Indeed, what stories do the words ‘ancient city’ whisper to you? Perhaps ruins swallowed by time, the lost city of Atlantis, or remnants buried beneath the earth. While many ancient cities exist today as mere monuments—like Machu Picchu in Peru or Angkor in Cambodia—some have thrived for centuries, continuing to pulse with life.
1. Jericho
Jericho is the oldest city in the world:the first of the ancient cities here appeared around 9600 BC. Now it is a small city in Palestine with a population of only 20 thousand people. Jericho is not only the oldest city but also the lowest settlement on Earth.
Christians often come here to visit religious sites. Jericho is home to Mount Qarantal, where the Bible says Jesus was tempted by the devil. Nabi Musa is the site of the supposed tomb of Moses. On the border of Palestine and Jordan, not far from the city, you will find Qasr al-Yahud, the site of Jesus’ baptism.
Mount Temptation (Quadrantal) is home to a monastery of the same name, which can be reached on foot or by cable car.
2. Byblos, Lebanon
In ancient times, Byblos was called Gebal and was a Phoenician port city on the Mediterranean coast. It is also mentioned in Egyptian mythology. According to legend, it was here that the goddess of fertility Isis found her dead husband Osiris.
The modern name of Byblos is Jebeil or Byblos. The city still has objects built in the 12th century. For example, the Crusader Castle is a classic knight’s castle with fortified walls and four towers and was once surrounded by a deep moat. Now only ruins remain of the castle, and a small museum is open inside. You can also climb to an observation deck here, from where you can see the city.
In Byblos, you can see Roman columns, royal tombs, and ancient temples. Be sure to visit the old bazaar – it was built during the Ottoman Empire to demonstrate the strength of the economic spirit. Now there are many small shops selling souvenirs, local crafts, and other goods.
3. Argos, Greece
Argos is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the oldest in Europe. People have lived there for seven thousand years. Argos has a very beautiful central square, built next to the Church of St. Peter in 1859. In front of the church, there is a long pond, reminiscent of a river. In summer, it is one of the most popular places in the city.
During the walks, you can see the ancient theater and agora, as well as the Larissa Acropolis, named after the daughter of the city’s founder, Pelasgus. The history of the fortifications (defensive structures) of the Acropolis begins in the 6th-5th centuries BC. The Acropolis is located 3.5 km from the city center.
4. Susa, Iran
Susa was once the meeting place of two great ancient civilizations – Mesopotamia and Elam. The city was the winter residence of the Persian kings. At various times, the land was ruled by dynasties of the Assyrians, Achaemenids, Seleucids, Parthians, Sassanids, and Babylonians.
Today, Susa is one of the world’s largest archaeological sites, located at the source of the river. The remains of Susa are located in the modern city of Shush. It will take 1-2 days to see the sights here, but they are worth the attention. For example, the Choga Zanbil Ziggurat is considered one of the best-preserved ziggurats in the world – these are temple towers that are multi-tiered structures. Shush Castle was built by a French archaeologist in the 1890s to create a reliable base for archaeological research and excavations.
Read more: Culture and Etiquette in Travel Essential Tips
5. Sidon, Lebanon
Sidon (now Saida) was a Phoenician port city. It reached its peak of prosperity when it supplied the Persian Empire with ships and sailors to fight the Egyptians and Greeks. But today, only ruins remain of these ancient cities.
Among the surviving landmarks is the Sea Castle, built by the Crusaders in the 13th century on the island. Only the northern wall remains of the original fortress, while the other two were destroyed during a hurricane in 1936 and later restored.
The old bazaars, where beautiful buildings have been preserved, help to immerse yourself in the cultural heritage. It is easy to get lost among the narrow and winding alleys and drown in the aromas of spices. Food at the bazaar is considered one of the most striking attractions of Saida. The city also has a beautiful embankment with a view of the Mediterranean Sea. Locals and travelers come here to stroll and enjoy the sunset.
6. Athens, Greece
Athens is recognized as the cradle of Western civilization.The city’s history spans 3,400 years. Despite the city’s popularity and the large number of ancient archaeological sites, only two of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Acropolis and the Daphne Monastery.
The Acropolis is located in the center of the city – it is a cult place where philosophers question the nature of the universe. Around the Acropolis are the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Odeon (ancient theater) of Herodes Atticus, and the Theater of Dionysus.
7. Fayoum, Egypt
Fayoum is located 100 km from Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Once upon a time, the city was a desert until an oasis formed by the canals of the Nile River appeared here. After that, Fayoum became a fertile region, which attracted the attention of the Egyptians.
Today Fayoum belongs to the city of Medinet el-Fayoum. But in ancient times, it denoted the entire territory where large prosperous cities existed, among them Shedit (better known as Crocodilopolis), Karanis, Hawara, Kahun, and others.
The city is famous for the so-called Fayoum portraits, a collection of beautifully crafted mummy masks. And there are many ancient Egyptian ruins throughout the region, such as the pyramid of Amenemhat III in Hawara.
8. Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv is known as the “city on the hills” because it was built on seven hills. But today only six remain: one of them, Markovo Tepe, was destroyed a hundred years ago. Plovdiv is one of the 10 oldest cities in the world, and almost everything here reminds us of its history. Stone buildings, cobbled streets, ancient churches, monasteries, and other architectural objects can be found on every corner.
The Roman theatre, built in the 2nd century BC, is well preserved and is considered one of the largest and best-preserved in the region. It can accommodate 5,000–6,000 spectators and, furthermore, still hosts performances.
Read more: Ecotourism Destinations
9. Gaziantep, Türkiye
Gaziantep is one of the most historical cities in Turkey. Some historians are inclined to believe that it was founded in 3650 BC, but most scientists believe that it is much older. But whatever their point of view, Gaziantep is still considered one of the ancient cities.
Gaziantep is considered the gastronomic capital of Turkey. In 2015, UNESCO named it a “culinary creative city,” and several dishes were even included in the list of intangible heritage.
10. Mantua, Italy
Mantua is located in northern Italy, in the Lombardy region, and is known as the city of three lakes. It is not a tourist destination; however, the medieval appearance of the settlement has been preserved almost completely.
People come to the city to enjoy the art, architecture, and relaxed atmosphere. Therefore, for over 400 years, Mantua was ruled by the Gonzaga family, who had the greatest influence on the city They built many buildings that made this place the pearl of Northern Italy.
