The Geothermal Exhibition is a self-guided visitor centre inside the Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant, one of the world’s largest single-site geothermal plants.
This guide was updated in July 2026. Many older guides and booking aggregators still quote adult admission at $19 to $21. The official Basic Tour ticket actually costs ISK 1,990 (roughly $14) at the gate, or ISK 1,791 booked online, well below those third-party prices. You can book through Viator to secure a slot in advance.
Quick facts: Geothermal Exhibition
| Address | Hellisheiðarvirkjun, 816 Ölfus, Iceland |
| Opening hours | 09:00–17:00 (April–October); 09:00–16:00 (November–March), daily |
| Closed | 25 December and 1 January |
| Admission | Basic Tour from ISK 1,791 online; Energy Tour from ISK 3,510; VIP Tour from ISK 8,991 |
| Nearest transit | None; the site has no public transport link |
| Typical visit | 45 minutes to 1.5 hours |
Opening hours for the Geothermal Exhibition
The Geothermal Exhibition opens every day of the year, with no difference between weekday and weekend hours. From 1 April to 31 October, it opens from 09:00 to 17:00. From 1 November to 31 March, hours shorten to 09:00–16:00. The exhibition closes only twice a year, on 25 December and 1 January. It has also closed for short periods around Easter in past years, so it’s worth checking the site’s homepage banner if you’re travelling over a public holiday.
Ticket prices for the Geothermal Exhibition
All prices are listed in Icelandic króna and include VAT. Three tour options are available, and each costs less when booked online.
| Tour | Regular price | Online price | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Tour | ISK 1,990 | ISK 1,791 | Entry plus self-guided audio tour |
| Energy Tour | ISK 3,990 | ISK 3,510 | Guided tour with refreshments and a small gift |
| VIP Tour | ISK 9,900 | ISK 8,991 | Private guided tour with refreshments and extras |
Children aged 0 to 12 go free on the Basic Tour. Booking ahead also guarantees you a time slot in high season, and you can book tickets in advance on Viator to save the trip for later planning.
Why book Geothermal Exhibition tickets?
- 🏛️ See inside a working power plant: A rare chance to look into the turbine halls of Iceland’s largest single-site geothermal facility.
- 🎟️ Three tour tiers: Choose a self-guided Basic Tour, a guided Energy Tour, or a private VIP Tour.
- 🌿 Learn about Carbfix: Discover how the on-site Carbfix project turns captured CO2 into stone.
- 📜 Free entry for young children: Under-12s go free on the Basic Tour.
- 💰 10% off online: Use code 10GEO to save on the gate price when you book ahead.
How to get to the Geothermal Exhibition
By car, the exhibition is the easiest option and the one most visitors choose. It’s about 25 km east of Reykjavík and 30 km west of Selfoss, just off Route 1, roughly a 20 to 25-minute drive from the capital. By public transport, there’s no direct service to the site, so a hire car or organised tour is essential. On foot, the site isn’t reachable from any nearby town, though several marked hiking trails begin right at the exhibition itself. Some Golden Circle and South Coast tour operators include a stop here, so check with your tour provider if you don’t have a car.
Five great things to do in Reykjavik
- 🐋 See whales and dolphins – on a wildlife cruise from Reykjavik harbour.
- 🌌 Take a night tour – to see the Northern Lights.
- 🍽️ See the city sights while feasting on Icelandic delicacies – on a Reykjavik food tour.
- ♨️ At the Sky Lagoon – bathe in Iceland’s famous geothermal waters.
- 🌋 Learn about Iceland’s extraordinary volcanoes – at the spectacular Lava Show.
Parking at the Geothermal Exhibition
Parking is free and plentiful, right in front of the exhibition building. An electric vehicle charging point is also available on site, though it requires an ON Power account through the app or an ON key.
How long to spend at the Geothermal Exhibition
The self-guided audio tour takes roughly 45 to 60 minutes. Add time for the café, gift shop, and viewing decks, and most visitors spend around an hour to 90 minutes in total.
Accessibility at the Geothermal Exhibition
The Geothermal Exhibition is largely wheelchair accessible, with two lifts and an accessible restroom on site. The only exception is the third-floor balconies, which aren’t reachable by wheelchair. The exhibition guide is available in both text and audio format, which helps visitors with visual or hearing impairments follow along at their own pace.
What to see inside the Geothermal Exhibition
Turbine hall viewing decks let you look directly into the working areas of the power plant, including the separation tanks, pipe systems, and cooling towers. It’s the closest most visitors get to an active geothermal plant anywhere in the world.
The Carbfix exhibit explains how the on-site Carbfix project captures carbon dioxide and turns it into stone underground. This carbon storage method was pioneered at Hellisheiði and is now used elsewhere in the world.
Geothermal Culture covers how geothermal resources have shaped Icelandic life for over a thousand years, from bathing traditions to modern district heating. It links the science of the plant to everyday Icelandic culture.
The Curiosity Corner is a hands-on room aimed at children and school groups. Displays here explain geothermal processes through colourful, interactive exhibits rather than dense text panels.
The rocks and minerals collection displays samples gathered from the surrounding Hengill volcanic area, alongside pieces of decommissioned plant equipment. It’s a small but useful complement to the more technical exhibits.
Practical visitor tips for the Geothermal Exhibition
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book online for the discount | Use code 10GEO at checkout for 10% off the gate price. |
| Bring a phone and headphones | The self-guided tour runs through a downloadable app, so bring both. |
| Combine with a Golden Circle stop | The site is located directly off Route 1, convenient for a South Iceland route. |
| Allow time for the drive | No public transport serves the exhibition, so budget for a hire car or tour. |
| Charge your car on site | The charging point needs an ON Power account, set up via the app or an ON key. |
FAQ: Geothermal Exhibition
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Geothermal Exhibition open on public holidays? | It’s open daily, except 25 December and 1 January. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Advance booking is recommended in high season; you can book tickets in advance through Viator. |
| Can I bring young children? | Yes, under-12s go free on the Basic Tour, and the Curiosity Corner suits younger visitors. |
| Is there public transport to the site? | No, there’s no direct public transport, so most visitors arrive by car or organised tour. |
| How does it differ from the Blue Lagoon? | This is an educational exhibition inside a working power plant, with no bathing on offer. |
Things to do near the Geothermal Exhibition
Several marked hiking trails begin right at the exhibition, leading into the Hengill volcanic area and its geothermal landscape. Hveragerði, a small geothermal town, is a short drive away and home to the Reykjadalur valley, where a warm river runs through the hills. The Kerið volcanic crater, with its striking red slopes and blue-green lake, sits a short drive further south near Route 35. Selfoss, South Iceland’s largest town, offers restaurants and shops for a longer break. Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first stop on most Golden Circle routes, is around 40 minutes’ drive north.
What to visit tomorrow: more geothermal and energy exhibitions
Purpose-built geothermal exhibitions are rare in Iceland, so this list broadens slightly to nearby energy and geothermal attractions within about two hours’ drive. Perlan Museum, in Reykjavík, houses an indoor exhibition on Icelandic geology, glaciers, and geothermal energy, around 35 minutes away. Geothermal Park, another ON Power site near Hveragerði, offers an outdoor look at bubbling hot springs and steam vents, about 15 minutes away. Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station, near Þingvellir, has a visitor viewing area at a second major plant, roughly 40 minutes away. Krýsuvík geothermal area, on the Reykjanes peninsula, features walkable mud pools and steaming vents, about 50 minutes away. Gunnuhver hot springs, further along the Reykjanes coast, mark the site of Iceland’s largest mud pool, around an hour’s drive.
More Iceland travel
- Planning your trip: 24-hour Reykjavik itinerary · Jökulsárlón as a day trip · Seeing puffins in Iceland · Alcohol import rules · Icelandic waterfalls guide
- Reykjavik attraction guides: Hallgrímskirkja · Perlan · Reykjavik Lava Show · National Museum of Iceland
- Golden Circle and glacier experiences: Strokkur geyser · Silfra fissure snorkelling · Viðgelmir lava cave · Langjökull glacier tunnel · Jökulsárlón RIB boat tour
- South coast attractions: Seljalandsfoss · Skógafoss · Reynisfjara black sand beach · Svartifoss · Horse riding near Vík
- Northern Iceland and the Diamond Circle: Goðafoss · Ásbyrgi Canyon · Húsavík Whale Museum · Dettifoss
- Geothermal spas and pools: Sky Lagoon · Secret Lagoon · Laugardalslaug · Hvammsvik Hot Springs · GeoSea, Húsavík · Forest Lagoon, Akureyri
- Unusual museums: Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft
