Amarante, Portugal

Capital City

With a population of just over 52,000, Amarante is a sleepy Portuguese backwater that offers little beyond picturesque bridges and aging churches. The area's Romanesque architecture may appeal to history buffs, but the lack of modern amenities and persistent bureaucratic headaches make this an unappealing choice for most expats. Seasonal flooding along the Tâmega River is an ever-present risk, underscoring the municipal government's limited capacity to manage infrastructure. Unless you're a devout Catholic drawn to the legacy of São Gonçalo, Amarante provides few compelling reasons to uproot your life.