Is it cheaper than downtown?

Yes — especially for outdoor gear, groceries and books. Downtown has tourist markup; Kringlan has local pricing.

Can I buy Icelandic wool sweaters?

Yes — 66°North and Icewear both sell lopapeysur (Icelandic wool sweaters) at lower prices than downtown boutiques.

Iceland/capital-region

Kringlan — Reykjavík's Main Shopping Mall

Reykjavík's main shopping mall — 180+ stores including Icelandic outdoor gear and international brands.

At a Glance

Visit time

1–3 hours

Best season

Weekday mornings

Access

Kringlunni 4-12 — bus routes 1,3,4,5,6 or drive (free parking)

GPS

64.1302, -21.8944

Plan Trip Navigate

About

About Kringlan — Reykjavík's Main Shopping Mall

Reykjavík's main shopping mall — 180+ stores including Icelandic outdoor gear and international brands.

Kringlan is Reykjavík's largest and most popular shopping mall, located 3 km east of downtown.

Background

History & Background

Kringlan opened 1987 as Iceland's first modern shopping mall. Expanded 1997 and 2010. The name 'Kringlan' means 'the circle' — referring to the roundabout the mall sits beside. Became Reykjavík's main shopping destination and remains so despite competition from newer malls (Smáralind in Kópavogur).

Kringlan Shopping Mall opened 1987 and expanded multiple times. Located at Kringlunni 4-12, about 3 km east of downtown Reykjavík. The mall has three floors with 180+ stores, food court, cinema and parking. **Key Stores:** - **Icelandic Outdoor Gear:** 66°North (premium outdoor clothing), Icewear (mid-range wool/outdoor gear), Geysir (Icelandic design) - **International Fashion:** H&M, Zara, Pandora, Vero Moda, Jack & Jones - **Bookstores:** Eymundsson (Iceland's largest bookstore chain, English books available) - **Supermarkets:** Bónus (discount supermarket, cheapest groceries), Hagkaup (upscale supermarket) - **Electronics:** Elko, Tölvutek - **Food Court:** International fast food, Icelandic cafés - **Cinema:** Smárabíó multiplex **Hours:** Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–18:00, Sun 13:00–18:00. Supermarkets have longer hours. Free parking. Bus connections from downtown (routes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6).

Folklore

Story & Folklore

Kringlan is not romantic — it's a 1980s shopping mall with fluorescent lights, chain stores and a food court. But it's where Reykjavík actually shops. For visitors, Kringlan is useful for practical purchases: Icelandic wool sweaters at 66°North (outdoor gear company), groceries at Bónus supermarket (Iceland's cheapest), books at Eymundsson, camping gear at outdoor stores. Prices are lower than downtown boutiques, selection is better, and you'll shop alongside locals rather than tourists. The mall is also a glimpse into everyday Icelandic life — Saturday afternoons Kringlan is packed with families shopping, teenagers hanging out, elderly couples having coffee. It's ordinary, suburban, functional — and that's exactly what makes it authentically Icelandic in a way that downtown boutiques aren't.

💡 Did You Know?

Bónus supermarket (in Kringlan basement) is Iceland's discount grocery chain with the lowest prices in the country — stock up on snacks, bread, cheese and yogurt here before road trips.

Local Legend

Where Icelanders Actually Shop

Tourists buy wool sweaters in downtown boutiques for 30,000 ISK. Locals buy them at Kringlan for 18,000 ISK. Same sweater.

Culture

Stories & Legends

Icelandic sagas and folklore from this area

icelandic saga

Engey

Engey is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Njáls saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

icelandic saga

Gufunes

Gufunes is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Egils saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

icelandic saga

Reykjavík

Reykjavík is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Harðar saga og Hólmverja", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.

ghost stories

Skuggabaldur – The Shadow Creature

Skuggabaldur: A phantom dog guarding forgotten paths.

Explore

Hidden Gems Nearby

✦ Bónus Supermarket for Road Trip Supplies

The Bónus in Kringlan basement is the cheapest place in Reykjavík to stock up on road trip food: skyr, rúgbrauð (rye bread), cheese, dried fish, chocolate, instant coffee.