Viðey Island
Viðey Island features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Reykjavík. Give it roughly ~90 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type nature
- Suggested visit ~90 min
- Reykjavík Reykjavík guide
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About Viðey Island
A short ferry from Reykjavík reaches this quiet green island, home to Iceland's reputed oldest stone house and Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace Tower, a winter beam of light for John Lennon.
Viðey is the largest island in Kollafjörður bay, just outside Reykjavík, covering about 1.7 square kilometres and rising to 32 metres. It is reached by a short ferry, running daily in summer and at weekends in winter, and the Reykjavík City Card includes the crossing. Viðeyjarstofa, the stone house built in 1753-1755 for Skúli Magnússon and designed by Nicolai Eigtved, is described by Reykjavík's own sources as the oldest stone house in Iceland; the adjoining church, Viðeyjarkirkja, was consecrated in 1774.
An Augustinian monastery operated on the island from the thirteenth century until the Reformation. On its north-western end stands Richard Serra's Áfangar, nine pairs of basalt columns, while Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace Tower projects a column of light in memory of John Lennon. The last permanent residents left in 1943, leaving a deserted village and rich birdlife behind.
Did you know? Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace Tower projects light from a well carved with 'Imagine Peace' in 24 languages. It is lit yearly from 9 October, Lennon's birthday, to 8 December, the day he died.
How long is a visit to Viðey Island?
Set aside roughly ~90 min for Viðey Island. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Viðey Island worth your time?
Viðey Island is among the 18 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Reykjavík, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Reykjavík
Day 1 of the Reykjavík in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Viðey Island
Preview the Reykjavík tour free in the Gingerguide app.