Access to Viðey Island

A video, showing the approach to Viðey and conditions on the island.

Viðey Island, 104 Reykjavík
Tel. (+354) 411-6360

The ferry service to Viðey Island leaves from Skarfabakki harbour and is accessed via a gangway which is variably steep depending on the tide. Access for people with reduced mobility is therefore greatly restricted.

Viðey Island is a protected area with historic buildings, recreational areas, beaches and outdoor works of art. The island is primarily an outdoor experience, and visitors should note that windy weather conditions are more common than on the mainland.

Information about the ferry service can be found here.

Plan your visit to Viðey Island

Parking

Parking facilities are located by the ticket office at Skarfabakki. There is good access to the pier, and the car park and pavement are levelled at the same height.

Public transport

Bus service 16 stops at Klettagarður / Skarfagarðar on weekdays. During weekends, visitors can use bus services 12 getting off at LHÍ Laugarnesi or 14 getting off at Laugarásvegur and walk the rest of the way (15 to 20 minutes) to Skarfabakki.

Ferry

Tickets to Viðey Island are available from three places: Skarfabakki, the Old Harbour and Harpa. It is also possible to purchase tickets via the homepage of whale watching service Elding. Ask staff for further information about the ferry service.

See a more detailed description of access to the ferry in the section for people with disabilities.

Picnic and toilet facilities 

Picnic and toilet facilities are located in three places on the island.

The Stable is a picnic spot located directly behind Viðey House with a coal grill for visitors, a nearby playground and toilet facilities with access for the disabled. 

Facilities at Viðeyjarnaust Cabin include a coal grill and toilet with access for the disabled. The cabin and viewing platform overlooking the beach and sea is accessible via a ramp. 

The Old School House, located on the east side of Viðey, is open to visitors and offers picnic and bathroom facilities.

Note! Visitors using Viðey’s barbeque facilities must bring fuel, oil, lighters, food, utensils, plates, cups, rubbish bags, etc.

Viðey’s restaurant and cafe are open during the summer months. The entrance on the southern side of the building features three steps up to the doorway and a raised threshold.

The house has two floors and a basement. The upper floor accommodates seating space for 100 people. A smaller area, downstairs accommodates around 10-25 people. Toilet facilities are in the basement. There is a wide staircase with a handrail between floors of the building, but no lift.

Navigating Viðey

A complimentary map of Viðey Island is available both on board the ferry and at the ticket office.

Trails at the back of Viðey House lead in two separate directions. To the west, a well-trodden trail surfaced with smooth gravel leads to Viðeyjarnaust Cabin and the Imagine Peace Tower. To the east, a path with coarse gravel leads to the Old School House.

Viðey is comprised of two islands, Heimaey (Home Island) and Vesturey (West Island) connected by a narrow strip of land or isthmus. The coastline of Viðey is mostly skirted with cliffs; however, there are beaches to be found, such as the one at Eiði by Viðeyjarnaust Cabin. The ruins of an old village can be found on the eastern part of Heimaey together with two remaining buildings: The Old School House and The Old Water Reservoir. The outdoor work of art Standing stones – Nine Locations, Two Elevations by US sculptor Richard Serra can be found on Vesturey.

Hiking trails can be found all around the island leading through grassland, pastures and heath vegetation.

Safety

Visitors are advised to take great care while exploring the island, especially in areas where there are steep cliffs and seaweed-covered shores with slippery rocks.

Works of Art

Imagine Peace Tower by Yoko Ono is a tower of light emerging from a wishing well. A well-trodden gravel path leads down to the artwork, which is enclosed by a paved area.  

The pillars of Standing stones – Nine Locations, Two Elevations by Richard Serra are located in various places on Vesturey, the west island of Viðey.

Access for People with Disability

Ferry service

Visitors with disabilities should note that the doorway to the ferry service ticket office features a raised threshold.

The ferry is accessed via a gangway which features a handrail for support. The gangway is variably steep (21° max.) depending on the tide. Strips of timber form “steps” or runners along the gangway, providing extra help with footing.

There is no ramp onto the ferry. From the gangway, there are four steps up to a timber platform from where, with support from a member of staff, you step across the gap and down onto the ferry. Depending on which ferry is in service, you will either step down onto a stairway or the boat’s bench seating before stepping onto the deck. Staff members are on hand to assist with getting on to the ferry.

At Viðey, the ferry docks next to a platform with steps down onto a floating dock. Unfortunately, there is no ramp between the ferry and the dock, and the gangway is narrower and steeper than the one in Skarfabakki.  Strips of timber form “steps” or runners along the gangway; there are handrails on either side of the gangway, but no spaces in the runners for unimpeded wheelchair access.

The gangway leads to a wide, wooden pier and up a steep hill towards Viðey House and the church. The hill can be navigated either via a paved road or a stepped pathway running parallel to the road.

Courtesy wheelchairs

There are no courtesy wheelchairs available on Viðey Island.

Seating and places to rest

Benches have been installed at various places around the island for visitors to make use of. Picnic and toilet facilities can be found at Viðeyjarnaust Cabin, The Stable and at The Old School House.

Ramps and lifts

Both Viðey House and Viðeyarnaust Cabin are fitted with wheelchair ramps; however, there are no lifts installed in any of the buildings on the island.

Toilets

Accessible toilets are available at Viðeyarnaust Cabin and The Stable. 

People with Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory stimuli

Those with autism or sensory processing disorders may be affected by various sensations during the ferry trip to Viðey, including motion, sound, weather and the smell of fuel. The number of passengers can also vary, with the ferry becoming more crowded during popular events. However, once on the island, you are surrounded by nature, where you can easily find quiet and peaceful places to rest. Note that Viðey House and other buildings on the island attract more people during popular events, which can also present a challenge for those with autism and sensory processing disorder.

Reykjavík City Museum regularly advertises special opening hours where sensory stimuli, such as sound and light, are specifically set with the needs of the group in mind.

For further information, please contact 411-6300 or send an email to borgarsogusafn@reykjavik.is. 

Here, you’ll find a social skills narration of a visit to Viðey Island, from the moment you enter until you return home again.

Blind and Visually Impaired People

Reykjavík City Museum is one museum in five locations (Árbær Open Air Museum, The Settlement Exhibition, Museum of Photography, Maritime Museum and Viðey Island) offering regular guided tours for the blind and visually impaired. Tour timetables are advertised in advance.

For further information, please contact 411-6300 or send an email to borgarsogusafn@reykjavik.is.

Guide dogs

Guide dogs are welcome both on the ferry and on Viðey Island.

Deaf and Hearing-Impaired People

Guided tours

Reykjavík City Museum is one museum in five locations (Árbær Open Air Museum, The Settlement Exhibition, Museum of Photography, Maritime Museum and Viðey Island) offering regular guided tours in sign language for the deaf and hard of hearing. Tour timetables are advertised in advance.

For further information, please contact 411-6300 or send an email to borgarsogusafn@reykjavik.is.

Various groups

Reykjavík City Museum is one museum in five locations (Árbær Open Air Museum, The Settlement Exhibition, Museum of Photography, Maritime Museum and Viðey Island) welcomes diverse groups and makes every effort to meet their needs. Has your group visited the museum yet?

Amongst those groups who are regular visitors to Reykjavík City Museum are:

Klúbburinn Geysir

Hlutverkasetrið

Dagþjálfun fólks með heilabilun

For further information, please contact 411-6300 or send an email to safnfraedsla@reykjavik.is