A ferry ride to Viðey Island is one of attractions included on the Reykjavik City Card. Although the city card is a must-have accessory for visitors to Reykjavik, you do not have to have one to visit the island. The island is a great place, throughout the year – but local conditions and ways to access the island do differ between the seasons. To help you decide whether to include Viðey on your itinerary, I offer my impressions of the island. And detail everything you need to know before you go, whether in summer or winter.
- Ricky Menzies
- Last Checked and/or Updated 22 November 2024
- Iceland
Located just off the coast of Reykjavik in the Kollafjörður bay, the small island of Viðey really packs a punch when it comes to things to do when visiting the city. Known for Yoko Ono’s ‘Imagine Peace Tower’, the island offers a unique perspective into Iceland’s ecology and culture. Between the natural and human history, both enhanced by contemporary art installations, there is a lot to see in such a compact place.
One Saturday in October I boarded the five minute ferry out to the island, and spent as much time there as the restricted departure and return schedule would allow. Whether visiting Viðey is worthwhile or not will depend on a number of things. Certainly it is worth considering, especially if you want to get out of the city for a few hours. With a few tips and suggestions on making the most of your visit, these are some of my thoughts on why you might want to visit yourself.
Viðey Island Tickets & Tours
Reykjavik City Card
The ferry trip to Viðey Island is included, as is free entry to many museums and galleries, public transport and geothermal pools.
Imagine Peace Tower Tour
From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour take a 2-hour tour after dark to Viðey Island and see Joko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower up close.
Reyjkavik Motor Yacht Cruise
A 2.5-hour evening cruise in a motor yacht from the Old Harbour in Reykjavik to see the Northern Lights and Viðey Island.
Or, continue reading this page for all the information you need in preparation for your visit to Viðey Island.
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What is there to See on Viðey Island
Around two million years ago, the island itself was an active volcano. This created a topography of natural beauty which became the island we see today. A narrow isthmus connects the northwest of the island to the southeast. The island itself is 1.7 km in length and on a clear day sits calmly in the backdrop of mount Esjan. A fairly well signposted walking trail connects all there is to see, leading visitors to the different installations.
Yoko Ono’s famous ‘Imagine Peace Tower’ shines a light into the sky over the winter months that can be seen from miles away in every direction. At certain times of the year, such as on John Lennon’s birthday, the tower is especially lit. Often Yoko herself will attend for the lighting ceremony. The ‘tower’ as it is called, is a pillar of light that shines from a white stone base. The monument has the words “Imagine Peace” engraved on it in 24 different languages. The tower is lit from the 9th October until the 8th December and from the 31st December until the 6th January.
Nine basalt columns were laid out on the island as an art installation by sculptor Richard Serra. These were set on the island in harmony with the unique terrain. Each column was placed around the edges of the northwest. They were crafted to be a certain height to match the height of the land above sea level. A trail through the mossy landscape makes for an interesting hike to the far reaches of the island.
There are several buildings to visit on the island including an old school house, only open in the summer. A church with a cemetery is often one of the first buildings visitors see when arriving from the ferry. It is here that the famous Icelandic author Gunnar Gunnarson is buried. Next to the church is Viðey House, Iceland’s oldest stone building. Inside is a cafe and restaurant for visitors to take a break, use the toilet and enjoy a coffee. In the same area, the house of ‘the father of Reykjavik’ Skuli Magnusson can also be visited. Here paintings by renowned Icelandic artists are on display.
The history of this island goes as far back as the 10th century and that is reflected in the archaeology. The small but interesting site of a longhouse was excavated on the island and the remains can still be seen.
During the summer months, the nature here explodes with wildlife. From May to July, around thirty different species of birds nest on the island. Oystercatchers, purple sandpipers, and greylag geese are just a few of the birds you can expect to see. There are also a hundred-and-fifty-six different types of vascular plants. Along with birds, the island also gives a unique view of Iceland from the sea. On a clear day you will get a panoramic view of the mountains, sea, and city surrounding you. There are also several small beaches you can enjoy and interesting rock formations to marvel at.
How to Get to Viðey Island
Depending on the time of year you plan to visit Viðey there are different available ways you can get to the island.
During the summer months (15th May to 31st August) there are daily ferries and tours run from two harbours in Reykjavik. The quickest route takes about five minutes from Skarfabakki. The ferries start from 10h15 and run until 18h30. The longer route, from the Old Harbour, takes around 20mins, and offers some amazing sea views of both the city and the mountains. This ferry only runs during the summer months from 1st June – 31st August. Although the ferry frequency is more limited, it is only a 5 minute walk from the town centre of Reykjavik.
During the winter months, ferries only run on the weekends, and only from Skarfabakki from between 13h15 until 16h30. Although time is more restricted in the winter months, it is far less busy, giving visitors a more intimate experience.
Visiting Viðey in Winter Months
I visited the island one clear and sunny weekend in October 2024, not long after the Imagine Peace Tower was lit for John Lennon’s birthday. There are limited options in visiting the island during this time but it is definitely possible.
For those with a car, there is a small car park available at the ticket office in Skarfabakki. Of course, not every visitor will have a car, so a bus from the centre of Reykjavik is the next best option. From downtown Reykjavik, the number 16 will take you from Sólfarið near the Sun Voyager sculpture to Kænugarðar. From there, the harbour is about a 10 minute walk.
Another option is to catch the number 12 from outside the cinema Bíó Paradís and take the 11 minute ride to Dalbraut. From there it is about a 20 minute walk to the harbour. Unless it’s a particularly nice day, I would recommend the first route since during the colder months the pavement can get quite slippery and the sea wind is biting.
It is possible to buy tickets either online or at the ticket office (ISK 2,300 per person, about €16). The ticket office is a small cabin but it does have a public toilet. There is no difference in price with either buying option. A tip I would recommend when at the ticket office is to take a photo of the return times for the ferry. The schedule can be quite tight so its important to keep an eye on the time.
For maximum time on the island, I recommend taking the earliest ferry at 13h15. This will give you around three hours to explore the island before returning at 16h30.
The ferry itself is only a small boat. It has an upstairs deck from which you can sit and see the views. There is also the option to sit indoors away from the wind. It is quite an old rickety thing and the seats aren’t the most comfortable. It really is, however, only a 5 minute trip from harbour to harbour. The ferry is manned by several attendants but it didn’t seem particularly accessible for wheelchair users and others with disabilities. The ride itself was short and therefore smooth.
Everything Else You Need to Know
One of the questions I had before going to the island, which nowhere seemed to provide a satisfactory answer, is whether I’d need to pay for anything once I got to the island. The answer is no. Everything on the island is free entry once you get there. The only thing you might consider paying for is a coffee or lunch at the cafe. Richard Serra’s art installation acts more as an open sculpture park and trail than an exhibition. The house of Skuli Magnusson and the church are also open and free.
The path leading to the church and Viðey House is a gentle set of wooden steps followed by a gravel path, making it a smooth and easy walk for most people. However, beyond the buildings the path begins to become a soft grassy moss path. The path is clear and well signposted but it can be unstable under foot so ankle support is advised. This path will lead you to the basalt columns and bird watching areas. Another factor to consider is the weather. Given this is an island, the wind can be both cold and strong, so appropriate clothing should be worn.
The hiking trail can take up to four hours at a leisurely pace, so keep an eye on the time. It took us around 2 hours to complete about half of it and we found ourselves rushing back to catch the last ferry. It is on the path where you will get the best views of Mount Esjan.
The archaeological site of the 10th century longhouse is just off the path. We accidentally stumbled across it while trying to take some scenic photos of the basalt columns with a mountain backdrop.
Some final useful information I picked up on my visit to Viðey. The Imagine Peace Tower will probably not be switched on during your visit as it only shines at night.
The café does open during the winter and has toilets. But, it seems to be run by one person and does not open immediately when you get to the island at 13h15.
There are plenty of information signs throughout the island explaining each of the features and installations. However, in the short time frame given between the first and the last ferry, you may be hard pressed to see absolutely everything. Therefore, it is better to be selective and see a sample of each part of the island. If you find you have seen everything too quickly, there are plenty of picnic benches to sit on and simply enjoy the scenery.
Is it worth it?
If you’re looking for a front row seat to the mountains, or a fresh perspective on Reykjavik at a distance, Viðey is the place to be. It is a place that can be visited for a few hours in the day and is covered by the Reykjavik City Card. It also offers the feeling of getting out of the city without the need of a car. However, unless you are a particular connoisseur of contemporary art, this may not deserve a high spot on your list of things to do. Rather, it might place as a supplementary destination to get your money’s worth from your Reykjavik card.
The limited time you can spend on the island may be another factor to consider. The winter months do offer a quieter experience, but you may feel slightly rushed to see everything. This is not to mention the snow, wind, and rain you might be hit with. Another consideration is the terrain. Although it likely wont prove a challenge to anyone with boots and steady feet, the mossy paths to the northwest may be a problem for some. Overall, with a little bit of planning, I would recommend anyone with some time to kill, giving Viðey a visit. Especially on a clear calm day in winter.
Add Viðey Island to Your Itineraries & Travel Lists
If you are planning a trip to Iceland, you can create your own travel lists (such as places you have been to, places you would like to visit) and an itinerary for your visit. These can also be shared with your friends and on social media. You can see how this is done by watching our Using the Itinerary video on YouTube, or reading the Using the Itinerary page.
Find more sites and museums in our Reykjavik City Guide and our Iceland Travel Guide.
If you are thinking about visiting Viðey Island, you will definitely want to think about buying a Reykjavik City Card. Our article offers a number of tips for you to consider whether it will be worth buying, and includes an interactive map showing with all the attractions included in the card.
Viðey Island
Kollafjörður Bay’s largest island that is a popular day trip from Reykjavik. The history of the island goes back to the 10th century AD, and includes a 13th century Augustine Monastery and a 2007 memorial to John Lennon created by Yoko Ono. Skuli Magnusson, known as the ‘Father of Reykjavik’, built his home and a church here in the 11th century. Uninhabited since 1943, the remains of the deserted village are still visible. Holders of the Reykjavik City Card get free ferry transfers to and from the island, which takes about 10 minutes.
Archaeology Travel Writer
