Haapsalu, Estonia

Capital City

At just 9,812 residents, Haapsalu is a sleepy seaside town, hardly the "Venice of the Baltics" that tourism brochures might have you believe. The Estonian town's mud baths and historic charm may draw visitors, but the bureaucratic headaches of living here year-round are no small matter. After all, this was once the capital of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek - hardly the lively metropolis some might expect. Still, for those seeking a quiet, coastal retreat, Haapsalu's charms may outweigh its administrative annoyances.