Photos: Xfigpower, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Michal Gorski, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Helgi Halldórsson from Reykjavík, Iceland, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo credits
Photos: Xfigpower, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Michal Gorski, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Helgi Halldórsson from Reykjavík, Iceland, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Perlan and the Öskjuhlíð forest
Your local guide
Sigríður Halldórsdóttir
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Highlights
- A dome built on hot water tanks
- Working infrastructure turned landmark
- A forest planted in living memory
- Bare heath transformed into woodland
- Reykjavik's skyline from Öskjuhlíð
About this tour
This session looks at how a set of working hot water tanks became one of Reykjavik's most photographed buildings, set inside a forest planted on the hill around it in living memory. You see the glass dome's exterior and the trees that have transformed the hill's appearance over just a few decades. It moves between architecture and woodland at an easy pace.
After a short sound check outside the dome, I walk the hill stop by stop, explaining the building's design before moving into the forest and its own recent history. I answer questions live and send a short note afterwards on the dome's exhibitions for anyone who wants to visit inside.
It suits anyone interested in architecture and urban forestry, and anyone who wants a wider view over the city before heading back down.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Reykjavik before heading out.
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Perlan's glass dome exterior 21 min
The camera takes in the glass dome built on top of the city's hot water storage tanks, and I explain how the design turned working infrastructure into a public landmark.
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Öskjuhlíð's planted forest 21 min
You see the forest planted around the hill, and I point out how it was established on land that was mostly bare heath only decades ago.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Reykjavik: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Hot dogs (pylsur) and Old Harbour, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Reykjavik time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 9 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Reykjavik, showing you Perlan's glass dome exterior and Öskjuhlíð's planted forest live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need any background in art?
No. The guide explains what matters as you go, whatever you already know or do not.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk the hill live with my phone.
Times shown in Reykjavik time (GMT)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Fri 4 Dec · 9 seats left From 22,00 €
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