I bought the dried fish, the hotdogs, even the Brenevin and they were all great ways to learn about Icelandic culture. I would recommend trying all of them..and leaving them in Iceland. Especially the dried fish, which made my luggage smell like an aquarium for weeks.
There are much better options when deciding what to buy in Iceland. The best souvenirs from Iceland are things that you are actually going to use in real life. That is is mindset I try to have wherever I am buying souvenirs and Iceland is no exception. Luckily for us, there are lots of unique, local shops and companies creating great things in Iceland.
Buyer Beware-Avoid The Tourist Traps
With the recent influx of tourists heading to Iceland, the amount of knock off wool sweaters and overpriced coffee mugs are increasing just as much (or more)! Tacky souvenir shops seem to dominate shopping areas, and most everything inside is imported junk. They are easy to spot, usually full of Icelandic flags and mountains of fuzzy, stuffed puffins. Locals literally refer to them as “Puffin Shops.”
Stores like these and other tourist spots work with the same wholesalers to buy their merchandise, much of it coming from China. Before you buy that wool sweater or blanket, look closely at the tag to check where it was made.
What To Really Buy In Iceland
Iceland Shopping – Food & Drinks
Jams from Sandholt
In downtown Reykjavik, fourth generation artisan bakers are busy creating a shop full of fresh loaves of bread, pastries, and treats at Sandholt bakery. It’s one of the oldest bakeries in the country, and according to its many fans (me included!) one of the best. They have a loyal following and it can get crowded soon after they open, so get there early for the best selection.
The secret though is the decadent jams and dessert spreads for sale across from the pastry cases. The jams are homemade with local ingredients like juicy red raspberries, and worth every ounce of their weight in your suitcase. Pick up a jar or two to enjoy at home long after your trip is over. They also make the perfect Icelandic souvenir for even your pickiest foodie friends.
Black Licorice
Licorice candy is a favorite not just in Iceland, but all throughout Scandinavia. If you’ve ever eaten black Twizzlers and think you don’t like black licorice, give it another try. The real deal tastes nothing like what we are used to in America. Sweet licorice is the most common, but salty versions are also popular.
Lakrids
There are countless brands and varieties available, but Lakrids is one of the best. Johan Bülow opened Lakrids in Denmark in 2007 to create an elevated, gourmet version of the traditional candy. He also covered it in chocolate. Smart man. While it’s worth trying as many kinds of licorice as you can, Lakrids is the one to stock up on.
Nóa
My absolute favorite, however, are the Chocolate Licorice Caramel Balls by Nóa. These are just what they sound like, licorice balls covered in caramel and dipped in chocolate, and they are wildly addicting. The licorice flavor is less intense combined with the chocolate and caramel, but it still comes through just enough.
Nói makes many other licorice candies and bars at an affordable price point, so it’s a great brand to experiment with.
Icelandic Chocolate
In addition to all that licorice, Icelandic chocolate is another treat that deserves some suitcase space. Omnom is one of the most popular brands in the country, and is crafted from organic cacao beans and Icelandic milk. The factory is located in the Reykjavík harbor area and offers tours during the week, with plenty of samples to taste.
Omnom chocolates bars are easy to find at both gift shops and grocery stores. The vibrantly colored wrappers with modern animal graphics makes them especially gift-able.
Liqueur from 64° Reykjavik Distillery
64° Reykavik Distillery is bottling up bright, slightly sweet-flavored liqueurs created from native Icelandic fruits. They are a fantastic alternative to the abrasive, caraway flavored Brennivin, fondly referred to as “Black Death.” Give the Brennivin a try, just to say you did, then fill your cart with the Blueberry, Rhubarb, and Crowberry flavors that are perfect for mixing into cocktails back home.
The fruits and botanicals used by the distillery are all hand foraged during the short Icelandic summer. My favorite is the rhubarb, mixed into an ice cold glass of champagne. For more ideas, check out their website for one of a kind cocktail recipes: 64° Reykavik DIstillary cocktails
Iceland shopping – CLOTHING and accessories
REAL Icelandic Wool
Knitted wool sweaters may be one of the most iconic souvenirs to buy in Iceland, and for good reason. They are super warm, well-made, and just plain cute. Icelandic sheep have been providing wool to local knitters for centuries, keeping Icelanders warm throughout their harsh winters. The designs are now iconic, and an important part of Iceland cultural heritage.
To avoid the knockoffs, check out the Handknitting Association of Iceland’s store in Rejkavik. It was founded in 1977 by a group of knitters (mainly women) who joined together in hopes of better distribution and marketing to sell their work. The idea was a success, and today the Handknitting Association of Iceland is hugely popular for their traditional, high-quality products and variety. Everything is made in Iceland by members of the association.
The store is packed full of cozy sweaters, blankets, and accessories. Find it on the corner of Skólavörðustígur and Kalapparstigur.
Winter Essentials from 66 North
I bet you’ve heard of The North Face, now meet its Icelandic counterpart, 66 North. Icelanders know how to stay warm, and there is no better place to shop for quality cold weather gear than 66 North. They have everything from stylish coats for nights out in Reykjavik to thick snowsuits for adventurous glacier hikes. The sweaters and accessories are surprisingly stylish as well.
The premium quality comes with a equally high price tag, but in this case you get what you pay for. Gear from 66 North will last for years to come. If you have a car, there is even a 66 North outlet store located just outside Reykjavik that has some great deals.
Anything from Farmers Market
No vegetables here. Farmers Market design company combines traditional Icelandic style with modern taste to create seriously cool clothes, accessories, and home goods. Co-founders Bergþóra Guðnadóttir and Jóel Pálsson are passionate about using natural fabrics and environmental sustainability. Their clothes are authentically Iceland, yet sophisticated and fashionable for the global stage. Talking about their inspiration, Bergþóra says it best:
“We place ourselves at a junction. A place where heritage meets modernity, the national meets the international, and the countryside meets the city. We find this an exciting place to explore.”
If you splurge on one special souvenir from Iceland, make it something from Farmers Market.
There are two stores in Reykjavik, but it’s worth it to seek out Farmers and Friends, their flagship store and design studio in the Fishpacking District. This store shows off their entire collection along with handpicked items from local artists. Find it at Hólmaslod 2 Grandi (Old Harbor). A 20-minute walk from downtown Reykjavik will get you there.
Happy Shopping!
Need more Iceland inspiration? Check out these posts: 10 Tips for Visiting Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, All the Travel Mistakes I Made in Iceland (That Cost Me BIG Time), 12 Best Tips for Saving Money in Iceland.
Great list. The first souvenir I bought (immediately upon arrival) was a reusable water bottle. Tap water is the preferred drink and the culture is minimal plastic/waste. I’ve used it every day since. You can buy a bottle of water and keep reusing but my souvenir water bottle was so worth it. Also, if you go to the flea market in Reykjavik looking for authentic sweaters, be sure to have local currency. Some vendors will not accept credit cards. We found that it was easier to move to the next vendor since there aren’t a lot of ATMs in that area.
I’ve been to Iceland 3 times and this makes me want to make it 4!! It’s like being in another world and I love it! The Blue Lagoon is one of my favorite places on Earth 🙂 .
This is a nice list. I personally take pictures and memories as souvenirs instead
This is such a cool list of things to buy in Iceland. I always look out for authentic souvenir suggestions from travel bloggers whenever I am planning my trip. So, this is really helpful for me. It is nice to learn about Icelandic chocolate. Would love to bring some of those back with me. Also the real Icelandic wool.
I love shopping and especially if is related to some new place or at foreign lands. Therefore loved reading so many options from your post. I never knew that Licorice candy is a favorite not just in Iceland, but all throughout Scandinavia and as I love licorice flavor, I would truly buy some of these candies. Generally we Indians put licorice in savory items but it would be great to taste it in sweet form too.
Picking out the perfect souvenir to bring home from a trip stresses me out at times. I LOVE this post with the details on the best ones to find. I would love to buy something made from Icelandic wool.
What a great tip on the knock off jumpers as a rip off, many people will be fooled including me and will buy these without know. My mouth is watering at the sound of that black liquorice, I love liquorice, but that chocolate caramel liquorice sounds a little unusual but I will definitely give it a try when I visit Iceland yum.
Awesome post! I found it to be super informative! Some great ideas, which can actually be applied to any trip anywhere! Hope to try their jams one day!
A post to help with what to buy and what not is really helpful. I always buy chocolates as a gift and souvenir. Clothes are also great to buy for yourself.
I would love some of that Icelandic chocolate — 45% with sea salted nuts. Yum! I always travel carry-on only, so I generally don’t buy any clothes. But chocolate bars fit in my suitcase easily!
Black liquorice, huh?? I am not a fan, but I have to say that the idea of a black liquorice spread or chocolate covered treats might make me change my mind. I would definitely buy the liqueurs as well!
Great tips, especially about not getting carried away in the tourist tat shops and looking for genuine local products. I love that they call tat shops ‘puffin shops’ there, so cute. I’m heading to Scandinavia next year and cannot wait to get my hands on some salted licorice, it’s SO GOOD. Also, I’m obsessed with 66 North even though it’s not a practical brand for where I live (Australia) – lucky it’s impossible to get here!
What a great guide to help people support the locals and not China. Authentic souvenirs are always better than mass produced things. When I get to Iceland, I will refer to this guide for certain. The local Iclandic chocolate will be on my list for sure, as well as some of the handmade items.
Thanks for the great guide! We’re having an Icelandic honeymoon this year so I’m going to save this to come back to. I can’t wait to pick up some fantastic souvenirs!
Hannah | https://getlost.blog/
Love this post! I went to ICeland a while back and still have the cute stuffed penguin I got – which was my consolation since I don’t drink, can’t eat sugar and am hugely allergic to wool (yeah, not the most fun life). I did get a small thing of their traditional liquor (that weird green stuff that tastes like death) and had all of a sip of it.
A good free souvenir is soil inside of one of the mini alcohol bottles (the reason I bought that weird green nightmare).
I’m sure that little penguin makes you happy everytime you look at it, which is what a souvenir should do! Also, I think I’m going to have to start using the term weird green nightmare when talking about Icelandic alcohol.. too perfect!
The bakery sounds heavenly and those wool sweaters are so cute! I would love to bring home a sweater even though I wouldn’t be able to wear it much in Miami haha
I’ve been wanting to go to Iceland FOREVER and this post makes me even more excited. The wool sweaters look incredible!!
I recommend Hertex and Redcross second hand stores. Many knitting ladies give wool sweaters to the stores. Brand new and much better price 🙂
I love buying souvenirs and therefore it is a very useful guide by you about what to buy in Iceland. Jams and black licorice is high on my shopping list. Buying anything from the farmer’s market is another great choice.
We saw so many cute Icelandic wool jumpers. I am now regretting that I didnt get one when we were exploring Iceland. I am planning another trip to Iceland later this year. I am keen to pick up a couple of the souvenirs you have suggested.
Wow! This is really nice. To be honest, shopping is definitely one of the highlights of my trips. We’re planning to visit Iceland soon so, will definitely keep this in mind. Thanks for sharing.
Iceland was so expensive we only bought the absolute essentials, like beer! This is a great list of non-touristy souvenir ideas though. I love the look of that Icelandic jam!
I would love to go to Iceland some day. What a great post, thanks for the info ?
I hardly buy any souvenirs from the places I go coz more often than not it’s all, as you mentioned, mass produced in China.
Good to see this list of useful things from Iceland. Thanks for the information about the Hand Knitting Association of Iceland.
Oh yes – I very much remember the over priced wool sweaters the last time I was in Iceland! It’s been actually a few years since I the last time I visited, so I’m sure the tourist trap places are even more compared to a few years ago! Regardless, your blog post brought me back to my wonderful time there – looking forward to going back!
I recommend Hertex and Redcross second hand stores. Many knitting ladies give wool sweaters to the stores. Brand new and much better price 🙂
Well I got many different types of rock salt, lava salt, etc. and Viking magnets and blue lagoon face packs from Iceland. I didn’t like licorice and I don’t use wool, so they go off my list. Otherwise the list looks interesting, especially the ones from Farmer’s Market.
I love this post! I’m headed to Reykjavik this December with a friend and we’ve been looking for some good restaurants. I put the Sandholt Bakery on my list of places to visit. We’re both big into finding the best food we can, so I know this will go over well with my travel partner too! I also didn’t know about the knitted wool sweaters, so I’ll be keeping an eye out for those as well.
I wanted to buy all the wool sweaters there! Iceland definitely specializes in that – everything was so soft and warm. I’d never heard of Sandholt Bakery before, so I’ll have to check that out next time I’m in Iceland!
I love outdoor apparel, and 66 North looks right up my alley. Thanks for the tip about the “Puffin Shops” – I’ll be on the lookout for piles of stuffed puffins (although puffins are so cool) and avoid. Farmers Market looks like a perfect option, too.
This is a great list! I still have doubts about black licorice though, but those chocolate-covered ones seem worth a try 🙂 The wool products look really comfortable, might be worth the investment!
Not surprisingly, there are so many amazing outerwear choices, and some unique fabric choices as well.
I don’t normally buy souvenirs, but seems like a great place to find a new sweater! Definitely need to try the chocolate and caramel covered licorice balls. Thanks for the tips!
Omg I would love one of those colourful raincoats from 66 north. Another thing I liked in iceland was skyr, I wonder if it can be a souvenir?
Roshni I loved the skyr in Iceland as well! I don’t think it would work to bring it home. I wish!
I laughed when I read about the cliche tourist shops; they seem to follow the same pattern around the world. I did invest in real Icelandic wool when I was there, and though expensive, I feel zero cold come wintertime. I’ve never heard of 66 North but it sounds like a great brand and practical too!
I am dying to go to Iceland, saving this list for when I finally go!
I would love to visit Iceland one day. I bet it’s breathtaking.
I’m cracking up that locals call souvenir shops Puffin Shops!!! I’d love to own one of those gorgeous wool sweaters. I’m swooning over that shop!
I can’t wait to visit Iceland! Thank you so much for sharing these tips- I’ll be using them!
I think having the genuine Icelandic wool scarf or jacket would be a lovely souvenir. Their fabrics are one of a kind.
Personally, I didn’t and wouldn’t buy any souvenirs from Iceland. Everything was so expensive over there I didn’t find it worth it 🙂 Some of these look really interesting tho
I love Iceland’s distinct look when it comes to their sweaters. Can get very expensive though!
Iceland does have some nice stuff. I will keep the list st for my trip there.
I kinda like their clothes, especially the wool products. They look really practical. I wanna get one of those when I go to Iceland. Probably would need to leave a lot of space in my bag for it.
My friend is going to iceland next year, and thank you recommending the alcohol. I know what gift I need from Iceland 🙂
Nice tips regarding things to buy and not to buy. I will definetly remember it if I ever come to Iceland!