From Iceland — Best Of Reykjavík Shopping 2020: Best Bookstore

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Photo by

Art Bicnick

Consumerism might be destroying the planet, but hey, you can’t walk around naked. While Iceland may not be a worldwide shopping destination due to high prices and its relative isolation, there’s still a plethora of unique products that are worth spending your hard-earned dough on. From handmade lopapeysur created by dotings Grandmas to obscure Björk b-b-b-sides, here’s your essential guide to shopping in Reykjavík.

Best Bookstore

Eymundsson

Austurstræti 18 & Skólavörðustígur 11

bookstore reykjavik

Eymundsson is a classic bookstore, offering up the newest in Icelandic writing and international titles. It has the rare characteristic of being perfectly curated for both locals and tourists, so if you’re a traveller looking to get an illustrated edition of the Sagas, or a Reykjavík kid hoping to pick up the definitely-going-to-be-released upcoming Game Of Thrones book, this would be the place to find it. Bonus: The cafes at the Skólavörðustígur and Austurstræti locations also make for great people-watching spots.

Runner-Up:

Bókin

Klapparstígur 25-27

bookstore reykjavik

If you’re looking to buy the newest Dan Brown, Bókin may not be your thing. But if you’re looking for a collectors-edition copy of an Icelandic book long out of print, there’s only one option, and that’s Bókin. “It has charisma, which makes it a winner,” one panel member said. “If there’s a store in Reykjavík with charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, it’s Bókin.”

Runner-Up:

Bóksala Stúdenta

Sæmundargata 4

bookstore reykjavik

Located within the main building of Háskóli Íslands, the university bookstore runs the gamut from speciality academic texts to classics, new fiction, notebooks and much more. Another plus? The on-site coffee shop serves up what are potentially the fairest priced coffees in town, as does the Háskóli Íslands cafeteria next door.