Reykjavík Grapevine - 11.12.2016, Side 33

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Experience the history of Reykjavík in a lively
and engaging way at the Reykjavík City Museum.
Comprising five individual sites, the
City Museum was founded to
uphold and preserve Reykjavík’s
cultural heritage, which dates
back to the arrival of the first
settlers in the late 9th century.
Four of the museums are within
walking distance of downtown
Reykjavík, while the Árbær Open
Air Museum is only a fifteen-minute-
drive from the city center. The ferry to
Viðey Island leaves from the Old Harbor in
downtown Reykjavík.
www.reykjavikcitymuseum.is
CHECK OUT THE NEW
REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM
C O M P R I S I N G 5 TO P M U S E U M S
Árbær Open Air
Museum
Viðey Island
The Settlement
Exhibition
Reykjavík Museum
of Photography
Reykjavík Maritime
Museum
Best goddamn store
Geysir
Skólavörðustígur 7 & 16
Geysir is a store where regular Icelanders window shop, and rich
tourists go crazy buying stuff. You can find fashionable clothes
from great brands, with a focus on Icelandic style, and you can
rely on the quality of the clothes. Geysir is so popular that they
opened another location recently, just across the street from their
flagship store. When you shop there, you can be sure you’re going
to come out dressed in some contemporary neo-Scandi chic (we’re
not sure that’s an actually thing, but it’s obscure enough to sound
like we’re fashionistas).
Runners Up
Fjallakofinn
Laugarvegur 11
Fjallakofinn has to be on the list. It’s
been a godsend for many travellers who
are adventuring out into the wilderness
and need to grab some extra gear,
gloves or a carabiner or two. It’s also a
place for Icelanders to get slap on some
Gore-Tex and dress up in what they call
“tourist-core.”
Herrafataverzlun Kormáks &
Skjaldar
Laugavegur 59
Herrafataverzlun Kormáks & Skjaldar
is a gentlemen’s clothing store packed
with high-end brands. You could walk in
dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and walk
out looking like someone about to at-
tend a party at Jay Gatsby’s residence—
that is, like you just won the lottery.
Previous Winners:
2015: Geysir
Best place to buy
a wool sweater
Handprjóna-
sambandið
Skólavörðustígur 19
Handprjónasambandið is the Hand
Knitting Society of Iceland. Its stock
comes from dozens of contributors
from around the country, who make
traditional knitted clothing for locals
and tourists alike. It’s hard to walk into
this place and not stay for a long time.
There are so many choices. It’s stocked
wall to wall with knitted sweaters and
garments in all the colours and patterns
you could imagine. The best tactic is
to treat it like the wand shop in Harry
Potter and let the sweater choose you.
Runners Up
Kolaportið
Trayggvagata 19
Kolaportið has a wide selection of used
wool sweaters at a price you’ll appreci-
ate. You need to really search, and talk
to the sellers. It may take a few tries
but they’ll find you something you’re
happy with.
Rauða Krossinn
Laugavegur 12 & Skólavörðustígur
12
The Icelandic branch of the Red Cross
always holds a surprise. You could walk
in one day and find everything you’re
looking for. However, sometimes you
won’t find anything. It’s as much about
the journey as the destination.
Previous Winners:
2015: Red Cross
2014: Handprjónasambandið
2013: Handprjónasambandið