Top 5 souvenirs to get only in Iceland. Iceland is a country known to be carved out of ice and fire. Mountain glaciers explode in lava fountains, towering cliffs give way to miles of black sand beaches, and wherever you turn, the views offer views like nowhere else in the world. Over the past decade, Iceland has used its incredible nature to become one of the hottest (and coldest!) Travel destinations in the world.
Now that Iceland is on everyone's map, the luxury market is catching up with a number of brand name boutiques in Laugavegur, the main pedestrian-friendly shopping artery in the capital Reykjavik. Although for the distinguished traveler there are still some unique memories to be had while in the land of ice and fire. Here are the top 5 souvenirs you can only find in Iceland.
For distinguished horophiles
Almost hidden among the department stores that dot Laugavegur is the J.S. Watch Company. He is one of the smallest watchmakers in the world and the only one in Iceland. Gilbert, the resident watchmaker, has been making watches for decades, giving each carefully assembled piece a personal character and a real feeling of exclusivity. All J.S. watches are made with the highest quality Swiss movement, using ETA and Soprod. Each watch is a special limited edition with numerous series inspired by the Icelandic sagas as well as the very first participation of their national football team in the World Cup. For the eminent watchmaker, there is no doubt that a beautiful timepiece from the J.S. Watch Company is an essential memory.
For the music connoisseur
At the corner of Brautarholt and Nóatún, just outside of Reykjavik city center, you will find Örn Custom Guitars. An electric guitar is not on everyone's list to take away for a souvenir, but for musicians, it's an epic find. Gunnar Örn Sigurðsson, the resident guitar maker since the late 1990s, typically shapes his electrical devices from mahogany and walnut using Seymour Duncan pickups imported from California.
However, what really makes a Örn guitar special is that Gunnar personally immerses each guitar body in a hot spring of around 90 degrees Celsius. After her baptismal dive, hot spring mud is then rubbed into the wood of the guitar while it is still wet, this process transforming it into an attractive work of art. As a piece of resistance, a metal engraving inspired by the Viking tradition nicknamed "Myrnir" (named after the hammer of Thor) is placed decoratively on the wood. Örn guitars are used by groups such as Of Monsters and Men and The Vintage Caravan.
For the fashionista
The Icelandic Lopapeysa (wool sweater) is not only a symbol of national pride, but it is also one of the most comfortable and fashionable pieces for a winter wardrobe. Although there are many models, the most popular and most iconic being the star-shaped design around the neck.
Icelandic wool is unique in that it remains unspun and therefore provides better insulation against the winter cold. The Icelanders understand intimately the role played by the Lopapeysa in economic recovery. Many Icelandic women were able to feed their families through the recession with their knitwear, which they continue to use today. In Reykjavik, the Icelandic Hand Knitting Association on Skólavörðustígur is one of the best places to take your own piece of this most iconic Icelandic fashion, although you can find them all over the country in various small shops and stations- service.
For the beautician
The Blue Lagoon has long been known for its healing properties. More precisely, in the silica found resting at the bottom of its calm waters and heated by geothermal energy. All over the world, people flock to the Blue Lagoon for a chance to spread its white clay on their face, arms and chest, letting it stiffen in a magnificent 100% natural beauty mask. Silica jars are readily available and sold at the Blue Lagoon as well as in many souvenir shops and spas across the country as well as at the airport. The perfect gift to collect before departure.
For the adventurer
The word "souvenir" comes from the same French word which means "memory". Memories, more than anything else, should be the memory of a special moment spent in a special place. The best memories are often not a thing, but experience and Iceland are, more than many other places, a destination to discover. Whether you ride an Icelandic horse through the picturesque countryside with Viking horses or ride a glacier on a custom expedition, the best take-home souvenir from the land of fire and ice is the memory of an unforgettable adventure.
