Viðey Island
Icelandic island near Reykjavík with sculpture park
A short ferry from Reykjavík, Viðey island offers coastal walks, birdwatching, the Imagine Peace Tower memorial and 18th-century buildings, making it a common half-day outing from the capital.
Viðey at a Glance#
Address: Viðey Island, Faxaflói Bay, near Reykjavík, Iceland
Website: https://www.visitreykjavik.is/
Admission: Ferry fare (roundtrip) modest - check Reykjavík harbour operators for current fees; entry to island itself is free
About Viðey#
Viðey is a small island in Faxa Bay immediately off the coast of Reykjavík in Iceland’s Capital Region. It is known for a mix of historic buildings, outdoor artworks and easy access from the city by ferry.
Highlights on the island include the Yoko Ono-installed Imagine Peace Tower, a memorial light installation, historic structures including an old church and farmhouses, and a network of walking trails used for birdwatching and coastal views. The island’s compact size makes it suitable for short visits and guided walks.
The island has a long local history as a farming and ecclesiastical site and today combines cultural programming with conservation of buildings and landscape features. It lies a short ferry crossing from central Reykjavík and is used for seasonal events and public visits.
- Imagine Peace Tower (date): The Imagine Peace Tower was installed in 2007 as a memorial by Yoko Ono and stands as a seasonal light installation on the island.
- Access from Reykjavík: The island is a short ferry ride from Reykjavík, making it a common day-trip destination for walking, birdwatching and outdoor sculpture installations.
What to See#
- Imagine Peace Tower: The Imagine Peace Tower is an outdoor light memorial installed by Yoko Ono that projects a vertical beam of light into the sky and is a focal landmark on the island.
- Historic church and houses: Historic buildings on the island include an 18th-century church and traditional farmhouses, many preserved as cultural sites and seasonal visitor facilities.
How to Get to Viðey#
Ferries depart from Skarfabakki ferry pier in Reykjavík; the crossing is approximately 10-15 minutes. Check seasonal schedules with local ferry operators.
Tips for Visiting Viðey#
- Take the short ferry from Skarfabakki harbour (Reykjavík) - ferries run multiple times daily in summer and less often in winter.
- Walk the short loop around the island and visit the Viðey House and the Imagine Peace Tower (lit seasonally) - the island's art installations are small but striking.
- Bring windproof layers - the island is exposed and conditions change rapidly even on warm days.
Best Time to Visit Viðey#
Accessible year-round by short ferry from Reykjavík; summer offers most frequent service and comfortable walking conditions.
Weather & Climate near Viðey#
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 14°C. Moderate rainfall (924 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -3° - 2° | -7° | 88 mm | overcast | 91% | 7.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.0h |
| February | Poor | -2° - 3° | -6° | 96 mm | overcast | 91% | 7.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.2h |
| March | Poor | -2° - 3° | -5° | 90 mm | overcast | 89% | 7.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.5h |
| April | Poor | 1° - 6° | -2° | 57 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.9 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.9h |
| May | Acceptable | 4° - 9° | 3° | 60 mm | overcast | 83% | 6.3 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 18.2h |
| June | Acceptable | 7° - 12° | 6° | 50 mm | overcast | 83% | 6.0 m/s | 1.1 high | 20.4h |
| July | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 57 mm | overcast | 83% | 5.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 19.3h |
| August | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 11° | 80 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 16.1h |
| September | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 4° | 74 mm | overcast | 88% | 6.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 12.8h |
| October | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 91 mm | overcast | 91% | 6.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| November | Poor | -1° - 4° | -4° | 87 mm | overcast | 91% | 7.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.0h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 3° | -6° | 94 mm | overcast | 92% | 7.6 m/s | 0.0 low | 3.6h |
