10 of the oldest cities in the world

The Earth is quite ancient. Although humans haven’t inhabited our miraculous rock from the start, the world is dotted with magnificent metropolises that boast histories stretching back thousands of years. At first, our endearing species took some time to settle down, but once we did, what happened? Magic. Despite the fact that many of humanity’s earliest settlements have been erased by the merciless indifference of history, the world’s oldest cities feature a diverse array of cultures and civilizations.

So, which city takes the cake as the oldest in the world? It’s debatable, but you could find your answer here. Cities can be found on every continent except Antarctica (where Base Orcadas is the oldest settlement). I mean, the ones that aren’t too far away. Damascus, widely accepted as the planet’s first capital, is currently off-limits due to the volatile political situation in Syria, but it should be on any list of the world’s oldest cities. Of course, some cities on this list are younger than 300 years old because we wanted to include the oldest ones from every continent. One could say that age is relative. Those interested in the past need not read any further.

Varanasi, India

The holiest city of the oldest religion on Earth must be quite ancient. Varanasi, India’s spiritual capital, has been a hub of learning and culture for over 3,000 years, attracting believers and sceptics alike. Even though Varanasi may be even older (it is believed that Shiva founded the city), it has evolved into a beautiful metropolis full of temples and sacred sites.

The ancient Shri Tilbhandeshwar Mahadev Mandir stands out among Varanasi’s many temples. It is not as ancient as the city itself (it was built in the 18th century), but it is still an impressive landmark.

Jericho, West Bank

Jericho is consistently mentioned among the world’s oldest cities. Near the Jordan River in the West Bank, Jericho has been a major trading post for much of its existence and is mentioned in the Old Testament. It has been continuously inhabited for more than 11,000 years. Jericho was the first city given to Palestine following the 1994 Oslo Accords, and its significance as a historical site continues to grow.

You should definitely check out the site where Jesus fasted after being baptised by John the Baptist. A cable car takes sightseers up the Mount of Temptation at various times throughout the day.

Xi’an, China

There are many ancient Chinese cities, but few with the same significance as Xi’an. Chang’an (now Xi’an) was the capital of China for 13 dynasties (a total of 73 emperors, if you’re keeping track) and has been continuously inhabited for more than three thousand years. There’s a reason why this place is considered the cradle of Chinese culture.

Highlight of history: The legendary Terracotta Army seems incomplete without them. There aren’t many more well-known archaeological finds than this one.

Luxor, Egypt

The 1,800-year-old Roman city of Luxor has recently been the subject of media attention due to the discovery of its full ruins. Since this was the location of the ancient Egyptian capital Thebes, significant historical discoveries are nothing new to Luxor, and future years are likely to yield even more. While Luxor is a treasure trove for archaeologists, it also has much to offer the average tourist.

One historical high point is found in Luxor, which is often called the most impressive open-air museum in the world.

Cholula, Mexico

Cholula is a bewildering mashup of antiquity and modernity, each representing a Russian doll within an even older and more ancient structure. Cholula began as two villages near eastern water sources around 500 BC and has since grown into the modern marvel of approximately 150,000 people. In addition to its bustling markets and beautiful colonial architecture, Cholula is renowned for its many beautiful churches. And the whole “largest pyramid in the world” thing. Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, two of Mexico’s most well-known volcanoes, set a dramatic stage for the proceedings.

Not surprisingly, the construction of the world’s largest pyramid (by volume) took place over the course of four distinct periods spanning from the third century B.C. to the ninth century A.D. In any case, it’s a huge thing. One of the most picturesque churches in all of Mexico, the Iglesia de Nuestra Seora de los Remedios, sits atop the pyramid.

Argos, Greece

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Europe’s oldest city can be found in Greece, as tourists have been flocking there ever since people began travelling in large groups. Argos, located in the Peloponnese, is the best candidate for this honour. You’d have to go back to 1200 BC to find those times, and modern Argos is a charming regional centre with lots to do for tourists of all stripes. Indeed, history reigns supreme.

Not only was the ancient Argos Theatre partially carved into the rock, but it also served as the site of a marketplace that existed long before the establishment of the exhibition centre. Even now, over 2,300 years after its construction, it regularly hosts events and performances.

Multan, Pakistan

Although Samarkand, Peshawar, and Kandahar all have legitimate claims to being the oldest cities in Central and South Asia, the archaeological magic in and around Multan gives it the edge. The timeline of empires from Alexander the Great to the British via the Mongols, the Mughals, and others can be found in Multan’s history books. The City of Saints in Pakistan is an attractive metropolis rich in history.

The historic Multan Fort stands out among the many tombs in the city of Multan. Between 800 and 1000 B.C., a fort was first constructed here, and it has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times since then. It’s one of the most impressive examples of ancient architecture ever built.

Beijing, China

Beijing is consistently ranked among the world’s oldest cities near the top of such lists. China’s chaotic capital city is also one of the world’s oldest, dating back more than 3,000 years and home to a population that was nearing 22 million at the time of writing. You may or may not have heard of a certain historical monument that surrounds the sprawling city, but it is the Great Wall.

The Tanzhe Temple is the oldest in Beijing and is widely credited with spurring the city’s early growth and prosperity. Tanzhe comes first, then the city, as the proverb goes.

Djenné, Mali

You are not imagining things. Djenné, a clay city of stories on the banks of the Bani and Niger rivers, may look like it was plucked from the pages of a fantasy novel, but it is actually a very real place. The Djenné region was first settled around the year 2000 B.C., but its turbulent history has caused numerous population shifts. Same goes for tourists, though the relative quiet right now makes for a pleasant trip. It takes eight hours to drive from Bamako to the ancient city of Djenné, though most visitors come from the northern city of Mopti.

The largest mud-brick building in the world isn’t the oldest structure in Djenné, but how often do you get to see something like that? Although Djenné’s Great Mosque dates back to the 13th century, the current building dates back to 1907.

Quito, Ecuador

The capital of Ecuador, Quito, was one of the first two cities in the world (along with Krakow) to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. If you want to step back in time to the Spanish conquests of the mid-16th century, a visit to Quito’s well-preserved historic centre is all it takes. While South America is home to some older ruins, no modern city can compare in age to Quito.

The heart of the city must be the historic district, right? The religious institutions that draw visitors to the heart of Quito date back to the city’s foundation in the 16th century on the site of an Inca city.