There’s something quietly powerful about seeing the Imagine Peace Tower glow out over Reykjavík from Viðey Island. I love how this trip mixes art, the John Lennon/Yoko Ono peace message, and Iceland’s weather into one night plan, and I also like that you might time it for the Northern Lights. One watch-out: it’s an outdoor, cold, often windy ride, and you’ll walk a bit on uneven ground, so bring serious warmth.

Why the lighting schedule matters (and how it shapes your visit)

The tower isn’t lit year-round in the same way. It turns on each evening from 9 October (Lennon’s birthday) through 8 December (the day of his death), then it comes back from the Winter Solstice to the New Year, and it appears for a week around the Spring Equinox plus a few extra selected dates. That means your calendar planning affects how magical the whole experience feels.

Meet the crew, then sail out into the dark

You’ll start at Reykjavík’s old harbor area and head to Viðey by ferry—about a 20-minute crossing—before a guided walk on the island. The tour includes loaner flashlights and crampons if needed, and you’re set up to enjoy the tower at night, when the air, mist, and wind can change how the light looks on the water.

Key takeaways before you book

• Timed lighting dates (9 Oct–8 Dec, winter solstice–New Year, plus Spring Equinox week) can make or break the glow factor.
• Small-group feel: one visit ran as an intimate group of 6, which keeps the pace human.
• Viðey Island stops beyond the tower, including a viewing point, Viðeyjarkirkja Church, and Viðey House where you may warm up.
• Northern Lights possible from the ferry and around Viðey, not just from shore.
• Guides like Lucas and Captain Mike can make the story feel personal, not like a lecture.
• Weather is part of the show, so pack for wind and ice even if the forecast looks fine.

Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey: what this 2-hour night trip really feels like

This tour is built around one simple idea: art + message + night air. The Imagine Peace Tower sits on Viðey Island and lights the evening sky during specific seasonal dates. When it’s on, you’re not just sightseeing—you’re stepping into a cultural moment that connects Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s ongoing peace campaign with the actual landscape and weather of Iceland.

What I like most is how the experience doesn’t treat the tower as a postcard. Your guide weaves the story of Yoko Ono and Lennon into what you’re seeing, and the timing turns the tower into a sort of nighttime landmark for Reykjavík. You’ll also spend enough time outside to really feel the cold air and the sea wind, which sounds like a complaint but is actually part of why the lights can look so crisp.

The other big plus: you get the “big view” stage and the “up close” stage. You’ll have chances for panoramic Reykjavík sightlines, then you’ll move toward the tower itself.

Reykjavík old harbor start: finding Elding and boarding without stress

You meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, right in the Reykjavík area near the downtown Tourist Information Centre (a short walk away). You swap your ticket before you go to the boats, so arrive with a little buffer instead of sprinting in full winter gear ten minutes before departure.

The ferry ride is about 20 minutes. In practice, that means you’re not stuck in transit all night—you’re moving from the city into the island zone quickly, which helps when you’re cold. And the water crossing matters for another reason: if the aurora is active, you might catch it from the ferry.

One detail I appreciate: this is run by Elding Adventure at Sea, and the service rhythm tends to feel efficient. On at least one trip, the boats were right on time and the staff was ready for boarding, which helps the whole evening feel smooth.

Guided walk to the tower: story stops en route, not just one viewpoint

After you land on Viðey, you’ll follow your guide on a walk that includes interesting stops along the route. This is where the tour turns from transport into an experience with shape.

You’re learning about the peace message and the thinking behind the tower while also taking in the island setting. That combination is the point: the tower is the headline, but the island walk is where the night gains context. Iceland’s light changes quickly after sunset, and the guide uses the surroundings as part of the interpretation instead of treating them like background.

The pace matters here because it’s cold. Guides can vary, but on trips that included Lucas and other guide-led commentary, the tone sounds friendly and story-forward rather than stiff. You’ll want comfortable shoes because you’re walking on the island surface with real footing concerns in winter conditions.

The Imagine Peace Tower up close: why the light looks different at night

Once you reach the tower area, you’re in the heart of it. The Imagine Peace Tower is a distinctive, minimalist structure designed to glow in the night sky during those key dates. In many seasons, it’s the main reason people plan a trip to Viðey after dark.

What makes it special is how it interacts with the conditions. Fog, mist, wind, and the way light refracts off sea air can change the look dramatically. Some visits have had mist so thick that it created rainbow-like wave effects around the lights. That’s not something you can schedule, but it’s exactly why this works as an evening plan: nature is an active participant.

You’ll also have time for a viewing point with better sightlines. That’s how you get both stages of the experience—Reykjavík panoramas from above or at a distance, then the more intimate close-up view once you’re closer to the tower.

Viðey island extras: the church, Viðey House, and warming up

The best tours don’t stop at one photo spot. This one typically layers in more island history and warmth.

On visits that included the full island loop, you may see Viðeyjarkirkja Church and also visit Viðey House. One example even included hot chocolate and klenät—those Icelandic donuts—for a proper warm-up before the ride back. Even if you’re not a huge food person, this matters because it makes the cold feel like a manageable part of the evening, not the whole point.

The church stop is a nice contrast to the tower. The tower is contemporary message-driven art; the church adds a more grounded sense of island life and continuity. If you like tours that mix meanings—art + place + time—you’ll probably enjoy this structure.

Northern Lights odds: where you might spot the aurora

This tour doesn’t promise the aurora. But it’s genuinely positioned for a chance. You’re out over dark water and away from Reykjavík lights, and the ferry ride and island time both give you opportunities to look up.

In one visit, people saw the Northern Lights from the boat, which is a good reminder: if the sky is active, you don’t necessarily need to wait until you reach a land viewpoint. Also, on a night with heavy wind or icy conditions, your best “aurora strategy” is staying flexible—look when you’re able, rather than locking in on one spot for the entire time.

If you’re the type who only relaxes when everything is perfect, set expectations now. Iceland weather can turn a comfortable night into a bracing one quickly, and that’s part of the value of having the right gear and a guide managing the flow.

Price value at $134: what you’re paying for (and what you’re not)

At $134 per person for a 2-hour experience, you’re paying for a focused package: ferry ride, guided time on Viðey, and access to the night viewing of the tower on the island. You’re not paying just for a generic sightseeing walk.

The value gets stronger if the tower is lit during your dates, because then the entire trip hinges on something unique: the glow is not transferable to another day in Reykjavík. Also, the inclusion of flashlights and crampons if needed is a quiet cost-saver and a comfort factor in bad conditions.

What’s not included is equally important. There’s no pick-up, and refreshments aren’t listed as included in the base info. Still, you might find warming snacks or drinks during your island time (for example, hot chocolate and klenät have shown up on trips), so it’s worth keeping an open mind without assuming it’s guaranteed every time.

For who this is best:

• Night-sky fans who want a structured plan that includes the water crossing
• People who care about art tied to real message and history figures (Yoko Ono and John Lennon)
• Anyone comfortable with cold weather and short walks in winter terrain

Timing, timing, timing: how to plan around lighting dates and daylight

Because the Imagine Peace Tower has specific lighting windows, your trip planning matters. If you’re in Iceland during 9 October–8 December, you’re aligning with Lennon’s birthday through the day of his death. If your dates fall closer to the Winter Solstice through New Year, the tower can also be a standout night moment.

If you’re visiting during the Spring Equinox week window, you might catch it when the days are longer but still dark enough for the night effect. For other selected dates, the tower may light, but you’ll want to check your exact travel window when you book.

Also, keep in mind that this is a night-focused experience. Some people may wish they’d also seen the island during daylight to spot birds and get a clearer view of the island habitat. You can do that by pairing this trip with another daytime outing in Reykjavík—plan to mix “night magic” with “day context.”

What to pack: warmth, shoes, and the gear the tour provides

This is an outdoor tour, and Iceland weather loves drama. Warm clothing isn’t optional—it’s the difference between enjoying the moment and spending the night counting minutes until you can warm up again.

A few practical notes:

• Wear comfortable shoes with reliable traction.
• Bring warm layers, and don’t underestimate wind.
• If conditions are slippery, you can be issued crampons and you’ll also have flashlights available if needed.

If you run hot, you can still keep layers manageable by dressing like you’re going to a cold concert: warm base, insulation layer, and an outer shell. You’ll be moving and stopping, so you want flexibility.

Should you book the Imagine Peace Tower 2-hour tour?

Book it if you want a night experience that feels different from the standard Reykjavík routine. The tower lighting on Viðey Island is the main draw, and when it’s on, it becomes the kind of simple, quiet visual that stays with you. You also get a structured ferry-and-walk plan, plus the possibility of Northern Lights from the boat.

Skip (or at least think twice) if you hate cold outdoor walking, can’t handle windy conditions, or need wheelchair-friendly access. This tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users based on the provided information, and the terrain is part of the experience.

If you’re flexible with your date and your priority is a memorable Iceland night moment, this is a solid use of your limited hours.

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, Iceland. It’s in central Reykjavík and about a 5-minute walk from the downtown Tourist Information Centre.

Do they offer pick-up from your hotel?

No pick-up is included.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing. Comfortable shoes are recommended since it’s an outdoor tour.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Is the Northern Lights viewing guaranteed?

No. The tour says you might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights, and you can also look for them from the ferry if they are active.

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