Viðey is an island just off the coast of Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital city. It is a popular destination due to its natural beauty, the artworks that have been erected here, and its accessibility and affordability.
The island was once inhabited, even having a monastery, but has long since been deserted. Very few buildings remain here.
Getting to Viðey Island
Boats to Viðey Island throughout the year, leaving from Skarfabakki pier at Sundahöfn harbour. This is just about five kilometres (three miles) from the centre of Reyjavík. The journey takes approximately twenty minutes.
Tickets to Viðey can be bought in isolation, but are included for free on a Reykjavík City Card. These cards provide you with either free access or heavily discounted access to a wealth of the capital’s cultural sites, museums, pools and galleries.
Artwork and Culture at Viðey Island
Viðey is best known internationally as the location for the Imagine Peace Tower. Envisioned and designed by Yoko Ono, it was intended as a tribute both to her late husband John Lennon, from the Beatles, and to their shared vision of a world free of war and united in love.
The tower is only lit at certain times of the year, such as over Lennon’s birthday and other significant events. Yoko Ono regularly comes to Iceland, and often attends the lighting of the tower.
One of the few buildings on the island was the home of ‘the father of Reykjavík, Skuli Magnusson. This house, Videyjarstofa, now displays paintings of renowned Icelandic artists.
The island’s last great artwork was constructed by one of the world's most renowned sculptors, Richard Sierra. It can be found on the west side of the island, and is called Milestones.
Videy also has a graveyard, the final resting place of many known Icelanders. Gunnar Gunnarson, for example, is buried here, a renowned author who wrote novels such as Fjallkirkjan ('The Church on the Mountain'), Svartfugl (The Black Cliffs) and Adventa (The Good Shepherd).
Photo from Whales of Iceland
The Whale of Iceland is the biggest exhibition on whales in the world, located in Reykjavík, which also works towards their conservation. It is accessible for all ages.
The Whales of Iceland Exhibition
The Whales of Iceland Exhibition is best-known for have life-sized models of all 23 species of cetacean (whales, dolphins and porpoises) found in this country’s waters. As the greatest animals that have ever lived, blue whales and fin whales, are seen on occasion, some of these models are enormous.
The exhibition has a wealth of information, and it is possible to download a free audio-guide app on your tablet or phone so that you can listen to facts about these animals as you marvel over the models. This audio-guide is available in English, German and Icelandic.
There is free wifi and headphones so that you can download this on site. The audio tour lasts half an hour. There are also virtual reality headsets for a unique, interactive experience.
Photo from Whales of Iceland
After exploring the museum, you can enjoy fresh pastries and hot drinks at the onsite cafe, or buy a memento at the souvenir shop.
The Whales of Iceland Exhibition has a ideology based off of a deep respect for the beautiful creatures it features. It works closely with whale watching companies and the Marine Institute of Iceland to research the animals and work on how to protect them.
Admission to Whales of Iceland
The Whales of Iceland Exhibition is open throughout the year from 10:00 to 17:00. Admission is 2,900 ISK for adults, 1,500 ISK for children between seven and fifteen, and free for those under seven. For two adults and two children, it is 5,900 ISK.
The museum is located at Reykjavík’s harbour, close to the whale watching boats that head out into Faxaflói Bay. Certain whale watching tickets have a coupon discounting entry to the museum on the back.
With a Reykjavík City Card, you’ll receive a 30% discount.
