- The ice cave is built from 400 tons of ice, snow, and ash inside a repurposed district heating tank
- Áróra planetarium shows northern lights in 8K on a dome screen above you
- The observation deck circles the entire glass dome and offers views in every direction
- Four of the original six tanks still supply hot water to Reykjavík homes
The Ice Cave Exhibition
The ice cave occupies one of the six original district heating tanks. It is 100 metres long and is built from around 400 tons of ice, snow, and ash.
The exhibition maintains sub-zero temperatures year-round. You walk through tunnels and chambers that show ice formations, crevasses, and glacier structures. The experience takes place indoors with controlled conditions.
Four tanks beside the ice cave still hold up to five million litres of hot water each. The contrast between frozen exhibition space and functioning hot water storage happens within the same building.
If you want to experience a natural glacier cave, check ice cave tours that operate in winter. For man-made tunnels cut into ice, Into the Glacier on Langjökull offers access year-round.
Perlan Museum Tickets
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Top ratedEntry ticketReykjavik: Perlan - Wonders of Iceland Experience★ 4.7 4 414 reviews✓ Free cancellationBooked 22 times yesterdayfrom €47 per personSee availability →
Guided tour · 10 hoursReykjavík: Golden Circle Tour & Perlan Museum Tour★ 4.6 49 reviews✓ Free cancellation✓ Pickup availableAvailable tomorrowfrom €114 per personSee availability →
Bundle · 1 dayReykjavík: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Perlan Museum Entry Ticket★ 4.4 830 reviews✓ Free cancellationfrom €80 per personSee availability →
Private tour · 5 hoursReykjavik City Private Tour: Perlan, Arbaer & City Landmarks★ 5.0 3 reviews✓ Free cancellation✓ Pickup available✓ Skip the linefrom €700 per groupSee availability →Áróra: Northern Lights Planetarium
Áróra is the first ever 8K northern lights planetarium film. The show projects onto the dome ceiling above you. It takes you on a journey through Iceland's solar system and Icelandic landscapes.
The planetarium sits in a converted hot water tank, like the ice cave. You recline in seats that face upward toward the dome screen.
The film shows northern lights across Iceland's landscapes. It cannot replace seeing the real aurora, but it shows high-quality footage regardless of weather or season.
For live northern lights viewing, northern lights tours run from September to April. Check the forecast before you book any evening tour.
- You see a permanent ice cave without winter weather or road closures
- The observation deck gives you views of Reykjavík from 61 metres above sea level
- Multiple exhibitions cover glaciers, volcanoes, seabirds, and northern lights in one location
- The building itself is an engineering landmark that opened in 1991
- Restaurant and café revolve a full 360 degrees while you eat
- The ice cave is a replica, not a natural glacier cave
- Perlan sits on Öskjuhlíð hill, away from the city centre
- The planetarium cannot replicate seeing real northern lights in winter darkness
Observation Deck Views
The observation deck lies on top of the hot water tanks and encircles the entire dome. You stand 61 metres above sea level with views of Reykjavík and the surrounding area.
From the deck you see Reykjavík, the surrounding mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean. The deck is open-air and exposed to wind and weather.
The glass dome rests on the tanks and creates the museum's distinctive silhouette. The structure opened to the public on 21 June 1991. The revolving restaurant and café inside the dome complete a full 360-degree rotation as you dine.
For lower-altitude city perspectives, walking tours cover Reykjavík's centre on foot.
Other Exhibitions and Shows
Látrabjarg Cliff is a ten-metre-high replica of one of Europe's biggest seabird cliffs. It shows puffins, guillemots, and other species in a life-size setting.
Lava Show is a film that takes you to the recent eruption site. The Geldingadalir eruption began in March 2021 at Fagradalsfjall and lasted several months.
Perlan has been selected four years in a row as a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best. The recognition places it among the top one percent of attractions worldwide.
For live volcanic demonstrations, Lava Show Reykjavík melts real lava indoors. For active volcano sites, check safetravel.is before visiting Reykjanes Peninsula eruption zones.
Compare prices, reviews and free-cancellation options before you book.
Check availability →Location and Building Design
Perlan is situated on the top of Öskjuhlíð hill. The address is Öskjuhlíð, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland. The building consists of a glass dome resting on top of six district heating tanks.
Each tank can keep up to five million litres of hot water, with a volume of 5,000 m3. Four tanks remain in active use supplying Reykjavík homes. One hosts an ice cave, and one has been turned into a planetarium.
The design combines functional infrastructure with public exhibition space. The hot water system continues to operate while visitors walk through the museum above and inside the tanks.
Many visitors combine Perlan with Blue Lagoon on the same day. If you arrive by cruise ship, shore excursions often include Perlan in Reykjavík itineraries.
Facilities and Services
Perlan has a restaurant, bar, café, ice cream parlour and gift shop. The restaurant and café revolve 360 degrees, completing a full rotation during your meal.
The building includes both indoor exhibition spaces and the outdoor observation deck. You move between climate-controlled areas and open-air platforms.
The museum operates year-round with the same exhibitions available in every season. The ice cave and planetarium do not depend on weather or daylight conditions.
Compare prices, reviews and free-cancellation options before you book.
Check availability →Combining Perlan with Other Reykjavík Attractions
| Attraction | Type | Distance from Perlan | Combination Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perlan | Museum, observation deck | - | Indoor, year-round |
| FlyOver Iceland | Flying theatre | City centre | Indoor, combines well on rainy days |
| Lava Show | Live lava demo | City centre | Evening shows available, pairs with Perlan morning visits |
| Food tours | Walking, tasting | City centre | Schedule after Perlan visit, covers downtown |
For full-day options outside Reykjavík, Golden Circle tours depart from the city centre and return in the evening. South Coast tours cover waterfalls and black sand beaches in a full day.
Perlan gives you glacier, volcano, and northern lights exhibitions in one indoor location. The observation deck adds views of Reykjavík from 61 metres above sea level. The trade-off is replicas and films instead of natural sites, but you skip weather dependence and long drives.
Frequently asked questions
What is Perlan in Reykjavík?
Perlan is a natural history museum situated on the top of Öskjuhlíð hill, 61 metres above sea level. It features a 100-metre ice cave, an 8K northern lights planetarium, and a 360-degree observation deck. The building opened to the public on 21 June 1991.
How big is the ice cave at Perlan?
The ice cave is 100 metres long and is built from around 400 tons of ice, snow, and ash. It occupies one of the repurposed hot water tanks inside the Perlan building.
What can you see from the Perlan observation deck?
The observation deck encircles the entire glass dome. It offers a view over Reykjavík, the surrounding areas, mountains, and the Atlantic Ocean. Perlan is 61 metres above sea level.
What is Áróra at Perlan?
Áróra is the first ever 8K northern lights planetarium film. It is a show about the Northern Lights that takes you on journey through Iceland's solar system and Icelandic landscapes. The planetarium is housed in a converted hot water tank.
Does Perlan still supply hot water to Reykjavík?
Yes, four of the six tanks at Perlan remain in active use. Each tank can keep up to five million litres of hot water, with a volume of 5,000 m3. One hosts an ice cave, and one has been turned into a planetarium.
