A peace tower on an island feels personal. This is an evening trip out of Reykjavik where a guide brings the story of Viðey Island to life, then you walk in the dark to see the Imagine Peace Tower lit up on the coast. I like that you get both the art and the setting: a boat ride from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, a quiet island walk, and a video narration tied to world peace by Yoko Ono.

Two things I’d call out right away. First, I love the way the tour mixes atmosphere with meaning, especially when guides like Megan, Rob, Emily, and Sila steer the night with clear context and good pacing. Second, I appreciate the practical touches included for Iceland weather: hot drinks plus flash lights and crampons if needed. The main drawback is the physical reality of the evening: it involves walking on an unpaved road and a steep climb to a viewing platform, so it’s not ideal if mobility is limited.

What makes this tour worth your time

Lit tower views from a remote island: It’s the difference between seeing a photo and seeing a real beam in the night sky.

Small group feel (max 20): You tend to get more attention and a smoother pace on a cold walk.

Yoko Ono video narration: The peace-message context is part of the experience, not an afterthought.

Weather-ready gear: Flash lights and crampons are provided if conditions demand it.

Northern Lights chances: The timing and dark sky can turn the tour into a bonus spectacle.

Why the lit Imagine Peace Tower works so well at night

The Imagine Peace Tower doesn’t just look dramatic. It changes how you notice the whole shoreline. On Viðey Island, the tower’s lighting has a clean, focused quality that makes the night feel wider and quieter around you.

You also get a useful kind of perspective. Reykjavik is a city full of bright life, but this tour shifts you into a setting where sound carries differently and you naturally slow down. That matters because the whole point is world peace art in a very real place, not just a landmark photo stop.

Guides often shape the tone here by connecting the island, the history, and the idea behind the memorial. I’ve seen the impact of that style of guiding in how people describe their night as moving, not just scenic. If you’re the type who likes a thoughtful guide, you’ll likely enjoy this more than a quick, silent sightseeing stop.

Getting there from Reykjavik Old Harbour: the boat ride setup

The evening starts with a cruise from Reykjavik Old Harbour out to Viðey Island. Even before you step onto the island, you’re already in a different rhythm: bundled up, watching the coastline change, and listening for the shift from city noise to open water quiet.

This is also where the night can start stacking up bonuses. Some nights bring clear Northern Lights activity, and the group’s first views can happen as you approach the island area. If you’re cold-prone, bring that instinct in early and plan to stay warm before the main walk.

One practical tip: the boat experience works best if you’re ready to move a bit for sightlines. If there’s a comfortable place on your vessel where you can see out more clearly, take it when the captain allows. You’ll be glad you did when the sky turns dramatic.

The island walk: crampons, flash lights, and why timing matters

Once you land, you follow your guide to the tower area. This is the part to respect. You’ll be walking on an unpaved road, and you’ll face a steep climb to a viewing platform. In Iceland, it only takes one slick patch or patchy snow to turn a “short walk” into a slow, careful one.

The good news is that this operator includes flash lights and provides crampons if needed. That’s not just helpful; it’s confidence-building. You’re not left guessing whether you’ll survive the footing. Still, you should bring sturdy footwear and keep your warm layers ready.

Dress for the walk, not for the city dinner later. Expect wind, changing light, and cold that creeps into gloves and collars. The tour recommends warm jacket, thermals, hat, scarf, and gloves, plus sturdy footwear. I like that they also tell you weather can change quickly, because it keeps you mentally prepared rather than surprised.

Imagine Peace Tower viewing: what the guide focuses on

Your main stop is at the Imagine Peace Tower, where the guide explains the tower’s peace message and the history tied to the island it stands on. This is not a “stand near the beam for a minute” situation. Your guide’s job is to help you understand what you’re looking at and why this location matters.

A few themes come up again and again in how people describe the experience: the feeling of a memorial placed in the open, the way the lighting frames the surroundings, and the connection to broader peace ideas. When the narration and the guide’s framing click, the tower becomes more than a visual.

You’ll also have time for photos and quiet watching. The tower lighting is designed to be seen from a distance, and people love capturing the beam against the dark sky. If you’re photographing, keep your hands warm enough to work your camera controls. Cold fingers lead to blurry attempts and dropped gear, and that’s avoidable.

One more thoughtful detail: some guide stories include the island’s wider ecosystem and the marine environment around Viðey. That’s a nice bonus layer for people who love nature as much as art, and it gives you something to pay attention to besides the tower itself.

The Yoko Ono narration and the church stop you might not expect

A standout feature is the video narration about the tower and world peace by Yoko Ono. Hearing it in the right place and at the right hour changes the pacing of the walk. It turns the tower viewing into a guided experience with a clear emotional thread.

Many people also mention a church on the island as part of the night’s walking route. It’s described as quiet and small, and it’s the kind of stop that breaks the monotony of just looking outward. Even if you’re not a Beatles or Lennon fan, this can be a compelling moment because it adds a human scale to the memorial setting.

Expect music too. Some nights include Imagine playing as the tower lights up, which works well with the dark-water mood. That combination is what makes the whole evening feel like a tribute, not just a scenic detour.

If you’re the type who cares about every promised element, note this: one person was disappointed about an element tied to the tour’s description. The tour does include the video narration by Yoko Ono, but if you’re specifically hoping for an extra peace-message or writing feature, it’s smart to confirm what’s available on the night you book.

Warm drinks on the return: small comfort, big effect

Before heading back, you warm up with a hot drink—hot chocolate, coffee, or tea. That’s not a throwaway perk. After wind, cold, and night walking, warmth resets your whole body.

It also makes the return cruise feel less like a scramble to get warm and more like a chance to enjoy the trip closing. People often describe the return as a second chance for Northern Lights sightings. When the sky cooperates, you’re in a better mood for watching because you’re not trying to fight off the chill.

I love this part because it’s functional hospitality. You don’t have to find a café mid-adventure; you’re taken care of before you’re done with the outdoors.

Price, time, and what you actually get for $120

At about $120 per person for an evening tour around two hours, you’re paying for more than just a ticket to see a light. You’re paying for guided interpretation, a boat transfer out and back, and included warmth and safety gear for the walk.

This is where value matters. You’re not only viewing a tower from a roadside. You’re getting:

• Cruise from Reykjavik Old Harbour to Viðey Island
• A guided walk to the remote viewing area
• Yoko Ono video narration as part of the experience
• Hot drink included
• Flash lights and crampons if conditions require

Food and drinks beyond the hot drink aren’t included, so plan around that. If you want a full dinner after, do it before the tour or grab something afterward. The tour is built to keep you moving and comfortable, not to be a meal replacement.

The duration is also nicely efficient. Two hours is long enough to feel like an event, but short enough that you won’t spend your whole evening in cold weather. If you’ve got limited night-time energy, this length is a good match.

Who should book this Imagine Peace Tower tour

This is a great fit if you want a meaningful, art-and-nature experience that’s more than a photo stop. It’s also a solid option for Lennon and Beatles fans, because the tribute angle is real and the narration/music support that emotional layer.

If you love small-group travel, you’ll likely appreciate the limited group size—up to 20 travelers—and the way the guides can keep everyone together on a dark island walk.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility. The route includes a walk on an unpaved road and a steep climb to a viewing platform. Even if you’re determined, it’s hard to make that safe or comfortable without a tour designed for mobility needs.

If you’re going specifically for Northern Lights, keep expectations realistic. You can improve your odds just by booking an evening tour with a dark-sky setting, but the sky is always the sky. The good part is that the tour can still be memorable even if the lights stay hidden.

Practical tips to make the night easier

I’d treat this like an Iceland night hike, with a memorial at the end. Bring:

• Warm jacket plus thermals
• Hat, scarf, and gloves that actually cover well
• Sturdy, grippy footwear
• A small willingness to walk a bit slower than you planned

If it has snow or ice on the ground, take it seriously. The tour provides crampons if conditions call for it, but you’ll still want stable boots so the crampons can do their job.

Photo tip: prepare your camera settings in your warm layers, not after your fingers go numb. And if you see the lights in the sky, prioritize watching for a minute before firing off a dozen shots. The tower beam is the star, and it’s easier to photograph when you’re paying attention to timing and focus.

Should you book this tour from Reykjavik?

Book it if you want a moving evening activity that combines boat travel, a remote island walk, and a peace-focused memorial with Yoko Ono narration. It’s also worth it if you enjoy when guides bring context and pacing, not just a route.

Skip it—or pick a different activity—if you’re not comfortable with unpaved paths, darkness, and a steep climb. The included flash lights and crampons help, but they don’t change the basic effort.

If you’re visiting in conditions where the sky can surprise you, you’ll love the chance to see the Imagine Peace Tower lit up with Northern Lights overhead. Even when the lights don’t show, the idea of a world-peace tribute out on Viðey Island is unforgettable in its own quiet way.

FAQ

How long is the Imagine Peace Tower tour from Reykjavik?

The tour is about 2 hours, with the timing depending on the evening conditions.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included in the price?

You get a professional guide, a hot chocolate/coffee/tea, and flash lights. Crampons are provided if needed.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Do I need to bring crampons?

You don’t need to bring your own. Crampons are provided if conditions call for it.

What should I wear for the evening on Viðey Island?

Wear warm layers for changing weather: a warm jacket, thermals, hat, scarf, gloves, and sturdy footwear. Weather can change quickly.

What happens if the tour can’t run due to poor weather or low demand?

If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If it’s canceled because the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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