🏛️ Top 10 oldest cities in the world

Last updated Feb 24, 2025

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Hidden among the flickering lights of megacities and their wide, crowded streets are cities that were once considered the centers of civilization. Some tragically fell long ago, others still amaze tourists with their thousand-year-old grandeur. Traveling to such places turns into archaeological expeditions, where every step is a step into the past. Get ready to plunge into its very heart on a tour of the most ancient inhabited cities on our planet.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria (7000 BC)

Welcome to Plov Div – the second largest city in Bulgaria and the center of cultural life not only in the country, but also in Europe as a whole. Throughout its long history, the Thracians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottoman Turks continually conquered Plovdiv, bringing more and more historical diversity to its appearance.

One of the oldest cities in Europe was founded in the Neolithic era, approximately 7000 BC. The Greek and Thracian polis, the pride of the Macedonian king, the cultural capital of the Byzantine Empire is located in the south-central part of Bulgaria.

In 45 AD e. the city became part of the Roman Empire, then it collapsed, and the entire world it created also ended up in ruins. Restoring Plovdiv and making it prosperous has become a difficult task for local residents. Most of the heritage has been lost.

But the main attraction of the city – the Ancient Roman Theater – is still a source of pride for all Plovdiv residents. The theater accommodated up to 6 thousand spectators and successfully stood the test of time. It is proudly called one of the best preserved in the world.

In 1892, the First Bulgarian Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition was held in Plovdiv. For its opening, a new city garden was created according to the design of the architect Lucien Chevalas, which was later named in honor of Tsar Simeon the Great. Today, Tsar Simeon's garden is a monument of park art. Since its creation, a fountain in the form of the Greek goddess of fertility, Demeter, has been preserved here. And inside the park there is a lake with Singing Fountains. Visitors can also admire many modern sculptural compositions.

Byblos, Lebanon (8000 BC)

This ancient port city is located on the Mediterranean coast, about 40 kilometers north of Beirut. In Byblos, according to archaeologists, life was in full swing already in the 8th millennium BC. During the heyday of Ancient Egypt, it became a major trading center as it was the main exporter of cedar and other wood. This is how the once quiet fishing village turned into a bustling port. And over time it became the world famous capital of shipbuilding.

It was from this city that papyrus was imported to Greece. Hence the theory that the Greeks took its name as the word for book. Today, Byblos fascinates visitors with ancient buildings, Bronze Age temples mixed with Persian fortresses and Byzantine churches, in the architecture of which, however, Ottoman influence is visible. It is not surprising that the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

At the Byblos Wax Museum you will find the best sculptures from all over Lebanon. Prices from the past literally come to life, they have been so carefully recreated. The exhibitions reflect the traditional Lebanese way of life, historical events and the characters involved. Some of the most popular exhibits include a Phoenician glass-blowing workshop and a traditional Lebanese wedding.

As you wind your way through the ancient cobbled streets of Byblos, don't forget to stroll through the local bazaars. This is where Phoenician antiquity meets Lebanese modernity. There are shops and kiosks along the narrow alleys. They sell everything from replicas of ancient ships to T-shirts with the inscription “I love Lebanon.” Trade is especially lively in the evenings, with live music from bars nearby. It is simply impossible to leave here without buying at least one souvenir.

Jericho, Palestine (9000 BC)

Located on the west bank of the Jordan River, the city of Jericho is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The rich historical past of this place attracts tourists from all over the world. Anyone can witness an archaeological miracle, but you need to be careful. Control of Jericho shifted from Israel to Palestine as the conflict between the countries continued. Since 1967, the city has been occupied by Israeli troops, along with the entire West Bank.

According to archaeologists, the first settlement in this region appeared sometime between 9600-9000 BC. or even earlier. Such conclusions were made after studying the ruins discovered in the outskirts of Jericho settlements. They were founded by the once nomadic people of the Natufians. It turns out that the city was destroyed several times, but the inhabitants restored it over and over again.

Jericho has a hot desert climate, which is protected only by a few natural water sources in its vicinity. They have served the locals for thousands of years. Additionally, it is 258 meters below sea level, making Jericho the lowest ancient city in the world. Today only 20 thousand people live here. Despite this, the city remains one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Palestine.

Perhaps the main attraction of Jericho is Hisham's Palace in the northeast of the city. Built in the 7th century, the great architectural structure was destroyed by an earthquake shortly after its completion. Today tourists can see here only fragments of its former greatness: ancient mosaics, columns, destroyed mosques and baths. Thus, the mosaic “Tree of Life” depicts a lion devouring a deer, and a chamois peacefully grazing nearby. This picture symbolizes Islam's intolerance towards enemies and the peace that reigns in the Muslim world.

In the southeast of Jericho there is a mountain where Christ fasted for 40 days and was tempted by the devil. Since ancient times, monks settled in these places, and the first monastery was built here in 340. Those wishing to get to the monastery will face a difficult climb to a small temple in one of the oldest caves. From here you can go up to the chapel – the site of the stone on which Jesus prayed during His forty-day fast.

Damascus, Syria (10,000 BC)

The capital of Syria is the largest city in the country and the oldest in the entire Middle East. Damascus is also known as Ash-Sham. The exact date of its foundation is unknown, but researchers call approximately the 3rd millennium BC the date of the first settlement in the area. According to other sources, people lived here much earlier. This is evidenced by archaeological finds.

The name of the city is translated from the local dialect as “running camel”. According to one version, this is due to the rapid pace of development of Damascus. Another theory is that the name comes from Damashak, the great-grandson of Noah, who, according to legend, built the city.

The conquest of the city by the Mongol invaders resulted in complete destruction for the city: the inhabitants were either killed or taken to Samarkand. A minaret was erected on the bones and masks of the inhabitants. The city square, called the Tower of Heads, was built in memory of the terrible Holocaust.

In 2008, Damascus was named the capital of Arab culture. And it is not surprising – it is a witness to the rise and fall of many great civilizations. The city was and remains the cultural center of the region, now home to more than two million inhabitants. Damascus was destroyed and rebuilt so often that today its history is literally buried under the modern metropolis. Because of this, excavations are often simply impossible.

There are more than two thousand temples in Damascus, the most famous of them is the Umayyad Mosque. One of the world's largest sites of continuous prayer since the rise of Islam, it is a symbol of the rise of a proud Muslim civilization and a masterpiece of architectural excellence. Construction of the Umayyad Mosque began in 714 AD. During the time of the Romans this place was the temple of Jupiter; under the Byzantine Christians it became the Church of St. John.

Numerous peoples have left their mark not only in architecture, but also in the traditions and customs of local culture. Thus, some women wear Western dresses, while others hide their faces. This is because Syria is a predominantly Muslim country. Only 10% of the population does not practice Islam.