Locals flying home also shop at the airport because the prices are lower. Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Paglop-commonswiki. Beautiful wooden utensils in every shape and size are sold at Farmers Market in Reykjavik's hip Fishpacking District. Without these works, our knowledge of Nordic history and Norse mythology would be severely lacking. This is sold in souvenir shops as a gimmick, but so long as you are happy to miss out on the admittedly amusing packaging, you can save yourself some money. ). Wondering what to buy in Iceland but uncertain about the best Iceland souvenirs? With everything from Icelandic sweaters to fishmongers, it's the perfect place to go for the eclectic traveler. Their beauty products stimulate the skin to renew itself and give the most amazing glow! And like everything else in Iceland, it's made using local ingredients and renewable energy sources. Halldor Laxness is Iceland's only Nobel Prize winner, and the quality of his literature, even in the translations, speaks instantly as to why. They come in so many different colors and if you get the ones from lafoss you are literally buying from one of the oldest companies in business in Iceland. What makes Blue Lagoon skin care products unique are that all of the products contain a combination of the same elements that exist in the lagoon itself the silica mud, the algae and the healing minerals. If you travel beyond the city, youll find many real puffins out in the wild. The production process is quite simple: haddock, cod, or seawolf gets salted and hung out to dry for many weeks and sometimes months. Look for them at Iceland's state-run liquor stores, Vnbdin, or at the Keflavik Airport. I did not research Icelandic beer, so perhaps there are some excellent microbreweries to check out (please comment if you know of any). I had no intention of bringing home Icelandic beer, but when I saw cans of bright gold Viking beer available to purchase by the can at the airport, I couldnt resist picking up a couple of cans. The tradition took off during World War II when foreign imports were restricted but paper remained cheap and easy to get hold of. The bean-to-bar chocolatier has nailed the whole precious-ingredients thing (organic cacao, raw cane sugar, pure Icelandic milk). I think I read a stat where about ten percent of the population of Iceland is a published author (see the Geography of Bliss, one of my favorite books). Another favorite discovery from the Harpa farmers' market: locally harvested seaweed and herb spices from Islensk Hollusta. Icelandic alcohol is probably easiest to pick up at the airport. Its thanks to lava fragments, ash, and other minerals that you get to see this natural wonder up close though it can be dangerous. Holy moly. Usually travelers want something to remember their trip in Iceland - like a souvenir.. But . Society, x News. You can, however, expect to find an extensive range of clothing items, accessories, and bags. Just because beers back, it doesnt mean its easy to obtain alcohol in Iceland. If those arent familiar to you, Chris Hemsworth might never have played Thor! Thats not all, though. Cairn O'Mohr, outstanding Scottish fruit wines, constitute a great gift for those who enjoy a glass of good wine. Most Icelandic names have meanings, and some even believe names have hidden powers. Lava Rock Bracelet 4. Otherwise, you might try one of the fancy Icelandic sea salts, which come in different colors and are brimming with natural minerals. Now anyone should be able to find something for them or their family and friends to take home and treasure the memories of when you visited the Land of Fire and Ice. This next Icelandic souvenir might sound ridiculous, but my mom actually did buy a box of frozen cod at the airport and brought it home. In fact, most modern Icelanders have no trouble reading Snorris Prose Edda even though its 700 years old. They will best preserve the memories Iceland has given you and be the things youll love going through later. Look for an upcoming, in depth post on the specific shops in downtown Reykjavik (I took a lot of photos!). When you have such a tiny population, its easy to become the best at well, everything. I hope you had a wonderful time and Im so glad we could help you learn a little more about Iceland . There are even some Iceland gifts you can find and take home free of charge. Kolaportid, the Icelandic flea market, is cluttered with a hugely diverse array of goods. You might want to stop a bit longer in one of our supermarkets. Lopapeysa - Icelandic Wool Sweaters Authentic Icelandic wool sweaters are called lopapeysa. If youre not in the market for a chunky Icelandic sweater, there are plenty of other woolen items to take home as a souvenir. (SeriouslyIceland's airport shopping is great.). Will tell you when I come back. photo credit @Reykjavik Ink. One of the best hot dog stands is located right in downtown Reykjavik,Bjarins Beztu Pylsur. Dotted around yards and even next to highways, youll find tiny replicas of houses and churches built by Icelanders for the local trolls, called Hidden People in Icelandic: hulduflk. While the Blue Lagoon may be a bit overpriced, its beauty products are unique and a great way to bring a little bit of Iceland home. My favorite fleece souvenir ever comes from the 66 North shop in Iceland. The lopapeysa, or Icelandic wool sweater, is probably the most classic, authentic souvenir you can get from Iceland - so long as it's Icelandic made, of course. People pay good money to go to spas with sulfuric water think of your shower as a spa experience. For the house-proud looking to bring a sense of clean, unique Nordic style to their home, Hrim is an excellent option for Icelandic souvenir shopping. I quit! I can only assume this combo is an Icelandic specialty so if you arent a fan make sure to memorize that word so you can avoid it when buying candy! Pro tip: Try buying them at a flea market, the Red Cross shops, or outside the city, the prices are lower! And its easy to find, too: supermarkets all over Iceland sell this delicacy in little bags that make perfect Icelandic gifts. Conceived and produced in Iceland, the company procures the best beans from around the world and blends them with unusual flavors to make some of the country's most delicious sweets. But what really floored me was the outfit's delectable selection of lactofermented chutneys. Iceland is famous for having exceptionally clean water, but it doesnt always pass the sniff test. The most famous of them all is brennivn, also called Black Death. Having said that, with the increase in tourism, you'll also find souvenir shops in smaller towns like Sytkkishlmur and Hsavk. Keilir's candlestick trio is made locally from hand-painted mahogany. Colorful puzzles and books about the whole sneaky bunch are available in many languages and make great souvenirs for kids! These mugs are sold at Epal Design, but I also spotted them at the Reykjavik Art Museum's Hafnarhus branch gift shop. The most popular bottle of Icelandic alcohol to bring home is Brennivn, a seasoned schnapps with a distinct flavor. A solo shoot takes 45 minutes to an hour, with group sessions being up to two hours. All Rights Reserved, 6 Things To Know Before Visiting Iceland In May. Much of Icelandic design and fashion is inspired by landscapes and Icelandic nature. Let me make this clear: Lakkris means licorice. Address: Studlahalsi 2, 110 Reykjavik, Iceland. But ask any Icelander if they believe in elves, and you might get an answer like I did Of course not! Although they initially did not have hoods or zippers, many do today. Despite rumors, its not a Viking war cry. Nobody is sure who compiled them; the events documented occurred centuries before and were passed down through oral tradition. The main shopping places in Iceland are found in Reykjavik. Other great places to get these blankets are at the Geysir shops, on Laugavegur or in Kringlan. the Mast Brothers of Iceland. For a more modern twist, I loved the Farmers Market brand, available at local and airport shops. This one is definitely BBYOR: Bring Back at Your Own Risk. Just dont be a dope like me and leave it in your carry-on; apparently, our friends at the TSA consider jam a liquid. One town even designed its roads to ensure no intrusions were made on elf territory. The last war that Iceland was officially involved in was the Iraq war of 2003 where they contributed two Icelandic troops. Flatkaka Me Hangikjti - Flatbread with Smoked Lamb Flatkaka, like hot spring rye bread, is an Icelandic food that can be found on any table around the island country. As mentioned above, Iceland's nature is there to be appreciated, not broken into pieces for everyone to take a part home. If you prefer items that aren't so obviously souvenirs, you'll have . Reykjavk has made strong efforts to increase its greenery, despite being one of the cloudiest capital cities with some of the coolest temperatures. Iceland is my dream destination , hope to visit soon. Though youll receive no shortage of excellent restaurant recommendations from locals (Dill, Grillid, etc. From music to theater to design and architecture, there seems to be no media that hasnt been mastered by the local people. On my next trip to Iceland, I was able to avoid the offensive ingredient and can confirm the non-licorice candy is absolutely delicious. Icelandic alcohol is probably easiest to pick up at the airport. Omnom Chocolate is one of Iceland's leading chocolate brands, and its bars are excellent souvenirs. The lower level used to be a bank vault, and the signs of its past make a shopping experience here more than just about what you are buying. From the magical northern lights, the Blue Lagoon, thundering waterfalls, ice-capped volcanic mountains, [] Music lovers can also take a guided iPad tour of the Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll. Iceland is known for celebrating being allowed to drink beer on 1 March, called Bjrdagurinn in Icelandic, after beer prohibition was repealed on that day in 1989. The tradition of picking herbs and producing lotions goes far back in Soleys the companys namesake family. Goafoss is one of Icelands most significant historical landmarks and is nothing short of spectacular. REAL Icelandic Wool. In Iceland, there is no shortage of pickings. Hand carved sculptures of Icelandic birds; knitted, woven and crocheted clothing items. Copyright 2014. With a cultural heritage of more than 1500 years, the country has wowed tourists from all over the world. Image Source. There's a wide range to choose from, but the most traditionally Icelandic is, without a doubt, the one flavored with licorice (written over here as "Lakkris") and sea salt. But what makes Icelandic sweets so special? What Icelandic attractions and activities are simply too unique and captivating to be left unexplored? Every tourist shop, like Geysir and the Puffin's Nest, sells at least a few wool items. Even today, Reykjavk proudly sells merchandise proclaiming itself a cat capital. i can vouch for the delicious chocolate bread. The furry rams are then the second figurine I have come to love as a gift for my foreign friends. I finally got to visit in 2003 and thought, Iceland is like a beautiful bride with whom a bridegroom could never stop having a honeymoon! Don't miss a souvenir-- get our email updates! For more extravagant souvenirs look for woolen teapot warmers, elf shoes, and cold water swimming bathing shorts. Some are exported to other countries but once theyre gone, theyre never allowed back. We hope you find this guide helpful when searching for the best souvenirs to buy in Iceland! To shop for jewelry as the best Icelandic souvenirs, we recommend you visit Kolaporti Flea Market. These Viking portraits are increasingly popular, so booking in advance is an excellent idea. Skyn Iceland and Feel Iceland are two other local beauty product brands well-known and respected for their quality, but these are far from the only ones. Eurovision. I did come home with a horn to be used as a drinking vessel and some fun beads expertly chosen and strung by the lovely shopkeeper. All rights reserved. Thank you author for such a nice explanation. 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