Reykjavik: 2-Hour Imagine Peace Tower Tour

The Imagine Peace Tower is at its most moving when its white beam cuts through Iceland’s dark, shifting sky. You sail from Reykjavík to Viðey Island, walk across open ground, and gather around Yoko Ono’s memorial to John Lennon while the city glows across the water. The ferry ride and island setting make this far more personal than simply viewing the light from town.

I like the mix of art and history, with the tower, Viðeyjarkirkja church, and Viðey House all fitting into one short outing. I also like the chance to see the Northern Lights from the island or boat, though that is never guaranteed. The main drawback is the weather: strong wind, ice, and cold can make the walk hard, especially at night.

Key points to know before you go

• The Imagine Peace Tower lights on set dates, including 9 October through 8 December, the winter solstice period, one week around the spring equinox, and a few other dates.
• Viðey is reached by a 20-minute ferry from Reykjavík’s old harbor, followed by a guided outdoor walk.
• The experience combines Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s peace message with older Icelandic sites, including Viðeyjarkirkja and Viðey House.
• Northern Lights sightings are possible but not part of the promise, so book this for the tower and island visit first.
• Warm clothing and sturdy, comfortable shoes matter, and crampons and flashlights are supplied when needed.
• The tour costs $134 per person, which is fair for a small-group ferry trip and guided island visit, but less appealing if you want only a quick look at the light.

Why the Imagine Peace Tower feels different at night

Many Reykjavík attractions are easy to reach, photograph, and leave behind. The Imagine Peace Tower asks for a little more effort. You cross the water, leave the city lights, and walk into Viðey’s darkness before the beam appears.

The work was created by Yoko Ono as part of her continuing campaign for world peace and in memory of John Lennon. Its simplicity is the point. Rather than a statue or a large building, you see a tall column of light rising from a stone base. The effect changes with the weather. Mist can soften the beam, wind can make the night feel raw, and clear air can give it a sharp, almost startling presence.

You also get a quiet moment to think about what the work means. The tour is not only for Beatles fans, though Lennon’s connection gives it a strong emotional center. It suits anyone interested in public art, peace movements, modern cultural history, or unusual places that feel tied to their setting.

The tower lights from 9 October, Lennon’s birthday, through 8 December, the date of his death. It also appears around the winter solstice and New Year, for one week near the spring equinox, and on several other selected dates. Check the operating date carefully before paying, since the tower is not lit every night of the year.

From Ægisgarður to Viðey in 20 minutes

Your evening starts at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, in Reykjavík’s old harbor. It is within about 300 meters, or roughly five minutes on foot, from the downtown Tourist Information Centre. You exchange your ticket at the office before walking to the boat.

There is no hotel pickup, so allow time to reach the harbor yourself. This is simple from central Reykjavík, but less convenient if you are staying far outside the center or carrying a full suitcase. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so bring only what you need for the two-hour outing.

The ferry takes about 20 minutes. That short crossing is useful in two ways. It gives your guide time to introduce the island and the tower, and it places distance between you and the city. Reykjavík’s lights remain visible across the water, giving you a fine early view of the capital region.

Keep watching the sky during the crossing. If the aurora is active, you might see it from the boat. A Northern Lights sighting is a fortunate extra, not a scheduled part of the tour, so avoid treating this as a dedicated aurora chase.

The boat ride can be windy and cold, especially when you are outside for views. Dress for the ferry, not for the temperature you felt while walking around downtown. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the return crossing may feel colder after you have spent time outdoors.

Walking across Viðey after dark

Once on Viðey, you follow your guide on foot toward the tower. The route includes interesting stops along the way, rather than sending you directly to the light and back. You will need comfortable shoes, and the operator provides flashlights and crampons if conditions call for them.

That detail matters. At night, ice and uneven ground are harder to spot, and one tour took place in strong wind with a lot of ice. The guide helped people manage the conditions, but no guide can make winter weather mild. If you have trouble walking on slippery ground, think carefully before booking.

The walk gives the visit its sense of place. Viðey is not just a platform for the tower. It has its own old buildings and religious history, and the open island gives you wide views back toward Reykjavík. In daylight, the island’s birdlife is another reason to return, but the night tour has a different character: fewer distractions, more silence, and the light rising above you.

The exact walking distance is not provided, so you should be ready for an outdoor walk rather than a brief step from boat to monument. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Anyone with limited mobility should ask the operator for current route details before booking.

The light tower and Yoko Ono’s peace message

At the tower, the guide explains the project and its connection to Yoko Ono and John Lennon. The story gives the beam more weight than a simple light display. You are looking at a work designed to send encouragement, inspiration, and a sense of solidarity into a troubled world.

The best moment may be when the guide stops talking and lets you take it in. On one visit, John Lennon’s music was played while the group gathered around the tower. That can make the setting feel intimate, though the music should be treated as part of that particular tour rather than a guaranteed feature.

The beam itself changes with the air. Mist may spread the light into pale bands or rainbow-like waves. Clear weather can make it look cleaner and more defined. This is one of the rare attractions where poor weather can add to the visual effect, even as it makes the walk less comfortable.

You can also climb toward a viewing point before reaching the tower. From higher ground, you get a different view of the light and Reykjavík beyond it. The combination of wide city views and the tower’s narrow beam is more interesting than seeing the installation from one fixed position.

Do not expect a large exhibition, indoor museum, or long presentation. The power comes from the setting and the short explanation. If you want an extensive John Lennon biography, this will feel limited. If you prefer a focused story attached to a real place, the format works well.

Viðeyjarkirkja and Viðey House

The island’s older sites give the outing a useful second layer. Viðeyjarkirkja is one of Iceland’s oldest churches, and a visit here helps explain why the island matters beyond the modern light tower.

You may also stop at Viðey House, where hot chocolate and Icelandic pastries have been available on some outings. Refreshments are not included in the tour price, so do not count on a free drink or snack. If something is served, it is a welcome way to warm up before the boat back, not a central part of the booking.

This is where the tour feels more complete than a simple memorial visit. You see contemporary art, an old church, an historic house, and the natural setting around them in one compact trip. The guide connects these elements while you move between them, which is more useful than visiting each site without context.

The island can feel almost empty at night. That quiet is part of the attraction, but it also means there are few indoor places to escape the weather. Wear a warm hat, gloves, and several layers. Waterproof outerwear is a sensible choice, even if the forecast looks calm.

Guides, group size, and the human side of the tour

The tour is conducted in English by a live guide. The group is described as small, and past outings have included six and nine people. The exact group limit is not stated, but you should expect a more personal setting than a large coach excursion.

That matters on an outdoor night walk. A good guide can slow down on icy ground, explain the church and house without rushing, and help you stay oriented in darkness. Guides named Lucas and others have received especially warm praise, while Captain Mike was singled out for running the boat well. Since guide and captain assignments can change, do not book on the assumption that a particular person will lead your trip.

The guide also shapes how much you get from the island. A short walk can feel bare if you only hear a few facts about the tower. With clear storytelling, the same walk becomes a conversation about Lennon, Ono, peace, Icelandic history, weather, and the changing appearance of the light.

The small-group format is particularly good for couples, solo visitors, and anyone who dislikes being herded through a night attraction. Families with older children may enjoy it too, provided everyone can manage the cold and uneven ground. It is less suitable for very young children who need warmth, or for anyone who wants a relaxed indoor evening.

Northern Lights: treat them as a bonus

This tour gives you a real chance to see the aurora, but it is not a guarantee and it is not a forecast-driven hunt. You might spot the lights from the ferry, from Viðey, or not at all. Cloud, solar activity, and timing all matter.

The advantage is that the Imagine Peace Tower tour already has a clear purpose. If the sky stays dark and empty, you still visit a major piece of public art and explore an unusual island. That makes the booking less disappointing than a trip whose only goal is an aurora sighting.

The tower and aurora can also share the same view without competing too much. The white beam rises from below, while the Northern Lights may shimmer overhead. When both appear, the setting can feel exceptional. Still, book this for the peace tower first and regard the aurora as luck.

Is $134 a fair price?

At $134 per person, this is not a cheap ferry ride. The price includes the crossing, a live English-speaking guide, the guided island walk, and equipment such as flashlights and crampons when needed. You are paying for the experience as a whole, not simply transport to Viðey.

I think the cost is reasonable if you value a small group, a focused guide, and a special date when the tower is lit. The historic sites and city views add substance, and the ferry gives the outing a clear beginning and end. The value improves if you are already interested in Lennon and Ono or want an evening activity that is unlike Reykjavík’s usual food, museum, and bar circuit.

The price is harder to justify if you only want a photograph of the tower. You may be able to see its beam from Reykjavík on suitable nights, though that does not provide the island visit, guided story, or close view.

You should also budget for your own warm clothing and any refreshments. The tour provides no hotel pickup, and drinks or food are not included. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans are still shifting.

Who should book this two-hour outing?

I would choose this tour if you want:

• A short evening experience with a strong sense of place
• A cultural attraction tied to Yoko Ono and John Lennon
• A boat trip and island walk without committing to a full-day excursion
• A chance to see the Northern Lights without making them your only goal
• A small-group setting with a live guide
• A different side of Reykjavík beyond the downtown streets

I would hesitate if you dislike cold, wind, darkness, boats, or uneven ground. The weather can be severe, and the tour does not move indoors when conditions turn rough. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users, and luggage or large bags are not permitted.

For the best chance of seeing the tower lit, plan around its operating dates, especially the period from 9 October to 8 December or the winter solstice season. If you are visiting in daylight, remember that the tower is not necessarily illuminated, though Viðey’s church, house, birds, and open views still give the island a reason to visit.

Should you book the Imagine Peace Tower tour?

Book it if the idea of standing on a dark Icelandic island beneath a beam created for peace appeals to you. The ferry, quiet walk, old church, and city views give the two hours enough substance, while the Northern Lights can provide a memorable extra.

Skip it if you want guaranteed aurora viewing, indoor comfort, or a simple low-cost monument stop. For everyone else, this is a thoughtful Reykjavík outing with real atmosphere. Bring serious winter clothing, keep your expectations flexible, and let the weather become part of the experience rather than a surprise.

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 five minutes on foot, from the downtown Tourist Information Centre.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts two hours. The ferry ride to Viðey takes about 20 minutes, followed by a guided walk and stops on the island before returning to Reykjavík.

When is the Imagine Peace Tower illuminated?

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

Can I see the Northern Lights on this tour?

You might see the Northern Lights from the ferry or Viðey Island if conditions are right. Aurora sightings are not guaranteed and are not the main purpose of the tour.

What should I bring?

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

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users because it includes a ferry trip and an outdoor walk on Viðey Island.