Reykjavik: 2-Hour Imagine Peace Tower Tour

The Imagine Peace Tower is most affecting after dark, when its tall beam of light rises from Viðey island toward the Icelandic sky. You cross the bay by ferry, walk through the island’s quiet darkness, and arrive at a work of art tied directly to John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s call for world peace. The tower is simple, powerful, and unlike anything else in Reykjavik.

I like the short boat ride and the way the tour combines art with island history. I also like that you are not rushed straight to the tower: the walk includes Viðey church, Viðey House, viewpoints over Reykjavik, and the chance to pause beneath the open sky. Small groups and a good guide matter here, especially when wind, ice, or darkness make the path tricky.

The main caution is the weather. Viðey can be bitterly cold and windy, and an active Northern Lights display is never promised. At $134 per person, this is a special-interest outing rather than a cheap sightseeing trip, so book it for the tower and the setting first, with the aurora as a welcome extra.

Key points to know before you book

• The tower lights on set dates: The main annual run is from October 9, John Lennon’s birthday, through December 8, the date of his death. It also appears around the Winter Solstice, New Year, the Spring Equinox, and a few other selected dates.
• The ferry takes about 20 minutes: Your evening begins at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, followed by a guided walk across Viðey island.
• You get more than the tower: The outing can include Viðeyjarkirkja church, Viðey House, a hilltop viewpoint, and island history.
• Aurora sightings are possible but uncertain: You might see the Northern Lights from the ferry or island if conditions cooperate.
• Dress for exposed weather: Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes. Flashlights and crampons are supplied when needed.
• The tour is not wheelchair suitable: Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Why the Imagine Peace Tower feels different at night

Many Reykjavik sights are grand, busy, or built for daytime visits. The Imagine Peace Tower works in the opposite way. It asks you to slow down, stand in the dark, and look upward.

The tower is a column of light rather than a conventional building. It rises from Viðey island and sends a bright beam into the night. Mist, cloud, wind, and snow can change how that beam looks. On one visit, damp air might soften the light. On another, a clear sky might make it look sharp and almost distant.

Yoko Ono created the work in memory of John Lennon and as part of their long-running peace campaign. The tour gives you the story behind the artwork instead of treating it as a quick photo stop. That context matters. Without it, you see a light. With it, you understand why the light is placed here, why it appears only at selected times, and why the quiet island setting is part of the work.

The tower is lit each year from October 9 through December 8. It also appears for one week around the Spring Equinox, from the Winter Solstice through New Year, and on several other dates. Check the operating date carefully before booking. Seeing Viðey in the dark is still worthwhile, but the tower itself is the central reason to choose this particular excursion.

Starting at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

You meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The office is within about 300 metres, or roughly five minutes on foot, from the downtown Tourist Information Centre.

Allow time to exchange your ticket before heading to the boat. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the harbour. That is easy from central Reykjavik, but it is worth adding a few minutes if you are walking in poor weather.

The boat trip to Viðey takes about 20 minutes. This is long enough to give you a change of scene, but short enough that the crossing does not take over the tour. Look back toward Reykjavik for city views, and keep an eye on the sky if the aurora forecast is promising. The Northern Lights can sometimes be visible from the water, though no guide can guarantee them.

The crossing also helps set the mood. Reykjavik’s lights fall behind you, the island grows closer, and the evening becomes quieter. If the wind is strong, the ferry ride may feel brisk rather than romantic, so keep your warm layers on from the start.

Walking across Viðey island to the light

Once you reach Viðey, you leave the harbour area and follow your English-speaking guide on foot. The exact pace depends on the conditions and the group, but the tour lasts two hours in total, including the ferry ride.

The walk is a key part of the experience. You are not simply delivered to a lit object and sent back. Your guide explains the island’s natural setting and points out places that help you understand Viðey as more than a platform for modern art.

In darkness, the island feels especially removed from Reykjavik. That quiet can be moving, but it also makes practical preparation important. Paths may be icy, and wind can make the temperature feel much lower than it does in town. Elding provides flashlights and crampons if needed, but you still need warm clothing and shoes with a firm grip.

Past outings have featured guides including Lucas, along with Captain Mike on the boat. Guide assignments can change, so do not book on the assumption that a particular person will lead your departure. What matters most is having someone who can make the walk comfortable and explain the history without turning the evening into a lecture.

Viðeyjarkirkja and Viðey House

The Imagine Peace Tower gets the attention, but Viðey’s older sights give the visit more depth. The island is home to Viðeyjarkirkja, one of Iceland’s oldest churches, and Viðey House.

The church offers a useful contrast to Ono’s modern work. You move from a historic religious building to a contemporary memorial for peace, all within the same small island setting. That contrast is one of the best reasons to choose this tour instead of simply viewing the tower from Reykjavik.

Viðey House adds another layer of local history. Depending on the evening’s timing and conditions, you may stop there before returning to the boat. Past visits have included hot chocolate and Icelandic klenät, a type of fried pastry, which can be a welcome treat in cold weather. Refreshments are not included in the stated tour price, so do not count on them as part of the standard package.

Because this is a short nighttime visit, you should not expect a long museum visit or a full island tour. The value comes from seeing several pieces of Viðey in one carefully timed walk: the church, the house, the outdoor setting, the view toward Reykjavik, and the tower.

The view from Viðey toward Reykjavik

Viðey gives you a broad view back across the water to Reykjavik. At night, the city lights create a clear contrast with the dark island and open sky.

A viewing point reached by walking uphill gives you a wider angle over the city and bay. The climb is not described as long, but ice and wind can make even a short hill feel demanding. Take your time and use the crampons if the guide offers them.

This is also the place to keep expectations realistic. You may get a beautiful city view, but weather can hide parts of Reykjavik. Fog and low cloud can reduce visibility, and strong wind can make it hard to stop comfortably for long. The changing conditions are part of the setting, yet they are also the reason this tour is less predictable than an indoor attraction.

If you visit during a brighter season, Viðey has more appeal as a daytime nature stop, including birdlife. This particular outing is built around evening darkness and the illuminated tower, so it gives you atmosphere rather than a full look at the island’s wildlife.

Watching the tower and waiting for the aurora

The main pause comes at the Imagine Peace Tower. Your guide explains the artwork, its link to Lennon and Ono, and the meaning behind the beam. The group may gather around the light while music associated with Lennon plays, creating a quiet, reflective moment.

The tower is impressive because it does not need much decoration. Its simplicity leaves room for the setting to do the work: dark water, cold air, distant Reykjavik, and a beam reaching into the sky.

You might also see the Northern Lights. The island offers less city glare than central Reykjavik, and the ferry crossing gives you another chance to watch the sky. Previous outings have had lucky sightings, including from the boat and while standing near the tower.

Still, do not treat this as a dedicated aurora hunt. The Northern Lights depend on solar activity, cloud cover, darkness, and timing. You could have a memorable tower visit without seeing them. If the aurora is your main goal, pair this tour with a separate Northern Lights plan or choose the Imagine Peace Tower because you care about the artwork itself.

How much value do you get for $134?

At $134 per person, this is expensive for a two-hour activity. You are paying for a ferry crossing, a live English-speaking guide, the guided island walk, and access to a timed experience that is not available every night.

The price makes more sense if you value the combination of art, history, and atmosphere. You are not only looking at a tower. You are visiting an island, hearing about a major peace project, seeing Reykjavik from the water, and exploring an unusual part of the capital.

The price feels less attractive if you want a broad sightseeing tour or a reliable Northern Lights outing. The ferry is short, the visit is weather-dependent, and the aurora may not appear. You also need to buy or arrange any refreshments yourself.

I would compare it with the cost of a standard harbour cruise or a dedicated aurora excursion, but the experiences are not interchangeable. The Imagine Peace Tower gives you a specific cultural reason to leave the city. That focus is its value.

Weather, clothing, and practical comfort

Take the warm-clothing advice seriously. The island is exposed, and several departures have dealt with strong wind, cold, and ice. Your city jacket may not be enough if you plan to stand still beside the tower.

Wear comfortable shoes with good grip. Flashlights and crampons are available if needed, but neither replaces sensible footwear. Gloves, a hat, and layers will make it easier to pay attention to the guide instead of thinking about your fingers.

Do not bring luggage or a large bag. This is a walking tour with a ferry crossing, not a transfer service. Pack only what you need for the evening.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Uneven outdoor paths, the ferry, uphill walking, and possible ice are important considerations for anyone with limited mobility. If you are unsure about your ability to manage the walk, ask the operator before booking.

The small-group format is another practical strength. One past departure had only six people, and a group of nine was also described. Group size can vary, but a smaller party makes it easier to hear the guide and get help on slippery ground.

Who should book this Viðey evening?

I would choose this tour if you like unusual cultural experiences, short boat trips, and places that feel different from the main city sights. It is especially suited to anyone with a personal interest in Lennon, Ono, peace activism, or public art.

It also works well for a final evening in Reykjavik. The ferry, the dark island, the tower, and the city lights create a clear break from the usual restaurant and museum routine.

Families with older children may enjoy it if everyone can handle the cold and walking. The reflective tone may appeal more to adults and older teenagers than to young children who need constant activity.

You should think twice if you dislike cold outdoor tours, have difficulty walking on uneven ground, or want guaranteed entertainment from start to finish. The experience includes quiet stretches and depends heavily on the weather.

Booking details and timing

The tour lasts two hours, but check the available departure time for your chosen date. The tower is only illuminated during selected periods, so confirm that your visit falls within one of those dates.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. That is useful in Iceland, where weather can affect how appealing an outdoor evening feels.

There is no hotel pickup. Meet at the Elding ticket office in the Old Harbour, exchange your ticket, and continue to the boat. Since the meeting point is close to central Reykjavik, you can reach it on foot from the Tourist Information Centre.

Should you book the Imagine Peace Tower tour?

Book it if the tower itself matters to you and you want to experience it in its island setting. The combination of a short sea crossing, Viðey’s church and house, Reykjavik views, and Yoko Ono’s light makes this a memorable specialist outing.

Do not book it mainly for the Northern Lights. They may appear, and seeing them over the bay can be magical, but the weather and aurora are outside anyone’s control.

At $134, I see this as a worthwhile splurge for art lovers, Lennon fans, and visitors who prefer a thoughtful evening to a standard city attraction. Pack serious warm clothing, accept that the weather may shape the night, and let the tower be the reason you go. If the aurora joins you, that is a bonus.

FAQ

Where does the Imagine Peace Tower tour meet?

Meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. It is about 300 metres, or a five-minute walk, from the downtown Tourist Information Centre.

How long is the tour?

The full experience lasts two hours. The ferry ride to Viðey takes about 20 minutes, followed by a guided island walk and the return crossing.

When is the Imagine Peace Tower illuminated?

The tower is illuminated from October 9, John Lennon’s birthday, through December 8, the date of his death. It also lights during the period from the Winter Solstice to New Year, for one week around the Spring Equinox, and on some other selected dates.

Can I see the Northern Lights on this tour?

You might see the Northern Lights from the ferry or Viðey island if they are active and the sky is clear. An aurora sighting is not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes suited to outdoor walking. Flashlights and crampons are provided if needed. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users because it includes a ferry crossing and an outdoor walk on Viðey island.