Perlan

Background

History & Background

The six circular tanks beneath Perlan store millions of liters of hot geothermal water for Reykjavík's heating and hot water supply. The striking glass dome was added in 1991 by architect Ingimundur Sveinsson, transforming the functional water tanks into a city landmark. Perlan reopened in 2017 as 'Wonders of Iceland' — an interactive natural history museum featuring an indoor ice cave, Northern Lights show, and planetarium.

Perlan is one of Reykjavík’s defining modern landmarks, standing prominently on Öskjuhlíð hill above the city. The site originally served an essential practical role: large tanks stored geothermal hot water for Reykjavík. In 1991, the distinctive glass dome was completed above the tanks, creating the building now known as Perlan. Its unusual form, elevated location and reflective dome made it an immediate visual landmark. From many parts of Reykjavík, Perlan can be seen rising above Öskjuhlíð’s wooded slopes. The surrounding hill offers walking paths and broad views over the capital, while the building itself remains an interesting example of Reykjavík combining infrastructure with public architecture. Perlan is also home to restaurants, visitor facilities and the paid Wonders of Iceland museum. Those museum exhibitions — including the indoor ice cave, nature displays, planetarium experience and admission products — are treated separately on GoIceTravel under the dedicated Perlan — Wonders of Iceland Museum page. This page focuses on Perlan as a Reykjavík landmark, its architecture, history and location on Öskjuhlíð.