Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk the same streets that civilizations walked thousands of years ago? Discover the 15 oldest inhabited cities on the planet and prepare for a journey through time that will leave you breathless!
There are places on Earth where the past has never truly vanished, where every stone tells stories of empires, conquests and daily life from thousands of years ago. These ancient cities are not abandoned ruins, but vital centers where the ancient and the modern coexist in a fascinating symbiosis.
In this article we will guide you to discover the 15 oldest inhabited cities in the world , true open-air museums that continue to live and evolve. Prepare yourself for an extraordinary journey across continents and millennia!
1. Varanasi, India 🇮🇳
Founded ca.: 1800 BC (over 3800 years ago)
On the banks of the sacred Ganges River lies Varanasi , also known as Benares or Kashi, considered by many to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Its origins are lost in myth, with estimates ranging between 3,000 and 5,000 years of continuous history.
What to visit: The beating heart of Varanasi are its 88 ghats, the steps that descend to the Ganges River. Don't miss the Dashashwamedh Ghat during the evening Aarti ceremony, the Kashi Vishwanath temple dedicated to Shiva, and the ancient astronomical observatory of Man Mandir Ghat.
Best time to visit: October to March, when the climate is drier and temperatures are moderate. Avoid the summer months (April-June) when the heat can become unbearable.
2. Athens, Greece 🇬🇷
Founded ca.: 3000 BC (about 5000 years ago)
The cradle of democracy and Western philosophy, Athens is a living symbol of the roots of European civilization. Its thousand-year-old monuments stand proudly in a modern and vibrant metropolis.
What to visit: The Acropolis with the majestic Parthenon, the Ancient Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the National Archaeological Museum and the new Acropolis Museum. Also stroll through the neighborhoods of Plaka and Monastiraki to enjoy the most authentic atmosphere.
Best time to visit: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists. Avoid August, when the heat is oppressive and many locals go on vacation.
3. Jericho, Palestine 🇵🇸
Founded ca.: 9000 BC (over 11,000 years ago)
Considered by many archaeologists to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, Jericho boasts settlements dating back 11,000 years. Located in the Jordan Valley, it is a place of extraordinary historical and religious importance.
What to visit: The 8,000-year-old Tower of Jericho, the ruins of Hisham's Palace with its magnificent mosaics, Tell es-Sultan (the archaeological site of ancient Jericho), and the Monastery of the Mount of Temptation.
Best time to visit: February to April and October to November, when temperatures are mild. Avoid summer when the thermometer can exceed 40°C.
4. Damascus, Syria 🇸🇾
Founded ca.: 3000 BC (about 5000 years ago)
Damascus is considered the oldest continuously inhabited capital in the world. Despite recent difficulties, this city continues to preserve an invaluable historical heritage.
What to visit: The Great Umayyad Mosque, the Christian quarter of Bab Tuma, the Azem Palace, the Souq Al-Hamidiyya and the Straight Street mentioned in the Bible.
Best time to visit: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), when the climate is milder. Summers are very hot and dry.
Note: Always check the security situation before planning a trip to Syria.
5. Larnaca, Cyprus 🇨🇾
Founded ca.: 1400 BC (over 3400 years ago)
Founded by the Phoenicians, Larnaca is one of the oldest cities in Cyprus and perfectly combines millennia-old history and seaside attractions.
What to visit: The archaeological site of Kition, the Church of St. Lazarus, the medieval Castle, the Salt Lake where pink flamingos nest and the wreck of the ship Zenobia, one of the best dives in the Mediterranean.
Best time to visit: May to October to enjoy the beaches, while April and November are ideal for exploring the historical sites with milder temperatures.
6. Matera, Italy 🇮🇹
Founded ca.: 7000 BC (over 9000 years ago)
Matera , with its famous "Sassi", represents one of the oldest human settlements in the world. This city carved into the rock offers a unique spectacle that earned it the title of European Capital of Culture in 2019.
What to visit: The Sassi of Matera (a UNESCO heritage site), the rock churches with Byzantine frescoes, the Cathedral, the MUSMA (Museum of Contemporary Sculpture) and the Palombaro Lungo, an ancient underground cistern.
Best time to visit: Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) offer ideal temperatures. Avoid the scorching summer, especially August.
7. Jerusalem, Israel 🇮🇱
Founded ca.: 3000 BC (about 5000 years ago)
A holy city for three religions, Jerusalem is a kaleidoscope of cultures, faiths and history. Few places in the world can boast such a rich historical and spiritual heritage.
What to visit: The Wailing Wall, the Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Via Dolorosa, the Tower of David and Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial).
Best time to visit: March-May and September-November, when the weather is mild and religious holidays offer special events. Avoid the hot summer and periods of major religious holidays if you don't like crowds.
8. Cadiz, Spain 🇪🇸
Founded ca.: 1100 BC (over 3100 years ago)
Founded by the Phoenicians as Gadir, Cadiz is considered the oldest city in Western Europe still inhabited. This small Andalusian peninsula overlooking the Atlantic has a very rich history.
What to visit: The Cathedral with its golden dome, the Tavira Tower with the camera obscura, the Roman Theatre, the Castle of San Sebastián and the ancient Phoenician walls. Also not to be missed are its urban beaches such as La Caleta.
Best time to visit: From May to October to enjoy the sea too. February is the time of the famous Carnival of Cadiz, one of the most important in Spain.
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9. Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹
Founded ca.: 1200 BC (over 3200 years ago)
Founded according to legend by Ulysses, Lisbon is one of the oldest capitals in Europe. Its characteristic white stone streets (calçadas) wind through seven hills, offering breathtaking views of the Tagus.
What to visit: São Jorge Castle, Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery (both UNESCO heritage sites), Alfama (oldest neighborhood), the National Azulejo Museum and the Santa Justa Elevator.
Best time to visit: March to May or September to October for pleasant weather and fewer tourists. June is the month of popular festivals (Festas de Lisboa).
10. To you, Greece 🇬🇷
Founded ca.: 3000 BC (about 5000 years ago)
Less known than Athens but equally rich in history, Thebes (Thiva in modern Greek) was the centre of power of ancient Greece during the Mycenaean period and inspired numerous Greek myths, including that of Oedipus.
What to visit: The Archaeological Museum of Thebes with its rich Mycenaean collection, the ancient acropolis of Cadmea, the temple of Apollo Ismenius and the remains of the Mycenaean palace.
Best time to visit: Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), when the climate is mild and ideal for exploring the archaeological sites.
11. Beirut, Lebanon 🇱🇧
Founded ca.: 3000 BC (about 5000 years ago)
Beirut , the "Paris of the Middle East", is one of the oldest cities in the world with over 5000 years of history. Despite its numerous destructions and reconstructions, it retains a unique charm where Eastern and Western cultures blend together.
What to visit: The National Museum, the Roman Baths, the Al-Omari Mosque (formerly St. John's Cathedral), the Gemmayzeh district with its traditional houses and the Corniche, the city's waterfront.
Best time to visit: April to June and September to November, when the weather is pleasant. Summer is hot and humid, while winter can be rainy.
12. Plovdiv, Bulgaria 🇧🇬
Founded ca.: 4000 BC (about 6000 years ago)
Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe, continuously inhabited for about 6000 years. European Capital of Culture in 2019 together with Matera, this city has seen a succession of Thracians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans.
What to visit: The ancient Roman theatre, the Roman Forum, the Old Town with its houses from the period of the Bulgarian National Awakening, the Ethnographic Museum and the lively pedestrian street Knyaz Alexander I.
Best time to visit: May to October, with July and August being very hot. Autumn offers beautiful colors and numerous cultural festivals.
13. Byblos, Lebanon 🇱🇧
Founded ca.: 5000 BC (about 7000 years ago)
Byblos (Jbeil in Arabic) is so ancient that its name is the origin of the word "Bible". This Phoenician port city gave its name to the first phonetic alphabet, the precursor of the Greek and Latin ones.
What to visit: The Crusader Castle, the archaeological site with Phoenician and Roman temples, the Church of St. John the Baptist, the lively souq and the picturesque fishing port.
Best time to visit: April to June and September to November, when temperatures are pleasant. In summer, Byblos hosts a famous international music festival.
14. Xi'an, Cina 🇨🇳
Founded ca.: 1100 BC (over 3100 years ago)
The ancient capital of 13 Chinese dynasties, Xi'an (formerly Chang'an) was for centuries the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the world. The starting point of the Silk Road, it represents one of the most significant places in Chinese civilization.
What to visit: The Terracotta Army (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ancient Ming City Wall, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Shaanxi History Museum and the lively Muslim Quarter.
Best time to visit: Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), when the climate is mild and pollution is less intense. Avoid the harsh winter and hot, humid summer.
15. Luxor, Egypt 🇪🇬
Founded ca.: 3200 BC (over 5200 years ago)
Luxor , the ancient Egyptian Thebes, is often described as the "world's largest open-air museum." This city on the banks of the Nile is home to a third of the world's ancient monuments.
What to visit: Luxor Temple, Karnak complex, Valley of the Kings and Queens, Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon. Don't miss the brand new Luxor Museum.
Best time to visit: From October to April, when temperatures are tolerable. Avoid summer, when the thermometer can exceed 45°C.
Conclusion: An unmissable journey through time
Visiting these ancient cities is not just admiring monuments and ruins, but embarking on a real journey through time, to discover the roots of our civilization. Each of these 15 wonders of the ancient world offers a unique experience, where the past continues to live and dialogue with the present.
Whether you are a history buff, a spiritual seeker, or simply a curious traveler, these age-old destinations will provide you with unforgettable memories and a new perspective on the path of humanity.
