Perlan

Perlan is a glass-domed landmark on top of Öskjuhlíð hill at Varmahlíð 1, built over six former hot water storage tanks that once supplied Reykjavik, Iceland. Today the building is a museum and viewing platform, and its dome is visible from much of the city. The main exhibition, Wonders of Iceland, uses models, films and interactive displays to explain glaciers, volcanoes, geothermal activity and the northern lights. A highlight is the 100-metre artificial ice cave, built inside the building to let visitors walk through a representation of a glacier tunnel without leaving the capital. A planetarium show projects the aurora and night sky onto a dome, which is a useful alternative when weather hides the real thing. The 360-degree observation deck on the outer ring gives views over central Reykjavik, the bay, Mount Esja and, on clear days, the Reykjanes peninsula and nearby glaciers. A café and restaurant sit under the dome, and a gift shop stocks Icelandic design. Most visitors spend two to three hours, depending on whether they add the planetarium show. The hill itself is wooded and criss-crossed with walking paths, and a walk from Nauthólsvík geothermal beach through the Öskjuhlíð forest takes about 25 minutes. Photographers favour the deck at sunset, particularly in winter when the low sun gives warm light over the rooftops. Crowds are heaviest around midday and during cruise-ship days, while early morning and late afternoon are calmer. Tickets are sold in several packages, so visitors choose between the exhibition, ice cave, deck and planetarium combinations. Because Perlan is indoors, it is a reliable choice on wet or windy days.