Southern Norway
This large campsite is extremely well run and can be found in a postcard setting by the water just 200m south of town. It can become crowded in summer.
Must-see hotels in Scandinavia
The Golden Circle
Recognisable by the turf house out front, the relatively plain rooms and cottages here are on the southern side of Þingvellir's lake Þingvallavatn.
Skåne
This hostel offers clean rooms in a 19th-century dance hall given an unfortunate modernist makeover. More expensive hotel rooms are also available.
Skåne
Tucked away near Simrishamn hospital, this hostel comes highly recommended. It offers spotless, homely lodgings with bathroom and TV in every room.
Iceland
Sleeps 11, at the foot of the mountain Rauðkollur, about 12km southwest of Hveravellir. No warden. Beds must be reserved. Not accessible by car.
Saariselkä
A wide range of cabins, cottages and apartments in and around the village can be booked through accommodation service Saariselän Keskusvaraamo.
North Iceland
Rent a room or the whole house on this lush farm, beautifully situated under the stone pinnacle of Hraundrangi. Shared kitchen and living room.
East Iceland
Small, neat, basic campsite just east of the village; it's signed off the main road. Note: no showers, but the local swimming pool is close by.
The Finnish Lakeland
Above this microbrewery and restaurant are two cosy, compact attic rooms (€125 during opera festival). Expect loud noise into the wee hours.
Borgarbyggð
Large and relatively characterless, Hótel Borgarnes has business-style rooms with good views that are largely the domain of package tourists.
Nordland
This simple guesthouse has rooms with rather dated furnishings but with a price and atmosphere that's a world away from the big hotel chains.
STF Vandrarhem Trossö Karlskrona
Southern Sweden
Modern, clean and friendly, this central hostel has a laundry, a TV room, a backyard for kids to play in and handy parking across the street.
Nordland
Rooms are as simple as they come but they're the cheapest in the archipelago and the owners cook up some terrific food for lunch and dinner.
The Coast
This friendly, cosy place is a fair hike from town, but given the shortage of midrange places on the coast, its simple rooms are good value.
Karelia
In North Karelia, the tourist service Karelia Expert has a dedicated accommodation booking service for cottage, cabin and apartment rental.
Central Norway
This remote DNT hut is used by hikers on the Besseggen Ridge. There are around 150 beds spread across several dorms, plus space for campers.
Skåne
This friendly campground is a good bet. It’s 2km southeast of Mölle, and you can hire bikes here for exploring the area (60kr per day).
Central Norway
The riverside Otta Camping is convenient and popular; cross the Otta bridge from the centre, turn right and continue about 1km upstream.
Kristiansand
Tent campers are in luck at this well-run campground situated at a popular beach 3km east of the centre. Take bus 15 from the centre.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The best rooms in this jarring silver box up on a hill have super bay and island views. Rooms are motel-basic and favoured by groups.
Astrid Lindgrens Värld Campground
Småland
These sites and simple cabins are on the premises of the Astrid Lindgrens Värld theme park.
East Iceland
At the entrance to town on Rte 92, this neat campground sits beside a duck pond, with decent facilities (including washing machine).
West Iceland
Guesthouse Dalakot has simple rooms, and a restaurant (open noon to 9pm) specialising in pizza and burgers (mains 1700kr to 3000kr).
The Golden Circle
By the highway just outside the village, this campground is a plain grassy expanse with some tree protection and portable toilets.
Iceland
About 4km southeast of the mini ice cap Hrútafell. Sleeps 20; no warden. Beds must be reserved. Generally, not accessible by car.
Reykjanes Peninsula
Basic rooms with flat-screen TVs and private bathrooms, some with water views, in the centre of Keflavík's seafront main street.
Skåne
On the edge of the Hagestad Nature Reserve, Löderups Strandbads Camping is a pleasant spot in a pine forest next to the beach.
North Iceland
Signed off the main road in the southern part of town, this small campground is by the local swimming pool and sports centre.
Bergen & the Southwestern Fjords
This lakeside annexe of Fleischer's Hotel offers well-equipped self-catering units in an almost comically brutal '60s building.
Nordland
A fairly standard rural Norwegian campground sits just north of the visitor centre and short walk uphill from the water's edge.
Skåne
Very close to the harbour is STF Vandrarhem Åhus, an agreeable youth hostel and B&B based in a 19th-century cigar factory.
The Golden Circle
Almost opposite the Geysir Centre is a campground with laundry and shower facilities (400kr per shower) and a kids' play area.
Bergen & the Southwestern Fjords
A tidy, old-school guesthouse in an old townhouse in the centre of Haugesund. Rooms are basic but all have a TV and fridge.
East Iceland
High above the town, near the avalanche barriers (worth a visit for the great views). It’s signposted from the hospital.
The Far North
As basic as they come but good for those counting their kroner, this fast-food kiosk also has a handful of rooms upstairs.
Iceland
Cosy hut operated by Gljásteinn; sleeps 25, has cooking facilities. Located on the south slopes of the mountain Bláfell.
Småland
Campers should head for this compact lakeside ground just outside Nybro for pleasant campsites and simple camping cabins.
Central Finland
This provider has a substantial portfolio of cottage and apartment accommodation, especially in the Kuusamo/Ruka area.
Central Jutland
This sunny little hotel offers no-frills rooms about 1km south of the Grenaa harbour area, just steps from the beach.
The Westfjords
Bolungarvík's basic hut sits on the southeast coast of Hornstrandir and is usually used by hikers walking in or out.
