Imagine Peace Tower Tour on Viðey island | John Lennon tribute

Some lights are meant to make you think. The Imagine Peace Tower tour carries you from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to dark, windswept Viðey Island, where Yoko Ono’s tribute to John Lennon sends a column of light into the night sky. I like the short boat ride and the feeling of leaving the city behind, even though the two-hour evening outing involves more walking in darkness than some people may expect.

I also like the small-group feel, with a maximum of 20 people and groups sometimes much smaller. Guides such as Knut, Rob, Megan, Emily, and Sila have added useful context about the island, the tower, its church, and even the marine life around Viðey. The drawback is simple: the path is unpaved, the climb to the viewing platform is steep, and Icelandic weather can turn a pleasant walk into a cold one fast.

What makes this Viðey Island tour special

• The tower glows across a remote island: You see the Imagine Peace Tower away from Reykjavik’s streetlights, where the beam feels more striking and less like a city attraction.
• The boat ride is part of the experience: The trip begins at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and crosses to Viðey by boat.
• You walk through more than a memorial site: The guide explains Viðey’s past and may show you the island church before leading you toward the tower.
• Northern Lights can add a remarkable bonus: They are never promised, but several outings have included aurora views beside the tower’s light.
• Hot drinks take the edge off: Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is included, along with flashlights and crampons when conditions require them.
• The tour suits curious visitors, not only Beatles fans: The artwork, island setting, and message of world peace give the trip value even if John Lennon is not your main reason for going.

Leaving Reykjavik from the Old Harbour

Your meeting point is Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the harbour. The location is near public transportation, but allow enough time to find the exact departure point without rushing.

The evening timing matters. Viðey is not presented as a busy sightseeing stop with shops and bright paths. You take a boat away from the capital, then walk into a much quieter setting. The crossing gives you a change of pace before the main part of the visit begins.

The boat ride is short enough to feel easy, but it still adds something important. You see Reykjavik from the water, and the dark shoreline helps you understand why the tower feels different on the island than it would in the middle of town. A few people have also seen the Northern Lights during the crossing, including from the upper level of the boat. Treat that as luck, not part of the guarantee.

The vessel may feel exposed to Icelandic wind, especially in the evening. Wear your warm layers before you board rather than waiting until you feel cold. A warm jacket, thermal layers, hat, scarf, and gloves are all sensible choices.

Walking across Viðey after dark

Once you reach Viðey, the guide leads you toward the Imagine Peace Tower. The walk follows an unpaved road and includes a steep climb to a viewing platform. It is not a technical hike, but the darkness, wind, uneven ground, and possible ice change the effort required.

This is the point where the tour description deserves your full attention. One person found the walk longer than expected, and another struggled because walking was difficult. A separate account noted dark, unsteady sections that had not been made clear enough beforehand. If you are comfortable walking outdoors but prefer smooth, well-lit paths, this may feel more demanding than a standard Reykjavik evening activity.

The operator provides flashlights. Crampons are also available when conditions call for them, which is useful if snow or ice covers the route. Still, you should bring sturdy footwear with good grip. Crampons help with traction, but they do not replace balance or warm clothing.

The walk is also why the tour has its character. You are not simply stepping off a bus, taking a quick photograph, and leaving. You move through a quiet island at night, with the wind, the dock, and the open darkness forming part of the experience. One small group described the creaky dock and cold air as a rare kind of outing. That sounds right: the setting is a large part of the attraction.

Understanding the tower and Viðey’s past

At the tower, your guide explains the meaning of the artwork and the history of the island. The visit connects several subjects: Yoko Ono’s tribute to Lennon, the idea of world peace, and the setting chosen for the installation.

The tower is a column of light rather than a traditional building. Its effect depends on the conditions around it. Snow can make the beam look especially dramatic, and light rain may catch the rays in the air. On a clear night, the beam reaches upward into the darkness, with the city and sea forming a distant backdrop.

Several guides received especially warm praise for making the visit more than a simple explanation of the memorial. Knut added information about the marine ecosystem around Viðey, while Megan, Rob, Emily, and Sila were described as friendly and helpful hosts. Rob also took photographs for the group during one outing, particularly useful when the Northern Lights appeared.

The guide may also take you into Viðey’s small church. That detail matters because it gives the island a human scale. You are not only visiting an art installation. You are walking through a historic place with its own buildings and quiet corners.

The tour is offered in English. If you want a detailed explanation of the installation, the island, and the meaning behind the light, the guide is an important part of the value. The best outings seem to balance information with time to look and think, rather than turning the visit into a long lecture.

The moment the Imagine Peace Tower lights the sky

The central moment comes when you reach the tower and see the beam in its full setting. It is hard to separate the artwork from the surroundings. On a remote island, with few competing lights, the memorial feels more focused than it would in an urban plaza.

The experience can be moving even if you are not a dedicated Beatles or John Lennon fan. The message is direct and easy to understand, and the quiet setting gives you room to consider it. Beatles fans will find the Lennon connection meaningful, but the tour is not built only around music history.

A recording by Yoko Ono about the tower and world peace is listed as part of the experience. One account found that the video narration was not provided and that there was no chance to leave a message of peace. Since that element may not always be available in practice, I would not make the booking solely for the video. The tower itself, the guide’s explanation, and the island setting are the more dependable reasons to go.

Music can also be part of the atmosphere. One outing included Imagine playing near the light, which made the memorial feel more personal. The exact presentation may vary, so think of this as a possible detail rather than a fixed promise.

When the Northern Lights join the memorial

The Northern Lights are an unpredictable bonus. Several people saw them during the boat ride or while standing near the tower, with green light appearing around the tower’s beam. That combination can be extraordinary: one man-made column reaching upward, and a natural display moving above it.

You should not book this activity as an aurora hunt. The tour is about Viðey and the Imagine Peace Tower, and no Northern Lights sighting is guaranteed. But if the forecast and weather cooperate, the island offers a memorable place to watch the sky.

Cloud, wind, rain, and snow can all affect what you see. The tour can still be worthwhile in ordinary conditions because the tower remains the focus. A snowy evening may even add to its appearance, while poor weather can make the walk harder and reduce visibility.

The guide can help you get the most from the night by pointing out what is visible and keeping the group together. Keep your expectations grounded, bring the right clothes, and consider any aurora sighting a gift rather than a promised feature.

A hot drink before the boat back

After the walk, you receive a hot drink: coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. This is a small inclusion, but it matters in Iceland after time outdoors. One person specifically praised the hot chocolate, and another noted that the guide made an excellent cup.

The drink gives you a chance to warm your hands and collect yourself before returning to the harbour. Do not expect a meal. Food and other drinks are not included, so eat beforehand if you need something substantial.

The boat returns you to the same meeting point at the Old Harbour. There is no hotel drop-off. That makes the tour easy to understand, but you should plan your return from Ægisgarður if you are staying away from central Reykjavik.

Is $120 a fair price for two hours?

At $120 per person, this is not a cheap way to see a light installation. The value depends on what you want from the evening.

If you only want a photograph of the tower, the price may feel high. You are paying for the return boat crossing, a professional English-speaking guide, the guided walk, warm drinks, and the chance to visit Viðey at night. You also avoid having to arrange the island crossing and route on your own.

The small group helps justify the cost. With a maximum of 20 people, the guide can keep an eye on the group along the dark path and answer questions. Some departures have had only four or eight participants, creating a more personal outing. Group size will vary, but this is not designed as a large coach excursion.

The tour is often booked well in advance, with an average booking lead time of 71 days. That suggests you should reserve early if the dates fit your Reykjavik plans, especially if you have limited evenings available. Still, the experience depends on weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for poor weather or insufficient numbers, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so leave some flexibility in your schedule if possible.

Who should book this evening outing?

I would choose this tour for someone who likes unusual settings, short boat trips, public art, and quiet moments outside the city. It is a good match for Beatles fans, couples seeking a thoughtful evening, and people who want a different way to see Reykjavik.

You do not need to be a Lennon fan. The tower’s message, the island church, the guide’s local information, and the possibility of seeing the aurora give the outing broader appeal.

I would be cautious if you have limited mobility or dislike uneven ground. The route includes an unpaved road and a steep climb to a viewing platform. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the operator does not recommend the tour for people with limited mobility.

You should also skip it if you want a relaxed indoor activity. This is an outdoor experience in changing weather, at night, with a walk that can feel longer than expected. The right footwear and clothing are not optional extras here.

Practical ways to enjoy the tour

• Dress for standing still: You may be outside while looking at the tower or sky, so bring thermal layers beneath a warm jacket.
• Wear reliable shoes: Choose sturdy footwear suited to an unpaved path. Bring gloves, a scarf, and a hat even if Reykjavik feels mild at departure.
• Arrive at the harbour ready to board: Hotel transportation is not included, and the tour begins at the Elding Whale Watching meeting point.
• Keep the aurora expectation realistic: The Northern Lights have appeared during some outings, but they are not promised.
• Ask about the Yoko Ono narration: It is listed as part of the experience, but availability has varied.
• Allow for a real walk: The advertised duration is about two hours, but the route is not just a short stroll from the dock.
• Use the small group to your advantage: Ask the guide about Viðey, the tower, the church, or the marine area around the island.

Should you book the Imagine Peace Tower Tour?

Book it if you want the tower in its proper setting: far from city noise, reached by boat, and approached on foot under the Icelandic sky. The strongest reasons to go are the remote island atmosphere, friendly guides, warm drink, and the chance to see the light with snow or Northern Lights around it.

Think twice if you want a short, easy walk or guaranteed aurora viewing. At $120, the tour earns its price through the complete evening experience rather than the tower alone. For a visitor who values a meaningful place, a small group, and a little Icelandic unpredictability, it can be a memorable use of two hours.

FAQ

Where does the Imagine Peace Tower tour begin?

It begins at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point at the Old Harbour.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the meeting point yourself.

What should I wear?

Wear sturdy footwear, a warm jacket, thermal layers, a hat, scarf, and gloves. Icelandic weather can change quickly, so prepare for all conditions.

Are flashlights and crampons provided?

Yes. Flashlights are included, and crampons are provided if conditions require them.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.