Smaralind Shopping Mall Travel Guide

Smaralind mall is the biggest shopping mall in Iceland, with over 90 shops and service outlets catering to the everyday needs of locals and travelers.

As one of the prominent shopping centers in the Greater Reykjavik area, Smaralind has been the go-to place for tourists and locals since it opened in 2001. Travelers joining tours from Reykjavik, including northern lights hunting, blue lagoon geothermal bathing, and the Golden Circle excursions, will find they'll have time to visit around their adventures.

With a selection of different shops and restaurants, from local to international brands, everyone can have a great shopping experience in the Icelandic mall.

Smaralind is open daily at 11:00 a.m, except on Sundays when it opens at noon. 

About Smaralind Shopping Mall 

Location of Smaralind 

Smaralind, locally known in the Icelandic language as Smáralind, is situated in the town of Kopavogur in the Greater Reykjavik area.

Kopavogur is one of the seven cities and municipalities comprising the Capital Region of Iceland, which includes the capital city Reykjavik. The town is the second most populous municipality in the land of fire and ice, with around 40,000 residents. 

The proximity of the shopping mall to Reykjavik city, just four miles (seven kilometers), is perfect for travelers from Keflavik International Airport and Reykjavik Airport. Before or after joining Icelandic tours, a trip to Smaralind mall is an excellent way to relax and do souvenir shopping.

Ways to Reach the Biggest Shopping Mall in Iceland 

Traveling to Smaralind is relatively easy because of its strategic location in the Capital Region. You have several options of either commuting via public transport or driving there yourself.

The cheapest option is commuting to the shopping center via bus. If you’re coming from any of the seven towns within the Capital Region, there are multiple bus schedules you can choose from daily. 

From the capital city, Reykjavik, travelers may take the bus transit line 2 operated by Straeto company at the Borgarleikhus station. These buses run daily with only a 30-minute interval. Once you arrive in Kopavogur, the mall is just a few minutes walk from the bus stop.

Meanwhile, for tourists driving from Reykjavik, you may take Route 49 and exit to the Reykjanesbraute Route 41. Travel time may take around 20 minutes, depending on the traffic, but Smaralind is beside the highway, making it easy to be spotted.

The most convenient option, although the priciest, is riding a taxi. You can hire a taxi ride wherever you are in the Greater Reykjavik Area.

Shops and Restaurants in Smaralind Shopping Center 

As the biggest shopping mall in Iceland, Smaralind sits on 10.5 acres (4.25 hectares) of land. The mall’s retail space in this area is a whopping 702,000 square feet (65,200 square meters). This vast size accommodates as many as 90 shops, restaurants, and service outlets.

Although it is located in a busy metropolitan area, the mall remains a relaxing haven for Icelanders and tourists. 

The family-friendly shopping center is composed of three levels where you can find all the necessary things you need, from food supplies to clothing. But if you want entertainment and leisure, fret not, as Smaralind also offers these services for kids and adults.

On the first level, you can find the most extensive space occupied by Hagkaup. It’s a supermarket chain founded in Iceland where you can find food and non-food items, from fresh food products to clothing and toys.

The rest of the first and second floors of the shopping center include a selection of over 70 local and international retail brands. In addition, travelers can always find stylish clothes here from H&M, Zara, and Levi’s.

But if you’re a tourist looking for some native Icelandic stores, you may visit Herragardurrin, Meba, Kaupfelagid, Snuran, and Kubbabudin. 

Meanwhile, before joining a tour in the Icelandic countryside, you may want to fill up your stomach with a sumptuous meal. Smaralind has around 18 cafes and restaurants you can choose from, including international fast food chains Sbarro and Subway.

You may also try dining at Hlollabatar, Maikai, and Isey Skyr Bar to taste some delicious Icelandic meals. 

Besides providing a great shopping experience, Smaralind is also famous for its relaxing entertainment services.

The shopping center houses a multi-screen cinema, a fully-equipped fitness gym, a play area, and a nursery. Kids will surely enjoy playing in the entertainment area located on the mall’s third level.

Moreover, travelers driving or biking to the mall will not have a problem as Smaralind has sufficient free parking spaces on its massive lot.

The mall is open daily, all year round. On weekdays, its operating hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m, while on weekends, it opens at noon and closes around 6:00 p.m.

Attractions Near Smaralind Mall 

Smaralind mall may be an attraction in its own right, but the nature of Iceland is simply in a league of its own. After getting supplies from the Kopavogur mall, travelers may consider joining Icelandic tours to visit nearby attractions.

Kopavogur 

A great place to start every traveler’s Icelandic experience is in the town of Kopavogur. From Smaralind mall, you can visit most attractions in Kopavogur within a day, especially if you join package tours.

The Kopavogur Culture Hill is a place to explore the cultural heritage of Iceland. Gerdarsafn Kopavogur Art Museum and Kopavogur Natural History Museum are two important museums you can visit in the area. 

Gerdarsafn museum is where you can see the greatest works of Icelandic sculptor GerDur Helgadottir, from stained glasses to abstract artworks. She also designed the stained glass windows of the iconic Kopavogskirkja church, which you can visit while in town.

On the other hand, the Kopavogur Natural History Museum is just the perfect site to learn more about the natural history of Iceland’s wildlife and geology. Tourists who want to explore the rich biodiversity of the Nordic country, from birdlife to native animals, should not miss the free admission to its exhibits. 

Sky Lagoon and Blue Lagoon

The land of fire and ice is famous for its active geological activities. Thanks to these natural events, geothermal bathing is one of the best activities you can do here.

The Sky Lagoon is the nearest option to experience the wonders of a geothermal spa. Located in Kopavogur and just three miles (five kilometers), Sky Lagoon has an infinity pool that overlooks the Atlantic ocean. Travelers will have a relaxing time at the spa while surrounded by lava rocks.

Meanwhile, another site to experience incredible geothermal bathing is the Blue Lagoon, one of the most visited attractions in the land of fire and ice. This famous Icelandic geothermal spa is 27 miles (44 kilometers) from Smaralind and 30 miles (49 kilometers) from Reykjavik. 

The milky blue waters of Blue Lagoon, rich in sulfur and silica, are known to have regenerative qualities. The hot water is suitable for some skin conditions and ailments. And while having a relaxing time, tourists joining the Blue Lagoon tour will be treated to great views of moss-filled volcanic landscapes and sceneries.

Golden Circle 

When in Iceland, don’t miss the opportunity to travel along the iconic tourist route of the Golden Circle. Travelers joining the typical Golden Circle tour will visit three of the most popular attractions in Iceland, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall.

The nearest attraction on the Golden Circle from Smaralind shopping mall is the Thingvellir National Park, just 28 miles (45 kilometers) away. The national park holds a significant part of Iceland’s history as the site of its first Parliament. Likewise, the geological landscapes in the area, such as the Mid-Atlantic rift, can only be seen here.

The other two attractions on this travel route are ideal sites to witness just how powerful the nature of Iceland is. 

Geysir geothermal area is home to two famous geysers called Geysir and Strokkur. As you may have guessed, the Great Geysir is the source of the English term geyser. Meanwhile, Strokkur is the more active geyser that spouts boiling water to as high as 66 feet (20 meters) every 10 minutes.

Finally, the last stop in the Golden Circle is the Gullfoss waterfall. It is one of the most majestic and celebrated waterfalls in Iceland because of its colorful history. The Gullfoss waterfall cascades beautifully from a drop of 105 feet (32 meters), a breathtaking sight that every traveler in Iceland should see.