Smederevo, Serbia

Capital City

Smederevo is hardly the picturesque Serbian city the tourism board would have you believe. With a population of just 59,261 and an administrative area of 97,930, this industrial hub on the Danube is a far cry from the charming Balkans cliché. The tax burden is heavy, and bureaucracy is a persistent headache - the city's steel mill has changed hands multiple times, reflecting the economic turmoil. Yet, for those undeterred by the gritty reality, Smederevo offers a strategic location and a glimpse into Serbia's complex history, from the Roman Empire to the Ottoman rule. This is a city for the hardened expat, not the romantic dreamer.