Turku, Finland

Capital City

At just over 206,000 residents, Turku may be Finland's sixth-largest city, but it packs a concentrated dose of bureaucracy. The former capital has clung to its status as a regional center, with a maze of administrative offices and an official bilingual policy that can frustrate newcomers. And while the city's coastal location provides a temperate microclimate, the long, snowy winters are not for the faint of heart. However, Turku's well-preserved medieval architecture, thriving arts and music scene, and status as the "Christmas City of Finland" make it an appealing choice for those seeking a taste of old-world Scandinavia.