Shopping

Iceland may not seem like the ideal place to go shopping and many people hold this view because they think of Iceland as this frozen dessert inhabited with handful of nomadic people. However, contradictory to the notion, Icelandic society is upscale with a high standard of living and the local demand for a variety of products of quality is great. This coupled with the fact that the whole of Iceland is a duty-free zone means has paved the way for some excellent shopping on the island. Being duty-free also means that almost all products bought in Iceland come at a fifteen percent discount. Surprisingly, branded clothes and fashion ware are a whole lot cheaper in Iceland than they are anyway else in the world. Moreover, the experience in shopping in the freezing beauty is a must-do on its own.

Shops in Iceland remain open from nine in the morning to six in the evening on weekdays. On Saturdays however, the shops generally close in the afternoon and on Sundays, most shops don't even bother opening their shutters. Some supermarkets and department stores are open all week long though. Locally made products include handicraft articles like furniture, silver jewelry, lava ceramics, glassware Icelandic paintings and sculptures. For those with an interest in the mythology, books on Iceland can be great buys, as can Viking jewelry and original Nordic runes. Edibles like Iceland's chocolates, Beachwood smoked salmon and candies are delectable buys. Also available are natural and herbal beauty and healthcare products made from the natural springs.

Probably the most important and best of all Icelandic products are their woolens. Sweaters, shawls, mittens, cardigans, hats and much more are made on the island by the traditional hand method.

Reykjavík has the largest concentration of stores and shops on Iceland. The main shopping areas are downtown Laugavegur and the Kringlan mall. Both places have high-style boutiques and are walking distance from many of the capital's hotels. For arts and crafts as well as jewelry, head to Skólavörðustígur a street near Laugavegur. Kolaportið flea market near the harbor front is a decent place to get bargains and rare goods that are not available in other markets. The Smáralind mall recently opened in Kópavogur is the largest such place in Iceland.

All products purchased, have to be declared on departure with the exception of woolens.

The following is a list of the various stress in Iceland as per category. Details about the stores are not available.

Department Stores:

Fálkinn

Location: Suðurlandsbraut 8

IS-108 Reykjavík.

K.Á. - Verslun Hvolsvelli

Location: Austurvegi 4

IS-860 Hvolsvelli.

Hagkaup

Location: Smáratorgi 1

IS-200 Kópavogi.

Nýkaup

Location: Kringlunni 8-12

IS-103 Reykjavík.

Samkaup

Location: Reykjanesbraut

IS-260 Njarðvík

Arts / Crafts stores:

Listasafn Islands

Location: Fríkirkjuvegur 7

IS-101 Reykjavík

Tel: +354 562-1000

Tiffany´s glerstúdíó

Location: Óðinsgötu 7 v/Óðinstorg

IS-101 Reykjavík

Íslenska handverkshúsið ehf.

Location: Lækjargata 4

IS-101 Reykjavík.

Versl. Vala-Listhús Sólheima

Location: Sólheimum í Grímsnesi

IS-801 Selfossi.

Jewelry:

Artform

Location: Skólavörðustíg 20

IS-101 Reykjavík

Gullsmiðjan Guðrún Bjarnadóttir

Location: Lækjargötu 34C

IS-220 Hafnarfjörður

Jóhannes Leifsson gullsmiður

Location: Laugavegi 30

IS-101 Reykjavík.

Jón & Óskar

Location: Laugavegi 61

IS-101 Reykjavík.

Sigga og Timo

Location: Strandgötu 19

IS-220 Hafnarfjörður

Woolen Products:

The Handknitting

Association Of Iceland

Location: Skólavörðustígur 19 - 101 Reykjavík

Tel: 354-552 1890

Fax: 354-552 1912

Kaupfélag Borgfirðinga - Ullarvörur

Location: Egilsgötu 11- 13

IS-310 Borgarnesi.

Þingborg svf.

Location: Þingborg Hraungerðishreppi

IS-802 Selfossi.

Staðarskáli

Location: Staðarskáli

IS-500 Brú.

Health Products of Iceland

There is just one major company offering natural health products called Heilsuhornið. They have stores in the following locations:

1. Hafnarstræti 91

IS-600 Akureyri.

2. Smáratorg 1

IS-200 Kópavogur.

3. Kringlunni 8-12

IS-103 Reykjavík.

4. Skólavörðustíg 4

IS-101 Reykjavík.

Besides, many geothermal spas like the Blue Lagoon offer their own line of health products in the form of creams, lotions, bath salts and other applications.