Imagine Peace Tower Tour on Viðey island | John Lennon tribute

The best part of this outing is the setting: a dark, quiet island, a beam of light rising into the Icelandic night, and Reykjavik glowing across the water. Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower is moving on its own, but the ferry ride and lonely walk across Viðey make it feel far more personal than a quick city attraction.

I like the small-group feel, which can be as intimate as four people, though the maximum is 20. I also like the simple comforts: a hot chocolate, coffee, or tea after the walk, plus flashlights and crampons when conditions require them. Guides including Emily, Megan, Rob, Sila, and Knut have been praised for bringing extra detail to the island, the memorial, and even the marine life around it.

The main catch is the walking. The route follows an unpaved road in the dark and includes a steep climb to a viewing platform. The walk felt longer than expected for some people, so this is not a good choice if you have limited mobility or want a gentle, fully paved evening.

Key points at a glance

• A night ferry to Viðey: Leave Reykjavik Old Harbour and cross to a remote island with city views across the water.
• The Imagine Peace Tower lit overhead: The memorial sends a column of light into the sky, often made more striking by snow, mist, or darkness.
• A guided island walk: Learn about Viðey, the tower, the small church, and the meaning behind the installation.
• Northern Lights are a possible bonus: Several outings have combined the tower’s beam with aurora displays, but this is never guaranteed.
• Warm drinks after the walk: Hot chocolate, coffee, or tea are included before the return boat.
• Dress for real Icelandic weather: Warm layers, a hat, scarf, gloves, and sturdy shoes matter more than stylish clothes here.

Why the Imagine Peace Tower feels different at night

The Imagine Peace Tower is not a conventional monument. It is a powerful column of light created by Yoko Ono in memory of John Lennon, and it carries the words Imagine Peace in several languages around its base. At night, the beam reaches upward from Viðey and becomes the focus of the whole island.

That darkness is important. During the day, Viðey is a pleasant place for walking and views of Reykjavik. In the evening, the island feels remote and almost hushed. The creak of the dock, cold wind, open ground, and distant city lights all become part of the experience.

You do not need to be a Beatles fan to appreciate the memorial. The idea is direct and easy to understand, and the location gives it room to breathe. If you already care about Lennon and Ono, the visit may feel deeply personal. If you do not, you can still value the art, the quiet, and the unusual chance to visit a nearly empty island after dark.

Leaving Reykjavik Old Harbour for Viðey

The tour begins at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point. The tour ends there as well after the return crossing.

The boat ride is short enough to fit comfortably into a two-hour outing, but it gives the evening a proper sense of occasion. Rather than simply walking to a memorial in town, you cross the water and leave the city behind. From the boat, you can see Reykjavik from a different angle, and the approach to the island is part of the fun.

One especially good possibility is the Northern Lights. The guides have spotted aurora displays during the crossing, sometimes from the upper level of the boat, with the green or white lights appearing near the beam from the memorial. That combination can be spectacular, but keep expectations sensible. The Northern Lights depend on conditions, and a clear sky is never promised.

The boat crew has also received praise for being friendly and careful. The group size is capped at 20, though some departures are much smaller. A four-person group can feel almost private, while eight people still leaves plenty of room for questions and conversation.

Walking across the island in the dark

Once you reach Viðey, you follow the guide along an unpaved road toward the tower. This is not a quick dockside photo stop. The walk is a central part of the experience, and you should expect darkness, cold wind, uneven ground, and a climb to a viewing platform.

Flashlights are supplied. Crampons are also available if icy conditions call for them. Even so, wear sturdy footwear with good grip. A warm jacket and thermals are not overkill, particularly if you are visiting during the colder months. Add a hat, scarf, and gloves, since you may spend time standing still outdoors while the guide explains the memorial.

The walk has a quiet charm. You are not moving through a busy attraction with shops and crowds. You are walking through open island surroundings, listening to the guide and watching the city lights fade behind you. Some people find the walk longer than expected, so allow for a steady pace rather than treating this as a short stroll.

If your balance is poor or you have difficulty with steep, unpaved paths, take the accessibility warning seriously. Most people can participate, but the route is not suitable for those with limited mobility.

Learning about Viðey, the church, and the memorial

A good part of the tour comes from the guide’s explanation of the island. The guides do more than point toward the light. They discuss Viðey, the tower, and the story behind its location.

Some guides also include a visit to the small church on the island. That adds a welcome change of mood. After the open, dark walk, stepping into a quiet historic building gives the tour another layer. The island is not just a platform for the light, but a place with its own character.

The individual guide can shape the evening. Emily and Megan have been praised for their friendly manner and clear explanations. Rob has been singled out for making the tower and the night especially engaging, while Knut added information about marine life around the island. Sila was also described as warm and informative despite difficult weather.

Guide assignments can change, so do not book expecting one particular person. Still, the range of feedback suggests that the guide is an important part of the experience. This is especially useful if you want context rather than a simple boat transfer and photo opportunity.

The supplied description includes a video narration from Yoko Ono about the tower and world peace. One account noted that the video was not shown, so the presentation may not be identical on every departure. If hearing directly from Ono is central to your decision, treat it as an advertised element that may be affected by the evening’s arrangements.

The tower, the beam, and the best photo moments

At the tower, the guide explains its meaning and gives you time to take in the installation. The beam itself is the star. It rises into the sky and can appear especially dramatic when snow, mist, or light rain catches the illumination.

You can also photograph the tower with Reykjavik behind it. The city view is one of the rewards of reaching the island, and the contrast between the memorial’s bright beam and the dark surroundings makes for striking pictures.

Several special combinations have occurred during these tours. Snow has made the light look more intense, rain has picked up the beam, and the Northern Lights have appeared around it. Those moments are luck, not a standard feature, but the dark island gives you a better chance of noticing the sky than a brightly lit city street.

The tour may also play Imagine near the memorial. That musical touch can feel heartfelt, though the mood will depend on your own connection to Lennon, Ono, and the peace message.

Hot drinks and the ride back

After the outdoor walk, the included hot chocolate, coffee, or tea is more than a small extra. Icelandic weather can turn a pleasant outing into a cold one quickly, and a warm drink gives you time to thaw before boarding the boat.

Do not expect a meal. Food and other drinks are not included, so eat beforehand if you need more than a cup of something hot. The experience is built around the island, the memorial, and the ferry crossing, not dinner.

The return boat brings you back to the original meeting point in the Old Harbour. If the sky is clear, keep watching during the crossing. The Northern Lights have appeared on the way back as well as on the outward journey, making the boat ride an unexpected second viewing spot.

Is $120 fair value?

At $120 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Reykjavik. You are paying for a guided boat trip, the island crossing, the walk, interpretation, safety equipment when needed, and a hot drink. The total duration is about two hours, so the price is fairly high if you measure value by time alone.

The value improves if you want a special evening rather than a standard sightseeing stop. You get access to a remote location, a memorial that is best seen after dark, and a small-group outing that can feel personal. The boat ride also changes the mood from ordinary city sightseeing to a more unusual Iceland experience.

I would not choose it solely because of the possibility of the Northern Lights. The aurora is an extra, not the product. Book it because you want to see the Imagine Peace Tower and Viðey at night. If the lights appear too, the evening becomes much more memorable.

The 92 percent recommendation rate and 4.5 rating suggest strong overall satisfaction, though the sample is not large. The main complaints are practical: a longer walk than expected, some dark and uneven sections, and uncertainty about whether every advertised presentation element appears each time.

Who should book this evening outing?

I would recommend it to:

• Beatles and John Lennon fans who want a meaningful tribute rather than a museum display
• People interested in public art and peace memorials
• Anyone looking for a quiet, unusual evening outside central Reykjavik
• Visitors who enjoy small-group tours and short boat rides
• Photographers hoping for the tower, city lights, snow, rain, or possible aurora
• People comfortable walking outdoors in cold, dark conditions

I would think twice if you want a fully accessible route, dislike uneven ground, or are looking for a warm indoor activity. It is also less suitable if you need a guaranteed Northern Lights sighting. No tour can provide that, and this outing should not be treated as an aurora tour.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Confirmation arrives at booking. The experience requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low numbers force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Imagine Peace Tower Tour?

Book it if the idea of standing beneath a peace memorial on a dark Icelandic island appeals to you. The ferry ride, the quiet walk, the church, the guide’s stories, and the hot drink make this more than a quick look at a light installation.

I especially like the fact that the tour does not depend on John Lennon fandom. The tower has a clear message, and Viðey gives the visit a sense of calm and distance from Reykjavik. Just prepare properly: warm layers, solid shoes, and a willingness to walk uphill in the dark.

Skip it if you need easy access, guaranteed aurora, or a low-cost activity. For the right person, though, this is one of Reykjavik’s more unusual night trips, with the chance of a truly memorable pairing: the Imagine Peace Tower above you and the Northern Lights beyond it.

FAQ

Where does the Imagine Peace Tower tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the original meeting point in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

What is included in the price?

A professional guide, the boat trip, hot chocolate, coffee, or tea, and flashlights are included. Crampons are provided if conditions require them.

Is food included?

No. Food and additional drinks are not included, although a hot drink is provided.

What should I wear?

Wear sturdy footwear, a warm jacket, thermals, a hat, scarf, and gloves. You should be prepared for quickly changing weather.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.