Explore The Delight Of Shopping In Reykjavik
Reykjavik is a shopper’s delight! Be it a small antique gift that you want to take back home or a designer outfit, you are spoilt for choice here. From unique Icelandic design or quality souvenirs, you will find all that your heart desires in this capital city of Iceland. And what’s more spectacular is that you can take all of them back home tax-free. However, there is one negative point to this entire story and that is the fact the stuff here is expensive.
So if someone is willing to sponsor you to shop at this place then go ahead; for you will get the best of stuff here even though the prices might be steep.
What makes shopping in Iceland unique? Most tourists agree that it’s the excellent ambience that makes shopping fun in the city of Reykjavik. With its myriad of cafes, vibrant street life and in general a cozy atmosphere, this is a place that undoubtedly will attract anyone and everyone who loves to shop. You can marvel at the swanky malls selling designer wears or visit the amazing bookstores in which you can spend hours browsing through international and Icelandic books or simply check out the street hawkers hunting for souvenirs- there is something for every shopper in this shopper’s paradise.
One of the best-known malls in the city of Reykjavik, which you must visit, is Kringlan. This is a couple of minutes drive from the heart of the city. A spectacular aspect of this mall is that it is a mall that has great many stores, which sell Icelandic design that is typical to the area. Another mall that is famous for its designer wares is Smaralind, which is not in central Reykjavik but is in the adjacent town of Kopavogur. If you are a person who is keen on shopping goods that are designer and high street fashion these are the places to go as these malls have a selection of diverse and designer labels, both American and European. Apart from the choicest designer wears that can be found in this mall you can also find accessories, souvenirs, home ware among others. There is ample space for car park and both these malls have other amenities like services for watching the little ones while you head off in search of bargains. While you can take a brisk walk to Kringlan, Smaraland, which also has the city’s largest movie complex, is an easy bus ride away.
However if your budget is tight and your purse does not permit you to shop in expensive designer stores then you need not be upset. This is because there are many shops downtown Reykjavik that sells clothes, which though stylish are not over the budget. Try out the Fjordurinn Shopping Centre in the nearby harbor town of Hafnarfjordur or visit the small shops and galleries in the town centre of this harbor town; there you will be able to satisfy your shopping needs in a much reasonable budget.
However, if you are reluctant to shop outside Reykjavik then visit the Skeifan area downtown as this is a place that has a number of great outlets and supermarkets, which sell goods at reasonable prices. If you are hunting for typical and traditional Icelandic design check out the shop at the city centre on Laugavegur, Skolavordustigur and around Vesturgata and the old harbour. On careful introspection you are sure to find some great antique or handicraft shop in a nook or a corner, which will contain the perfect souvenir, which you can take back home. For instance try out the shop Frida Fraenka in this place. This little antique store is like a treasure trove and you can find almost everything here. From old dishes and furniture to clothing, toys, and typical handicrafts of Iceland you can find them all here. And what’s more you get them all at a price which you can really afford.
The low budget shoppers can also head to the Main Shopping Street, Langavegur. This is a place where you will find stores which stocks both international and local designers, book shops which have an amazing collection of Viking books and a number of souvenir shops which sell local crafts. However if you are keen to shop real cheap in the expensive city of Reykjavik then head for the Kolaportio Flea Market close to the harbor that is open only on weekends. From whale meat to the famous Icelandic delicacy, hakarl, (rotten shark meat), used clothes to handicrafts you have them all there in the market at dirt-cheap prices.
In most of the shops in Iceland there is a tax-free shopping scheme, which allows you to claim back tax paid on purchases over 4,000 kroner. In order to claim back this tax you just need to ask for a special docket at each store using which you can claim back the tax on departure at the airport. However if you have spent over 40,000 kroner, you need to actually show the items at the airport to get the refund.
The town of Reykjavik that has such a great merchandises often leaves the shoppers confused about what to buy. Keep in mind the Iceland is famous for its woolens and handicrafts. So when shopping at this place, do not leave the town without the traditional Icelandic lopapeysa, a knitted wool sweater with special design at the top and on the sleeves. The must buy brands in Iceland are 66 Degrees North and Cintimanni and while shopping in the city designer wear stores you cannot just leave them out. Try taking back home some handmade wool items made from Icelandic wool and it can be a great gift for your loved one back home. In fact Reykjavik is a great place to shop for designer wear and you can pick up an incredibly stylish piece of clothing at shops like Flex and Kron.
Keep in mind however that in Reykjavik most stores are open from 10.00 – 18.00 on weekdays and from 11.00 – 16.00 on Saturdays.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 13 April 2008 )
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