reykjavik
Perlan — Wonders of Iceland Museum
About Perlan — Wonders of Iceland Museum
Perlan's six hot water tanks each hold 4 million litres, providing Reykjavík with geothermal hot water for heating and domestic use. The glass dome on top was added 1991 and originally housed a revolving restaurant (now closed). The Wonders of Iceland museum opened 2017 and occupies multiple floors: Ice Cave (ground floor), Glacier & Ice exhibition (1st floor), Forces of Nature including earthquake simulator (2nd floor), observation deck (4th floor). The ice cave is maintained at -10°C and features formations recreated from real glacier structures: crevasses, ice walls, moulins (vertical shafts). The ice is real — 350 tonnes of compacted snow renewed periodically. The outdoor observation deck offers 360° views: Reykjavík spreading below, Esja mountain to the north, Snæfellsjökull glacier on clear days to the west, Reykjanes peninsula to the south.
🐉 The Pearl on the Hill
Perlan was built to store hot water pumped from deep underground — but someone decided that if you're going to build six giant tanks on a hill, you should put a glass dome on top and make it beautiful.
📖 History of Perlan — Wonders of Iceland Museum
Öskjuhlíð was chosen as the site for geothermal hot water storage tanks in the 1930s. The current six-tank structure with glass dome completed 1991. Revolving restaurant operated 1991–2017. Wonders of Iceland museum opened 2017 after major renovation. The building is now one of Reykjavík's most recognisable landmarks.
💡 Did You Know?
The ice cave at Perlan is made from real glacier ice — but ironically, climate change is melting Iceland's real glaciers faster than they can be studied. Perlan's artificial cave may outlast the natural ones.
Key Facts
Glass dome atop 6 massive hot water tanks
100m real ice cave kept at -10°C year-round
350 tonnes of ice in the cave
360° observation deck with outdoor terrace
Second-best view in Reykjavík after Hallgrímskirkja
💎 Hidden Gems
The Observation Deck at Sunset
The outdoor observation terrace at sunset offers arguably the best panoramic view in Reykjavík — and unlike Hallgrímskirkja, there's space to sit and watch.
The Forest Walk Below
Öskjuhlíð hill is covered in planted forest with walking trails — a rare sight in Iceland. The paths from Perlan down to Nauthólsvík beach are genuinely beautiful.
🕐 Best Time
Afternoons for best observation deck light
🚗 Access
Öskjuhlíð hill, 2 km from city centre — bus or drive
⏱ Duration
2–3 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ice cave really ice?▾
Yes — 350 tonnes of real compacted snow and ice kept frozen at -10°C. Dress warm.
How much is admission?▾
Around 5,900 ISK adults, 2,900 ISK children 6–15. Check perlan.is for current prices.
📍 GPS Location
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