Reykjavik: 2-Hour Imagine Peace Tower Tour

Peace can look surprisingly practical at night.

On this 2-hour Imagine Peace Tower tour, you take a short ferry from Reykjavík’s old harbor to Viðey Island to see Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s world-peace artwork, plus the views back over the city. I like that the tour ties together art, people, and the Arctic setting instead of treating the tower like a quick photo stop. One thing to plan for: this is outdoors, it can be very windy and icy, and the timing matters because the tower only lights up on specific dates.

What makes it especially worthwhile is how it’s paced for real life in Iceland: a small group (one reviewer noted just six people) and a guide who keeps the story moving along the island walk. I also like that you get a genuine chance to see the Northern Lights, not just from Reykjavik’s streets, but out on the water and near the shoreline. If you’re sensitive to cold, or you hate standing around in the dark, this may feel like a long wait even though the tour itself is short.

The logistics are simple, but there’s no hand-holding for comfort beyond the basics. You’re told to bring warm clothing, and luggage or large bags aren’t allowed, plus pickup and refreshments aren’t listed as included. Since it’s not suitable for wheelchair users, count on uneven ground and a bit of walking throughout.

Key things I’d bet on before you go

• Viðey Island lighting dates: the tower is lit from 9 October to 8 December, plus it can appear around the Winter Solstice through New Year, around the Spring Equinox for about a week, and on a few extra selected nights.
• Aurora viewing from the water: you’ll be out on the ferry near the time you’d normally be chasing the lights on land.
• Small-group feel: expect an intimate size; at least one group was reported as six people.
• Island stops, not just the tower: the walk can include viewpoints, plus Viðeyjarkirkja Church and a stop at Viðey house where some guests report hot chocolate and klenät.
• Weather becomes part of the show: guides explain how wind and conditions affect how bright the tower looks in the night sky.
• Cold-weather gear if needed: flashlights and crampons are provided if required.

Meet at Reykjavík Old Harbor: Elding in the downtown pocket

Your tour starts at the Elding ticket office, in the middle of Reykjavík’s old harbor. It’s an easy walk—about 300 meters—from the downtown Tourist Information Centre, which matters because you don’t want stress before you’re standing outside in winter wind.

Plan to arrive early enough to exchange your ticket before you head to the boats. The tour runs with a live English-speaking guide, so you’ll want your basics sorted first: layers on, shoes tied, and your meeting point not treated like a last-second scavenger hunt.

This setup is also practical for anyone mixing the tower with other Reykjavik plans. You don’t need a long bus ride to begin the experience—you’re already in the right district for both ferry departures and later nighttime viewing.

One more note that helps: luggage or large bags aren’t allowed. If you’re arriving in town with bulky gear, consider rearranging your day so you travel light during this outing.

The 20-minute ferry to Viðey: where the night starts

Once you’re checked in, the group boards a ferry for about 20 minutes to Viðey Island. That short time window is a big part of why this tour works: you’re not committing to hours of boat travel just to reach one viewpoint.

I like that the journey itself is part of the experience. If the aurora is active, you’re positioned out on the water where you can sometimes see it more clearly than between streetlights. One guest even described seeing the Northern Lights from the boat and having music played while they watched near the tower.

Onboard, you’ll have the guide’s context for what you’re about to see. It’s not just “here’s the artwork.” The explanation gives you a lens for the piece—why it exists, what it’s trying to do, and how the tower’s light changes with the Iceland sky.

Ferry rides also tend to make your senses wake up fast. Salt air, wind in your jacket, the hush of open water—this is the kind of start that sets the tone for a reflective nighttime stop.

Guided walk on the island: church, house, and a viewpoint

After you land, you’ll do a guided walk around Viðey. The guide brings you along with “interesting stops en route,” which is a polite way of saying you’re not marching straight to the tower and back.

A big value here is that you’re on the island for more than one photograph. In descriptions from guests, the route can include climbing up to a viewing point, visiting Viðeyjarkirkja Church, and stopping at Viðey house. Some guests report hot chocolate and klenät there to warm up—useful if you’re the type who gets cold fast.

Why this matters: the island itself adds texture to the Lennon-and-Ono story. The artwork isn’t just plopped onto a random rock; you’re surrounded by a real place with its own rhythm, architecture, and stillness. Even if clouds roll in, the walk keeps you busy and gives you meaning beyond the moment you see the tower lights.

Drawback to keep in mind: you’re outside, and the footing can be icy. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and the tour may provide flashlights and crampons if conditions call for it.

The Imagine Peace Tower up close: light that changes with weather

The main event is the Imagine Peace Tower, positioned on Viðey Island and designed to be seen as part of the night sky. The key thing you’ll learn is that this piece isn’t “lights-on = done.” It’s timed, and it behaves differently depending on the air and weather.

The tower’s lighting schedule is a major reason to pick the right date. Each year it lights up from 9 October (John Lennon’s birthday) through 8 December (the day of his death). It can also appear around the Winter Solstice through New Year for about a week, and during a Spring Equinox period for one week, plus a handful of other selected dates.

That timing turns your planning into a small treasure hunt, in a good way. If you’re traveling in October to early December, the tower is much more likely to be lit. If you’re traveling around solstice or equinox, your odds depend on those selected dates and exact operating windows.

What you’ll notice during the visit is the way weather can shape the light. Guests describe mist making light look almost magical, including rainbow-like effects on the water or in the air. The guide also connects that to why Yoko Ono wanted the work to give encouragement and a sense of solidarity—because fear and confusion feel louder when the world is cold and gray, and this offers a steady counter-message.

And yes, you’re still there to see the aurora if it happens. The tower and aurora can both be part of the same night mood—when conditions cooperate.

Dates and meaning: why Lennon’s campaign still drives the show

This tour isn’t just a sightseeing outing. The guide focuses on the continuing peace message behind the artwork, tied to the Lennon and Ono campaign.

That’s why the dates matter so much. Lighting begins on 9 October, matching Lennon’s birthday, then runs through 8 December, marking the day of his death. You’re watching a memorial-like message play out in the Icelandic night across the season, which gives the tower a different emotional weight than a standard landmark.

The tour also ties the art to the nature around it. In plain terms, Iceland weather is never passive. The wind and changing visibility influence what you see and how strong the tower’s light looks. That’s not a “bad weather” problem—it’s part of the effect. On a clear night you’ll get crisp views; when it’s misty you might get softer, stranger visuals.

One more human detail: guests gave high praise to named staff, including Lucas (praised as awesome) and Captain Mike (praised as great). That tells me the company likely puts real effort into the onboard experience, not just getting you onto the island.

Northern Lights chances: how this tour improves your odds

Let’s be honest: seeing the Northern Lights is never guaranteed. But this tour improves the odds in a practical way.

First, you’re on the water for part of the outing, away from some of the immediate street glow. Second, you spend enough time near the right kind of viewing conditions—still outdoors at night, not tucked inside a warm vehicle.

Guests who had good timing reported seeing the aurora during the tour. Others mentioned extremely windy and cold conditions, with the guide working hard to help people stay comfortable and safe. So even if the aurora doesn’t show, the night isn’t “just waiting in the dark.” You’re walking, learning, and stopping in meaningful places.

If the aurora does appear, don’t overthink it. Look up, give your eyes time to adjust, and keep your jacket zipped. The aurora can be subtle at first, so the best move is simply to stay present and steady.

And one practical bonus: because the group is on a short, defined tour schedule, you avoid the trap of wandering around Reykjavik hoping the lights show up while you freeze.

What to pack (and what to wear) for wind and ice

This is an outdoor tour in Iceland. The tour description says warm clothing, and you’ll hear it echoed by experience: wind can hit hard, and ice can show up.

Bring layers you can move in, not just a heavy coat. Think warmth at the torso plus windproof outer protection. The tour can provide flashlights and crampons if needed, but you still need to show up dressed for the outside. Comfortable shoes matter because you’ll be walking and climbing at least to a viewpoint in many routes.

If you tend to get cold hands, pack something warm for that too. Even a “short” tour can feel long when you’re standing still for night viewing.

Also plan for the bag rule. Luggage or large bags aren’t allowed, so don’t show up with a huge backpack unless you’re sure it fits the operator’s expectations for what’s allowed.

A small but important mindset: if you’re going for aurora, your reward is in patience. You don’t need to run around. Dress well, stand where the guide directs, and enjoy the story as part of the waiting.

Price and value: what $134 buys you in real terms

At $134 per person for a 2-hour tour, this isn’t a budget add-on. You’re paying for a bundle of things that are hard to DIY: ferry access, a guided walk on the island, and interpretation around a specific artwork with precise lighting windows.

For me, the value comes from three places:

• Time-efficient access: you don’t spend half a day getting out there.
• Context: the guide ties the tower to Lennon and Yoko Ono’s peace campaign, and explains the island elements so you leave with more than a picture.
• Night viewing logistics: you’re positioned for aurora viewing without needing to gamble on perfect self-planning.

That said, two practical cautions affect value. Pickup is not included, so factor in how you’ll get to the meeting point on time. Refreshments are also not listed as included, even though some guests describe warming up with hot chocolate and klenät on the island—so don’t count on that as guaranteed.

If you’re traveling during a period when the tower is lit, the “payoff” is higher. The tour becomes more than a ferry ride—it becomes a timed art-and-nature event.

Who should book this tour (and who shouldn’t)

This tour fits best if you want a meaningful Reykjavik night, not a random nighttime stroll.

You’ll likely enjoy it if you:

• are interested in Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s peace message
• want a guided night walk with stops beyond the tower
• care about panoramic views of Reykjavik from the island
• want a serious shot at the Northern Lights without building a whole aurora plan yourself

It may be a poor fit if:

• you have mobility limits that make uneven outdoor walking hard
• you dislike cold-weather waiting (the night can be windy)
• you plan to travel with large luggage (not allowed)

Wheelchair users aren’t suitable, so if you need accessibility accommodations, look for different experiences in Reykjavik that match your needs.

One last pointer: if you’re going around the tower’s peak lighting season (9 October to 8 December), you’re aligning your trip with the work’s built-in meaning. That’s when the experience feels the most intentional.

Should you book the Imagine Peace Tower tour?

If your dates line up with the tower’s lighting periods, I’d strongly consider booking. This is a short tour that combines the ferry, the island walk, major art, church-and-house stops, and a real aurora-watching chance.

Book it if you want your Reykjavík night to have purpose—peace artwork with an Arctic sky payoff. Skip it if you’re not into cold outdoor time, or if your schedule is so tight you’ll be stressed finding the meeting point and staying warm.

If you do book, give yourself extra time to dress properly, keep your bag situation simple, and listen closely to the guide. The tower is impressive, but the story—and the way the light interacts with the weather—is what makes this tour worth your two hours.

FAQ

How long is the Imagine Peace Tower tour?

It lasts 2 hours total.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík, no more than a 300-meter walk from the downtown Tourist Information Centre. You’ll exchange your ticket there before heading to the boats.

Is pickup included?

No, pickup is not included.

Will I have a chance to see the Northern Lights?

You might see the Northern Lights. The tour includes outdoor time, and one advantage is that you’re also out on the water during the ferry portion of the experience.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and plan on comfortable shoes for walking outdoors.

Is luggage allowed?

No—luggage or large bags are not allowed.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.