Peace and cold air meet on Viðey.

This 2-hour tour takes you from Reykjavík’s old harbor by ferry to Viðey Island, then leads you on a guided walk to the Imagine Peace Tower, a powerful tribute to Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s message of world peace. You also get time for sea air, island viewpoints, and the kind of Reykjavik night-sky atmosphere that’s hard to recreate on your own.

I like the way the tour ties together art, history, and nature in a simple, human way. The guide explains the tower’s purpose and the surrounding setting, and you come away with a clearer sense of what the work is trying to do. I also like the timing flexibility of the experience—on nights when the conditions line up, you’re in position for panoramic views of Reykjavík and a real shot at the Northern Lights.

One thing to consider: this is an outdoor sail and walk in Icelandic weather. If it’s windy and icy, you’ll feel it in your legs and your hands, so warm layers are not optional—even with gear support like flashlights and crampons if needed.

Key Highlights Worth Booking For

• Viðey Island ferry ride (about 20 minutes each way): quick enough for a 2-hour tour, scenic enough to feel like a real trip.
• The tower’s light schedule matters: it lights up from 9 October (Lennon’s birthday) to 8 December, again from the Winter Solstice to New Year, and briefly around the Spring Equinox on selected dates.
• Small-group feel: a more personal guide experience than big group sightseeing.
• Reykjavík views from the water and island: especially good when the sky clears.
• Gear help when conditions turn: flashlights and crampons are provided if needed.

From Elding Dock to Viðey: The Start Matters

The tour meets at the Elding ticket office in central Reykjavík at Ægisgarður 5, right by the harbor area (about a 5-minute walk from the downtown Tourist Information Centre). This matters because the whole experience runs on timing: you’re moving from city lights to open water fast.

After you swap your ticket for the tour, you board the ferry. The ride is short—around 20 minutes—but it’s long enough for a shift in mood. Reykjavík’s streets and signage fade behind you, and you start getting that true coastal exposure: wind in your face, salt air on your jacket, and a horizon line that feels wide even in the city night.

You’ll also get early photo opportunities. Even before the tower is the focus, you’re collecting viewpoints back toward Reykjavík. One practical tip: keep your camera accessible. When the guide calls attention to the sky or a view opens up, you want to be ready without fumbling.

And yes, you should expect that the group stays compact. In this kind of night outing, you don’t want to be trapped in a crowd that can’t see. This setup keeps it easier to track the guide and react quickly if aurora activity appears.

Imagine Peace Tower: Art With a Mission (and a Light)

The Imagine Peace Tower is the headline reason for this trip. It’s dedicated to Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s continuing campaign for world peace, and it works on you in two ways: the message is clear, and the visual effect changes with the night.

What makes it especially worth planning around is the lighting calendar. The tower lights each year from 9 October through 8 December. It also appears from the Winter Solstice to New Year, and it’s lit for about one week during the Spring Equinox, plus a few other selected dates.

If you’re choosing between dates, that schedule is your decision tool. You’re paying for a night where the tower is not just visible, but actively part of the sky. When it’s lit, it turns the whole outing into something closer to a pilgrimage than a standard sightseeing stop.

Another detail I like: the tower’s impact isn’t fixed. Weather affects it. Wind, mist, and visibility all change how strong the lighting feels and how the light spreads. On some nights, that can create an atmospheric effect where the beam looks softer or even shows color through mist. When conditions are clear, it can look crisp and clean from the island.

This is also where the guide’s role becomes more than narration. You’re not just handed facts. You’re walked through why the piece exists, and how Ono’s hope for encouragement and solidarity connects to the atmosphere you’re standing inside. It’s one of those tours where the setting isn’t background noise—it’s part of the meaning.

The Island Walk: What You’ll See Along the Way

Once the ferry docks, you’ll move into a guided island walk. The tour includes stops along the route, and the theme is nature plus context—how the island setting supports the tower’s message.

A hill-and-path style route is common on this island, and it’s the kind of walk where footing matters more than distance. You’re standing in the cold, then moving between dark patches of terrain, so comfortable shoes are a must. If the ground is icy, the tour provides crampons, which is a big help for staying confident on slick surfaces.

Some groups also include time that goes beyond the tower itself. For example, one outing described visits to Viðeyjarkirkja Church and time near Viðey House, plus a warm-up break with hot chocolate and Icelandic donuts (klenät). Since refreshments are listed as not included, think of this kind of warm-up as something you might be able to access through what’s available on-site rather than as a guarantee in your ticket price.

Either way, the island time is what makes the tour feel complete. The tower is the focal point, but the walk is what helps your brain connect the art to the actual world around it: coastal air, night wind, and quiet spaces that make you look up more than you’d expect.

Northern Lights in 2 Hours: How to Actually Catch Them

Let’s be clear: Northern Lights are not guaranteed. But you are in one of the better setups you can have in Reykjavík area conditions because you’re on water and out on an island at night.

The biggest practical advantage here is that the ferry and island viewing give you multiple chances to look. You’re not stuck in one spot staring at the same tree line. On some nights, the aurora is visible from the water during the ferry portion. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the sky start to move—sometimes as a shimmer, sometimes as more defined shapes—while the guide helps keep everyone pointed in the right direction.

How to improve your odds in real life:

• Give yourself permission to look longer than you think you need. In aurora watching, the sky can take its time.
• Follow the guide’s cueing. When a guide says look now, look now.
• Dress like wind is the main activity. It is.

Also, the tower itself can pull your attention. That’s the point, but if your goal includes aurora, keep scanning the sky between tower moments. This tour gives you just enough time to do both without feeling rushed.

Weather, Gear, and Comfort: Iceland’s Reality Check

Iceland in winter (or shoulder season when nights are still cold) doesn’t do soft landings. Even with a short itinerary, you’re outdoors in wind and low temperatures. That’s why the tour includes flashlights and crampons if needed. It’s also why you should show up layered.

Here’s what matters more than fancy planning:

• Wear warm clothing you can move in. You’ll want layers you can adjust.
• Expect icy patches. Sturdy shoes reduce stress.
• Bring something to protect your face and hands if you run cold.
• If you’ve got wind pants, use them. One visitor even called that out as the difference-maker.

This isn’t the kind of tour where you can stroll around in sneakers and hope for the best. Think practical. You want to enjoy the tower and the sky, not fight your own discomfort.

One more note: there’s a no luggage / no large bags rule. So travel light. If you’ve got a big bag, plan where it goes before you head to the dock.

Price and Value: What $134 Buys You

At $134 per person for a 2-hour experience, you’re paying for more than the destination. You’re paying for:

• the ferry ride that gets you to Viðey efficiently,
• a live English guide who explains the tower’s story and meaning,
• a small-group pace that helps everyone see what matters,
• and the timing context—because the tower is specifically lit on certain dates.

So, when is it best value?

• If your dates fall during the tower lighting windows (9 Oct–8 Dec, solstice–New Year, and the Spring Equinox week), the tour becomes directly tied to the main visual event.
• If you want both the art and the night-sky possibility, the short duration is an advantage. You’re not spending half your trip waiting for conditions to change.

When might it feel less cost-effective?

• If you’re traveling during a time when the tower isn’t lit for your exact night, you may feel like you’re paying more for access and viewpoints than for the signature light effect.

Also remember what’s not included: no pickup and no refreshments. That affects “total day budget,” especially if you’re used to tours that bundle snacks. You’ll still likely find a way to warm up during island time, but don’t build your plan around it being included.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• a meaningful stop that blends art, story, and nature,
• a small-group night outing instead of a crowded bus tour,
• and a realistic chance at the aurora without spending all night chasing it.

It’s also a good match for couples and solo travelers who like quiet, reflective experiences. The atmosphere on the island is more thoughtful than “check-the-box.”

Who should consider skipping?

• Wheelchair users, since the tour is not suitable for wheelchairs.
• Anyone who hates cold, wind, and outdoor walking. This isn’t a warm indoor museum with a gift shop exit plan.

Should You Book the Reykjavik Imagine Peace Tower Tour?

If your travel dates line up with the tower’s lighting periods, I think this is an easy yes. You’re buying into a real event in the night sky, guided by a story that gives the art context, and you’re positioned for Northern Lights possibilities in a way that a casual self-guided walk can’t match.

Book it if you can handle cold weather and you travel light. Skip it if you want fully indoor comfort, need wheelchair access, or don’t want an outdoor walk even when conditions are windy.

When it works—as it does on the best nights—it feels like Reykjavik gives you something more than a photo. It gives you a moment that makes the message of peace feel close to home.

FAQ

How long is the Imagine Peace Tower tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík, no more than about a 5-minute walk from the downtown Tourist Information Centre.

Is pickup included?

No, pickup is not included.

Are refreshments provided?

No, refreshments are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and wear comfortable shoes for an outdoor walk.

What gear is provided if conditions are icy or dark?

The tour includes flashlights and crampons (if needed).

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

No, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.