The peace tower glows in Reykjavik’s cold night air. This 2-hour Imagine Peace Tower tour takes you by ferry to Viðey island, where you’ll see a simple art installation connected to Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s campaign for world peace. I especially like how the guide ties the artwork to the message, and how you get panoramic views of Reykjavík from the island itself. One drawback to plan for, it’s outdoors in real Icelandic wind, so comfort depends on dressing for cold and wet conditions.

The experience starts at Reykjavík’s old harbor area, near the Elding ticket office. You board a ferry for about 20 minutes across to Viðey, then take a guided walk with a few stops before reaching the tower area. If conditions line up, you’ll also have a shot at the Northern Lights, since that aurora chance is part of why many people book this in the dark season.

I like that the pace is short and focused, which makes it a good add-on to a busy Reykjavík itinerary. But keep in mind, it’s not wheelchair friendly, and the tour notes that luggage or large bags aren’t allowed, so pack light.

Key Points You’ll Care About Before You Go

• A focused 2-hour trip with a ferry crossing plus guided walking on Viðey
• Imagine Peace Tower visits at night, when lighting turns the message into something you feel
• Small-group energy (some tours run as an intimate group of about six)
• Reykjavík viewpoints from the island, plus stops that add context beyond the tower
• Aurora Borealis is possible, so dress like you’re going to be outside for a while
• Bring warm layers, and expect support with traction if it’s icy (flashlights and crampons if needed)

Viðey Island After Dark: Why This Tower Tour Feels Different

This isn’t the kind of Reykjavík tour where you rush from one indoor stop to another. The Imagine Peace Tower is all about setting, and that’s the real trick. On Viðey, you’re out on open water and exposed shoreline, with big skies and shifting weather. That matters because the tower’s night lighting and your view of it change with mist, wind, and visibility.

The message is tied to Lennon’s birthday and the broader peace campaign, but the impact comes from how the light looks against the North Atlantic night. Even when you can’t catch a clear aurora, the tower itself often feels like a reason to slow down for a moment. One review described mist and light creating rainbow-like waves, which is exactly the kind of Iceland payoff you can’t manufacture, only experience when conditions cooperate.

The other thing I like is that the tour blends art + story + nature instead of treating the tower as a quick photo stop. You’re there to understand what Yoko Ono and John Lennon were aiming for, then stand in the landscape where the installation is meant to speak.

From the Elding Ticket Office to the Old Harbor Ferry

The meeting point is straightforward: meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, in Reykjavík. It’s right in the heart of the downtown area, no more than about a 5-minute walk from the main Tourist Information Centre, so you’re not scrambling across the city.

From there, you’ll exchange your ticket before heading to the boats. The tour then uses a captain and guide team, and a couple of names came up strongly in feedback, including Captain Mike and the guide Lucas. That’s a nice sign because this kind of winter outing depends on how smoothly the crew handles boarding, timing, and safety when it’s windy.

What you’ll feel on this first stretch is the rhythm of a winter sea crossing. The ferry ride to Viðey is about 20 minutes, which is long enough to get out of Reykjavík’s lights, but short enough that most people can handle it without turning the tour into an endurance event. If aurora activity is happening, you can sometimes look for it while you’re still on the water, since you’ll have an open view of the sky.

The Guided Walk to the Tower: Stops That Add Meaning

After the ferry ride, you’ll join a guided walk on Viðey. This is the part that turns the outing from simple sightseeing into a guided story.

Along the way, the guide makes a few interesting stops. The aim is to connect the installation to the island itself, not just its fame. One of the practical perks here is that you’re moving at a guided pace, which helps when the ground is uneven or icy. You also get time to notice the details you might miss if you arrived on your own, like how the tower fits into the island’s layout and how the light shifts when clouds or mist roll through.

Then comes the tower experience itself. You’ll get a chance to look up at the installation and then continue on to see it more closely. Some tours include going to a viewing point first, which helps you understand the scale before you reach the area where the tower stands. In winter, that order matters. Seeing it from above or farther out makes the brightness more dramatic when you come in close.

Imagine Peace Tower Details: When the Light Switches On

The Imagine Peace Tower lighting schedule is one of the biggest reasons to time your trip around it.

• Every year, it lights up in the evening from 9 October through 8 December (from Lennon’s birthday until the day of his death).
• It also appears from the Winter Solstice to New Year.
• It’s lit for about one week during the Spring Equinox.
• And there are a few selected dates outside those windows.

So if you’re visiting in late autumn or the deep winter season, you’re more likely to catch it in action. If you’re traveling outside those dates, this tour becomes less about the glow and more about the story and visit. Still worthwhile if you love art and meaning, but the emotional payoff is tied to those lighting dates.

Another detail that came through clearly in the experience description: weather changes the intensity and brilliance of the tower. That’s not marketing fluff. In practice, you’re dealing with North Atlantic conditions. Mist can soften edges. Wind can change how steady your view is. Ice can change the footing. All of that affects what you see, and it’s part of the reason some nights feel almost cinematic while others are more plain and quiet.

Reykjavík Viewpoints and the Island Stops You Might Forget to Plan For

One of the practical reasons people love Viðey is that the island gives you a different perspective on Reykjavík. As you move around, you get panoramic views back toward the city. On clear nights, that alone can be worth braving the cold. On hazy nights, you may get a softer, more atmospheric view that’s still scenic.

The tour also includes additional stops on the island. Based on the experience reports that align with the tour description, you may visit:

• Viðeyjarkirkja Church, adding an old Iceland church setting to the mix
• Viðey house, where some groups have noted a warm break such as hot chocolate and Icelandic donuts (refreshments are not listed as included, so think of this as an opportunity, not guaranteed free food)

These stops matter because they prevent this from becoming a one-thing tour. You’re getting context about the island, and that helps the tower feel grounded rather than floating in isolation.

You should also expect the atmosphere of the island itself to do some of the emotional work. The soundscape changes once you’re away from Reykjavík, and the island’s quiet makes the light feel more intentional.

Northern Lights Chances: How to Hunt, and When to Just Enjoy the Light

This tour specifically encourages you to look out for the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). Whether you actually see them depends on the night, which is true of basically every aurora plan in Iceland.

Here’s the practical mindset I’d bring: treat the tour as your structured chance at aurora viewing, not as a guarantee. Even when the aurora doesn’t show, you still have the illuminated tower during the right season, plus the open night sky above the water during the ferry ride.

One feedback thread described aurora sightings during the visit, including one night where the lights appeared while people were out on the ferry. Another described standing in awe with mist and light creating unusual visual effects. That’s why I like this tour for Northern Lights seekers. You’re outside for the key moments, and the setup naturally gives you sky access.

Price and Value: Is $134 for 2 Hours Fair?

At $134 per person for a 2-hour experience, this is not a budget add-on. So the real question is what you’re paying for.

You’re paying for:

• the ferry transport to Viðey island
• a live English guide and guided walking time
• outdoor experience support, including flashlights and crampons if needed
• the chance to see a special art installation lit on specific dates and evenings

Compared to a generic city tour, this price is higher because you’re getting access to a place that requires boat transport and because winter operations are harder. Compared to other premium experiences in Reykjavík, it often feels reasonable because the core is simple, focused, and time-efficient. It’s two hours, not half a day, and it’s not a long slog of waiting.

Where the value can drop slightly is what’s not included. Pickup is not included, and refreshments are not included. That means you may want to plan to cover your own warm drinks or snacks elsewhere, and you’ll likely want to spend extra on good cold-weather gear if you arrive underdressed.

What to Bring, What to Wear, and What to Leave Behind

This is where people either have a great time or spend the tour thinking about how cold they are.

The tour’s main advice is simple:

• bring warm clothing
• wear comfortable shoes
• expect the outing to be outdoors and exposed

It also mentions flashlights and crampons are provided if needed, which is a thoughtful touch for icy conditions. Even with that help, you’ll still want traction-ready footwear and layers you can adjust if you start to overheat.

Also note the rule about luggage: luggage or large bags are not allowed. So pack like you’re going for a winter walk with a few short stops, not like you’re moving into temporary housing.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Skip It)

This works especially well if:

• you want something meaningful and different from the usual Reykjavík checklist
• you enjoy art with a message, not just a landmark
• you travel in the colder months when the tower is lit for those fixed seasonal windows
• you like short tours that still feel like an event

It might not be the best match if:

• you have mobility needs that make outdoor walking difficult, since it’s not suitable for wheelchair users
• you hate cold and wind, because you’ll be outside before and after the ferry ride

If you’re the type who loves a guided story and a clear reason to be outside after dinner, this is a strong choice.

Should You Book the Imagine Peace Tower Tour?

I’d book it if you’re traveling during the lighting season and you want a short, guided winter experience with real atmosphere. The tower lighting schedule from 9 October through 8 December, plus the Winter Solstice to New Year period and the Spring Equinox week, gives you specific windows where the tour payoff is highest.

Skip it, or at least rethink it, if you’re hoping for a fully comfortable indoor-style tour, or if your travel style requires fully accessible routes. The experience is built around being outdoors, and the guide support like flashlights and crampons helps, but it can’t change that basic reality.

If you can handle winter conditions, this tour gives you a rare mix: a glowing peace message, Reykjavík views from the water and island, and a genuine chance at the Northern Lights on the right night.

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. You will exchange your ticket there before heading to the boats.

What is included in the tour price?

It includes a live English guide, the ferry experience to Viðey and the guided walking portion. Flashlights and crampons are provided if needed.

Is pickup included?

No, pickup is not included.

Are refreshments included?

Refreshments are not included.

When is the Imagine Peace Tower lit during the year?

It lights up every year from 9 October through 8 December. It also appears from the Winter Solstice to New Year, for one week during the Spring Equinox, and on a few other selected dates.

Can I see the Northern Lights on this tour?

You will look out for the aurora borealis, and if you are lucky, you might see the Northern Lights during the tour.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No, the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

If you want, tell me what month you’re going and roughly what time of day you want to do this, and I’ll help you decide whether the lighting schedule lines up with your trip.