Laugavegur street

Here you are, my friend, right in the middle of Laugavegur Street. Remember its name: it’s the main shopping street in downtown Reykjavik. In other words, there’s no better place to immerse yourself in the locals’ daily life.

Behind each storefront, often brightly-coloured, lies the perfect excuse to slow your pace. You’ll find some chic Scandinavian boutiques showcasing the latest fashion trends, souvenir shops to satisfy nostalgic tourists, and a wide range of cafés and restaurants. That’s great information to keep in mind, if the street’s 2-kilometer length suddenly stirs your appetite.

Empty stomachs won’t go hungry with so many culinary delights around, such as snúður, sweet spiral pastries, or kleinur, crispy little doughnuts. Today, it’s the perfect place to stroll and take things slow, but back in 1885, Laugavegur served an entirely different purpose. Women used to walk here daily to reach the Laugardalur valley and its natural hot springs.

At the time, it wasn’t for bathing, that will be later—but to wash clothes. The name “Laugavegur” is a lasting nod to those early days, since it translates to “wash street” or “water street.”