Perlan is Reykjavík’s top attraction and the largest nature museum in Iceland, located on Öskjuhlíð hill just outside the city center.

 

Housed in a futuristic glass dome sitting atop six massive hot water tanks, the museum offers an immersive experience that blends science, technology, and nature. It’s famous for its interactive exhibitions about Iceland’s unique landscapes, including volcanoes, glaciers, and the Northern Lights.

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At the heart of Perlan is the world’s first real indoor ice cave, a 100-meter-long tunnel crafted from 350 tons of snow and ice, which gives visitors a rare glimpse of glacial environments without leaving the city. The museum also features a spectacular Northern Lights planetarium show and a lava exhibition detailing volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

 

For panoramic views, visitors can go up to Perlan’s 360° observation deck, offering breathtaking vistas of Reykjavík, nearby mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean. The building houses a revolving café and restaurant beneath the dome, where guests can enjoy local dishes with constantly changing views.