Reykjavik: 2-Hour Imagine Peace Tower Tour

A peace tower in the night always grabs you. This 2-hour tour takes you by ferry to Viðey Island to see the Imagine Peace Tower, tied to Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s message of world peace. I especially like how it blends art, a short hike, and big cold-weather Reykjavik views in one tight outing. One drawback to plan for: it’s outdoors and can be windy and icy, so your comfort depends on what you wear and how steady your footing is.

You start at Reykjavik’s old harbor, then you walk the island with a live English guide, stopping along the way before you reach the tower and a viewing area above it. If you’re lucky, the Northern Lights join the show, and the tower lighting can look even more dramatic when the weather shifts. Guides such as Lucas, and captains like Captain Mike, have been specifically praised for keeping the experience flowing even when conditions are rough.

Imagine Peace Tower Tour at a Glance (Reykjavik, 2 Hours)

• Small group feel on the ferry and island walk, typically intimate enough to keep the pace relaxed.
• Viðey Island highlights beyond the tower, including a visit to Viðeyjarkirkja Church and a stop at Viðey house.
• Tower lighting schedule that follows Lennon’s memory dates and seasonal sky events.
• Aurora chances from the water ride and the island at night, when conditions cooperate.
• Cold-weather support with flashlights and crampons if needed, plus a warming break with hot chocolate and klenät on the island.

Entering The Experience: From Elding Pier to Viðey in 2 Hours

The tour centers on a simple rhythm: ferry out, guided walking loop, tower and views, then ferry back. You meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, in the heart of Reykjavik, and you’ll exchange your ticket before boarding. From there, you’re on the water for about 20 minutes to Viðey Island.

It’s a good length for winter because it doesn’t feel like a half-day commitment. You still get enough time to experience the island after dark, and you’re not stuck out there for ages if the weather turns. With a live English guide, the story of the tower and its peaceful message becomes the glue that ties the whole outing together, not just a quick photo stop.

The Ferry Ride That Sets the Mood: Reykjavik From the Water

This is one of those Reykjavik experiences where the boat ride matters, not just the destination. As you head out from the old harbor, you get Reykjavik’s coastline and skyline from a water-level perspective, which feels calmer and more cinematic than standing on land.

That ferry segment is also your first chance at aurora spotting. When lights are active, you can sometimes see them from the ferry, so you’re not forced to wait until you’re standing still on the island. I like tours that give you multiple moments to look up, because Iceland weather loves to change its mind fast.

Keep in mind the practical side: you’ll be outside during the island portions, and you may feel the wind more on the water. Warm clothing is not optional here, even if the day starts mild.

Guided Walk to the Tower: Stops That Add Context

Once you arrive on Viðey, the tour shifts into a guided walk with interesting stops along the route. This is where the experience becomes more than a sightseeing checklist.

The guide connects three themes:

1. the world peace campaign tied to Yoko Ono and John Lennon
2. the design and setting of the Imagine Peace Tower
3. the natural environment around Viðey, including how weather changes what you see

One reason this works is that it slows you down. Instead of rushing directly to the tower for a quick look, you get time to understand why the tower looks the way it does in the Iceland night sky. And because the route includes stops, the group can stay together without it turning into a sprint.

Imagine Peace Tower Up Close: Art That Responds to Weather

The Imagine Peace Tower is the star of the show, and it can feel almost unreal once you see it close up. The tower’s presence is simple in form, but it reads as powerful because it’s tied to a long-running public message, not a one-time installation.

Here’s what I’d focus on when you get to the tower:

• Look for how the lighting behaves. The experience is affected by the ever-changing weather, and that can make the tower feel more intense or brilliant when conditions are right.
• Use the viewing area. You’ll have time near a hill or higher point to see the tower from above, then you’ll get the direct view at the tower itself. That two-angle approach is a big part of why this feels memorable.

The way the night air can mist around you also makes the light look different. On cold, misty nights, people have described the light creating rainbow-like effects in the air. Even if you do not see that exact phenomenon, you will still notice how the tower is shaped by darkness, cloud cover, and wind.

The Tower Lighting Calendar: When You’ll Actually See It Lit

You’ll want your timing aligned with when the tower is active. The Imagine Peace Tower lights up across specific date ranges, including:

• 9 October through 8 December, covering Lennon’s birthday and the day he died
• From the Winter Solstice to New Year, for that season’s run
• About one week around the Spring Equinox, during selected dates
• A few other selected dates, depending on the year

If your trip falls outside those windows, you might still find value in the island and the walk, but the signature wow-factor here is the illuminated tower. I’d plan your Iceland schedule around that calendar if the tower is a top priority for you.

Viðeyjarkirkja Church and Viðey House: Warm Breaks With Local Flavor

The tower is the headline, but the supporting cast makes this tour feel rounded.

On the island, you’ll visit Viðeyjarkirkja Church and also stop at Viðey house. One of the nicest practical touches is that you can warm up there with hot chocolate and klenät. In Reykjavik winter terms, that matters. You’re out in cold air, and having a proper warm break helps you enjoy the second half of the experience instead of just surviving it.

The church stop also adds a different type of Reykjavik flavor, away from the city center. Even if religious history is not usually your thing, it gives you a sense of island life and time depth on Viðey. It’s another reason this trip doesn’t feel like “boat out, tower, boat back.”

Northern Lights Chances: How to Improve Your Odds

The tour doesn’t promise aurora sightings, but it’s built around viewing opportunities. You’ll look out for the Northern Lights during the evening portion, and you may see them from the water ferry as well as on the island.

If you want to stack the odds in your favor, do the simple stuff:

• dress for wind and cold so you can actually stay outside while waiting
• keep your eyes up during the darker stretches
• be ready for the guide’s timing cues, since the best viewing windows can be short when conditions change

Also, pay attention to weather. The same clouds that hide the aurora can change the look of the tower light, and the contrast can still make the experience feel special. In Iceland, you often get the show that the sky decides to give you.

Price and What You’re Really Paying For ($134)

At $134 per person for about 2 hours, this isn’t a budget activity. But the value comes from what’s included and what’s delivered.

What you’re paying for:

• the ferry access to Viðey Island
• a live English guide who ties together art, the peace message, and the island environment
• a timed night experience built around the tower lighting windows
• included cold-weather gear support when needed (flashlights and crampons, if required)

You are not paying just for a photo. You’re paying for a guided, weather-aware walk plus island stops that give you multiple layers: the tower, the viewing area, the church, and a warming break.

The best way to think about the price is this: you’re buying less hassle and more interpretation. In Reykjavik winter, that matters, because getting to places with schedules and outdoor conditions is half the challenge.

What to Bring, Wear, and Expect on an Outdoor Night

This is a winter-style outdoor tour. The basics you should follow:

• Bring warm clothing. If you run cold, dress warmer than you think.
• Comfortable shoes are recommended, because you’re walking outside.
• Flashlights and crampons are included if needed, but you still need proper clothing first.

Two more practical limits:

• pick-up is not included, so you’ll be handling your own way to the meeting point
• luggage or large bags are not allowed, so pack light

And here’s the reality check: the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. The walk on the island and the outdoor conditions are part of the setup.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Not Enjoy It)

This tour is a strong match if you want a short, meaningful Reykjavik evening that mixes culture and nature. You’ll likely enjoy it most if you:

• care about art with a message, not just a landmark
• want a guided night walk with story and atmosphere
• want a realistic shot at seeing the Northern Lights without committing to a long day tour

It might not be for you if:

• you dislike cold outdoor walking or uneven surfaces
• you need accessibility support beyond what’s described as not suitable for wheelchair users
• you want a purely indoor activity, because this one is outside for key parts

Should You Book the Imagine Peace Tower Tour?

Book it if the Imagine Peace Tower and Viðey Island are on your must-see list, and especially if your dates line up with the lighting calendar. I like that you get both the main art experience and the island context in a tight 2-hour format, with warm breaks like hot chocolate and klenät.

Skip or reconsider if you know you struggle with wind, ice, or darkness, or if you’re hoping for a fully guaranteed aurora viewing. The tour’s best moments come from weather and timing, so you’ll want to go in with flexible expectations and warm gear.

If you do go, dress for Iceland winter first, then let the tower and the night story do the rest. The combination of a peace message, a small island setting, and the glow of the tower can be genuinely moving when the sky cooperates.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Imagine Peace Tower tour?

You meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík. It’s in central Reykjavik and you should exchange your ticket before heading to the boats.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 2 hours.

When is the Imagine Peace Tower lit?

The tower lights up from 9 October through 8 December each year. It is also lit from the Winter Solstice to New Year, for about one week around the Spring Equinox, and on a few other selected dates.

Is pick-up included, and is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Pick-up is not included. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What should I wear for this outdoor tour?

Bring warm clothing. Comfortable shoes are recommended since it’s an outdoor walk.

What’s included in the tour besides the guide and ferry?

The tour includes flashlights and crampons if needed.

Can I bring luggage or large bags?

No. Luggage or large bags are not allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.