Reykjavik is Iceland's capital and northernmost capital city of a sovereign state, set on the Faxaflói bay with mountains and glaciers on the horizon. Known for the Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa concert hall, geothermal swimming pools and a compact, colourful old town, it is the base for the Golden Circle, the South Coast and northern lights tours.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Lopapeysa wool sweaters
Price: ISK 25,000-60,000 (~$200-480)
Where: Handknitting Association of Iceland, Skólavörðustígur shops
Icelandic jackets and fleece
Price: ISK 20,000-120,000 (~$160-960)
Where: 66°North, Geysir
Dried fish, skyr products and Icelandic sweets
Price: ISK 800-4,000 (~$6.4-32)
Where: Hlemmur Mathöll, Kolaportið, supermarkets
Brennivín and Icelandic craft spirits
Price: ISK 4,500-12,000 (~$36-96)
Where: Vínbúðin
Icelandic ceramics and jewellery
Price: ISK 3,000-25,000 (~$24-200)
Where: Rammagerðin, Skólavörðustígur galleries
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Kolaportið Flea Market
Indoor flea market near the harbour selling used goods, wool items, books and Icelandic food. The market is cash-heavy but an ATM is on site.
Where: Old Harbour
Hours: Saturday-Sunday 11:00-17:00; closed on weekdays
Hlemmur Mathöll
Food hall in the former Hlemmur bus station with stalls for meals, coffee and Icelandic products.
Where: Hlemmur
Hours: Typically daily 11:00-21:00; stalls vary
Grandi Mathöll
Food hall beside the harbour with counters for soup, fish, burgers and desserts.
Where: Grandi Harbour
Hours: Typically daily 11:00-21:00; stalls vary
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Laugavegur
Reykjavik's main shopping street, running from Bankastræti east to Hlemmur.
Skólavörðustígur
Street climbing to Hallgrímskirkja lined with wool, jewellery, art and design shops.
Grandi Harbour
Harbour district with design studios, galleries and a food hall.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Kringlan
Indoor mall in the east of the city with over 150 shops, restaurants and a cinema.
Hours: Typically Mon-Wed and Fri 10:00-18:30, Thu 10:00-21:00, Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 13:00-17:00; confirm hours
Smáralind
Iceland's largest shopping mall in Kópavogur about 9 km from the centre.
Hours: Typically Mon-Wed 11:00-19:00, Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-19:00, Sun 13:00-18:00; confirm hours
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices in Icelandic shops are fixed and bargaining is not customary.
Kolaportið is the only place where some haggling is possible.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Most shops open Monday to Saturday; many close or open for shorter hours on Sunday., Cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere; cash is rarely needed except at Kolaportið., Bottled alcohol is sold only in Vínbúðin shops, which close on Sundays.