Videy Island: Reykjavik's Historic Island Day Trip

Videy Island: Reykjavik's Quiet Escape Across the Water

Most people spend their time in Reykjavik looking at the water. Videy Island invites you to actually cross it. Sitting just a short ferry ride from the Icelandic capital, Videy is one of the oldest inhabited places in Iceland, and yet it draws far fewer visitors than the Blue Lagoon or the Golden Circle. That gap between significance and footfall is exactly what makes it worth your time.

The island covers roughly 1.7 square kilometers, which is small enough to walk entirely in under two hours but large enough to feel genuinely removed from the city. On a clear day, you can see Snæfellsjökull glacier to the northwest and the entirety of Reykjavik's skyline behind you as you wander.

Why Videy Island Matters

This small piece of land has an outsized place in Icelandic history. The first monastery in Iceland was established here in 1225, and the island later became the site of the country's first stone house, built in 1755 for Sheriff Skúli Magnússon, who is often called the Father of Reykjavik. That building, Videyjarstofa, still stands and functions as a cafe during the summer season. Walking into it, you're stepping into a structure that predates Icelandic independence by almost 200 years.

Beyond the history, the island is home to Imagine Peace Tower, Yoko Ono's permanent memorial to John Lennon, inaugurated in 2007. Every year on October 9 (Lennon's birthday), a beam of light shoots skyward from the tower's base and remains lit through December 8, the anniversary of his death. It's one of the more quietly moving public art installations in Europe, and it catches most visitors off guard.

The island also features several works from the artist Richard Serra, whose large basalt sculptures are scattered across the landscape in a piece called Afangar. The sculptures frame views of the surrounding sea and mountains in a way that feels less like a gallery and more like the land itself has been rearranged.

Quick Facts

Location: Kollafjörður bay, roughly 15 minutes by ferry from Reykjavik
Size: Approximately 1.7 square kilometers
First monastery established: 1225
Oldest stone house: Built 1755, still standing
Imagine Peace Tower inaugurated: 2007
Ferry runs: Seasonal, typically May through October, with winter service on specific dates around the light tower events
Walking time for the full island: Around 90 minutes at an easy pace
Wildlife: Arctic terns nest here in summer and will dive at your head if you stray near their nests

Getting There

The ferry to Videy departs from Skarfabakki pier in Reykjavik's old harbour area, as well as from Harpa Concert Hall and the Elding whale watching dock depending on the season. The crossing takes around 15 minutes. Ferries run on a schedule during summer months, so it's worth checking departure times before you go rather than showing up and hoping for the best.

There are no cars on the island. Everything you do here, you do on foot.

The Layout and Experience

When you step off the ferry, the first thing you notice is the quiet. The island has a small cluster of historic buildings near the landing point, including Videyjarstofa and a small church from 1774, one of the oldest churches in Iceland. From there, trails fan out across the island's grassland and lava fields.

The western part of the island is flatter and more open, with wide views toward the Reykjanes Peninsula. The Imagine Peace Tower is located here, and the Serra sculptures are spread across this section. The eastern half gets slightly rougher, with more birds and fewer people. Arctic terns colonize parts of the island in summer, and they are territorial in a way that feels personal. Walking sticks are genuinely useful if you venture into nesting areas, held above your head to give the terns a higher target than yours.

There is a small cafe inside Videyjarstofa during the summer season. It serves coffee, soup, and light food. It's not fancy, but sitting inside a 1755 stone building with a bowl of lamb soup while rain sweeps across the bay is its own kind of experience.

Main Highlights

Imagine Peace Tower

The tower itself is a wishing well of white stone engraved with the phrase "Imagine Peace" in 24 languages. For most of the year it sits quietly, but during the illumination period from October through December, the beam of light it projects is visible across Reykjavik and, on clear nights, can be seen from as far away as 30 kilometers. Yoko Ono visits periodically for the lighting ceremony. Whether or not you care about the Beatles, standing next to it on a still evening is affecting.

Videyjarstofa and the Church

The 1755 house is the oldest stone building in Iceland. The nearby church, completed in 1774, is one of the oldest surviving churches in the country. Both were built during the period when Skúli Magnússon was working to modernize Iceland and establish Reykjavik as a functioning town. The church is small and very plain inside, which makes it feel more honest than ornate.

Afangar Sculptures

Richard Serra created this work specifically for Videy in 1990. The nine pairs of basalt columns are positioned at intervals across the island's terrain, each pair oriented to frame a particular view. They work with the landscape rather than against it, which is rarer than it sounds in public sculpture.

Best Time to Visit

Summer is the obvious answer. The ferry runs most frequently between June and August, the cafe is open, and the long daylight hours mean you can arrive in the early evening and still have plenty of time to walk the whole island. Wildflowers cover the grassy areas in June and July, and the bird life is at its most active.

That said, the Imagine Peace Tower illumination period from October through December is genuinely special. The ferry runs on specific dates during this window, and the combination of the tower's light, the shorter days, and the low tourist numbers makes for a very different kind of visit. If you're in Reykjavik in late October, it's worth building your trip around a ferry day.

Spring and early autumn offer a middle ground: fewer birds in nesting mode, decent weather, and smaller crowds than peak summer. Winter visits outside the tower events are limited, as regular ferry service typically pauses.

Photography Tips

The view back toward Reykjavik from the western shore is one of the better skyline shots you can get of the city, with Hallgrímskirkja visible on the ridge and the water in the foreground. Early morning or evening light hits this angle well.

The Serra sculptures photograph best in overcast conditions, when the basalt columns don't compete with harsh shadows. Try shooting through one pair toward another to show the intentional framing Sera built into the work.

During the tower's illumination period, the beam is too strong to photograph well without a tripod. Bring one if the light tower is your main subject. The reflection of the beam in the surrounding water, if you can get the angle, is worth the effort.

Combining with Nearby Attractions

Videy sits in the same harbour area as several of Reykjavik's waterfront attractions. Harpa Concert Hall, which opened in 2011 and hosts the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, is one of the ferry departure points and worth a look on its own. The old harbour neighbourhood nearby has a concentration of fish restaurants and the Reykjavik Maritime Museum. You can easily spend a full day combining a morning in the harbour area with an afternoon on the island.

If you have more time, the Árbær Open Air Museum on the eastern edge of Reykjavik covers Icelandic history from a different angle and pairs well thematically with what you see on Videy.

Practical Tips

Check the ferry schedule before you go. Service is seasonal and times vary.
Bring layers regardless of the forecast. The bay crossing and open island terrain make wind a constant.
Wear waterproof footwear. Trails are grassy and can be wet even after dry days.
If you visit during tern nesting season (roughly May to August), carry a stick or umbrella above your head in nesting zones.
The cafe has limited capacity and limited hours. Don't rely on it as your main meal plan.
There are no shops on the island. Bring water and snacks.
The ferry ticket is your island entry. No separate admission is charged for the island itself.
Dogs are not permitted on Videy Island to protect the nesting birds.

FAQ

How long should I spend on Videy Island?

Most people find two to three hours comfortable enough to walk the main trails, visit the historic buildings, and see the Serra sculptures without rushing. If you want to linger at the cafe or spend time with the birds, add another hour.

Is Videy Island accessible for people with limited mobility?

The area immediately around the ferry landing and the historic buildings is relatively flat. The outer trails across lava fields and grassland are uneven and can be muddy, so they're harder going for anyone with mobility difficulties. The core highlights near the landing are reachable without venturing onto rougher terrain.

Can you see the Imagine Peace Tower from Reykjavik?

Yes, during the illumination period from October through December, the beam is clearly visible from the Reykjavik waterfront and from much of the city. You don't need to visit the island to see the light itself, though being on the island is a different experience entirely.