Unveiled
1990
The anniversary competition took place in 1986
Sólfar (Sun Voyager): Reykjavik's Waterfront Sculpture
A stainless steel dreamboat sculpture on Reykjavik's waterfront and one of Iceland's most photographed artworks.
Location
Sæbraut Waterfront
Reykjavik • Free outdoor access 24/7
Quick Answer
The Sun Voyager (Sólfar) is Jón Gunnar Árnason's stainless steel dreamboat sculpture on Reykjavik's Sæbraut waterfront. Despite its form, it is not a Viking ship.
Sólfar (Sun Voyager) is a stainless steel sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason, situated on the Sæbraut waterfront in Reykjavik with Mount Esja rising across the bay. Commissioned through the 1986 bicentennial competition and unveiled on August 18, 1990, the sculpture is often mistaken for a Viking longship. In reality, Árnason described it as a dreamboat, an ode to the sun representing hope, progress, and the promise of undiscovered lands. The skeletal form catches sunlight on its polished steel surfaces, and at sunset it appears to sail into the light. It has become one of Iceland's most photographed artworks.
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Updated: 2026-09-10
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Official sources to check
Artist
Jón Gunnar Árnason
Icelandic sculptor (1931–1989); the work was installed posthumously
Access
Free, 24/7
Open-air sculpture on the Sæbraut coastal path
What to Expect
Stainless Steel Form
A skeletal boat-like structure in polished stainless steel; it reflects light and changes appearance with the weather and time of day
Mount Esja Backdrop
The sculpture faces northwest across the bay toward Mount Esja, which forms the backdrop in most photos
Sunset Photography
The sculpture faces northwest, so the setting sun lights the steel directly; most photographers come at that hour
Waterfront Path
Part of Reykjavik's popular coastal walking path along Sæbraut, connecting to the Old Harbour and Harpa
Year-Round Access
An open-air sculpture accessible 24 hours a day, free of charge, in any season or weather
Midnight Sun Views
During June, the midnight sun keeps low light on the bay and mountain for hours
Getting There
The Sun Voyager is located on Sæbraut, the waterfront road east of Reykjavik's city center. It is about a 15-minute walk east from Harpa Concert Hall along the coastal path, or a 10-minute walk north from Laugavegur. Limited street parking is available on Sæbraut. The sculpture is an outdoor installation accessible at all times with no admission charge.
Best Time to Visit
The Sun Voyager is accessible year-round, but the light matters for photography. At sunset in summer the sculpture appears to sail into the setting sun, the shot most people are after. During June's midnight sun, the golden hour stretches on for hours. In winter, sunrise and the low arc of the sun also work well. A clear day with Mount Esja visible is best.
Two dates explain its history
The artist’s family-run official site distinguishes the 1986 anniversary competition from the full-size sculpture’s unveiling on August 18, 1990. Jón Gunnar’s winning aluminium model was enlarged into the stainless-steel work on granite slabs seen at Sæbraut.
The family describes the work as a dreamboat expressing hope and freedom. Looking at it as an imagined voyage, rather than a reconstructed historical vessel, makes its open ribs and abstract form easier to understand.
Planning help
Sun Voyager FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Is the Sun Voyager a Viking ship?
No, despite its boat-like form, the Sun Voyager is not a Viking ship. Artist Jón Gunnar Árnason described it as a dreamboat, an ode to the sun symbolizing hope, progress, freedom, and the promise of undiscovered territory. Its abstract form is deliberately open to interpretation.
Who created the Sun Voyager?
Jón Gunnar Árnason (1931–1989) created the Sun Voyager. The commission originated in the 1986 competition marking Reykjavík’s 200th anniversary; the full-size sculpture was unveiled on August 18, 1990. Árnason died of leukemia before seeing the sculpture installed. He was a prominent Icelandic artist known for his abstract metal works.
When is the best time to photograph the Sun Voyager?
Sunset is widely considered the best time for photography, as the sculpture faces northwest toward the setting sun (in summer). The stainless steel catches the warm light well. Winter sunrises also light the sculpture from a low angle. The midnight sun in June gives hours of good light.
What else is near the Sun Voyager?
The Sun Voyager sits on Sæbraut, the coastal road. Within walking distance you will find Harpa Concert Hall (10 minutes west), the Old Harbour area, and the Höfði House where the 1986 Reagan–Gorbachev summit took place. The waterfront path is popular for walks with views of Mount Esja.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.