Iceland Hotels and Resorts

SHOPPING

Fluffy, earth-colored Lopi wool blankets and coats, jackets, hats and handknits are synonymous with Iceland. Several local potters handthrow earthenware containers in natural colors. Crushed lava is a common addition to highly glazed ceramic pieces, which are popular as souvenirs. The duty-free shop at Keflavik Airport sells all of these products, as does the Icelandic Tourist Bureau souvenir shop in Reyjkavík.

Shopping hours
Mon-Fri 1000-1800, Sat 1000-1400, with variations from shop to shop. Shopping malls are open Mon-Thurs 1000-1830, Fri 1000-1900, Sat 1000-1600 and Sun 1300-1600.

Currency Information:

Currency
Icelandic Krona (Ikr) = 100 aurar. Notes are in denominations of Ikr5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of IKr100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.

Currency exchange
Foreign currencies can be exchanged in all major banks, some of which (such as the Landesbankí at Keflavik airport) are open 24 hours. Most hotels also provide their guests with exchange services. Exchange services are also available from The Change Group, which has offices at Keflavik airport, the Tourist Information Center and in central Reykjavík. ATMs are also available throughout the country, especially Reykjavík.

Credit & debit cards
American Express, Diners Club, Europay, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travelers cheques
Widely used. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions
The import and export of local currency is limited to Ikr8000; the import of foreign currency is unlimited and the export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Krona against Sterling and the US Dollar: