Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Iceland

With a population of just 176, Kirkjubæjarklaustur is a tiny village in the south of Iceland, offering little more than basic services. The nearest major city, Reykjavik, is a 120-mile drive away. Locals here endure long, bitterly cold winters, with temperatures plunging to -19°C. The village's history is marked by tragedy, including the execution of two nuns accused of blasphemy and witchcraft. Today, Kirkjubæjarklaustur mainly serves as a waystation for tourists exploring the surrounding Vatnajökull National Park. Unless you crave isolation and don't mind the heavy bureaucratic burden of living in rural Iceland, this remote outpost is best left to the hardiest of adventurers.