Eskilstuna, Sweden

Capital City

With a population of just 70,646, Eskilstuna is a small industrial city that can feel like a provincial backwater. The steel and manufacturing heritage that earned it the nickname "The City of Steel" is still evident, but the reality is a town struggling to redefine itself in the modern era. While the city is pivoting towards a "green economy," the climate is a harsh continental affair, with extreme seasonal temperature swings that make for unpleasant living. And for all its industrial history, the bureaucracy here is a persistent headache. Eskilstuna is best suited for those seeking an authentic, no-frills Swedish experience - but it's a far cry from the picturesque charm of the country's better-known destinations.