The 9 Top-rated Iceland Souvenirs

If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, there’s one thing you need to be well aware of: there is no way that you can come to a country referred to as the Land of Fire and Ice and not bring back gifts for friends and family. The expectations will be high, and luckily, Iceland souvenirs are sure to deliver.

Icelandic souvenirs are definitely not of the “my mom went to Iceland, and all I got was this t-shirt” variety. Iceland gifts are incredibly unique to the island and ensure that you will be taking a little bit of our history and culture with you. So, if you’re wondering what to buy in Iceland, read on. Here’s a list of the best souvenirs from Iceland:

Puffin Plushies

These are perfect for the kids (as well as some grown-up kids if you know what I mean). Puffins are an integral part of the island. In fact, we’re home to roughly 60% of the world’s Puffin population during their breeding season.

That’s why you’ll see them lining our coasts and our cliffs from May till August. But you can’t take these cute little clowns of the ocean (as they’re lovingly nicknamed here on the island), with their colorful beaks home with you. Cue the plushies! You can stuff as many of these stuffed toys into your luggage as you’d like.

Icelandic Music

We’re not saying that you have to go full-out Viking or traditional folk music here (but if you’re into it, we have plenty). Icelanders are renowned for being one of the most creative nations in the world, and there are many mainstream artists you probably never even knew came from the island.

These include artists such as Of Monsters and Men, Sigur Ros, and Björk. Being gifted one of these vinyls or other merch from these artists in their origin country is truly something special.

Icelandic Chocolate

This may seem a bit cliché, but we can assure you that Icelandic chocolate is unlike any you’ve ever had. Yes, you’ll find a few favorite flavors, such as milk chocolate and nuts. But it’s when you get to our Icelandic licorice chocolate that you know you’ve really struck gold.

If there’s one place that’s a must-visit and where you’ll be tempted to walk away with crates filled with chocolate, it’s at our award-winning chocolate factory, Omnom, in the capital city of Reykjavik. This, of course, makes Omnom chocolates a go-to when it comes to Reykjavik souvenirs.

Lopapeysa

Lopapeysa is our traditional Icelandic wool sweater. Made from 100% wool, you’ll struggle to find something warmer, and the incredible patterns and designs will leave you feeling festive all year round. The entire process of making Lopapeysa is also authentically Icelandic.

The wool used comes from our Icelandic sheep (you’ll see plenty of them roaming the landscape here), and the manufacturers also use electricity generated by our infamous geothermal power plants. Since this is an extremely high-quality item, it can be pricey, so these souvenirs from Iceland are reserved for only yourself and your nearest and dearest.

Hand-crafted Wooden Items

Between our infamous Vikings, our Nordic gods (some of which have since turned into Avengers), and our other mythical and magical beings, there are many characters that make for pretty intriguing wooden statuettes. You can find these items in both our souvenir shops and home décor shops.

All these wooden items have been prepared to global shipping standards and customs regulations. But you’ll need to double-check with your home country as well as the airline for any flight restrictions. You don’t want them to confiscate your meter-long wooden troll at security just because you didn’t read the small print.

Icelandic Sheep Plushies

As we mentioned earlier, Icelandic sheep are frequently seen roaming around the landscape here on the island. But, as with the Puffins, you won’t be able to pass one off as Grandma Betty when boarding your flight back home. That’s why you’ll find Icelandic sheep plushies in all shapes and sizes (some even made to be cute little keychains!) all across the island, so you can purchase as many as you want.

Icelandic Lava Jewelry

Believe us, it’s just as exotic as it sounds. In the Land of Fire and Ice, with all its volcanic activity, you can be sure to find plenty of lava rock. These rocks are then used in distinctively Icelandic designs for all sorts of jewelry, from rings and bangles to necklaces and earrings. These pieces are not just beautiful and unique but also make it possible to carry thousands of years of geological history with you.

Skincare Products

We know what you’re thinking: “That’s not very Icelandic, is it?” But wait till you hear what some of the ingredients in our island ranges are! Due to all the volcanic activity here on the island heating our underground water supply, Iceland has an abundance of natural hot springs. These hot springs have been scientifically proven to have healing properties, especially when it comes to the skin.

The water and mud in these hot springs have an extremely high mineral content and even include elements such as silica. That’s why these elements are used in skincare ranges here on the island. One of the most famous brands can be bought on-site at the Blue Lagoon hot spring.

Take Iceland home!

As we already touched on, Iceland souvenirs can truly be found all across the island, so if you’re planning on renting a campervan in Iceland and road-tripping around the island, you’ll be able to pick up all sorts of interesting gifts along your travels. If you’d like to take care of all your Iceland souvenirs in one fell swoop, you should dedicate some time in your trip itinerary to our famous shopping street, Laugavegur in Reykjavik.

There you will find a wide variety of souvenir shops, home décor shops, outdoor shops, clothing shops, and much, much more. One visit to Laugavegur will have you walking away with everything you need to bring back to friends and family. So, use our article as your guide and start shopping!