Bacau, Romania

Capital City

With a population of just 136,087, Bacău is a mid-sized Romanian city that feels a world away from the glitz of Bucharest. The town's history is marked by repeated invasions and plundering, leaving a lingering bureaucratic headache for residents today. Winters can be brutally cold, with temperatures swinging as much as 70°C between record highs and lows. Yet Bacău retains a vibrant cultural scene, with a public university, philharmonic orchestra, and annual folk festival. This is a city best suited for those seeking an authentic taste of provincial Romanian life, away from the crowds and chaos of the capital.