Last Updated: February 14, 2023
Best Souvenirs From Iceland (Including Fish Oil!)
So you’re traveling to Iceland and you’re not sure which souvenirs to bring back home? Then you’re definitely in the right place because this is a guide to all the best souvenirs from Iceland!
Forget the puffin shops that sell snow globes and magnets – we’ve found the best, most authentic souvenirs from Iceland you can get your hands on. From artisanal chocolate produced in Reykjavik to actual lava rocks, this list of all the best souvenirs from Iceland is the only one you need to read before you start shopping around the country!
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Lopapeysa/Woolen Sweater
Lopapeysa is a woolen sweater made with wool from sheep that are native to the island. It’s best-known for the yoke design, with a very wide decorative circle right at the neck opening. These Icelandic woolen sweaters are the most sought-after souvenirs, as well as some of the most useful things you can buy in Iceland since they are incredibly warm.
You can find these in clothing stores pretty much all over the country, but you’ll find the best selection of new and used sweaters in downtown Reykjavik. They are pricey – it’s north of 20,000 Icelandic krona for a brand new sweater, but you can also find used options for about half the price.
Omnom Artisanal Chocolate
If you love chocolate, you need to get your hands on Omnom artisanal chocolate. It’s absolutely delicious and available in a wide variety of flavors, ranging from staples like milk chocolate to more unusual flavors like raspberries and sea salted almonds.
There’s only one official Omnom shop in Iceland and it is in Reykjavik. In case you’re staying in a different city, it’s worth noting that they have a great online shop, so you can order any chocolates you want and have them delivered to your hotel. It’s also worth noting that they ship chocolates internationally, and if you end up loving them, you’ll be able to re-order them once you get back home!
Licorice
Apparently, everyone in Iceland is obsessed with licorice, especially when it’s covered in chocolate. It’s a great souvenir to bring back home, especially if you enjoy eating the candy. You can find it in grocery stores all over the country, but you’ll want to look into a few alternatives if you want to try out different versions of chocolate-covered goodness.
Nói Síríus and Appolo Lakkrís are thought to be the best brands for chocolate-covered licorice, and even Omnom has a version of their artisanal chocolate with licorice. Alternatively, you can just look for anything that has the words Súkkulaði and Lakkrís together, and you can be sure that you’ve found the right thing.
Fish Oil
Icelanders are taught from a young age to consume a spoonful of fish oil every day with their breakfast. They take it as a supplement to their daily meals, because it is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that have exceptional health benefits. Also, fish oil is pretty pricey around the world, so this makes a great souvenir if you want something useful and affordable.
Look for Lysi fish oil, since they’re considered one of the top brands. You can find fish oil in grocery stores as well as specialty health stores, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get your hands on the healthy liquid. It’s also worth noting that you can find children’s versions of fish oil – they’re flavored, and a great alternative in case you find the real deal to be too potent for your tastes.
Icelandic Sea Salt
Iceland is incredibly rich in minerals, Arctic water, and geothermal energy, which translates to lots of high-quality sea salt. The most popular Icelandic Sea salt brands are Norður Salt and Saltverk, so look for their products if you want to bring a little piece of Iceland back home with you.
You should be able to find Icelandic sea salt in most grocery stores, and you can also get it in some specialty stores. It’s worth noting that it’s also possible to purchase various kinds of Icelandic sea salt online, and Saltverk even sells its products on Amazon. If you end up loving how your food taste when it’s seasoned with Lava Salt, it’s good to know that there’s an endless supply of it just a few clicks away!
Lava Rock
One of the best natural souvenirs from Iceland you can take back home is lava rock. But you shouldn’t just pick up any rock you see lying around – instead, you should buy tickets for the Icelandic Lava show in Vík.
The show recreates a volcano eruption by pouring actual molten lava over ice. You can stand just a few feet from real lava, feel the heat, and even hear it sizzling without ever being in danger. It’s an awesome experience, and the memory alone is a great souvenir to take home. But, at the end of the show, you’ll be given a piece of lava rock, which is the whole point of coming to see this fascinating exhibit!
Brennivín Schnapps
Brennivín Schnapps is Iceland’s signature alcoholic beverage and one of the two we’ll encourage you to buy while you’re in the country. Alcohol is notoriously expensive in Iceland (about 165% more than the average in the EU), so if you’re planning on doing some serious drinking, you should pick up a few bottles at the duty-free shop, as soon as you land.
Order a shot of Brennivín Schnapps to see if you actually like it because that’s how everyone in Iceland drinks it. It also serves as a base for cocktails, and a substitute for gin in gin-based drinks. If you can find some special additions of Iceland’s signature drink, you should definitely pick up a bottle. Also, it’s worth noting that a glass bottle of Brennivín costs about twice as much as a plastic bottle, so keep an eye out for the cost-saving option.
Reyka Vodka
Reyka Vodka is another alcoholic beverage that’s produced in Iceland and it makes a great souvenir. Grab a bottle at the duty-free store if you can, otherwise, you need to find a Vínbúðin (liquor store).
The locally produced vodka is special not just because it’s made in Iceland, but also because it uses the country’s vast natural resources. The base is glacial spring water that is some of the purest water in the world, it’s filtered with lava rocks, and distilled in one of the few remaining Carter-Head stills in the world. The vodka is also made in very small batches, which consistently ensures amazing quality.
Blue Lagoon Products
Blue Lagoon is one of the most famous landmarks in Iceland, and the special hair conditioner you get at the lagoon has even more reviews than the fascinating attraction itself. The product range includes everything from mineral cleansers to bath salts that are made from geothermal minerals, and they’re incredibly good for you.
They’re pricey products, but they’re worth every penny because of all the health benefits you get when you use them. You can buy Blue Lagoon skincare products at the source, naturally, and you can also find them in specialty shops at the airport, or you can simply order what you want online.
Music Records
Sure, it’s 2021 and we all have YouTube, Spotify, or Tidal, but buying actual music records is still a thing people do. And it should be one of the things you do while you’re in Iceland – the country has a very prolific music industry, which includes various genres from classical music to heavy metal.
For the best selection of Icelandic music records, you’ll want to visit 12 Tónar in Reykjavik. It’s the best music store in the country, and it also boasts a bar and a café where you can chill for some time while enjoying the sounds of local artists. The place is extremely popular with locals, and they even host live concerts and various events either inside the store or in their big backyard, depending on the weather conditions.
Bloðberg/Arctic Thyme Tea
Icelanders love their Bloðberg! The traditional tea is made from wild thyme that can be found all over the country, and it has a rather distinct alpine taste. Arctic thyme tea is often drunk as a natural remedy because of its antibacterial properties, and it’s helpful for flu, colds, and upset stomach.
Although it’s not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of souvenirs from Iceland, it’s definitely worth it to check out the tea section of the grocery stores you visit. A cup of Bloðberg not only has excellent health benefits for you, but it can also help warm you up and prepare you for adventure in the Icelandic cold weather.
66ºNorth
66ºNorth is an Icelandic outerwear brand. If you realize you packed too light for your trip to Iceland, you should head to one of their stores to get your hands on some outstanding winter gear. The brand makes amazing winter jackets that are suitable for extreme colds, as well as some awesome gear for outdoor adventures in the winter. They’re an excellent alternative to brands like Patagonia who are considered the leaders of the market, and their products make awesome souvenirs you can use for years to come.
It’s worth noting that they’re a pricey brand, but the quality of the products really is on par with the price. Also, they have an online shop, so in case you can’t find one of their physical stores, you can have them delivered to your address.
Nature Condoms
If you’re looking for funny souvenirs from Iceland, you should look for Nature Condoms. You can find them in most convenience stores in the country, and you can also order them online. They feature photographs of Icelandic landmarks on the packaging, and they all have hilarious names like Geysir or Rock formation. All the Nature Condoms are brought to you by the Land of Explosions, and they’re both designed and produced in Iceland. They are pricey, but they’re such a great conversation starter that they’re worth every penny.
Wondering if you can bring condoms on a plane? Check out our complete guide here.
Puffin Plushy
This is the cutest and cheesiest souvenir from Iceland you can bring back home. Iceland is home to one of the largest colonies of puffins in the world, and if you venture a bit outside the bigger cities, you can actually see the puffins out in the wild. They’re kind of a symbol of the country, and you’ll notice that when you take a stroll through Reykjavik – there are puffins everywhere.
That’s actually why the locals call those cheesy souvenir shops Puffin Shops. They sell a bunch of stuff that’s mass-produced outside the country and that’s as far from authentically Icelandic as it can be. Puffin plushies are included in that category, but they’re also so adorable and ubiquitous that it’s almost impossible to purchase at least one!
Volcanic Jewelry
Jewelry is always a great souvenir regardless of the exact country you are visiting. Shop jewelry made by local artists to get some unique souvenirs to remind you of your travels, but also to support those local artists.
In Iceland, you can buy jewelry made from lava rocks. You can buy anything, from charms for Pandora bracelets to classic bracelets and necklaces. It’s one of the best authentically Iceland souvenirs you could buy, and it’s an even better present than it is a souvenir. Also, keep in mind that all volcanic jewelry is unique since no two pieces of lava rock are exactly the same!
Icelandic Artwork
Artwork is always a beautiful souvenir, whether we’re talking about a lovely photograph on a postcard or a proper painting from a local artist. You’ll find the best selection of local Icelandic artwork in Reykjavik, but it’s possible to find some smaller pieces in various shops throughout the country.
Head to Gallery Port or Mokka Kaffi to purchase unique art created by local artists. It makes for an amazing souvenir, an even better present, and it’s the perfect way to support the local artists. The selection of art in these shops is great, so you’ll certainly stumble upon a piece or two you genuinely like.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
