Speaking about Icelandic supermarkets and Iceland grocery shops just isn’t essentially the most thrilling topic. Nonetheless, earlier than our journey to Iceland, we discovered ourselves performing some analysis in regards to the costs within the supermarkets in Iceland. We discovered that we weren’t the one ones questioning and that many individuals really ask in regards to the costs of Iceland grocery shops.
It’s an necessary a part of budgeting. Given the recognition of camper vans, Airbnb, and tenting, many individuals discover themselves cooking their very own meals to keep away from the loopy excessive meals prices in Iceland. This vacationer information ought to assist save and finances accordingly for buying in Iceland grocery shops.
A Information to Iceland Grocery Shops
Icelandic Grocery store Chains To Store At
There are a number of completely different chain markets you’ll be able to anticipate finding in Iceland. Right here’s a quick overview of the completely different grocery shops and that are our favorites.
Iceland Grocery Retailer #1: Bónus
That is essentially the most distinguished grocery retailer in Iceland. They’ve a number of areas all through Iceland, and yow will discover a number of alongside the ring street. The overwhelming majority of their shops and Iceland markets are in Reykjavik.
Bónus is a finances grocery store in Iceland. The retailers are the Icelandic equal of a Lidl or Aldi. They provide a restricted variety of merchandise and shrink back from title manufacturers.
Regardless of having a extra restricted choice, they nonetheless have greater than sufficient for anybody’s primary wants. Until you’re a gourmand, Bónus might be greater than sufficient for you. That is our choose for the finest grocery retailer in Iceland and is what we now have at all times sought to search out.
In case you’re having a tricky time discovering a Bonus, simply bear in mind their brand is the cartoon pig with a black eye. Don’t ask us why the pig has a black eye. Possibly he bought right into a combat with one other pig.
Iceland Grocery Retailer #2: Krónan
Krónan is the closest competitor to Bónus. They carry a bigger collection of merchandise, extra produce, and a number of other wholesome meals choices. Their costs are a detailed second to Bónus, however we did discover Krónan to be barely increased priced.
They do supply a big recent meat and fish part, however since we eat principally vegetarian, we will’t touch upon the costs. This Iceland grocery retailer carries specialty merchandise like natural well being meals and gluten-free bread.
Their brand is a smiling yellow-colored orange. If that’s too complicated, it’s like somebody painted a yellow smiley on an orange.
Iceland Grocery Retailer #3: Nettó
Nettó is one other low-cost store based mostly in Akureyri, and we noticed just a few different shops all through Iceland. They promote a big selection of merchandise, together with issues like garments and youngsters’s video games. In case you want a random family merchandise, we advocate trying inside.
For some purpose, their brand is a hole orange apple. If there’s a proficient graphic artist in want of labor, I imagine Iceland has some openings!
Iceland Grocery Retailer #4: VÃðir
VÃðir might be the nicest meals market in Iceland. The brand new chain has a number of areas round ReykjavÃk. They’ve a pleasant collection of recent fruit and greens. Additionally they carry a variety of wholesome meals and high quality merchandise. It’s costlier than the finances Iceland supermarkets however carries the highest quality of meals merchandise in Iceland.
Iceland Grocery Retailer #5: 10-11
The primary time we walked into one of many shops, we have been simply searching for some Nescafe. That was till we noticed the worth at a staggering $13… Even our favourite habit of Haribo was $6 a bag.
The costs listed below are obscene, and it’s unlikely any locals use the retailers if they’ll keep away from it. Our recommendation is to steer clear as they’re not less than double the usual Icelandic worth. Though, we did discover the tour buses conveniently made their cease…
Iceland Grocery Retailer #6: Costco
I cannot touch upon this one. Nonetheless, it was a giant deal when Costco opened a retailer in Iceland. Even just a few locals we talked to have been excited in regards to the prospect of the megastore. In case you’re already a member, we’d recommend giving the shop a cease as their memberships are good worldwide.
The place To Purchase Meals In Iceland?
You shouldn’t anticipate finding a grocery retailer in each little city, however the locals do must eat, and most main cities comprise some type of an Iceland grocery store.
We have been in a position to drive everything of the Ring Street and solely shopped at Bónus each couple of days. We discovered an Iceland grocery retailer within the following cities Stykkishólmur, Akureyri, Egilsstadir, and Reykjavik.
What Are The Meals Costs in an Iceland Grocery Retailer?
The meals costs in Iceland differ relating to merchandise within the markets. We discovered many meals merchandise cheap, after which we’d discover produce gadgets like an aubergine (eggplant) for $6. That’s like the most cost effective vegetable subsequent to potatoes! Iceland is without doubt one of the world’s most costly nations, and even the meals costs replicate that.
You possibly can nonetheless get by on a finances, however will probably be restricted. We discovered merchandise like milk, bread, rice, frozen greens, and apples to not be ridiculous. We made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch as a budget-saving technique. (What American doesn’t love that?) For snacks, we ate apples and peanuts, at all times stable choices which are wholesome and preserve you full.
What to Price range For Meals in Iceland
We ate very modestly and fully vegetarian whereas cooking our personal meals in Iceland. Nonetheless, in 10 days of tenting, we spent $225 on meals. That’s simply over $11 a day in meals per particular person.
It will be simple to spend extra on meals; I suppose we may have spent rather less. We by no means went hungry and had loads of snacks all through the day. In case you’re making an attempt to work out a finances, it will be protected to finances $15-$20 a day per particular person, because it’s at all times higher to come back in below finances than over!
Our Suggestions for Saving on Iceland Grocery Procuring
Decide and Select Greens
Some greens are inexpensive, whereas others are simply ridiculous. Recent produce, normally, is excessive. That being stated, the essential staples are inside anybody’s finances. Issues like tomatoes, apples, and potatoes have been low-cost.
Our saving grace for greens got here within the type of frozen greens. They aren’t nice, and we often keep away from them when cooking at dwelling; nevertheless, Iceland doesn’t develop most of its produce, so the most effective costs come from frozen meals.
Overlook the Prepared-Made Meals in Icelandic Supermarkets
After we’re on the street, we love to choose up ready-made meals at grocery shops. It’s often an affordable and wholesome strategy to eat lunch. Nonetheless, in Iceland, we discovered the ready-made choices to be costly or downright unhealthy. Count on a white bread sandwich with a hefty serving of mayo to value between $8-$9.
Deliver The Proper Stuff From Residence
That is actually geared for campers and people doing the Ring Street. Nonetheless, bringing the precise merchandise from dwelling can prevent a buck and make your journey far more pleasurable.
AeroPress: Chopping again on pointless prices like espresso is a simple strategy to save a finances, particularly in a spot like Iceland. I’d additionally recommend selecting up a bag of your favourite brew as will probably be cheaper than in Iceland. (*Full disclosure: We’re espresso addicts)
Depart the freeze-dried meals at dwelling. The fast-cooking meals is pointless except you propose a multi-day hike. I’ve seen just a few individuals advocate bringing the stuff, don’t do it.
In case you plan to camp or use a campervan, be certain to convey a multi-functional tenting set. Though our van got here with some cooking tools, it’s a little restricted by itself. It doesn’t harm to choose up one thing like this set is a superb alternative.
In case you can, we advocate carrying a jet boil for each campers and people in a campervan. Whereas our van got here with one burner having a further backpacking range could make life far more comfy. Like cooking breakfast and low within the morning!
Keep away from Fuel Station Meals
Be warned, gasoline stations are costly in Iceland! That extends past the whopping gasoline costs ($8/gallon)! We’ve seen a sizzling canine or cheeseburger meal in a gasoline station go for $15 a meal. The restricted meals merchandise they carry are usually double the usual worth in Iceland. Keep away from!Â
Don’t Miss the Iceland Regional Specialties
You don’t must eat out to get pleasure from native meals if you journey. One among our favourite issues is selecting specialty merchandise in nations after which cooking them on our personal.
Our two favourite merchandise we present in Iceland have been skyr and smoked char. Smoked char is much like salmon however approach higher, and it’s definitely worth the excessive value.
Plan Your Journey to Iceland
Guide a Camper!
A campervan is the easiest way to get round Iceland on a finances. Whereas a camper is barely costlier than a automotive, you’ll be able to sleep and prepare dinner in it! You don’t must seek for resorts or take care of costly eating places in Iceland.
Plus, you sleep in nature and nonetheless use a heater if you want! If you wish to journey with a Blissful Campers van as we did (and you need to. They’re the BEST!) be certain to learn our full evaluation. You possibly can simply guide utilizing this hyperlink, however be certain to guide nicely upfront in the course of the excessive season.
When is the Greatest Time to Go to Iceland?
In my view, the most effective occasions to go to Iceland are June, July, September, October, and December – nevertheless it all will depend on what you need! June-August is the excessive season, however additionally it is summer time in Iceland when you will see that essentially the most nice temperatures.
It’s additionally when you’ll expertise essentially the most quantity of daylight and get essentially the most out of your journey. December is nice as a result of it’s winter, you stand a robust probability of seeing the Northern Lights, it’s off-season, and the temperatures haven’t gone to finish freezing but.Â
Nonetheless, my private favourite time to journey to Iceland is in the course of the fall months. It’s September and October when you will notice the leaves change vibrant colours across the nation. Temperatures are nonetheless gentle, and tourism is slowing down. You possibly can see the total month-by-month breakdown for Iceland journey right here.Â
Issues to do in Iceland
There are actually so many issues to do in Iceland I may write a guide about it. Sadly, I don’t have that form of time so I’m exhibiting you the last word Iceland bucket checklist right here. Some issues which are a should do are go to an Iceland swimming pool, soak in a pure sizzling spring, stand below a waterfall, and see the Northern Lights.
Is Iceland Costly?
Iceland is mega costly. Some of the costly nations in the complete world really. Just remember to plan accordingly and consistent with your finances. It’s definitely attainable to do Iceland on a finances of lower than $100 if you’re tenting, cooking all your individual primary meals, and touring by public transport or rating an excellent deal on a rental.
The excellent news is that nature is free, and also you’ll be capable to see Iceland’s magnificence with out paying for it. So sure – it’s fully doable to have an inexpensive Iceland trip. In case you plan on consuming remember to choose up obligation free alcohol earlier than you permit the airport. A pint of beer can simply run you $15-$20!
Useful Iceland Journey Suggestions
Icelanders converse Icelandic, however each single particular person I got here throughout spoke English.
The native forex is the Icelandic króna (ISK). ATMs are discovered all through the nation
Iceland is without doubt one of the most secure nations on this planet; nevertheless, it’s at all times necessary to make use of widespread sense when strolling alone at evening.
Tipping just isn’t customary in Iceland.
Iceland has a robust web infrastructure and you need to be capable to simply keep related.
To really feel extra at dwelling we use Airbnb you’ll be able to try some suggestions and skim extra about getting an Airbnb coupon code right here. Or simply take this coupon to your first keep!
Typically it’s good simply to have an actual guide in your arms when touring. We advocate Lonely Planet to get you thru these wi-fi nights.
