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Viðey Island
Viðey is worth it when you want Reykjavík without traffic, shop windows, or the usual city checklist. It is simple, exposed, and a little inconvenient, which is also why it feels like a real break.
Viðey Island is the easiest way to make Reykjavík feel smaller and rougher around the edges in the same afternoon. Go for the ferry, the open paths, Viðey House, Viðey Church, Richard Serra's basalt columns, and Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace Tower. Do not go expecting a dense sightseeing loop or much shelter from bad weather.
Worth it for
- Travelers who like ferries, walking paths, birdlife, and public art
- Repeat visitors to Reykjavík who want a quieter half-day close to the city
You can skip if
- You have only one short stop in Reykjavík and still have not seen the main city sights
- The weather is rough and you do not enjoy exposed walks
No ticket needed for Viðey Island
Viðey is a public island with no gate or entry fee. You buy a ferry crossing directly from the operator at the pier, walk off, and the whole place is yours: the basalt paths, the Yoko Ono installation site, the oldest stone house in Iceland, and views back across the water to Reykjavík. Nothing here requires a third-party booking.
Which ticket should you buy?
Why Go
Viðey is a low island in Kollafjörður Bay, just off Reykjavík. The appeal is not spectacle. It is space, sea air, bird noise, and the odd relief of seeing the city from just far enough away.
I like it most as a half-day reset from downtown Reykjavík. It works best after you have already done the main museums and want something local, slow, and ruled by the weather rather than another indoor stop.
What You See
The main historic cluster is Viðey House and Viðey Church. Viðey House was completed in 1755 for Skúli Magnússon, and the church beside it was consecrated in 1774. The island also has older settlement history, including evidence of 10th-century occupation and a medieval monastery that began in the 1220s and ended during the Reformation period.
The art gives the walk some bite. Richard Serra's Áfangar is made of 18 basalt columns set in nine pairs around the western part of the island. The Imagine Peace Tower is Yoko Ono's outdoor light work for John Lennon. It is most worth planning around when it is lit, usually from October 9 to December 8, with other dates and exact nightly hours set by the organizers.
How To Visit
You visit by ferry. Current operator schedules list daily service from Skarfabakki from mid-May through August, with Old Harbour departures added in June, July, and August. From September to mid-May, service is usually weekends only from Skarfabakki. Weather can change the plan, so check the ferry timetable before you commit your day to it.
Once on the island, plan to walk. The paths are not technically hard, but the island is exposed. A mild Reykjavík morning can turn into a cold, windy afternoon fast. Wear proper shoes and bring a layer, even if the crossing looks harmless.
What To Watch Out For
Viðey is a poor choice if you need constant stimulation or reliable indoor backup. The restaurant and facilities can depend on season, events, and staffing, and the ferry timetable controls the pace of the visit.
Bird nesting areas need space in spring and summer. Stay on marked paths where posted, keep your distance, and do not treat the island like an empty field. The quiet is the whole point, and it gets worse fast when visitors wander everywhere.
Viðey Island: FAQs
Viðey Island is in Kollafjörður Bay, northeast of central Reykjavík, Iceland.
Take the Viðey ferry from Reykjavík. Summer service is usually daily and more frequent, while winter service is normally limited to weekends from Skarfabakki. Confirm the current timetable before going.
Yes, if you want a quiet walk, Reykjavík views, old buildings, public art, birds, and a short boat ride. Skip it if you have only a few hours in the city and still want the main indoor sights.
Yes, the Imagine Peace Tower is on Viðey. It is most striking when lit, usually from John Lennon's birthday on October 9 through December 8, with exact times and extra lighting dates published by the organizers.
Most visitors should allow about 2 to 3 hours including the ferry. Add more time if you want to walk the western island and look for all nine pairs of Serra's basalt columns.
No. A self-guided visit is fine for most people. A guide helps if you care about the monastery, Skúli Magnússon, the old buildings, or the public art and want the island to feel like more than a pretty walk.
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- Reykjavik With Kids: Pools, Ferries, Viking Ruins, and Short Attention Spans
- Reykjavik at Night: Hot Pools, Hard Weather, and a Better Plan Than Bar-Hopping Blind
- Reykjavik When It Rains: Museums, Pools, and the Indoor Plan That Actually Works
- Perlan vs National Museum: which Reykjavik museum should you pick?
- Golden Circle vs South Coast: Which Reykjavik Day Trip Should You Take?
Worth it, or skip it?
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