Buzau, Romania

Capital City

With a population of just over 103,000, Buzău is a pragmatic city in southeast Romania, serving as an important economic and transportation hub. The city has endured repeated destruction over the centuries, symbolized by the phoenix on its coat of arms, and bureaucracy remains a persistent headache for residents. While the climate is generally mild, the Buzău River's fluctuating flow can lead to damaging floods. Overall, this hardscrabble city is best suited for those seeking an affordable, no-frills Romanian experience, away from the glitz of the capital.