Perlan is a nature museum set inside six former geothermal water tanks on Öskjuhlíð hill, under a glass dome above Reykjavík. Its Wonders of Iceland exhibition holds a 100-metre indoor ice cave built from over 350 tons of snow and kept at around -10°C, plus the Áróra 8K Northern Lights planetarium. A 360-degree observation deck wraps the dome for views over the city and the mountains beyond.
Perlan at a glance
Short on time? Here is the quick version.
| Perlan | |
|---|---|
| Setting | Six water tanks under a glass dome, Öskjuhlíð hill |
| Ice cave | 100 m indoor cave, about -10°C |
| Planetarium | Áróra 8K Northern Lights show |
| Deck | 360-degree observation deck |
| Also inside | Látrabjarg cliff, Volcano Show, nature displays |
| Getting there | About a 30-minute walk, buses 13 and 18 |
The building on Öskjuhlíð hill
Perlan began as a set of geothermal hot-water storage tanks on Öskjuhlíð, the wooded hill on the south side of the city. Six of those tanks were kept and topped with a glass dome, turning the site into a museum with an observation deck sitting on top of the tanks. The shape is why the building is easy to spot from across Reykjavík, and it is the reason the deck sits so high above the surrounding streets.
The indoor ice cave
The centrepiece of the Wonders of Iceland exhibition is a 100-metre ice cave built inside the museum. It was packed from over 350 tons of snow brought down from Bláfjöll, the ski area outside the city, and it is kept at around -10°C all year. Walking through it recreates the feel of a real glacier ice cave without the drive out to a glacier, and a warm layer is enough to stay comfortable inside.
The Áróra planetarium
Perlan's planetarium runs Áróra, an 8K Northern Lights show projected across the dome. It is built for the nights when the real aurora does not appear, walking through how and why the lights form and the folklore attached to them. Because it is indoors and on a schedule, it is a reliable way to see the phenomenon even in summer or under cloud.
The 360-degree observation deck
The observation deck runs the full way around the dome, giving an open 360-degree view over Reykjavík. Panels point out the landmarks, mountains, and glaciers visible in each direction, so you can trace the coastline and pick out Mount Esja across the bay. It is one of the best places to understand the layout of the city and the mountains that frame it.
Other exhibits and getting there
Beyond the ice cave, the exhibition covers Iceland's natural forces: a Látrabjarg seabird cliff, a Volcano Show built around the Geldingadalir eruption at Fagradalsfjall, and displays on the country's water, oceans, and geology. Perlan stands on Öskjuhlíð hill about a 30-minute walk from the centre, with city buses 13 and 18 stopping nearby and parking outside the building. Before you go, compare Perlan ticket prices across providers to check current availability. To pair a visit with a lagoon stop or a day trip out of town, compare Reykjavík tours and day trips.
Pack with the trip in mind
The Iceland Packing List helps you choose practical layers and essentials for a day that includes Perlan: Reykjavík's nature museum and ice cave.
