Shopping and Design
Whether you are after designer brands, unique Icelandic design or quality souvenirs, you will be spoilt for choice when shopping in Reykjavik. Even better, you can take it home tax-free!
The cozy atmosphere, vibrant street life and the myriad of cafés and restaurants in Reykjavik city centre will make your shopping time an enjoyable one. There are wonderful bookstores, where you can spend hours browsing through international and Icelandic books and buy souvenirs. There is always something new in this area, from cafés and galleries to small shops offering the latest items by young Icelandic designers.
Outside the city centre, you’ll be able to do some shopping in the warm comfort of the city's two main shopping malls; Kringlan, a couple of minutes drive from the heart of the city, and Smaralind in the adjacent town of Kopavogur. These are the places to go for "high street" fashion. In the nearby harbour town of Hafnarfjordur, you can satisfy all your shopping needs in Fjordurinn Shopping Centre and surrounding small shops and galleries in the town centre.
The Skeifan area also has a number of great outlet stores, outdoor wear stores, supermarkets and toy stores.
Icelandic Design
The Icelandic design scene is very innovative and experiencing strong growth, spurred on by young Icelandic designers who are inspired by influences at home and from abroad. Most shops selling Icelandic design - clothes, accessories, home ware - can be found in the city centre on Laugavegur, Skolavordustigur and around Vesturgata and the old harbour. You may sometimes need to look hard - many shops and studios are located in back streets or upper floors that are not easily spotted!