Imagine Peace Tower Tour on Viðey island | John Lennon tribute

The best part of this outing is the setting: you leave Reykjavík’s harbor, cross dark water, and walk across a quiet island toward a white beam of light dedicated to world peace. If the sky cooperates, the Imagine Peace Tower shares the night with the Northern Lights, creating a scene that feels far removed from the city.

I like the small-group feel and the chance to see more than the light itself. You also get a short introduction to Viðey’s story, a look inside its little church, and a warm drink before returning. The main drawback is the walk: it follows an unpaved route in the dark and includes a steep climb to a viewing platform, so this is not an easy sightseeing stop.

What makes this Viðey evening special

• The tower meets the Northern Lights: The beam can appear beneath or beside the aurora when conditions line up.
• A boat ride is part of the experience: You cross from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour to Viðey, adding a quiet maritime start and finish.
• The island feels wonderfully remote: Even though Reykjavík is close, the dark walk and empty surroundings create a strong sense of escape.
• Guides add more than Lennon trivia: Past guides including Rob, Megan, Emily, Knut, and Sila have shared information about the island, church, marine life, and peace memorial.
• A hot drink awaits afterward: Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is included, a welcome touch in Iceland’s cold evening air.
• Expect a real walk, not a bus stop attraction: Sturdy shoes, warm layers, gloves, and a hat matter here.

From Reykjavík harbor to a quiet island

The trip begins at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. You meet there rather than receiving hotel pickup, so allow time to reach the harbor under your own arrangements.

The boat crossing to Viðey is short enough to fit comfortably into a two-hour outing, yet it changes the mood at once. Reykjavík’s lights recede, the water opens up, and the illuminated tower becomes the focus of the evening. If you have a clear sky, use the ride to look upward as well as outward. Several departures have had Northern Lights sightings from the boat, including especially memorable views on the return crossing.

The boat is not just transport. It gives you time to settle into the experience before the walk begins, and the open-water views help explain why the memorial works so well on Viðey. The island’s isolation is part of the artwork’s effect.

Walking to the Imagine Peace Tower

Once you arrive, your guide leads you along an unpaved road toward the memorial. The route is not described as a long hike, but the walk can feel longer than expected, particularly in cold wind, snow, rain, or darkness.

You should treat this as an outdoor walk rather than a simple viewpoint visit. Wear sturdy footwear, thermal layers, a warm jacket, hat, scarf, and gloves. Flashlights are provided, and crampons are available when icy conditions require them. Even with that equipment, take care on uneven ground and at the climb toward the viewing platform.

The reward is the changing view of the tower as you approach. The beam rises from a stone monument engraved with the words Imagine Peace in different languages. In snow or light rain, the beam can look especially dramatic as it catches moisture in the air. The effect is spare, not flashy, and that simplicity suits the memorial.

You do not need to be a major Beatles or John Lennon fan to appreciate the visit. The tower is a public work about peace, memory, and hope. Lennon fans will have the strongest personal connection, but the setting gives the idea room to speak for itself.

Understanding Yoko Ono’s memorial

Yoko Ono created the Imagine Peace Tower as a tribute to John Lennon and a call for world peace. The memorial is lit during selected periods, including the darker season when the long Icelandic night gives the beam its full reach.

Your guide explains the tower and the history of Viðey before you spend time at the memorial. This context matters. Without it, you might see only a column of light. With it, the location, wording, and timing become easier to understand.

The tour also includes a video narration by Yoko Ono as part of the planned experience. One past departure did not include the video or an opportunity to leave a message of peace, so if those elements are important to you, ask your guide what is available that evening. The tower itself remains the central feature.

Music connected with Imagine has also been used around the memorial, adding another emotional layer. The combination of the beam, the words in many languages, and the dark island can make the stop quietly moving rather than merely photogenic.

Viðey’s church and island setting

The tower is the headline, but the island gives the outing much of its character. Guides have included a visit to the small church, which offers a brief look at another side of Viðey. You are not simply taken to a light installation and returned to the boat.

The island’s history is introduced during the walk, and some guides add information about the sea and marine life around Viðey. Knut, for example, has been praised for bringing marine biology into the outing, while Rob, Megan, Emily, and Sila have each led departures described as friendly and informative.

Because the group can be as large as 20 but has sometimes consisted of only four or eight people, the feel may vary. A small group makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. It also makes the island feel more private. You should not count on a tiny group, but the maximum is still modest compared with a large coach excursion.

The Northern Lights bonus

The Northern Lights are not part of the guaranteed product, and you should not book this solely as an aurora hunt. Still, Viðey is a useful place to watch the sky because the island is darker than central Reykjavík.

When the aurora appears, the tower creates an unusual contrast. The memorial sends a steady white beam upward while green or other auroral colors move across the sky. Several past departures had this combination, including sightings from the upper level of the boat and during the return trip.

That possibility adds real value, but it also creates an important expectation. You may have cloud, wind, rain, or no aurora at all. The tour needs suitable weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. The tower, island walk, and guide-led visit need to be enough for you on their own.

Hot chocolate after the walk

The included hot drink is a small detail that matters. After walking across an exposed island at night, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate gives you a chance to warm up before the boat ride back.

Hot chocolate has been singled out as a highlight, especially when the wind turns cold. It is not a meal, and food is not included, so eat beforehand if you need dinner. The tour lasts about two hours, but the evening timing and outdoor conditions can make the outing feel more demanding than a standard city stroll.

I see the drink as a practical touch rather than a major feature. It shows that the operator understands the setting. You are not stepping from a heated bus into a lit museum. You are walking outside on an island in Icelandic weather.

Is $120 a fair price?

At $120 per person, this is not a cheap way to see a monument. You are paying for the boat crossing, guide, evening operation, safety equipment, hot drink, and the special access to the tower’s island setting.

The value improves if you want several elements in one outing: a harbor cruise, a guided island walk, a cultural memorial, a church visit, and a chance at Northern Lights views. It also makes sense for visitors who prefer a small organized experience over arranging transport and walking Viðey independently.

The price is harder to justify if you only want a photograph of the beam. In that case, the walking time, weather exposure, and boat schedule may feel like a lot for one installation. This experience earns its price through atmosphere and interpretation, not through the number of sights checked off.

The tour is recommended by 92 percent of customers and carries a 4.5 rating from 36 ratings. That points to a strong experience overall, while also leaving room for the practical complaints: the walk can be longer than expected, organization may vary, and advertised elements such as the video may not always be available.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this for:

• Beatles and John Lennon fans who want a meaningful place connected with his legacy
• Visitors interested in public art, peace, or Yoko Ono’s work
• Anyone who enjoys quiet evening outings away from city streets
• People hoping to combine an Icelandic boat ride with a cultural visit
• Aurora watchers who already have flexible expectations
• Couples and small groups looking for an unusual night activity

I would think twice if you have limited mobility or dislike walking on uneven ground. The route includes an unpaved road and a steep climb to a viewing platform. The operator says most people can participate, but the outing is not recommended for people with limited mobility.

It is also a poor fit if you need a fully weatherproof activity. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the experience depends on being outside. Service animals are allowed, and public transportation is nearby, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Practical advice for a better evening

Arrive dressed for more cold than you expect. Warm thermals, a wind-resistant jacket, gloves, and a hat will make the walk far more pleasant. Good shoes are essential, especially if the ground is wet, snowy, or icy.

Bring your phone or camera, but do not spend the whole visit staring at a screen. The tower is at its most striking when you first see it from the dark path, and that moment can be spoiled if you are busy adjusting settings.

Ask the guide about the evening’s program, including the Yoko Ono video and any peace-message activity. The core tour remains worthwhile, but knowing what will and will not take place helps you set realistic expectations.

Keep your schedule flexible after the tour if possible. Weather can affect the crossing, and the outing requires a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum is not reached, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book the Imagine Peace Tower Tour?

Book it if you want an atmospheric Iceland evening, not simply a monument photo. The combination of dark water, an empty island, a white peace beam, and perhaps the Northern Lights can be extraordinary. The guides add useful context, and the return drink is a welcome finish.

Skip it if you need an easy, accessible activity or if a guaranteed aurora is your main goal. For everyone else, especially Lennon fans and visitors who enjoy thoughtful places with a strong sense of setting, this is a distinctive use of two hours in Reykjavík.

FAQ

Where does the Imagine Peace Tower tour start?

It starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, at the Old Harbour.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Reykjavík.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is transportation to Viðey Island included?

Yes. The tour includes the boat cruise from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour to Viðey Island and the return crossing.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is included.

What should I wear?

Wear sturdy footwear, a warm jacket, thermal layers, a hat, scarf, and gloves. You should be prepared for all weather conditions. Flashlights and crampons are provided if needed.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

It is not recommended for people with limited mobility because the experience includes an unpaved road and a steep climb to a viewing platform.