Words by

The Reykjavík Grapevine

@rvkgrapevine

Photo by

Art Bicnick/The Reykjavík Grapevine

You’ve had your five a day (veggies/beers/panic attacks), now you gotta stay active. Whether it’s to get a dose of culture, hopping on a day tour or splashing around in your municipal pool, you can’t go wrong with our picks for Best Activities.

Best Exhibition

Perlan

Öskjuhlíð

So you’re in Reykjavík for a short visit, but you really want to visit one of Iceland’s Insta-famous ice caves? Just go to Perlan. The glass dome sitting atop Reykjavík’s wooded Öskjuhlíð hill is home to a man made ice cave to explore, as well a planetarium showing the Áróra Northern Lights Show, and a Wonders of Iceland exhibitions that includes a bird cliff, interactive exhibits and a whole lot to explore. Plus, it’s a reason to go to Perlan, where the observation deck offers the best view in town and the café is a tasty spot for a break.

Runner-Up:

Lava Show

Fiskislóð 73

Photo by Art Bicnick

If you’re a fan of science, volcanoes, magic tricks and puns, then you’ll love this self-coined “hottest things to do in Iceland.” Literally. They make molten lava. Lava Show started with an exhibition centre in Vík in 2018 before opening a second space in Reykjavík’s Grandi neighbourhood, bringing the first volcanic eruption to Reykjavík since the Elliðaárdalur lava field was formed some 4800 years ago. Eruptions are so hot right now, and Lava Show lets visitors learn about the science behind the Earth’s spontaneous spectacles while getting a feeling (from a safe distance) of just how hot molten lava is — the lava they’re producing on site is up to 1300º C.

Runner-Up:

FlyOver Iceland

Fiskislóð 43

Photo by Art Bicnick

There’s more than one reason to venture out to Grandi for some indoor fun. FlyOver Iceland is a high-tech exhibition that’s well worth the walk. The 4D experience lets visitors soar over all iterations of Icelandic landscapes in moving seats suspended and surrounded by spherical screen. The experience engages the senses with scents, mist and wind coordinated with what’s happening on screen to really sell the idea of being in flight. It’s been a massive hit with visitors and locals alike. As a bonus, FlyOver screens journeys over other international locations, too. Canada and the Wild West are both fun add-ons to the Iceland adventure.