Porto Torres, Italy

With a population of just 21,029, Porto Torres is a sleepy coastal town that has seen better days. Once a thriving Roman colony, it is now struggling to reinvent itself after the decline of its petrochemical industry in the 1980s. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the town grapples with the conversion from fossil fuels to bioplastics. While tourism is on the rise, thanks to the nearby Asinara National Park, the city's appeal remains limited. Unless you're drawn to the Roman ruins and coastal charms, Porto Torres is unlikely to be the Italian idyll you're seeking.