Melanes, Rauðasandi

Melanes has Rauðisandur to itself — it's the only campsite on that stretch of red sand, set on a green patch beside the beach with the Látrabjarg cliffs in the distance. Trails lead out in every direction into country full of wildlife. The facilities cover the basics well: toilets, showers, a kitchen, an outdoor barbecue, picnic tables, a washing machine and a play area for kids. Seals turn up on the beach right through the year, and in summer Westfjords Adventures runs daily seal-watching tours straight from the site. Hikers have options too, from a historic path along the Sjöunda river to an abandoned farm, on to the Skor beacon — skip that one if heights bother you — or a tougher climb to the old coal mines on Mount Stálfjall. Open 15 May to 1 October.

Camping cards can save you money if you're spending multiple nights in the tent. Do the math.