Imagine Peace Tower Tour on Viðey island | John Lennon tribute

The Imagine Peace Tower sends a column of light skyward from Viðey, a short boat ride from Reykjavik. I like this tour for two things: the quiet nighttime walk gives the memorial room to breathe, and the island setting can make the tower feel more affecting than a quick city stop. On clear nights, the northern lights may add an extraordinary bonus.

I also like that a guide puts the artwork in context, including the history of Viðey, and that a hot drink is waiting before the return crossing. One practical caution: this is not just a boat ride. The walk can be longer and rougher than expected, with a steep climb to the viewing platform.

At a glance

• A boat ride begins the evening: Meet at Elding Whale Watching on Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, then sail to Viðey.
• The tower is the focus: Your guide leads you across the island to Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower and explains its meaning.
• Dark, uneven walking is part of the plan: Expect an unpaved route and a steep climb to a viewing platform.
• A warm drink is included: Choose hot chocolate, coffee or tea before the boat ride back.
• The group is capped at 20: Smaller groups are possible, making it easier to hear the guide and ask questions.
• Northern lights are a bonus, not a promise: Some evenings have brought a remarkable view of the aurora beside the tower.

The crossing from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

The outing starts at Elding Whale Watching, at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. From there, you take a boat across to Viðey, an island that feels a world apart from the city once the harbor lights fall behind you. The crossing is part of the experience, not just a transfer: it gives you a first look at the coast and sets a quieter tone for the evening.

The tour lasts about two hours in all, so the time on the island is purposeful rather than sprawling. You are there to walk to the tower, hear about its meaning and the island’s past, and return to the boat. If you want a long island hike or time to explore at your own pace, this is not that kind of outing. The guide sets the route and pace.

The boat’s upper level has been a good spot for watching the sky on the approach. Some people have seen the northern lights from the boat, either on the way over or back. That is a lucky extra, not something the tour can guarantee, so book for the tower and island visit first. If the aurora appears, treat it as a gift from the Icelandic sky.

Following the guide across Viðey

On arrival, you follow your guide along an unpaved road toward the tower. The island’s quiet is part of its appeal: you leave the city’s busy streets behind and walk through a place that feels spare and open at night. In darkness and wind, though, the same quiet can make the path feel more remote. Bring a light layer for the walk, even if the evening starts calmly.

The route is not a smooth paved stroll. A steep climb leads to a viewing platform, and parts of the walk may feel uneven or dark. Flashlights are included, and crampons are provided if conditions call for them. The walk has caught some people by surprise, so take the physical demands seriously if you have trouble with slopes or unsteady ground.

Your guide helps make the walk more than a route to a light installation. Guides have included Knut, Rob, Megan, Emily and Sila, though your guide will depend on the departure. People have particularly valued guides who connect the tower to Viðey’s history and, at times, the surrounding marine ecosystem. A small group can make the conversation feel more personal. The maximum is 20, and some departures have been much smaller.

Meeting the Imagine Peace Tower

The tower is a memorial to John Lennon created by Yoko Ono. Its beam of light rising into the night is simple in form, but the setting gives it weight: you have crossed the water, walked in the dark and arrived at a remote place rather than viewing it as an object in a city square. I think that slower approach suits a work about peace. It asks you to pause, look and consider what the light represents.

The guide explains the tower and the island’s history, helping you read the installation as more than a striking photograph. The light and the words associated with peace in different languages have also caught people’s attention. If you are a Beatles or John Lennon fan, the connection will matter. But you do not need to be a fan to appreciate the artwork or the unusual setting.

The tour description includes a video narration by Yoko Ono about the tower and world peace. One person on a departure did not see the video, so do not assume that this part will always be shown in the same way. If it matters to you, ask the guide about it during the visit. The focus remains the tower itself and the guide’s explanation.

A small church on the island has also been part of some guided visits. That can add a welcome layer to the walk, but the exact stops may vary. The main reason to come is still the memorial and the experience of seeing it lit after dark.

A hot drink before the return boat

After time at the tower, you can warm up with hot chocolate, coffee or tea before sailing back. It is a modest inclusion, but a useful one after an outdoor walk in Icelandic weather. Food is not included, and the tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan your meal and your journey to and from the harbor separately.

The return crossing gives you another chance to look at the sky and the city lights. On some nights, the northern lights have appeared around the tower or above the water, turning an already memorable outing into a rare spectacle. But cloud, wind and changing weather are part of Iceland, too. Go for the island, the memorial and the guide’s interpretation, not for an aurora forecast.

What the $120 price covers

At $120 per person, this is a focused evening activity rather than a budget boat transfer. The price includes the guided visit, the boat journey as part of the tour, a hot drink, flashlights and crampons when needed. You are paying for access to an unusual nighttime visit and for someone to explain what you are seeing, not simply for a view of the beam.

The value depends on what you want from the evening. If the tower’s story interests you, or you like the idea of stepping away from Reykjavik for a short, guided island walk, the combination can justify the price. The guide is especially important here: without context, the visit could feel brief and the tower’s meaning less clear. If you only want to see the light, you may find the cost harder to defend.

The tour is typically booked about 71 days ahead on average. That does not mean every date sells out, but it is a useful cue to plan early if this is high on your list. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The experience depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants; if the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Dress for the island, not the city café

Weather can change quickly, and the tour takes place outdoors at night. Wear sturdy shoes, warm layers and a jacket, with thermals, a hat, scarf and gloves recommended. A pleasant evening in central Reykjavik does not guarantee comfortable conditions on an exposed island or during the boat crossing.

Crampons are provided if the ground calls for them, and flashlights are included. You do not need to bring those items yourself, but sturdy footwear remains important. Because the road is unpaved and the route includes a steep climb to a viewing platform, the tour is not recommended for people with limited mobility. Most people can participate, but be honest with yourself about walking on uneven ground in the dark.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you can make your own plans for the rest of the evening from the harbor.

Is this the right night out for you?

I would choose this tour if you want more than a standard Reykjavik evening and are drawn to art, Lennon’s legacy or the idea of seeing a memorial in its own remote setting. The guide, the boat ride and the island walk give the visit shape. The hot drink is a welcome practical touch, and a small group can make the experience feel less like a formal excursion.

It is also a good choice if you do not consider yourself a Beatles fan. The tower’s message and the island setting have their own appeal, and the guide can give you context beyond Lennon’s music. Just keep your expectations grounded: the walk is a real part of the tour, weather can be rough, and the northern lights are never guaranteed.

I would skip it if you need an easy, level walk or want a relaxed evening indoors. For everyone else, dress warmly, wear shoes with a firm grip and book this for the tower itself. If the aurora joins in, you will have an evening to remember.

FAQ

How long is the Imagine Peace Tower tour?

The tour lasts about two hours, including the boat trip, guided island walk and return to the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is included in the price?

A professional guide, hot chocolate, coffee or tea, and flashlights and crampons if needed are included.

Is food included?

No. Food and other drinks are not included.

How much walking is involved?

You walk on an unpaved road to the tower, with a steep climb to a viewing platform. The tour is not recommended for people with limited mobility.

What should I wear?

Sturdy footwear, a warm jacket, thermals, a hat, scarf and gloves are recommended. Weather can change quickly.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.