From a calming beach vacation to a budget-friendly adventure, there are so many amazing places to explore out there. And for those travellers looking to immerse in new cultures, a trip to historical cities might just hold the key. From the oldest inhabited city in the world to ancient sites with impressive attractions and fascinating traditions, these are some of the top oldest cities in the world to discover.
Please note: We understand that the world of travel has changed drastically this year. While it might not be the time to explore these ancient cities right now, they’ve stood the test of time and will be waiting for you once it’s time to safely travel again.
5 of the world’s oldest cities
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Southeast Asia is truly a dream destination for countless reasons. Not only can you experience booming cities like Bangkok or get lost chasing waterfalls in Laos, the region is home to ancient historical sites like no other. Even if you spend some time in Southeast Asia and feel like you’re ‘templed out’, make sure to save some time on your travel itinerary for the ruins of Angkor near Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The history of Angkor Wat
Beyond the iconic scenes and architecture, the Angkor Wat complex is famous for being the largest religious monument in the world.
Found just outside the popular city of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is just one of 72 temples of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wat means temple, and the ruins of Angkor are centred around the main complex that’s known as Angkor Wat. A typical trip here means starting your day watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat, and then wandering through the miles of temple ruins for a day or two. Depending on how long you have, you can decide to do the small circuit, the grand circuit, or to the remote historic sites.
Work began on the complex in the early 12th century with a Hindu temple, but by the end of the century, the country and the temples transitioned to Buddhist practices and beliefs. And the area was an important city and centre of the Khmer Kingdom for centuries.
Parts of the ancient city you won’t want to miss
While most visits to this ancient city start or end at Angkor Wat temple, there are plenty of other unique temples you won’t want to miss.
Must-sees include Ta Prohm, a late 12th-century building that has succumbed to nature. A recognizable structure from the movie Tomb Raider, native trees have taken root here and in many parts have taken over. It’s a mesmerizing mix of nature and human endeavour, which is also present at the smaller Ta Som temple.
Other worthy stops include the intricately carved Banteay Srei, the huge faces of Bayon and the stone lions of Pre Rup. If you want to see some of the region’s more offbeat temples, hire a local tuktuk driver for the day and ask them to take you to their hidden favourites.
Palenque, Mexico
Soaked in archaeological sites from pre-colonial times, Mexico is a gem for history buffs. On top of popular attractions like Teotihuacan near Mexico City and and Chichen Itza in the Yucatan Peninsula, the Palenque architectural zone is an ancient Mayan city in southern Mexico, near the city of Chiapas. Half temple, half jungle, Palenque is truly a sight to behold.
The history of Palenque
Palenque is believed to be founded around 200 BCE and was a booming city in the region throughout the 7th century. For the next thousand years or so, it was uninhabited and taken over by rainforest. Some Spanish explorers had a brief look in the 1740s, and an American archaeologist visited in the 1830s. This ancient site remains an impressive attraction if you’re looking for an insight into the Mayan civilization.
As it stands, there are more than 200 architectural structures—including homes, pyramids and a palace—but it’s believed that 90% of the ancient city is yet to be uncovered.
Parts of the ancient city you won’t want to miss
The Temple of Inscriptions at Palenque is a great example of Classic Maya architecture. Also known as the ‘House of the Nine Sharpened Spheres’, the hieroglyphs here have been an important site for archaeologists to study.
The palace, Temple of Skulls, and the pyramids in the Group of Crosses are also places worth checking out.
Timbuktu, Mali
Timbuktu is a name we all know, but are you able to point it out on the map? If you want to visit somewhere unique on a future trip, the ancient city in Mali is well worth a visit.
The history of Timbuktu
Unlike Angkor Wat and Palenque, Timbuktu is one of the world’s oldest cities that is still inhabited—in fact, it’s still home to tens of thousands of people. At its peak around the 14th century, Timbuktu enjoyed a couple of centuries of worldwide fame as a centre of trade, culture, and knowledge.
The ancient city of Timbuktu lost some of its influence around the 15th century, as its enviable position on the Niger River—which gave it access to much of west and north Africa—as Portuguese ships began trading with cities along the west coast of Africa. Timbuktu was regularly attacked by some neighbouring countries, but many of its major buildings remain standing today.
Parts of the ancient city you won’t want to miss
Many of the mosques and learning centres built of pounded earth in the 14th century still exist, such as the Djingareyber, Sankore, and Sidi Yahia mosques and, most famously, the ancient university.
Petra, Jordan
Also known as the ‘Rose City’ because of its pastel hue, Petra a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history. Photographers will revel at the monumental structures that are carved directly onto the rockface.
The history of Petra
Why is Petra one of the world’s oldest cities? The area around Petra has been home to humans for millenia. It’s estimated that early inhabitants lived in the region from around 7000 BCE. The Petra that we know and love was built closer to the common era, and archaeological estimates date the beginnings of the site to 400-200 BCE.
Petra flourished as a major hub on a popular trade route in the Middle East. It enjoyed a few centuries of independence and wealth before the Romans invaded in 106 CE. From there, the historical city declined, hastened by a major earthquake in 363 before it virtually disappeared from maps. It was rediscovered in 1812 and has since been considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Parts of the ancient city you won’t want to miss
The poster child of Petra is the Treasury, believed to be a tomb for an ancient king. This is one of the best-preserved and most impressive buildings in the city.
Look towards the Siq valley and the street of facades, which show the natural wonder and everyday living of the historic city. Other structures like the Royal Tombs, show that the Treasury wasn’t a one-off.
Because of the rich colour of the stone and sand in Petra, seeing one of the world’s oldest cities at sunrise or sunset gives a whole new perspective on the area.
Athens, Greece
One of the oldest cities in the world is none other than the iconic destination of Athens, Greece. History buffs, architecture lovers, and culture seekers have plenty to discover in this popular European city by the Mediterranean Sea.
The history of Athens
The birthplace of Western civilization is just one of the things that Athens is known for. It’s the oldest capital city in Europe, and has been inhabited for over 5,000 years.
Whether you’re into learning about the founding of democracy or drama, Athens is there to tell you the story of its long, fascinating history.
Parts of the ancient city you won’t want to miss
You can spend weeks here exploring the wonders of Athens’ historic attractions, from the Acropolis to the Parthenon. Visitors can enjoy the large pedestrian zone of the city’s historical centre, which is a walkable section to easily explore these archaeological icons.
Both the Acropolis and Daphni Monastery are UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Athens for your to-do list. Another notable sites for you history buffs are Zappeion Hall, the Hellenic Parliament, and the Monastiraki (to name a few!). For more insight, check out our Athens travel guide.
Some of these ancient cities have gone decades without a tourist paying a visit of appreciation. We have faith that they’ll be just as stunning as always when it’s time for travellers to venture out again. Borders may close, but travel dreams are always open.
World’s oldest cities: Frequently asked questions
The longest continually inhabited city in the world is thought to be Jericho in Palestine. It is estimated to have been founded around 9,000 to 11,000 years ago.
Egypt is said to be the oldest country in the world, with a history dating back to 3100 BCE.
One of the oldest inhabited cities in North America is Mexico City. Now the capital city of Mexico, also known as the United Mexican States, the city was once the centre of the Aztec Empire.
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