Patreksfjörður

Patreksfjörður's campsite is a new one, sat right next to the community centre and hard to miss as you come into town. The centre does the heavy lifting for facilities: toilets, showers, a washing machine and cooking facilities, with electricity, WiFi and waste disposal for motorhomes at the site. The town spreads between the mountains and the beach, and there's a fair bit for families — including a pirates' house — along with restaurants, coffee houses and shops. The sports centre's swimming pool is a highlight, with a view rated among the best in the country. The surrounding Westfjords are the real reason to base here. The red beach at Rauðisandur and its seals, Europe's largest bird cliff at Látrabjarg, the Selárdalur valley and the Dynjandi waterfall are all within reach. Open mid-May to mid-September; children stay free.

Wild camping rules have tightened. Use designated campsites to stay on the right side of the law.