Reykjavik: 2-Hour Imagine Peace Tower Tour

The Imagine Peace Tower is more than a light show. On dark evenings, its bright column rises from Viðey island while you stand in the cold North Atlantic air, with Reykjavík spread across the water behind you. The setting gives Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s message a quiet force that a city monument could never match.

I like two things especially: the short ferry ride makes the visit feel like a real island outing, and the tour adds Viðey’s church, historic house, and hilltop views instead of treating the tower as a single photo stop. The chance of seeing the Northern Lights from the island or boat is another fine bonus.

The main drawback is simple: this is an outdoor winter tour in Iceland. Wind, ice, mist, and bitter cold can make the walk hard, and the Aurora is never guaranteed. At $134 per person, the tour is worth it for its unusual mix of art, history, and atmosphere, but less so if you want a warm, weatherproof sightseeing trip.

Key points at a glance

• The tower shines on set dates: It is lit from October 9 through December 8, around the winter solstice and New Year, for a week during the spring equinox, and on a few other selected dates.
• Viðey adds more than the monument: You walk to the tower, stop at Viðeyjarkirkja church, visit Viðey House, and climb to a viewpoint.
• The ferry takes about 20 minutes: The boat ride gives you a fresh view of Reykjavík and may offer a chance to spot the Northern Lights.
• Small groups can make the evening personal: Past departures have had as few as six to nine people, though group size can vary.
• Cold-weather gear matters: Flashlights and crampons are supplied if needed, but you must bring warm clothes and comfortable shoes.
• This is not an accessible tour for wheelchair users: The outdoor island walk and conditions make it unsuitable for wheelchair users.

Why the Imagine Peace Tower feels different at night

You do not simply arrive at a tower, take a picture, and return to town. You cross the water to Viðey, walk through the dark, and gradually reach a work of art tied to Lennon and Ono’s long campaign for world peace.

The tower itself is a column of light projected into the night sky. Its effect changes with the weather. Mist can soften the beam and create glowing bands around it, while clear air makes it look sharp and distant. Wind and cloud become part of the experience rather than mere background conditions.

That unpredictability is both the charm and the challenge. You might get a crisp view, a misty halo, or a night when the weather makes every step feel like work. The tower is simple by design, so the setting and your guide’s explanation carry much of the meaning.

The light is linked to the word imagine, a theme familiar from Lennon’s work and Ono’s peace campaign. You will hear how the tower continues their call for solidarity and hope. The presentation is not a long lecture, but the quiet island setting gives the subject room to land.

From Ægisgarður 5 to Viðey in 20 minutes

The evening begins at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavík’s old harbor. It is within about 300 meters, or roughly a five-minute walk, of the downtown Tourist Information Centre. You exchange your ticket at the office before heading to the boat.

There is no hotel pickup, so allow time to walk to the harbor. You also should not bring large bags or luggage. A small personal item is more sensible, since you will be moving between the ferry, island paths, and outdoor stops.

The crossing to Viðey takes about 20 minutes. That is long enough to get a different view of Reykjavík without turning the trip into a full boat excursion. If the sky is clear and the Aurora is active, you may see the Northern Lights from the water. That possibility gives the return crossing a little extra suspense.

A captain and an English-speaking guide accompany the trip. Past departures have included Captain Mike and guides such as Lucas, but your guide will depend on the date. The best guides make the crossing useful by explaining the island and setting the mood before you reach the tower.

Walking across Viðey in the dark

Once you arrive, expect a guided walk rather than a bus transfer. The route includes stops on the way to the tower, so the experience unfolds in stages.

You may first notice how separate Viðey feels from Reykjavík. The city is close, but the island gives you open air, dark surroundings, and broad views across the bay. At night, there are fewer visual distractions, which suits a memorial built around light and reflection.

The walk can be windy and icy. Some past visits took place in very difficult conditions, including strong wind and heavy ice. Flashlights and crampons are available if needed, but these do not replace warm clothing or sensible footwear.

Wear several warm layers, a windproof outer layer, gloves, a hat, and comfortable shoes with good grip. Wind pants are a useful extra, especially if the forecast looks rough. This is not the time for fashionable but slippery city shoes.

The physical demand is not described as a strenuous hike, but the combination of darkness, cold, uneven ground, and ice can make the walk tiring. You should feel comfortable walking outdoors in winter before booking.

Reaching the light tower

The guide takes you to the Imagine Peace Tower and explains how it was created, why it is located on Viðey, and how it continues to be used. The tower’s power comes from restraint. There is no ornate building to inspect, only the beam, the sky, the island, and the people gathered around it.

Some departures include music at the tower, with John Lennon’s work played while the group watches the light. That can make the moment feel more personal, though the exact presentation may vary with the guide and conditions.

You may also walk up a hill to see the tower from above before approaching it directly. This gives you two different views: one showing the beam as part of the island and sky, and another showing its full presence up close.

Mist can make the light especially striking. A past visit in damp weather produced rainbow-like waves in the beam. You should not count on that effect, but it shows why the tower never looks exactly the same from one night to the next.

The views back toward Reykjavík are another reason to make the crossing. The city lights sit across the water, while the tower pulls your attention in the opposite direction. I like that contrast. You get a close look at the capital region, then turn away from the city and spend time in a quieter place.

Viðeyjarkirkja and Viðey House

The tower is the headline attraction, but the added island stops make the $134 price easier to assess.

Viðeyjarkirkja is one of Iceland’s oldest churches. Its presence gives the island a longer time scale than the modern light installation. You are not only visiting a contemporary memorial. You are also seeing a place shaped by Iceland’s religious and settlement history.

Viðey House adds another layer. Depending on the departure and conditions, you may stop there for hot chocolate and klenät, Icelandic doughnuts. These refreshments are not included in the tour price, so bring this into your budget, but a warm drink can be particularly welcome after time outside.

The church and house also break up the cold walk. Instead of standing outdoors for the entire visit, you may get a chance to warm up before boarding the ferry back to Reykjavík. Do not assume a long indoor stay, though. The core of the tour remains outside.

During daylight, Viðey is also known for birdlife, including nesting birds. This evening trip is not designed as a bird-watching tour, and darkness limits what you can see. If you enjoy the island itself, you may want to return during the day on another visit.

Northern Lights: a bonus, not the purpose

The Aurora is one of the tour’s most tempting possibilities, but you should book this for the Imagine Peace Tower first.

The Northern Lights require the right combination of darkness, solar activity, and clear enough skies. Even on a promising night, clouds or weather can block the display. The tour operator cannot promise an appearance.

If the lights do show, the setting is excellent. You may see them above the tower, over Reykjavík, or from the ferry. The combination of the green or pale moving sky with the tower’s fixed column of light can be memorable.

Still, this is not a dedicated Northern Lights chase. You will not be driven from place to place in search of a clear patch of sky. If your main aim is Aurora viewing, compare this tour with a purpose-built Northern Lights excursion. If you already plan to visit the tower during its operating dates, the Aurora possibility adds value at no extra cost.

What $134 buys you

At $134 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend two hours. The price covers the ferry crossing, a live English-speaking guide, the guided island walk, and the chance to see a special installation in its proper setting.

The value depends on what you want from Reykjavík. If you only want a quick look at the tower, the price may feel high. If you value a small-group outing that combines a boat ride, art, island history, nighttime views, and possible Aurora viewing, the cost is easier to justify.

The tour also avoids the feel of a standard city attraction. You leave the downtown streets and reach a place that is accessible only by water. That change of setting is a major part of what you are paying for.

Food and drinks are not included. Hot chocolate and klenät may be available at Viðey House, but you should not rely on refreshments as part of the package. Eat beforehand or plan a snack in town, while remembering that large bags are not allowed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Reykjavík schedule is still shifting, particularly since the tower’s lighting dates are limited.

Who will enjoy this island evening

I would recommend the tour to you if you like art with a clear message, unusual city excursions, and outdoor experiences that depend on weather. It suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups looking for something more personal than a standard sightseeing loop.

It is also a good choice for Beatles fans and for anyone who has wanted to see the Imagine Peace Tower for years. The visit gives the installation context instead of reducing it to a distant view from Reykjavík.

Families with older children may enjoy the boat ride and light beam, but the cold and dark walk require patience. Young children who dislike wind, waiting, or uneven ground may not have a good time.

I would be cautious if you have limited mobility, need a wheelchair-accessible route, or dislike winter conditions. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and even visitors who walk easily should prepare for ice and strong wind.

How to plan the best visit

Check the lighting date before booking. The tower operates from October 9, Lennon’s birthday, through December 8, the date of his death. It also lights around the winter solstice and New Year, for one week during the spring equinox, and on selected additional dates.

Arrive at the Elding office in good time to exchange your ticket. The meeting point is easy to reach from central Reykjavík, but there is no pickup from your hotel.

Dress for the island rather than the city. A warm coat alone may not be enough. Add layers, gloves, a hat, and shoes that can handle a cold outdoor walk. Ask for crampons if conditions call for them, and use the supplied flashlight when needed.

Keep your luggage at your accommodation. Large bags are not allowed, and the boat and island walk are easier with your hands free.

If you want the best chance of seeing the tower clearly, pay attention to the forecast, but do not expect perfect conditions. Fog and mist can make the light beautiful, while wind and ice can make the visit uncomfortable. The experience asks you to accept Iceland as it is.

Final call: should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a thoughtful, atmospheric evening built around one memorable work of art. The ferry ride, Viðeyjarkirkja, Viðey House, hilltop views, and possible Northern Lights make it more substantial than a simple monument visit.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed Aurora sighting, a warm indoor activity, or the lowest-cost way to see Reykjavík. At $134, you are paying for the setting, guide, boat ride, and the chance to experience the tower in changing winter weather.

For the right visitor, that is the point. The Imagine Peace Tower is most moving when you are standing beneath it on a dark island, with the city across the water and the sky doing whatever Iceland’s sky chooses to do.

FAQ

Where does the Imagine Peace Tower tour meet?

Meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavík’s old harbor. It is about 300 meters, or a five-minute walk, from the downtown Tourist Information Centre.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts two hours, including the ferry ride and guided visit to Viðey island.

How long is the ferry ride to Viðey?

The ferry crossing takes about 20 minutes.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guided tour is conducted in English.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the Elding ticket office at the harbor.

When is the Imagine Peace Tower lit?

It is lit each year from October 9 through December 8. It also lights from the winter solstice through New Year, for one week during the spring equinox, and on a few selected dates.

Can I see the Northern Lights on this tour?

You might see the Northern Lights from Viðey or the ferry if they are active and weather conditions allow. An Aurora display is not guaranteed.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes. The tour takes place outdoors, and wind, ice, and cold conditions are possible.

Are flashlights and crampons provided?

Flashlights and crampons are provided if needed.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.