Videy Island

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Reykjavik

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Outdoors, Sightseeing
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Videy Island

by Joy S

Manchester, England, United Kingdom

August 19, 2013

Best of IgoUgo Videy Island is only a few minutes ferry ride from Reykjavik. It is a nice, little place to spend half a day exploring and getting up close and personal with nature. Try and pick reasonable weather - particularly try and visit when it is not ...Read more Videy Island is only a few minutes ferry ride from Reykjavik. It is a nice, little place to spend half a day exploring and getting up close and personal with nature. Try and pick reasonable weather - particularly try and visit when it is not raining, you will be outdoors all the time!

The ferry goes to Videy Island from the old harbour at midday. It leaves from Sundahofn harbour much more frequently and at different points throughout the day. If you want to get back to the old harbour, the ferry leaves again at 3:30pm. This is more than enough time to explore, have a bike ride and get refreshments in the cafe.

The ferry ride is short (it takes about 5 minutes) but also very picturesque - you get some nice views of Reykjavik.

Videy Island is all about nature - there are some great rock formations and some nice beaches. You will also see lots and lots of birds - apparently at least 30 species of breeding birds have been counted here.

The island was inhabited from the 10th century and was the location of an Augustine monastery from 1225 to 1539. It was a centre for pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. There are little boards around the island with information about its history.

When you get to the island you can pick up free bikes (I think these are only available during the summer months). Using a bike is a great way to get around the whole island, however some of the paths are not paved and are very gravelly, also there are some hills, so for us we did find the cycling was quite hard going. You pick up the bikes from the Videy House.

A better and easier way to explore, in our opinion was just to walk. There are lots of good walking paths, no traffic so children can run, play and explore the grasses and hollows.

The cafe is very nice - definitely worth visiting for a drink or a snack.

We were also intrigued to see Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace Tower. This, however is only lit from 20-26 March to celebrate John and Yoko's wedding in 1969 and the arrival of spring. Needless to say, if you visit during the long hours of daylight, you will not see the tower lit up.

Videy Island is a pleasant place to spend some time. The ferry ride is fun, short and you can get some great photos. There is not a lot to see and do on the island, however you can take some lovely walks and let children run free and wild and know they will be safe.

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Videy Island

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Videy Island