Sólfar

Solfar, the Sun Voyager

The Reykjavik audio-guided tour brings you to Solfar, the Sun Voyager, the most famous sculpture in the capital. Set on the edge of the old harbour, facing the ocean and the mountains, it draws walkers who come to contemplate and photograph it.

A dream ship

Created in 1990 by the artist Jon Gunnar Arnason, a native of the city, the steel sculpture evokes the pure silhouette of a ship. It was designed following a competition launched in the mid-1980s to commemorate the bicentenary of Reykjavik. Far from being a Viking longship, as is often believed, Solfar is intended as an ode to the sun, to discovery and to the hope of an unexplored land.

What there is to see

Set facing the bay, the sculpture shines in the sun and stands out against the backdrop of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most photographed places in Reykjavik, especially at sunrise and sunset, when the Nordic light enhances its steel lines. The seaside site invites strolling along the shore.

Practical information

Solfar can be seen freely, outdoors, on the edge of the old harbour, along the Reykjavik seafront. It is accessible at any time and free of charge. The spot, exposed to the wind, is particularly beautiful at golden hours; it is part of the Sculpture and Shore Walk.

What does Solfar represent ?

It is a sculpture in the shape of a dream ship, an ode to the sun and to discovery, and not a Viking longship as is often believed.

Who created the Sun Voyager ?

The artist Jon Gunnar Arnason, in 1990, to commemorate the bicentenary of Reykjavik.