Shopping & Souvenirs
Supermarkets
Food prices in Iceland are 50–100% higher than in Germany. The main supermarket chains by price:
| Supermarket | Price Level | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Bónus (pink piglet logo) | Cheapest | Discount supermarket, limited selection, short opening hours. The insider tip for budget travelers! |
| Krónan | Cheap | Similar to Bónus, but slightly larger selection and longer opening hours |
| Nettó | Medium | Good selection, often at gas stations. In rural areas often the only option |
| Hagkaup | Upscale | Large assortment, also non-food. Comparable to a small department store |
| 10-11 | Most expensive | Convenience store, open 24/7. Only for emergencies — the prices are astronomical |
Duty-Free — The Most Important Tip!
The Duty-Free shop at Keflavík Airport (in the arrivals area!) is the cheapest place in all of Iceland for alcohol, tobacco, and perfume. Alcohol is not available in supermarkets — only in state-run Vínbúðin stores (limited opening hours, high prices). A six-pack of beer in Vínbúðin costs about 2,500 ISK (17€), half in Duty-Free. So buy your alcohol supply upon arrival in Duty-Free!
Souvenirs — What Is Worth It?
- Icelandic Wool (Lopapeysa): The famous Icelandic sweater with the traditional yoke pattern is THE souvenir par excellence. Hand-knitted from 25,000 ISK (167€), machine-made from 12,000 ISK (80€). Genuine craftsmanship can be found at the Handknitting Association of Iceland (Handprjónasamband Íslands) on Skólavörðustígur in Reykjavík — Icelandic women knit in the shop here
- Omnom Chocolate: Iceland's craft chocolate from Reykjavík — award-winning, beautifully packaged, and the factory in Grandi offers tours. From 1,200 ISK (8€)
- Lava Salt (Saltverk): Hand-harvested sea salt from the Westfjords, smoked with Icelandic lava. Perfect cooking souvenir from 1,500 ISK (10€)
- Icelandic Music: From Björk to Sigur Rós to Of Monsters and Men — Iceland produces a disproportionate number of world-class musicians. Buy vinyl at the 12 Tónar store in Reykjavík (with coffee and listening samples!)
- Brennivín: The "Black Death" schnapps (caraway) is Iceland's national spirit. Best bought in Duty-Free upon departure
- Puffin Kitsch: Puffins on everything — mugs, magnets, socks. Tourism kitsch, but irresistible
- Books: Iceland has the highest book publication rate per capita in the world. Icelandic crime novels (Arnaldur Indriðason, Ragnar Jónasson) and the sagas in English translation are wonderful mementos
Shopping Streets in Reykjavík
- Laugavegur: The main shopping street — fashion, design, souvenirs, outdoor shops, cafés. This is the heart of the city
- Skólavörðustígur: The street leading up to Hallgrímskirkja — galleries, jewelry, crafts, the Handknitting Association
- Grandi Harbor District: The up-and-coming creative district — Omnom chocolate factory, Marshallhúsið art gallery, Saga Museum, fish restaurants. Less touristy than Laugavegur
💡 Tipp
Do NOT buy an Icelandic sweater in the large tourist shops on Laugavegur — many sell machine-knitted imports from China. Instead, go to the Handknitting Association (Skólavörðustígur 19) or Farmers Market for genuine Icelandic craftsmanship. The price difference is small, but the quality is worlds apart. And: The Duty-Free shop upon ARRIVAL is cheaper than upon departure!
