June 12: Reykjavik Wonders—Perlan, History, and Icelandic Tastes

June 13, 2025

Morning: Exploring Perlan—Volcanoes, Northern Lights, and Ice

We began our day at Perlan, Reykjavik’s striking glass-domed museum on Öskjuhlíð hill. We arrived early and was able to look around the outside of the museum with its Nootka lupine and unique statue The museum’s immersive exhibits brought Iceland’s dramatic natural world to life. Our first stop was the Volcano Show, a powerful film experience that recounted the story of the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption in Geldingadalir. The movie offered breathtaking footage and firsthand accounts of the six-month eruption, giving us a vivid sense of Iceland’s ever-changing volcanic landscape.

Puffin cliff exhibit

Lava movie on the 2021 eruption

Next, we explored the museum’s Ice Cave, a 100-meter-long tunnel made from over 350 tons of real Icelandic snow. Walking through the cave, we learned about glacier formation and the importance of these icy giants to Iceland’s environment.

Then we visited the Northern Lights Planetarium Show. This 8K projection show in Perlan’s domed theater took us on a mesmerizing journey through the science and legends of the aurora borealis, making the magic of the Northern Lights feel almost within reach.

The rest of Perlan’s interactive exhibits covered everything from earthquakes and geothermal forces to bird cliffs and ocean life. Before leaving, we stepped out onto the 360° observation deck for sweeping views of Reykjavik and the surrounding mountains.

We grabbed a quick lunch in Perlan’s restaurant, sharing some classic fish and chips while soaking in the panoramic cityscape.

Midday: Hop On Hop Off—Chess and Cold War History

After Perlan, we continued our sightseeing aboard the Hop On Hop Off bus. Two stops stood out for their unexpected historical significance. First, we saw the Laugardalshöll arena, site of the legendary 1972 World Chess Championship between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky—the “Match of the Century” that put Reykjavik on the global chess map. Second, we passed Höfði House, where the pivotal 1986 Reykjavík Summit between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev took place, marking a turning point in the Cold War.

Afternoon & Evening: Wake Up Reykjavik Food Tour

Later in the afternoon, we joined the Wake Up Reykjavik Food Tour, a 3.5-hour culinary adventure through the city center. Our group sampled some of Iceland’s most unique and traditional foods at five local restaurants:

Forrettabarinn Restaurant & Bar: Rob tasted Icelandic horse meat, a delicacy with deep roots in local cuisine. Toni had a great Risotto dish.
Horse fillet with broccolini, mashed potatoes, wine sauce, sweet bacon and caramelised onion

Horse meat, not bad..

... when you can wash it down

And To Go cups

Risotto

Tapas Barinn: Enjoyed langoustine (humar), the prized Icelandic lobster, served in Spanish-inspired tapas style.

Mat Bar: Tried Atlantic charr and the infamous hákarl—fermented shark, a true test of adventurous taste buds.
Artic charr from Breiðarfjörður and mashed potatoes with homemade mustard onion butter
Icelandic fermented shark and a shot of Brennivín (Burning wine)

Fermented shark bites (don't smell before eating! ammonia smell)

wasn't as bad as the face would imply

In Iceland, fermented shark is traditionally served in small cubes and accompanied by a shot of Icelandic schnapps called "brennivín" to wash it down.

maybe Icelandic moonshine

woo, the shark was better than the shot

Atlantic Chard

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur: Sampled the famous Icelandic hot dog “with everything” at the original stand, a must for visitors and locals alike.
The famous Iceland hot dog, known as the "Reykjavík hot dog," is topped with raw white onions, crispy fried onions, ketchup, sweet brown mustard (pylsusinnep), and remoulade.

Borg Restaurant: Ended with a slice of Happy Marriage Cake, a traditional Icelandic dessert that was the perfect sweet finish.
Hjónabandssæla with ice cream, Icelandic happy marriage cake

And we got a bonus with classic cars driving past the restaurant.

Evening: Strolling by Tjörnin

After the food tour, we needed a walk! We wandered over to Tjörnin, the picturesque city-center lake lined with colorful houses and lively with ducks, swans, and geese. Watching the birds glide across the water was a peaceful way to end a day packed with discovery and flavor.

Sun still big at 10 pm

From volcanoes and northern lights to chess legends, Cold War history, and Icelandic delicacies, today was a true Reykjavik adventure—one we’ll never forget!