Reykjavik: 2-Hour Imagine Peace Tower Tour

The Imagine Peace Tower is more than a beam of light: it is a work of art with a clear message, set on a small island just off Reykjavík. I like that this tour combines the tower with a short ferry ride and an evening walk, rather than treating the installation as a quick photo stop.

I also like the island’s extra layers: the walk may take in Viðey’s old church and historic house, and the ferry ride gives you broad views back toward the city. The main consideration is the weather. Viðey is exposed, and wind, cold and ice can make the walk feel tougher than its two-hour length suggests.

Why this Viðey outing is worth considering

• The tower appears in the dark: Its light rises into the evening sky during scheduled periods, creating a striking sight against Iceland’s winter nights.
• You reach it by ferry: The crossing from Reykjavík’s old harbor takes about 20 minutes each way, adding a small-island escape to the outing.
• The tour connects art with history: Your guide explains the peace project and points out features of Viðey along the route.
• The Northern Lights are a possibility, not a promise: You may spot them from the island or the ferry if conditions allow.
• The weather matters: Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes. Flashlights and crampons are provided if needed.

The tower gives the tour its purpose

Yoko Ono created the Imagine Peace Tower as a memorial to John Lennon and as a continuing call for peace. Rather than a conventional monument, it sends a column of light skyward from Viðey, visible across the water from Reykjavík when it is lit.

The tower is illuminated each year from October 9, Lennon’s birthday, through December 8, the anniversary of his death. It also appears from the Winter Solstice through New Year, for one week around the Spring Equinox, and on a few other selected dates. Check that your visit falls within a lighting period if seeing the beam is the main reason you are booking. The island and its history are still part of the outing outside those dates, but the tower’s nighttime effect is the focus.

The light changes with the weather. Mist can catch it and make the beam seem to ripple; clear skies give you a sharper view. That variety is part of the appeal, but it also means you cannot predict exactly what the tower will look like on your night.

The work carries a message of hope and solidarity, but the tour does not ask you to share a particular view. It gives you the context, then lets the art and setting speak for themselves.

From the old harbor to Viðey

The tour begins at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, near the heart of Reykjavík. It is within 300 meters, or about a five-minute walk, of the downtown Tourist Information Centre. You need to exchange your ticket at the office before heading to the boat, so allow time to find it and get organized.

There is no hotel pickup, and refreshments are not included. That is worth planning around, especially if you are coming straight from dinner or an afternoon out. Bring a warm layer you can put on easily, and do not count on being able to buy a drink during the tour.

The ferry crossing takes about 20 minutes. It is a short ride, but it changes the mood: Reykjavík’s harbor recedes, and the island becomes the evening’s destination rather than a distant landmark. From the water, you may also get wide views toward the city. If the Northern Lights are active, the ferry can be a good place to look up, though sightings depend on conditions and luck.

The advertised tour lasts two hours, including the boat journey and guided walk. That is a compact outing, not a long hike, but the cold and darkness can make each part feel more substantial. Keep your belongings light: luggage and large bags are not allowed.

Walking to the Imagine Peace Tower

On Viðey, you walk with your guide toward the tower, stopping along the way for stories about the artwork and the island’s natural setting. The guide helps put the installation in context, so you are not left trying to interpret a shaft of light on your own.

The path offers more than one way to view the tower. Some outings include a climb to a higher viewpoint before continuing to the installation itself. That elevated look can help you see the beam in relation to the island and the city, but it also means the route may involve uneven, icy or windy ground. Flashlights and crampons are supplied if needed; warm clothing and sturdy, comfortable shoes remain your responsibility.

The tower is simple in form, which is part of its impact. You are not visiting a large indoor exhibit with displays to read. The experience depends on being outside, listening to the guide, and taking in the light against the night sky. A song by Lennon has been played during some visits, but that should not be treated as a guaranteed part of every departure.

If the weather is misty, the light may scatter into softer bands. On a clear evening, you may see a more defined column. Either way, dress for standing outdoors. It is easy to underestimate how quickly a calm harbor can give way to wind on an island.

Viðey’s church, house and quieter side

The tower is the headline, but Viðey gives the walk a broader setting. The island has an old church and a historic house, both of which have been part of some tours. The church is especially notable as one of Iceland’s oldest. Their presence adds a human scale to a visit that could otherwise feel focused only on the light installation.

The route and stops can vary, so think of these as possible parts of the outing rather than a fixed indoor visit. One past group warmed up with hot chocolate and klenät, Icelandic doughnuts, at Viðey House. Refreshments are not included in the tour price, however, and you should not assume that food or drink will be available on your departure.

Viðey also has a natural side. The island’s birdlife is a reason to consider returning in daylight, when it is easier to see the terrain and watch for nesting birds. This evening tour is built around the tower and dark skies, so it is not the best choice if daytime wildlife is your main goal.

Northern Lights: a bonus, not the plan

The chance of seeing the Northern Lights adds excitement to a winter departure, but it should remain a bonus. The tour takes you outdoors and across open water, where you can look toward the sky. It cannot guarantee aurora activity or clear skies, and the tower itself may be the main spectacle of the night.

If the aurora does appear, the setting can be memorable: a bright beam on the island, the city across the water, and green or colored light overhead. But if clouds cover the sky, you still have the tower, the guide’s stories and the island walk. Book this outing for the Imagine Peace Tower and treat the aurora as a possible extra.

The tour operates in changing weather, and past outings have faced strong wind, cold and ice. That can make the evening feel bracing rather than gentle. For some, the atmosphere adds to the sense of being out on a remote island; for others, it may be uncomfortable. Dress for the harder version of the forecast, not the easiest one.

What $134 buys you

At $134 per person, this is not a low-cost ferry ride. You are paying for a two-hour guided outing, the return ferry crossing, and the chance to see a distinctive artwork in the setting it was made for. The guide’s explanations and the stops around the island add context that a simple boat trip would not provide.

The value depends on your priorities. If the tower is personally meaningful to you, or you want an unusual evening that joins art, history and a short island visit, the price may feel fair. If you mainly want a scenic ferry ride or a guaranteed Northern Lights sighting, the cost is harder to justify. Neither the aurora nor refreshments are included, and weather can change the experience.

The group is described as small, and an intimate outing can make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. Past departures have included groups of six and nine. Group size may vary, so do not treat those numbers as a promise. Guide names vary too; Lucas and Captain Mike have both been named on past trips, but you should not book expecting a particular guide.

Who should book this evening tour

I would put this tour high on the list for anyone who is drawn to Lennon and Ono’s peace campaign, enjoys art outside a gallery, or wants a short outing that adds an island to a Reykjavík stay. It also suits you if you like a little history with your scenery and do not mind standing outdoors in winter conditions.

It may be less suitable if you need step-free access. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the outdoor walk can include slopes or icy conditions. It is also a poor fit if cold wind is likely to spoil your evening, or if your schedule leaves no flexibility for the weather.

The English-speaking guide, ferry and walk make the outing easy to follow, but you should still come prepared: wear warm clothing, choose comfortable shoes, and leave large bags behind. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later.

FAQ

How long is the Imagine Peace Tower tour?

The tour lasts two hours, including the ferry ride and guided walk on Viðey Island.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík. Exchange your ticket there before going to the boats.

How long is the ferry ride to Viðey?

The ferry ride takes about 20 minutes.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

When is the Imagine Peace Tower lit?

It is lit each year from October 9 through December 8, from the Winter Solstice through New Year, for one week around the Spring Equinox, and on a few other selected dates.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. You may see them from the island or the ferry if they are active and conditions allow, but a sighting is not guaranteed.

Are refreshments included?

No. Refreshments are not included. Hot chocolate and klenät have been available during some visits, but you should not count on them being provided.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes suitable for an outdoor walk. Flashlights and crampons are provided if needed.

Can I bring luggage or a large bag?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.