Iceland Shopping – Shops, Stores, Best Buys & Inside Tips

Iceland Shopping

When visiting the beautiful nation of Iceland, you will surely want to do some shopping for unique items you won’t be able to find at home, those fabulous duty free buys, and even a few groceries if you have rented a house.

Malls and Shopping Centers

If you’ve had enough of wandering around enjoying the lush green summertime or venturing out across plains of snow in wintertime, it might be time for some shopping therapy. There are a variety of shopping malls that feature clothing, alcohol, collectibles and local artwork. The Fjordur Shopping Centre is situated in the town of Hafnarfjörður and has all the stores you might be looking for. The mall at Kringlan features a collection of restaurants and fast food outlets, for an opportunity to experience local cuisine and favorite snacks.

Reclaim Your VAT Taxes When You Leave

Iceland does have a high tax rate, and many items you may buy include a VAT (value-added-tax) that is charged to native Icelanders. Keep all your receipts–which clearly show the VAT paid on each purchase–and file them with customs before you leave for a complete refund of this local tax.  You might manage to collect some nice pocket change to cover your drinks on the plane home.

Duty Free Skips the Paperwork

Woolen products are by far the most popular items that visitors like to take home.  Look for local labels such as Viking and Alafoss to guarantee you are buying genuine Icelandic wool.  If you shop at the airport or in some of the larger hotels, you might find some items in the duty free shop and avoid paying and collecting the confusing VAT along the way.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about shopping in Iceland