Shopping in Reykjavik
Iceland is known for having some of the most forward-thinking avante garde designers in Europe, most of whom seem to live in Reykjavik, the country’s cosmopolitan capital. The city’s residents are quite fashionable, even when bundled up for the winter, and fashionistas will find no shortage of designers duds to take home. Here’s the scoop on shopping in Reykjavik.
Laugavegur Street
Laugavegur is Reykjavik’s main shopping drag. It runs down the center of the city and is home to boutique offering everything from swanky dresses and sky-high heels to more modest choices. There’s also several high-quality souvenir shops that sell traditional handmade goods like knitted sweaters and hats.
Kolaportið
The Kolaportið flea market offers an eclectic mish-mash of goods ranging from Icelandic sweaters to vintage clothes and antique furniture to used housewares, toys, games, books, and movies, all at the best prices in the city. There’s also an onsite food market where you can pick up some delicacies like Hákarl, fermented shark meat.
Thorvaldsens Bazaar
Philanthropic types should head to Thorvaldsens Bazaar for their knitted goods. The shop, one of the oldest in Reykjavik, is run by volunteers and sells goods made an donated by the members of the Thorvaldsens Society. Proceeds from all sales support a local children’s hospital and contribute to Save the Children Iceland.
Smáralind and Kringlan
Smáralind and Kringlan are Reykjavik’s two shopping centers. Kringlan is easily accessed by bus from the city center and boasts 150 stores like Zara, Addidas, MAC, and 66 North. Smáralind is the largest mall in Iceland and covers three floors. Levi’s Avon, Body Shop, Zara, and a host of local Icelandic chains are located here.
Photo by Luc Van Braekel