Sabratha (Sabratah), Libya

With a population of just over 102,000, Sabratha is a small coastal city in Libya that offers little in the way of modern comforts or amenities. The ancient ruins are undoubtedly impressive, but the local infrastructure is crumbling - the public baths and olive press buildings have been damaged by storms and erosion, and the soft calcarenite stone is highly susceptible to weathering. Bureaucracy is also a persistent headache, as the city's governance has shifted between Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, Vandal, and Byzantine rule over the centuries. While the seaside location and mild climate may appeal to some, Sabratha is best suited for hardy adventurers willing to overlook its considerable challenges.