souvenirs are filled with cute trinkets from the heart. One of the leading themes is the Vikings. Ship models, horned helmets, amulets, themed ashtrays, beer glasses, etc. are dedicated to them. No less popular are troll figurines, and, of course, Icelandic horses and puffins! Their images adorn postcards, mugs, magnets, lighters and candy boxes. In general, there will definitely not be a problem finding a small and cute present. But be prepared not only for cuteness, but also for rather harsh presents that Iceland will offer. Souvenirs in local markets sometimes offer quite unexpected ones - for example, the bones of animals washed ashore by the sea.
If you want to buy something more practical, ceramic and glassware will do. Also pay attention to candles - Icelanders with their dark winters definitely know a lot about this topic. Candles, by the way, are often bought as gifts in Iceland at Christmas, but they are not as popular as books - they love literature here, and both read and write. A book by an Icelandic author (often there is an English version in the store) can also become a good memory of the trip - you can, for example, buy the book “Independent People” by Nobel laureate Halldour Laxness. Also, check out the music store for a disc from a local artist (believe me, not only Björk is listening here).

During the holidays , you can bring special souvenirs from Iceland. For example, on the eve of Easter, beautiful chocolate eggs are sold in shops, and on Christmas days, fairs are held in Reykjavik where you can buy various holiday decorations. And if you can’t get to Iceland for the New Year, at any time of the year you can visit Jólahúsið (Christmas Garden) near Akureyri and the shop of the same name in Reykjavik, where you can buy various Christmas sweets and decor.

Have you fallen in love with Iceland so much that you dream of literally taking a piece of the island with you? Then buy jewelry with volcanic stones: rings, beads, earrings, watches, etc., framed in silver or without (from €35). Labradorite jewelry looks especially beautiful - in certain lighting, the stone shimmers, resembling the northern lights. You can also “take away” Iceland in the format of all kinds of cosmetics based on local natural resources: black volcanic bath salt, herbal mixtures, products based on minerals from the Blue Lagoon and other thermal springs. But don’t even look in the direction of the “jars of volcanic ash” - a waste of money. And do not engage in vandalism - lava fragments, stones, stalactites are prohibited from exporting from Iceland !