Sun Voyager (Sólfar): Free Access & Visitor Guide
10 - 20 min
Public Sculpture / Waterfront Landmark
Designed by Jón Gunnar Árnason for an 1986 city bicentennial competition; unveiled posthumously on Sæbraut, 18 August 1990
Sæbraut 91, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland
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Practical Visitor Info & Tips
0 kr.
Free (no ticket)
Accessible 24 hours a day, year-round — it's an outdoor public sculpture on an open waterfront path.
None. Free, unticketed, 24-hour public access on the Saebraut waterfront path.
A stainless-steel sculpture by Jon Gunnar Arnason, commissioned for Reykjavik's 1986 bicentennial sculpture competition and unveiled posthumously in 1990, on the Saebraut shoreline walking path facing Faxafloi Bay and Mount Esja.
| Option | Price | Booking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any visitor | Free | No ticket needed | |
| With Reykjavík City Card | Not needed — always free | No card required |
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Ticket Options
0 kr.
Check whether a city pass already covers this attraction before buying separately.
See pass compatibility below ↓Overview & History
Sun Voyager (Sólfar) is a stainless-steel sculpture on the Sæbraut waterfront path, often mistaken for a Viking longship but conceived by its artist, Jón Gunnar Árnason, as a 'dreamboat' — an ode to the sun and a symbol of hope, progress, and undiscovered territory. It was commissioned for Reykjavík's 200th-anniversary sculpture competition in 1986 and unveiled in 1990, after Árnason's death. Set against Faxaflói Bay with Mount Esja on the horizon, it's one of the city's most photographed spots, especially around sunset.
What to See: Top Highlights
The 'Dreamboat' Design
A skeletal steel hull built to evoke a ship without depicting one literally, symbolizing exploration and hope rather than any historical Viking vessel.
Sunset Photography
Polished steel catches the low midnight-sun light in summer and dramatic sunset colors in winter, making it a favorite spot for photographers along the shoreline path.
Faxaflói Bay & Mount Esja Backdrop
The sculpture faces open water toward Mount Esja, giving it an uninterrupted mountain-and-sea backdrop rare for a city-center landmark.
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Location & Google Maps
Do I Need the Reykjavík City Card for Sun Voyager?
Compare Reykjavik PassesNo — Sun Voyager is a free public sculpture on the Sæbraut waterfront and needs no pass, ticket, or the Reykjavík City Card at any time. There's no admission ticket for any pass to cover.
Any visitor
Free access at any time; no ticket or pass required.
Data Provenance
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SponsoredProvided by our commercial partner GetYourGuide — bookings made through this section may earn LocalExperiences a commission. See our Editorial Transparency page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sun Voyager free to visit?
Is it an actual Viking ship?
When is the best time to photograph it?
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