Peace tower lights up the Reykjavik night. This 2-hour small-group tour is one of the most unusual ways to spend an Iceland evening because you’re not just looking at a monument—you’re stepping into Yoko Ono and John Lennon’s world-peace message on Viðey Island. I particularly like the Imagine Peace Tower itself (its glow changes with the weather) and the fact that you’re out at night with a real shot at the Northern Lights. The trade-off? It’s an outdoor, cold, often windy experience, and it’s not suitable for wheelchair users.

You’ll start at Reykjavík’s old harbor, then take a 20-minute ferry to Viðey. On the island, an English-speaking guide leads a walk with stops that connect the art to the place—then you’ll pause for panoramic views back toward Reykjavík. On some departures, the island route also includes time around Viðeyjarkirkja Church and the nearby Viðey house area, with a warm break mentioned by previous visitors like hot chocolate and klenät.

The biggest practical tip is simple: dress like you mean it. The tour can provide flashlights and crampons if needed, but warm layers and sturdy shoes still matter. Also plan for no pickup and no included refreshments, so have a plan for before or after.

Key tour takeaways (what matters most)

• Imagine Peace Tower lighting windows are the whole point, with nightly illumination across set seasonal dates
• Small-group feel keeps it more story-and-views than a loud sightseeing stampede
• A 20-minute ferry from Reykjavík sets you up for aurora chances from the water
• Guided walk with island stops connects Yoko Ono and John Lennon to the nature around Viðey
• Cold-weather readiness is real: flashlights and crampons can be part of the deal
• Panoramic Reykjavík views add payoff even if the sky stays cloudy

Why the Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey feels more than a photo stop

The Imagine Peace Tower isn’t a building you walk through. It’s a message you witness, and that difference changes the whole mood of the tour.

The tower lights up every year on specific dates tied to John Lennon: from 9 October (Lennon’s birthday) through 8 December (the day of his death). It also appears again from the Winter Solstice to the New Year for one week, and for one week during the Spring Equinox, plus a few other selected dates. That date-based schedule is important because it’s the difference between seeing a quiet structure and seeing the tower doing what it’s meant to do—glowing in the Reykjavík night.

What I like most is how the tower’s impact isn’t static. The changing weather affects how bright and intense the light feels. In mist and wind, it can look extra alive, and the whole scene becomes part light, part atmosphere. This is exactly what Yoko Ono hoped for: the tower isn’t just decoration. It’s meant to encourage, inspire, and nudge a sense of solidarity in a world that can feel noisy and fearful.

And because it’s on Viðey, you get distance. It’s not trapped in the city’s lights. You’re on an island at night, looking back toward Reykjavík with the peace message hanging in the sky over the water.

Getting from Reykjavík to the island: the old harbor ferry moment

Most Reykjavik night tours feel like a bus problem. This one is the opposite: the start is calm and simple.

You meet at the Elding ticket office right in the center of Reykjavík, at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík. It’s described as a short walk—about 300 meters (5 minutes)—from the downtown Tourist Information Centre. From there you exchange your ticket and head to the boats.

Then you take a 20-minute ferry ride to Viðey. That chunk of time matters because it puts you out on the water before you’re in the cold air on land. If the sky is active, you can often spot aurora from the ferry area too, since you’re far enough from city glare to notice subtle movement.

One more small detail that helps set expectations: while you wait for boarding, you may be shown a short onboard video. For example, a whaling-related video has been mentioned by visitors during the waiting time, which is a nice way to connect Viðey to Iceland’s coastal story before you even step off the boat.

Walking the island and reaching the tower: views, footing, and pauses

Once you’re on Viðey, the tour becomes a guided walk. You’re with your English-speaking guide, and the route includes interesting stops en route—not just a straight line to the tower.

A couple of practical elements make this part worth your attention:

1. There’s usually a viewing point moment. Previous visitors describe walking up to an overlook point first, then continuing on toward the tower area. That order helps, because you can get Reykjavík in your frame before the tower steals the show up close.

1. Footing can be tricky in winter weather. The tour includes crampons if needed, plus flashlights. That’s not just “nice to have” gear. If the ground is icy, you’ll be glad they exist. Sturdy, comfortable shoes matter more than looking stylish.

1. Weather changes the feel of the light. Since the tower glow interacts with mist and wind, your guide’s timing and where you pause can affect what you see. This is also where the guide’s voice matters: they connect what you’re seeing to why it matters, instead of letting the night turn into random walking and hoping.

The island isn’t just scenery. It’s the setting for a message that’s meant to land emotionally, not just visually.

The 2-hour pacing: how art, nature, and the aurora fit together

Two hours sounds short. In Iceland, short can be perfect.

This tour is designed around a night rhythm: ferry out, guided island walk, tower viewing, and ferry back. The total duration is about 2 hours, so you’re not spending half your evening in transit. That matters if you’re also trying to do other Reykjavik basics like dinner, a city stroll, or a separate northern lights plan.

Here’s what you can expect during that window:

• Ferry to Viðey (about 20 minutes) early enough to get you settled for tower time
• Guided walk with small stops so the story keeps moving
• Time at the tower where you can look for the illumination and soak in the Reykjavík panorama
• Northern Lights watch built into the experience, not treated like an afterthought

If you’re lucky, the aurora will show itself. Many factors can block it—cloud cover, wind direction, and how strong the activity is that night. Still, the tour doesn’t waste your time. You’re already positioned for viewing, and you’ll have guidance on what to watch for.

Also, remember the tower is only lit in defined windows. If you’re traveling outside those seasons, you might still go to Viðey for the island and views, but you’ll want to check the illumination schedule first so you’re matching your visit to the tower’s active dates.

Northern Lights chances: what to do when the sky cooperates

Let’s keep it real: you cannot force aurora. But you can stack the odds in your favor.

This tour helps because:

• You’re out at night, not just photographing from a bright street.
• The ferry and island viewing areas can put you in the darker air away from Reykjavik glare.
• You’ll be with a guide, so you’re not guessing where to stand or when to look.

Practical advice:

• Wear warm layers and plan for wind. One visitor explicitly recommended wind pants—good advice in Reykjavík conditions.
• Bring a hood or something that blocks wind on your face. Eyebrows freeze fast.
• Keep your expectations flexible. Even when aurora isn’t dramatic, you might see faint movement or subtle color.

If the sky lights up, it can turn the tower viewing into a two-layer experience: a man-made light message, plus the natural light show overhead. That contrast is why the night element matters so much here.

Price and value: what $134 buys (and what it doesn’t)

At $134 per person for a 2-hour guided experience, you’re paying for three things: transportation, a guide, and access to a very specific setting.

Here’s how the value breaks down from a practical standpoint:

• Included: guided tour with an English-speaking guide, the experience to see the tower on Viðey, and winter safety gear like flashlights and crampons if needed.
• Not included: pickup and refreshments.

So the question isn’t just whether it’s expensive. The better question is whether you want this specific combination: a ferry ride, a guided story tied to Lennon and Ono, and a nighttime setting where the aurora is possible.

For many people, this is worth it because Imagine Peace Tower is one of those “once-on-your-list” Reykjavik moments. It’s also time-efficient. You’re not spending all evening in transit, and you’re not doing the tower as a rushed drive-by.

If you’re watching your budget tightly, you might compare it to a basic ferry or a general northern lights cruise. But if your top priority is the tower itself and the meaning behind it, the price tends to feel more reasonable.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This is a tour I’d point toward if you fit one of these profiles:

• You love story-driven travel, where the guide connects art to place.
• You’re interested in John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s peace message and want to see how it plays out in Iceland.
• You want a night plan that includes both views and aurora watching, not just one or the other.
• You like small groups. This tour is run as an intimate group, with previous groups described as very small (around six people) and also larger but still manageable.

I’d steer you away if:

• You dislike cold, wind, and uneven footing. Even with crampons available if needed, this is still an outdoor walk.
• You need wheelchair access. The tour is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users.

Practical tips before you go so the night feels smooth

A few small choices will make a big difference:

• Wear warm clothing with layers. The tour is outdoors.
• Bring comfortable shoes. You’ll walk on island surfaces, and footing may be slippery.
• Pack light. Luggage or large bags are not allowed, so travel with a smaller bag or nothing bulky.
• Use the right meeting spot. Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5 is where you need to be.
• Expect an experience shaped by the weather. The tour even notes that the weather plays a role in how the tower’s brilliance comes across.

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

I’d book it if your dates line up with the tower lighting season and you want a guided night experience that combines art, nature, and Reykjavik views. The value improves when you’re arriving in Iceland during the illumination window—especially if you’re also aurora hunting, because the timing and positioning help.

I’d hesitate if you’re traveling on a date when the tower isn’t lit, or if cold-wind outdoor walks are a dealbreaker for you. In that case, you may still enjoy Viðey as a destination, but you won’t be getting the signature glowing moment that makes this tour special.

If your main goal is the tower itself and you’re okay dressing for a real Iceland evening, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the Imagine Peace Tower tour?

Meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík. It’s about a 300 meter (5 minute) walk from the downtown Tourist Information Centre.

How long is the tour?

The total duration is 2 hours.

How do I get to Viðey Island?

You take a 20-minute ferry ride from Reykjavík to Viðey Island.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes, the tour includes a live English-speaking guide.

When is the Imagine Peace Tower lit?

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

Does the tour include northern lights watching?

Yes. The tour includes time to look out for the Northern Lights, and you may be able to see them from the ferry area if aurora activity is strong.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and wear comfortable shoes for an outdoor walk.

What’s included in the tour price?

Included items list flashlights and crampons (if needed), along with the guided experience.

What is not included?

Pick-up and refreshments are not included.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users.