Can't help but fret over what souvenirs you should be getting for your family and friends back home? Instead of the cliche fridge magnets or an Icelandic wool sweater useless in Singapore's humid weather, consider the ideas in this curated list of souvenirs you can get for as low as $5.
Chocolates (For the chocolate lover)
Factor in a day at the Omnom Chocolate Factory where you can tour (from 1,000 ISK) and sample chocolates till you are full. Then purchase the easiest and most fool-proof souvenir (from 700 ISK), chocolates with an eclectic mix of packaging designs - so pretty you’d want to keep them for yourself!
If you do not have time for a chocolate factory tour, purchase local candy favourites such as Lindau Buff, Pristur and Prins Xtra.
Where to get them?
Find a local mix of chocolates in party packs at local supermarkets. Duty-Free stores in the airport offer your last-minute chocolate souvenir runs too.
Blue Lagoon Silica Mask (For the beauty queen)
A small amount of this goodness can nourish one’s skin by a mile. Try it for yourself when you visit the Blue Lagoon, get a handful of free silica mud masks and leave them on your face till it hardens. Wash off and feel the immediate suppleness of your skin.
The mask deeply cleanses and reduces the visibility of pores, making a great gift for that friend who loves to look beautiful 24/7. Let her feel amazing in her natural skin once she sees results after using this mask regularly.
Where to get them?
At Blue Lagoon’s souvenir store (100ml from 13,900 ISK) and Reykjavik Airport. Past travellers have shared that the prices of souvenirs at the airport were much lower.
Icelandic Delicacies (For the adventurous foodie)
Bring home a tangible mind-blowing experience for your family and friends. Create your very own taster platter with Icelandic sourced dried fish (from 600 ISK), fermented shark meat (from 1,500 ISK) and a few slices of rye bread. Pair the platter with a few shots of Brennivín liquor, another must-buy souvenir.
Where to get them?
Most souvenir stores, supermarkets and local flea markets like Kolaportið Flea Market.
Local Liquor (For the alcoholic friend)
Pair a shot of Iceland’s homegrown liquor with Singapore’s Dahfa Dried Fish Fillet snack! Nicknamed “Black Death,” Brennivín is an Icelandic signature liquor with an alcoholic content of 37.5% to 40%.
Made from potato mash flavoured with mainly cumin and caraway seeds, the “burning wine” tastes similar to liquorice. The liquor is usually drunk neat and does wonder at masking out strong food tastes, i.e. fermented shark meat.
Where to get them?
From the local liquor store at Vinbuoin or the airport’s Duty-Free Iceland (from 1,300 ISK). Duty-Free purchases from the airport sealed in a proper tamper-evident LAG bag are allowed to pass through immigration.
Condoms from Iceland (For the humorous one)
Take the boring out of you and get a fun and quirky gift for that cheeky friend. These ‘Enjoy Our Nature’ products are high-quality condoms (1,100 ISK) from the land of explosions that your friend may choose to use (if he wants to).
Where to get them?
Most souvenir stores across Reykjavik.
Artwork (For the art junkie)
Iceland’s artistic flair is one of a kind. If you’d like to invest in an Icelandic artwork for your family, a close friend or yourself, check out commercial art galleries featuring well-known local artists’ work. Otherwise, consider a cheaper option of purchasing a quirky local postcard (from 150 ISK) at the souvenir store instead.
Where to get them?
Mokka Café and Bismut Café at the downtown area of Reykjavik.
Arctic Thyme Tea (For the young and old)
A warm cup of Blodberg herbal tea (from 1,000 ISK) is great for anyone who enjoys tea. This traditional Icelandic tea contains medicinal benefits such as strengthening the heart and mind, as well as regulating menstrual flow for the ladies.
Where to get them?
Most convenience stores and supermarkets across Reykjavik.
Liquorice (For the sweet tooth)
Liquorice has come a long way from the days of the early settlers in Iceland. Other than satisfying the sweet tooth, this peculiar black stuff is also known for its respiratory ailment benefits as well as laxative properties.
Where to get them?
Find them in the form of lozenges, powders and even chocolate covered liquorice gummies (from 500 ISK) at most convenience stores, supermarkets and souvenirs stores.
Puffin Soft Toys (For the kids)
Try buying favour with a child with this adorable puffin soft toy (from 500 ISK). If that doesn’t work, try option the chocolates! Something's bound to work.
Where to get them?
Most souvenir stores across Reykjavik or at the airport.
Viking Souvenirs (For yourself)
Pick a trip memorabilia for yourself. Think Viking shot glasses for your Brennivín, fridge magnets or snow globes (from 500 ISK), perfect for reminiscing about the last time you were in Iceland.
Where to get them?
Most souvenir stores across Reykjavik or at the airport.
