Sun Voyager (Sólfar)

Background

History & Background

Icelandic sculptor Jón Gunnar Árnason (1931–1989) won a 1986 competition connected with Reykjavík’s bicentenary with his concept for Sólfar. The design was realised as a large stainless-steel dreamboat, not a historical ship replica. Árnason died in 1989; the finished sculpture was unveiled on 18 August 1990, Reykjavík’s birthday. Its Sæbraut location places the work against Faxaflói Bay and the mountains, emphasising its themes of travel, imagination, hope and freedom.

## What is Sun Voyager? Sun Voyager, called Sólfar in Icelandic, is a stainless-steel public sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason on Reykjavík’s Sæbraut waterfront. Its open, boat-like silhouette is often mistaken for a Viking ship. The artist described it instead as a dreamboat and an ode to the sun—a work about hope, progress, freedom and imagined journeys. ## What makes it special? Set above Faxaflói Bay, the polished ribs frame the sea and Mount Esja across the water. The sculpture changes with the light: warm colour around sunset, crisp reflections on clear days and atmospheric outlines during winter’s blue hour. It is a particularly memorable subject for photography, yet well worth visiting without a camera. ## How to visit You can see the sculpture for free at the open-air waterfront at any time of year. Allow around 15–30 minutes for the artwork itself, or include it in a longer walk east of Harpa Concert Hall. Follow the paved seafront path; Sæbraut is a busy road, so use designated crossings and do not stop a vehicle on the road to take photographs. Nearby public parking can be limited or paid, so walking from central Reykjavík is often easiest. ## Photography and northern lights For photographs, try several angles to frame the boat-like lines against Esja or the bay. Sunrise, sunset and blue hour provide different moods. Strong northern lights can sometimes appear above the waterfront on clear dark evenings, but Reykjavík’s city lights make faint displays harder to see. Check cloud cover and recent sightings in AuroraVision before making a nighttime trip; there is no guarantee of aurora activity. ## A good Reykjavík pairing Combine Sun Voyager with Harpa, the shoreline promenade and central Reykjavík’s cafés. It is an open-air artwork rather than an indoor museum: bring a windproof layer, expect slippery patches in winter and keep away from exposed, icy edges.