Grundarfjordur, Iceland

With a population of just 861, Grundarfjordur is a remote fishing town that caters more to hardy Icelanders than international transplants. The nearby mountain Kirkjufell and natural scenery may draw tourists, but the town's wealth was built on the demanding fishing industry. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the historical French merchants who came here in the 1800s and built their own church and hospital. While the annual "Good Times in Grundarfjordur" festival celebrates the town's cultural heritage, this wind-swept outpost on the Snaefellsnes peninsula is best suited for those seeking an authentic yet rugged Icelandic experience.