Iceland: souvenirs
Iceland's souvenirs come from wool, lava and hot water - a small island with strong materials. Here is what travellers bring home from Iceland, where the good versions live, and the export questions worth a look - alongside our 308 written places.
The classic buys
A lopapeysa
The yoked Icelandic sweater in unspun lopi wool - hand-knit ones from the Handknitting Association carry the knitter's work; machine versions cost less and say so.
Skin products from the lagoons
Silica and algae lines from the geothermal spas - the shops at the source beat airport markups slightly.
Salt and liquorice
Flaky geothermal sea salt, and liquorice dipped in chocolate - Iceland's confectionery obsession.
Brennivin
The caraway 'black death' schnapps - duty free on departure is genuinely the cheapest place in the country.
Lava and design
Lava-stone jewellery and ceramics from Reykjavik studios - bought from makers, not mass racks.
Fish leather goods
Salmon and wolffish leather wallets - an Icelandic industry making beautiful use of by-products.
Check before you buy
- Everything is expensive - the flea market and supermarkets (for salt, sweets) are the budget souvenir aisles.
- Volcanic 'souvenir rocks' from protected sites should stay - take photos, buy the jewellery version.
- Wool is warm but bulky - vacuum bags save a suitcase.
✗ Better left behind
- 'Icelandic' sweaters knitted abroad at half price - the label inside settles it.
- Puffin-and-whale tat from the shops locals call the puffin stores - the wool shop next door is the real thing.
Markets shift, workshops close and open, and the best souvenir is still the one with a story you were there for. Buy from makers where you can, keep receipts for anything substantial, and when a deal feels too good, it usually is.