Perlan is a glass dome built on top of six geothermal water storage tanks on Öskjuhlíð hill — a museum, observation deck, and planetarium that provides both a 360-degree view of Reykjavik and an immersive education in Iceland's geology, glaciology, and natural phenomena. The building, completed in 1991, converted the city's hot water tanks (which store the geothermal water that heats Reykjavik's buildings) into a multi-purpose cultural centre.
The Wonders of Iceland exhibition uses a real indoor ice cave (maintained at -10°C using 350 tonnes of snow), a planetarium showing Northern Lights films, and interactive exhibits on volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and the tectonic forces that created Iceland to explain the country's geology. The observation deck provides the most comprehensive view of Reykjavik — the colourful city below, the harbour, and the surrounding mountains and ocean in every direction.
The building sits on Öskjuhlíð, a forested hill that was planted with trees by Reykjavik residents in the 1950s (Iceland was almost entirely deforested by the Vikings, and reforestation has been a national project since). The walking paths through the forest and up to Perlan provide one of the few woodland walking experiences available near Reykjavik.
Verified Facts
Perlan was built on six geothermal water storage tanks
The building was completed in 1991
The indoor ice cave uses 350 tonnes of snow
Iceland was almost entirely deforested by the Vikings
Get walking directions
Varmahlíð 1, 105 Reykjavík
