After days of driving through remote mountain passes, dramatic fjords and endless snowy roads, Day 4 of our Icelandic Adventure brought a slightly different pace — and honestly, it was exactly what we needed.

This was the day we made our way from Varmahlíð to Akureyri, the unofficial capital of North Iceland.

And after several days of constantly moving, chasing daylight and sleeping in the campervan surrounded by some of the wildest landscapes we’ve ever seen, arriving somewhere that felt lively, cosy and welcoming felt incredibly special.

But as always with Iceland, even the quieter days somehow end up becoming unforgettable.

Leaving Varmahlíð

We woke up to another freezing Icelandic morning with frost covering the windows and snow stretching across the surrounding landscape.

By now, campervan life had properly become part of the adventure.

The early mornings. The cold air hitting your face the second you opened the door. The constant checking of weather forecasts and road conditions before setting off each day.

There’s something strangely addictive about it.

As we packed everything away and hit the road once again, the drive towards Akureyri immediately reminded us why North Iceland feels so different to the south.

The roads felt quieter.

The mountains felt bigger.

And the scenery somehow looked even more untouched.

The further north we travelled, the more dramatic the landscapes became with huge snow-covered peaks surrounding the roads around us.

Even simple fuel stops somehow came with ridiculous views.

The Iceland Supermarket Experience

Before properly exploring Akureyri, we made the essential Iceland road trip stop — Bónus and Netto.

If you’ve travelled Iceland before, you’ll already know how important supermarket runs become during a campervan trip.

Not only does cooking your own food save an unbelievable amount of money, but there’s also something genuinely cosy about picking up supplies before heading back to your accommodation after a long day exploring.

Walking around Icelandic supermarkets is also weirdly fun.

From the famous pink Bónus pig logo to discovering Icelandic snacks, drinks and random foods you’ve never seen before, it somehow becomes part of the travel experience itself.

We stocked up on essentials, grabbed food for the next couple of days and prepared ourselves for two nights staying just outside Akureyri.

And honestly, after several days on the road, the idea of staying somewhere for more than one night felt luxurious.

Arriving in Akureyri

As we drove into Akureyri, it instantly felt different from anywhere else we’d visited so far on the trip.

After days of isolated roads and tiny coastal towns, Akureyri felt vibrant.

Nestled beneath huge mountains and sitting beside the fjord, the town somehow manages to feel both lively and peaceful at the same time.

Colourful buildings lined the streets while snow covered the rooftops and mountains towered in the background in every direction.

It genuinely felt like stepping into a winter postcard.

Despite being Iceland’s second-largest urban area, Akureyri still keeps that relaxed northern Icelandic charm that makes you instantly slow down and take everything in properly.

Exploring the Town

One of the first places we visited was the iconic Akureyri Church standing proudly above the town.

Seeing it surrounded by snow with the mountains behind it looked absolutely incredible. The steps leading up towards the church gave some of the best views overlooking the town and fjord below.

This quickly became one of our favourite things about Akureyri — no matter where you stand, the scenery surrounding the town is unbelievable.

Even everyday streets somehow feel cinematic.

We spent the afternoon wandering through the town, filming, taking photos and simply enjoying slowing down for a while after several intense driving days.

The botanical gardens were another surprise.

The fact Iceland even has botanical gardens this far north feels impressive enough already, but wandering through them surrounded by winter landscapes gave the place such a peaceful atmosphere.

There’s a calmness to Akureyri that’s difficult to explain.

It doesn’t feel rushed.

It feels lived in.

Comfortable.

Like somewhere you could actually imagine staying for a while.

Food Stops & Hidden Gems

One of our favourite parts of travelling is finding small cafés, bakeries and random hidden spots you’d never normally discover unless you were exploring properly.

Akureyri ended up being full of them.

We found cosy little streets, unique landmarks and quiet viewpoints overlooking the fjord that made us stop repeatedly throughout the day.

And after several days of surviving mainly on quick campervan meals and snacks, finally sitting down somewhere warm for food felt incredible.

There’s something about cold Icelandic weather that makes every hot meal taste ten times better.

Especially after spending hours outside filming in freezing temperatures.

Heading to Our Cabin

As evening arrived, we finally made our way towards the cabin where we’d be staying for the next two nights.

And honestly?

This place felt like heaven.

After multiple nights constantly moving between campsites and sleeping in the campervan, arriving at a warm, cosy cabin surrounded by snow-covered landscapes felt unreal.

The setting looked exactly how you imagine Iceland in winter should look.

Quiet.

Remote.

Cosy lights glowing against the snow outside.

It instantly became one of our favourite stays of the entire trip.

We cooked dinner, relaxed properly for the first time in days and simply enjoyed the feeling of slowing down for a moment while snow covered the landscape around us.

Sometimes the best moments in Iceland aren’t the huge waterfalls or dramatic roads.

Sometimes it’s simply sitting inside somewhere warm after a long freezing day while looking out at the mountains.

Why Akureyri Felt So Special

There was something about Day 4 that felt different from the rest of the trip so far.

Maybe it was the slower pace.

Maybe it was finally staying somewhere for more than one night.

Or maybe it was the fact Akureyri somehow combines everything we love about Iceland into one place — dramatic landscapes, peaceful surroundings, colourful streets and that cosy Nordic atmosphere that makes you never want to leave.

For us, Iceland has never just been about ticking off tourist attractions.

It’s about the feeling the country gives you.

The freedom.

The quiet.

The space.

And Day 4 captured that perfectly.

After several intense days on the road, this felt like the moment we could finally breathe everything in properly.

And somehow… North Iceland still had so much more waiting for us.