Things to do in Iceland, Iceland: The Best Gift & Specialty Shops

In the centre where Reykjavik’s old heart beats there is a charming red house, once called Aberdeen. There, Kogga, one of Iceland’s most renowned ceramic artists, runs her studio and gallery. The artist warmly welcomes visitors to her gallery that displays unique art pieces hand crafted on the spot. Catch a glimpse of the kiln in the back, it ensures visitors to cool Iceland a very warm welcome indeed!

Búrid - The Icelandic Pantry is a cheese shop in Reykjavík offering the best in gloriously stinky cheeses, jams, olives,cured meats, chutneys and other nibbles and noshes. The store has developed a strong following among Icelandic curd nerds for its selection of specialty foods from dairy farms and other small, local producers all over the country. You’ll find artisan cheeses made from Iceland’s unique goat’s, cow’s, and ewe’s milk, alongside organic skyr (skyr and Icelandic goat’s milk are the country’s two contributions to Slow Food’s Arc of Taste). Burid also offers up homemade farmhouse ice cream and other local epicurea like smoked and cured salmon, locally made preserves and harofiskur (traditional dried fish). The staff is eager to talk shop so it's a good place to get the skinny on the local foodie scene and sample some of the finest farmhouse fare Iceland has to offer.

The first and only watch manufacturer in Iceland.

12 Tonar, established in 1998, is a legendary record store and a label in the heart of Reykjavik. In 2019 we added a bar and a cafe which is very popular with the locals. We regularly host concerts and events in the store or in our beautiful backyard, where the sun always shines. Established in 1998 12 Tonar music store quickly became an important part of the Icelandic music scene. In 2003 we started the label with a special emphasis on young and upcoming musicians. Oscar Winner Hildur Guðnadottir, 2 times Oscar nominated Johann Johannsson and Gramophone Artist of the year, pianist Vikingur Olafsson all took their first steps with us. All the profits we make go directly back into the music creating an organic 12 Tonar dedicated to the local scene.

The Thorvaldsens Association was founded in 1875 by a group of women in Reykjavik with the aim of giving back to the community. Thorvaldsen's first bazaar was held 4th to 5th. November 1876, selling hand-crafted items and other purchased items. Subsequently, bazaars were regularly held where women brought hand-made products, mainly knitted, and gave the profits to various issues where funding was needed, but especially to the Children's Fund after its establishment in 1906. In June 1901 the Thorvaldsens Bazar formally opened in its final housing at Austurstræti 4 and has been run by the women there ever since. From the beginning, Thorvaldsen's women have been volunteering at the bazar and giving their unselfish work for good causes, many of them knitt products that are for sale as well.

Rated as the 2015 Best Boutique in Reykjavik by Grapevine Magazine, Aurum has been an institution in the heart of Reykjavik since 1999. Named after our award-winning designer Guðbjorg Kristin Ingvarsdottir, Aurum designs are all hand made in-house and are notable for their fine detail and delicate nuances, inspired by Icelandic nature.