Cesis, Latvia

Capital City

With a population of just 15,020, Cēsis is a sleepy backwater that offers little to entice most foreigners. The town's medieval castle and historic center are picturesque, but the reality is a persistent headache of bureaucracy and a frigid continental climate. While the Battle of Cēsis in 1919 was a decisive moment in Latvia's independence, today the town remains firmly off the beaten path, catering primarily to local residents rather than international transplants. Unless you have a deep affinity for small-town Latvian life, Cēsis is best avoided.