Guimaraes, Portugal

Capital City

With a population of 156,830, Guimarães is an average-sized Portuguese city, but don't let its quaint medieval charm fool you - bureaucracy is a persistent headache for residents. The historic town center may be a UNESCO World Heritage site, but the city's rapid, haphazard growth has left it with an "unaesthetic and unorganized" appearance that many locals find unappealing. On the plus side, Guimarães enjoys a mild, lightly humid climate, though winters can be cool and rainy. Overall, this is a city best suited for history buffs willing to navigate its administrative red tape.