A battlefield for bargain hunters
So, you want to know where all the old compilation albums and china tea sets went from your local charity shops? They can be found at the Kolaport flea market next to Reykjavik’s harbour.
Imagine a huge undercover car boot sale, dotted around with stalls that resemble the back of Delboy Trotter’s Reliant Robin, the scent of rotting fish alluringly mixed with body odour and throw in a grubby café, acting as the city’s Grey Army HQ.
Doesn’t really sound appealing. Yet, the Kolaport has a magical pull that ensures it’s more or less full of bargain hunters every weekend.
If you shop in Gucci and have a weekly manicure the Kolaport is not, repeat not, the place for you. If however you like being enticed to buy stuff you don’t need, enjoy charity shopping or need some of that controversial whale meat — come on down.
It’s a great place for bargain vintage clothing either from one of the regular stalls or from the people there on a one-off clearing their storage space.
You can get your grubby mitts on antiques and faux antiques, children’s toys, army surplus, knitted underwear (yes, really) and the brightest coloured candy you will ever see.
Among the new crap, you can find such gems as rip off movie/band t-shirts, shades, jewelry and DVDs you wouldn’t dream were ever made, or, for that matter, that anyone would buy. Which of course just means that you have to buy them.
One of the best parts of the Kolaport is the fish market. It’s where you can buy all of the Icelandic fishy treats you would ever want. As well as good old regular fresh fish, you can get regular fresh Harðfiskur — the traditional dried fish — and if that’s too traditional for you there’s also lots of whale meat, and rotten shark.
Go check it out, just don’t say we didn’t warn you.
More Kolaportið: Wikipedia | Flickr | Grapevine | Iceland Eyes | Official Page
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