Rønne, Denmark

Capital City

With a population of just 11,497, Rønne is a sleepy Baltic town that offers little for those seeking urban excitement. The fishing industry that once drove the local economy has long since declined, and while the town's picturesque cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses attract some tourists, the reality is that Rønne's economy now largely revolves around ceramics shops and the broader service sector. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the town was repeatedly conquered and controlled by various powers over the centuries. Still, the island's temperate climate allows for the growth of hardy crops like the local Bornholm's Diamond fig trees, and the town escaped the worst of the damage from the Soviet bombing raid at the end of World War II. For those content with a quiet, provincial lifestyle, Rønne may prove a suitable fit - but most will likely find the town too small and too isolated to hold much long-term appeal.