Sun Voyager in Reykjavik: Complete Visitor Guide

The Sun Voyager (Sólfarið) is an 18-meter (60-foot) boat-shaped outdoor sculpture located on the waterfront of Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital city. Created by artist Jón Gunnar Árnason and unveiled in 1990, it is one of the country’s most photographed landmarks, representing sun and exploration.

The Sun Voyager (Sólfarið Reykjavik) is a famous sculpture in Iceland, made of polished stainless steel and resting on a granite base. Designed by Icelandic sculptor Jón Gunnar Árnason, it was unveiled in 1990 along Sæbraut road in Reykjavík. Standing directly on the seaside promenade, its elegant frame faces the sea, sky, and the mountains.

With curved ribs and a sweeping prow that appear to reach toward the horizon, the Sun Voyager forms a skeletal outline of an abstract vessel. Its reflective surface captures ever-changing light, making it especially photogenic at sunset.

Although it resembles a Viking ship, Solfar Iceland is not a historical piece but a modern work of public art, symbolizing the sun, exploration, hope, and freedom.

The meaning of Sun Voyager is deeply symbolic. Jón Gunnar Árnason described it as an ode to the sun and a vessel of dreams and forward movement. In a 1987 interview, he summed up that concept by saying: “The sun ship symbolizes the promise of new, undiscovered territory.”

The symbolism of Solfar connects closely to Iceland’s relationship with light and exploration. The structure of this dream boat rises toward the horizon, representing freedom, new journeys, and progress.

Many visitors assume it is a Viking ship. It’s not. The Jón Gunnar Árnason sculpture meaning is poetic rather than historical. The form may resemble a longship, but its purpose is symbolic, rather than maritime.

Symbolism Breakdown

• Sun: A tribute to light and new opportunities.

• Exploration: Spirit of discovery and outward vision.

• Hope: Expressed through the sculpture’s forward-facing form.

• Freedom: The open steel frame suggests movement without limits.

The Sun Voyager is located along Sæbraut, a coastal road on the waterfront of central Reykjavík, Iceland. The sculpture stands on the seaside promenade facing Faxaflói Bay.

If you're wondering how to get to Sun Voyager, it’s about a 15-minute walk from downtown Reykjavík and an 8-minute walk from Harpa Concert Hall. The area is flat and pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to reach on foot, by bike, car, or public transport.

The best time to visit Sun Voyager in Iceland depends on light, crowd levels, and the atmosphere you’re seeking. The sculpture is accessible year-round, but each season offers a slightly different experience and photo opportunities.

• Summer (midnight sun photography): From May to August, the midnight sun in Reykjavik creates long golden evenings with warm light reflecting on the steel. Expect more visitors, especially between 6–10 PM, and a lively mood.

• Winter (Aurora viewing opportunities): From September to April, the Sun Voyager becomes one of the best Northern Lights viewing spots in central Reykjavik thanks to its open, waterfront position. Keep in mind, there are fewer tourists, but the wind can be strong.

For many visitors, the best time to photograph the Sun Voyager comes down to sunrise or sunset. Choosing the time of day depends on whether you want a quieter mood or warmer tones on the sculpture.

Sunrise vs. Sunset:

• Sunrise: Quieter, cooler tones, dreamy atmosphere.

• Sunset: Warmer colors, golden light, busier.

As an outdoor public sculpture, the Sun Voyager is free, open year-round, and easy to access on foot from downtown.

There is no parking directly on Sæbraut, as it’s a busy main road. However, paid street parking is available in the surrounding area (Parking Zone P3). Rates are 240 ISK (~$2) per hour for the first two hours, then 70 ISK (~$0.60) per hour afterward, enforced 9:00 AM–6:00 PM on weekdays. A nearby Vitatorg parking garage is also available.

Sólfarið is one of the best photo spots in Reykjavik. Most Reykjavik city tours include a stop here. Set right on the waterfront, this iconic sculpture creates beautiful compositions with the sea, sky, and Mount Esja rising in the background. Its polished steel surface catches the shifting light throughout the day, so the scene can feel completely different from one moment to the next. That’s why photographers are drawn back here again and again. By experimenting with angle and timing, you can capture wide atmospheric landscape shots and tight, artistic details of the steel structure.

Sun Voyager photography tips:

• Use Mount Esja as a backdrop and align it between the sculpture’s steel ribs for depth and scale.

• Move slightly off-center instead of shooting straight on to create stronger leading lines.

• Use a wide-angle lens (16–24mm) and shoot from a low angle to capture the sculpture and sky together.

• Shoot during golden hour for warm reflections on the steel along the Reykjavik waterfront.

• In winter, use a tripod for long exposures—especially if hoping for a Sun Voyager Northern Lights photo.

• For creative compositions, try a longer focal length to frame the moon within the sculpture’s curves.

If you’re wondering when the Sun Voyager was built, its history begins in 1986. The sculpture was commissioned as part of Reykjavík’s 200th anniversary celebrations, following a public sculpture competition in Iceland. Jón Gunnar Árnason’s design for Sólfarið was then selected as a landmark for the city’s waterfront.

Construction began shortly after, but Árnason passed away in 1989 before the project was completed. The sculpture was therefore finished posthumously and officially unveiled in 1990.

Built from stainless steel based on the artist’s original models and vision, the Sun Voyager remains one of the most recognized works associated with Jón Gunnar Árnason and modern Icelandic art.

There are several attractions near Sun Voyager you can easily reach on foot. The sculpture sits along the scenic Reykjavík waterfront and serves as an excellent starting point for a short self-guided walk through some of the city’s best-known cultural landmarks. Within a relatively small area, you can combine public art, architecture, museums, and waterfront views in one easy route. 

Things to do near Solfar and Reykjavik waterfront attractions:

• Harpa Concert Hall—600 m (0.4 mi) (8-minute walk)

• Hallgrímskirkja Church—650 m (0.4 mi) (8-minute walk)

• Reykjavik Art Museum (one of three locations in the city)—1 km (0.6 mi) (15-minute walk)

• National Theatre of Iceland—600 m (0.4 mi) (8-minute walk)

• Perlan Museum—2.5 km (1.5 mi) (35-minute walk)

For a deeper look into Iceland’s history, visit the National Museum of Iceland, just a short walk from downtown Reykjavik.

Most of the hotels near Sun Voyager are located near the harbor and downtown Reykjavik, allowing you to reach the sculpture within up to 15 minutes on foot. If you’re looking for where to stay near Reykjavik waterfront, these are convenient options:

• Luxury: Modern, 5-star waterfront hotel near Harpa, The Reykjavik EDITION, is located 1 km (0.6 mi) from the sculpture.

• Mid-Range: Large, centrally located 4-star Fosshotel Reykjavik with harbor views is 850 m (0.5 mi) from the Sun Voyager photo spot.

• Budget: Comfortable, centrally located, Hotel Klettur is 1 km (0.6 mi) from the Solfar sculpture.

• Hostel: Buzzing with social and creative atmosphere, KEX Hostel, near the waterfront, is located 290 m (0.2 mi) from the artwork.

Despite its simple form, the Sun Voyager carries a rich history and symbolism connected to Icelandic culture and the themes of exploration and discovery. Here are quick Sun Voyager facts for your Solfar trivia that highlight the story behind this famous Reykjavik sculpture.

• Commissioned for Reykjavík’s 200th anniversary in 1986.

• Despite common belief, it was never intended to represent a Viking longship.

• Made from polished stainless steel.

• One of the best Northern Lights-viewing spots in Reykjavík.

• Inspired by themes of light and exploration.

• Located deliberately to face the open sea and horizon, reinforcing its symbolic meaning.

• Completed posthumously, after Jón Gunnar Árnason passed away, based on his original models and drawings.

• Its Icelandic name, Sólfarið, literally translates to “Sun Voyager” or “Sun Ship.”

No. The Sun Voyager is not a Viking ship, even though it resembles a longship. It is a symbolic stainless steel sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason representing a dream boat and the idea of exploration, hope, and forward movement.

The Sun Voyager was unveiled in 1990. It was commissioned in 1986 for Reykjavík’s 200th anniversary, and construction began shortly after. The sculpture was completed posthumously following the death of artist Jón Gunnar Árnason in 1989.

Yes. The Sun Voyager is a public sculpture on the Reykjavík waterfront and is free to visit 24 hours a day, year-round. There are no tickets or entry fees.

Most visitors spend 10–20 minutes at the Sun Voyager. This allows time for photos, walking around the sculpture, and enjoying views of Mount Esja across Faxaflói Bay.

Yes. During the winter months (September to April), the Sun Voyager is one of the better Northern Lights viewing spots in central Reykjavík, thanks to its open, north-facing waterfront location.

The Sun Voyager is approximately 1 km (0.6 mi) from downtown Reykjavík, about a 15-minute walk along the waterfront promenade near Harpa Concert Hall.