5 Best Shopping in Reykjavík, Iceland

One look at Litla Jólabúðin and you'll know what it's all about: Christmas. The shop is open year-round despite its seasonality, selling ornaments and other wintertime trinkets. Chances are you'll learn a thing or two about Icelandic holiday culture while you're in there.

This mall has a number of charming clothing stores and a movie theater, as well as good places to get souvenirs. It's on the east side of town at the intersection of Miklabraut and Kringlumýrarbraut. Kringlan's free shuttle bus departs from the tourist information center (Aðalstræti 2) at 11 and 2, Monday through Saturday; the return trip departs Kringlan at 1:30 on weekdays.

In summertime Lækjartorg sometimes fills with the stands of outdoor merchants offering everything from woolen items, records, and books to vegetables, fruit, and bread. During evenings and weekends, the food wagons set up shop to sell their wares. Be on the look-out for the waffle vendors in the yellow and blue van—their waffles, topped with jam and cream, are addictive.

One of Iceland‘s two major shopping malls, Smáralind (pronounced smow-ra-lind), is in Kópavogur, a community neighboring Reykjavík to the south. It's huge—you'll find 90 stores across three floors—and houses, among other stores, British-based Debenhams as well as Iceland's own hypermarket chain, Hagkaup. From Reykjavík, you can take the S2 or 24 bus, but for a bit more than ISK 2,000, you can take a cab and save a lot of precious shopping time.

This kitchsy yet fun souvenir shop is perfect if you're looking for a fluffy sheep keychain, Game of Thrones mug, or punny Iceland T-shirt.