Reykjavik: 2-Hour Imagine Peace Tower Tour

The Imagine Peace Tower is more than a light installation. On dark Icelandic nights, its white beam rises from Viðey Island as a quiet tribute from Yoko Ono to John Lennon’s campaign for world peace. You reach it by ferry, walk across an island with old buildings and wide views, then return by boat through the night.

I like the tour for two clear reasons: the small-island setting gives the artwork real atmosphere, and the guide adds useful context instead of simply pointing at a light. The chance of seeing the Northern Lights from the ferry or island is another fine bonus.

The main catch is the weather. Wind, ice, mist, and cold can make the walk tough, and the tower is only lit on selected dates. At $134 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing ride, so you should book it for the blend of art, history, and mood, not just for a quick look at a light.

Key points to know before you book

• The tower lights on set dates: The main lighting period runs 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 dates.

• The ferry takes about 20 minutes: You leave from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor and cross to Viðey Island with a captain and English-speaking guide.

• The tour includes more than the tower: The walk can include Viðey Church, Viðey House, a hilltop viewpoint, and information about the island’s natural setting.

• Northern Lights sightings are possible, not promised: You might see the aurora from the boat or island if conditions are right.

• Prepare for rough weather: Warm clothing and comfortable shoes matter. Flashlights and crampons are supplied when needed.

• It is a walking tour outdoors: The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, and large bags or luggage are not allowed.

From Ægisgarður 5 to Viðey Island

Your evening begins at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. It is close to the center, about 300 meters, or roughly five minutes, from the downtown Tourist Information Centre. You exchange your ticket there before boarding.

The short ferry crossing is part of the experience, not just a transfer. Reykjavik recedes behind you, and the water gives you a different view of the capital than you get from its streets. In clear weather, you can enjoy broad views across the harbor and toward the city. In poor weather, the crossing may feel brisk and exposed, which is why warm layers are essential.

The group is described as small, and past tours have had as few as six people. That matters here. The Imagine Peace Tower is a reflective sight, and a large crowd would work against the quiet mood. A smaller group also gives you a better chance to hear the guide during the walk and ask questions.

The ferry ride lasts around 20 minutes, so do not expect a long cruise or a full harbor tour. Think of it as a simple, atmospheric crossing to a separate island world just offshore.

Walking across Viðey after dark

Once you arrive, you set off on foot toward the tower. The guide makes stops along the route, explaining the artwork, the island, and the natural setting. Since the tour lasts only two hours, the walk is focused rather than an all-evening exploration.

At night, the island feels very different from central Reykjavik. There are fewer lights, fewer distractions, and a wide sky overhead. That darkness is important to the tower. The beam is easier to appreciate when it is not competing with a city full of illuminated signs and buildings.

The route can be icy or uneven in winter. The tour company provides flashlights and crampons if needed, but you still need sturdy, comfortable shoes. Crampons are helpful on slick ground, yet they do not replace warm socks, wind protection, or sensible footwear.

You may also find the weather changing the character of the visit. Clear air can make the tower look sharp against the sky. Mist can soften the beam and create glowing effects around it. Strong wind can make the night memorable for less poetic reasons. Several past outings were described as very cold and windy, but the guide’s care and good humor helped keep the group together and comfortable.

Seeing Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower

The tower was commissioned by Yoko Ono as a continuing call for peace and solidarity. It is a simple work, but its setting gives it force. A beam of light rises from a stone base on Viðey Island, reaching into the dark sky above Reykjavik.

The installation is called the Imagine Peace Tower in honor of Lennon’s message and their shared campaign for world peace. Its purpose is not to provide a complex visual show. The effect comes from the contrast between a small island, a dark sky, and one strong column of light.

Your guide explains the meaning behind the work and the dates when it is lit. The main period is October 9 through December 8. This connects the installation with Lennon’s birthday and the anniversary of his death. It also appears from the Winter Solstice into New Year, for one week around the Spring Equinox, and on several other selected dates.

Check the lighting dates before booking. This is the most important practical point. The tour is still a ferry trip and island walk without the lit tower, but the central reason for paying $134 is to see the installation operating. A date check protects you from an avoidable disappointment.

The tower is especially moving when the weather adds its own effects. Mist may create soft bands of light, and moving clouds can change the beam from minute to minute. You might also hear John Lennon’s music during the visit, adding another emotional layer to the scene.

Viðey Church, Viðey House, and the wider island

The tower is the headline attraction, but the island gives the tour more substance. The route can include Viðeyjarkirkja, one of Iceland’s oldest churches, and Viðey House, an important historic building on the island.

These stops help prevent the tour from becoming a single-purpose photo visit. You are not simply taken to the tower, given a few minutes, and returned to the boat. The guide connects the art with the island’s earlier life and points out features that would be easy to miss in the dark.

At Viðey Church, you get a sense of the island’s long religious history. The building is modest, but its age and isolation make it a meaningful stop. Viðey House gives you another view of the island’s past and may provide a welcome pause from the cold.

One past evening included hot chocolate and Icelandic klenät, a type of doughnut, at Viðey House. Refreshments are not listed as included, so do not count on them as part of every departure. If they are available, they would be a welcome treat, but you should eat beforehand and bring anything you need for the two-hour outing.

The island is also known for its birdlife and natural setting. At night, you will not see it as well as you would in daylight. If you care more about nesting birds, plants, and island details than the tower itself, consider returning to Viðey during the day by another arrangement.

The Northern Lights bonus

The tour includes a chance to look for the aurora, but it is not sold as a guaranteed Northern Lights excursion. That distinction matters.

You may see the lights from the ferry, where the open water gives you a broad view of the sky. You might also catch them while standing near the tower. When the aurora appears above the beam, the combination can be striking, but the two natural displays do not always arrive together.

Cloud cover, solar activity, darkness, and luck all play a part. Even a clear night does not guarantee an aurora. Treat it as an extra, not the main product, and you will have a better evening.

The tour does have one advantage over a city-based search: Viðey Island is away from many of Reykjavik’s direct lights. That can make the sky easier to watch. Still, the experience remains centered on the Imagine Peace Tower, its story, and the island walk.

Is $134 a fair price?

At $134 per person for two hours, this is a premium short tour. You are paying for the ferry crossing, the guide, the organized island visit, and access to an experience that is difficult to reproduce casually during the evening lighting dates.

The value is strongest if you care about Yoko Ono and John Lennon, public art, or unusual places with a clear sense of meaning. It also works well if you have already seen Reykjavik’s main sights and want an evening outing that feels different from another museum or restaurant stop.

The value is weaker if you want a long boat cruise, a guaranteed Northern Lights sighting, or a full historical tour of Viðey Island. The ferry is short, the walk is focused, and the tower itself is a simple installation. You should be comfortable paying for atmosphere and interpretation rather than a packed schedule of attractions.

The small-group format helps justify the cost. A guide can explain the work, keep an eye on people in bad weather, and make the stops feel personal. Past guide teams have included Lucas, praised for his warm approach, and Captain Mike, who handled the boat side of the outing. Staff can change, so book for the experience rather than a particular person.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less risky. Even so, check the tower’s lighting schedule and the forecast before committing.

How to prepare for a cold island evening

Dress for the forecast at the harbor, then add another layer. Conditions on an open island can feel colder than they do in central Reykjavik, especially during the ferry crossing and while you pause near the tower.

Bring:

• Warm layers, including wind protection
• Comfortable shoes with good grip
• Gloves and a hat for winter departures
• A small bag only, since large bags and luggage are not allowed

The company supplies flashlights and crampons when necessary. You should still arrive ready to walk outdoors on potentially icy ground.

No refreshments are included as a standard part of the tour. Eat before meeting the group, especially if you are joining near dinner time. A hot drink may be offered at Viðey House on some outings, but it should be treated as a possible extra rather than a promise.

The tour is conducted in English. It is not suitable for wheelchair users because of the ferry access and outdoor walking route.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a thoughtful evening rather than a fast checklist attraction. It suits music fans, people interested in public art, and anyone who likes linking a modern work with an older historic site.

It is also a good choice for couples and small groups looking for a quiet change of pace. The island setting gives you room to pause, look at the sky, and consider the meaning of the tower without the noise of central Reykjavik.

Families with older children may enjoy it if everyone is prepared for cold and darkness. The tour is less suitable for anyone who dislikes outdoor conditions, has difficulty walking on uneven or icy ground, or wants guaranteed warmth and comfort.

Photographers should be aware that the tower is most atmospheric in changing weather, but those same conditions can make photography difficult. Mist, wind, and darkness may create beautiful effects, yet they can also mean blurred images and cold fingers.

Should you book the Imagine Peace Tower tour?

Book it if the tower’s message matters to you and you like the idea of reaching it by boat, walking through a dark island setting, and hearing the story from an English-speaking guide. The church, historic house, harbor views, and possible Northern Lights make the two-hour trip feel fuller than the tower alone.

Skip it if your priority is a guaranteed aurora, a daytime nature visit, or a low-cost activity. Also check the lighting dates first. If the beam is not operating, you may still enjoy Viðey, but you will miss the experience’s central image.

For the right person, this is one of Reykjavik’s more unusual evening outings. It is calm, meaningful, weather-dependent, and occasionally magical. Just bring warm clothes, sensible shoes, and realistic expectations about Icelandic wind.

FAQ

Where does the Imagine Peace Tower tour meet?

Meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. The office is about 300 meters, or five minutes on foot, from the downtown Tourist Information Centre.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts two hours. The ferry ride to Viðey Island takes about 20 minutes, followed by a guided walk and stops around the island before returning to Reykjavik.

When is the Imagine Peace Tower lit?

It is lit each year from October 9, John Lennon’s birthday, through December 8, the day of his death. It also appears around the Winter Solstice and New Year, for one week during the Spring Equinox, and on several other selected dates.

Could I see the Northern Lights?

You might see the Northern Lights from the ferry or Viðey Island if conditions are suitable. An aurora sighting is possible but not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes suitable for outdoor walking. Flashlights and crampons are provided when needed. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users because it includes a ferry crossing and an outdoor walking route.