Top 18 Oldest Cities in the World

According to Jewish mythology and tradition, King David of Israel established the capital of the united Kingdom of Israel, and King Solomon built the First Temple. The New Testament mentions that it was in Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified. Additionally, in Sunni Islam, Jerusalem is considered the third holiest city (after Mecca and Medina) because, according to the Qur'an, it is a key stop in the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey.

This highlights the deep historical and religious significance of Jerusalem. As recorded in history, the city was founded around the 4th millennium BCE and became a shared holy city for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, preserving numerous sacred sites and attracting pilgrims year after year. Visiting this city offers the unique opportunity to witness a variety of religious architectural landmarks.

With a population of over 1 million, Jerusalem is a living example of cultural and religious diversity, home to various ethnic groups, religious denominations, and socio-economic communities.

Located on the banks of the Ganges River, the ancient city of Varanasi has a history that dates back to the 12th century BCE. It is one of the four sacred cities of Buddhism. Hindus believe that Varanasi was founded by Lord Shiva. The city's culture is deeply intertwined with the Ganges River, which holds significant religious importance.

For thousands of years, Varanasi has been a center for religious and cultural life in northern India. It is known for its unique Hindustani music style and has produced many renowned philosophers, poets, writers, and composers throughout India's history. Today, Varanasi is recognized as the Cultural Capital of India. The city serves as the administrative capital of Uttar Pradesh, covering 1,550 km², with a population of over 5 million people.

The ancient city of Cholula traces its origins to over 2,500 years ago, evolving from several scattered villages into a cultural melting pot for Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Olmecs, Toltecs, and Aztecs.

Today, Cholula is a small town with a population of around 60,000. Despite its modest size, it is home to one of the world’s most monumental structures, largely unknown to many, including readers from Vietnam. The Great Pyramid of Cholula, which is hidden beneath layers of earth, has its peak atop a giant hill. The pyramid measures 450 meters in width and stands 66 meters tall, making it roughly the size of nine Olympic swimming pools.

This impressive structure is known locally as Tlachihualtepetl, which translates to ‘artificial mountain.’ Currently, the Cholula government is working to develop a tourism attraction centered around an 800-meter tunnel that runs through the heart of the Great Pyramid. Cholula is located near Puebla, the fourth-largest city in Mexico.

According to the Old Testament, Jericho is known as the ‘city of palm trees’ due to its abundant springs of water, making it an ideal place for ancient settlers, especially during the cold and drought period of the Younger Dryas. Around 9,600 BC, as the Younger Dryas ended, the Natufian people began establishing permanent settlements, leading to the formation of Jericho.

In 1994, the Oslo Accords were signed by Israel and the Palestinian Authority, creating a framework for economic relations between Israel, Jericho, and other cities under Palestinian self-rule. However, in 2006, Israel reoccupied this city of over 20,000 residents. Despite ongoing political conflicts, Jericho continues to captivate visitors with its timeless, picturesque beauty.

For many years, Aleppo was not recognized as a cradle of civilization until archaeological excavations at Tellas-Sawda and Tellal-Ansari, to the south of the city, uncovered its ancient significance.

According to research by archaeologists, Aleppo was founded approximately 15,000 years ago. For centuries, it was the largest city in Greater Syria and the third largest city in the Ottoman Empire, following Constantinople and Cairo.

Today, Aleppo is Syria’s largest city, with a population of over 2 million, and serves as the capital of the most populous province, Aleppo. Visitors to this ancient city can explore remarkable landmarks, including the Aleppo Citadel, Al-Saffahiyah Mosque, Aleppo City Hall, and the historic Aleppo Park.

Plovdiv boasts a rich history of approximately 6,000 years, with evidence of a Neolithic settlement dating back to around 4000 BC. In ancient Greece, the city was known as Philippopolis, originally a Thracian settlement before growing into a major city.

During the Middle Ages, it held a strategically significant position, becoming a contested area between the Byzantine and Bulgarian empires. In the 14th century, Plovdiv came under Ottoman control. In 1878, it was named the capital of the Ottoman autonomous region of Eastern Rumelia, and in 1885, it became part of Bulgaria after the unification of the region with the Principality of Bulgaria.

Today, Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria, after Sofia, covering an area of 101.98 km² and home to nearly 400,000 people. Visitors can admire the city’s ancient Roman architecture and enjoy its tranquil, charming atmosphere!

Located in the central plains of China, one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization, Luoyang is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. The city’s origins trace back to the 11th century BC, when it was founded under the order of Duke of Zhou, who tasked Zhao Gong with establishing the capital of the Zhou dynasty, marking the beginning of its prominence as the capital of the Zhou Dynasty from 770 BC. Luoyang continued to serve as the capital of the Eastern Han dynasty until the era of the Three Kingdoms.

After enduring destruction during wartime, Luoyang once again became the capital under the Northern Wei dynasty, followed by the Later Liang, Later Tang, and Later Jin dynasties, known by various names such as Dongdu (Eastern Capital) and Xijing (Western Capital).

Today, Luoyang is a sub-provincial city in Henan Province, located in the west of the province, covering an area of 15,208 km² with a population of nearly 8 million. Visiting Luoyang feels like stepping into a land of ancient tales, with numerous architectural landmarks that embody China’s ancient cultural heritage, including the Longmen Grottoes, the White Horse Temple, and a vast array of temples and shrines dedicated to various deities.

Your final stop takes you to the land of Pharaohs, Egypt. Located 130 kilometers southwest of Cairo, Faiyum is considered one of the oldest cities in Egypt and Africa, dating back to 4,000 BC. It was once part of the ancient region of Crocodilopolis, the center of worship for Sobek, the crocodile god. The sacred crocodile, Petsuchos, adorned with gold and jewels, was revered by the people of this city.

Throughout its long history, Faiyum has been known by various names. After coming under Ptolemaic rule, it was renamed Ptolemais Euergetis. Later, during the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus in the 3rd century BC, the city was renamed Arsinoe to honor his sister and wife, Arsinoe II.

Located southwest of Cairo, Faiyum has been a significant part of ancient Egypt for over 4,000 years. Today, the city is vibrant, with busy markets and numerous mosques, offering a lively experience amidst its ancient roots.

Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, boasts a rich and storied history spanning thousands of years. It is believed to have been founded around 3,000 BC. Through archaeological excavations of ancient Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Arab, and Ottoman sites, numerous significant discoveries have been made, shedding light on Beirut’s past.

The city is even mentioned in letters from the Egyptian pharaohs, marking its historical importance. Beirut has been continuously inhabited since around 3,000 BC, and the first written records date back to the 14th century BC, found in correspondence with the Egyptian rulers.

Today, Beirut remains a powerful and influential capital. For decades, it was the banking hub of the Middle East. However, the city endured widespread devastation during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), after which it began a slow process of reconstruction. By the early 21st century, Beirut’s economy had rebounded, with many of the scars from the war fading.

Following the war, Beirut worked to regain its status as a commercial and banking center. The city exports silk, cotton fabrics, fruits, leather, poultry, and wool, while importing building materials, clothing, and food. The construction industry boomed during the city’s reconstruction, and Beirut is now well-connected by the Beirut International Airport and highways linking it to Damascus, Syria, and other Middle Eastern cities.

Beirut has reclaimed its position as a regional commercial hub. In 2002, the city hosted the Francophonie Summit and the Arab League Summit. In 2007, Beirut also hosted the prestigious Le Prix Albert Londres award for Francophone journalists. The city will also be the venue for the Jeux de la Francophonie in 2009 and is considering a bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The city of Tyre in Lebanon is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its origins tracing back to around 2750 BC. In 332 BC, Alexander the Great conquered the city, making it part of the Roman Empire. The ancient historian Herodotus, who visited around 450 BC, noted that according to local priests, the city was founded circa 2750 BC as a walled settlement, now known as Paleotyre (Old Tyre).

Archaeological evidence supports this timeline, with excavations revealing early settlements from around 2900 BC, though these were eventually abandoned. Tyre, also known as Týros or Sour, is located in the southern part of Lebanon, along a peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean, about 80 km south of Beirut. The city's name means 'rock,' referring to the geological stone formation it was built on. Tyre was once a powerful Phoenician city-state.

Located around 150 miles north of Baghdad, the city of Kirkuk in Iraq dates back to approximately 2200 BC. Today, Kirkuk serves as a major hub for the country's oil industry.

Kirkuk is the capital of its governorate and lies 238 km north of Baghdad. This diverse city has been a melting pot of different cultures and languages for centuries, contributing to its rich and unique history.

Located in the heart of the ancient Near East, Susa is one of the most historically significant cities of the region. Situated below the Zagros Mountains, around 250 km (160 miles) east of the Tigris River, the city lies between the Karkheh and Dez rivers. The area now contains three large mounds, collectively spanning about one square kilometer, known as Apadana, Acropolis, and Ville Royale.

Modern-day Shush is built on the ruins of ancient Susa, which once served as the capital of Elam. Today, Shush is the administrative capital of the Shush district in Khuzestan province. The ancient city is also referenced in the Book of Esther and other Biblical texts under the name Shushan.

Evidence suggests that the city of Sidon, Lebanon has been inhabited since around 6000 BC, making it one of the most important cities in ancient Phoenician civilization. Throughout its history, Sidon has been conquered by several empires, including the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans.

Sidon is also believed to be a place visited by Jesus Christ and Saint Paul. In fact, Alexander the Great captured the city in 333 BC. With continuous habitation since 4000 BC, Sidon stands as one of the most significant Phoenician cities in history.

Erbil, also known as Arbil or Irbil, is the capital of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq, located about 350 kilometers north of Baghdad. As of 2011, the Erbil Governorate had a population of approximately 1.61 million people. One of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world, the ancient Citadel of Erbil has been a permanent home for humans for over 7,000 years, some believe even up to 10,000 years.

For a long time, due to isolation and the impact of war, the Citadel of Erbil remained largely unknown. However, since UNESCO's World Heritage Committee began preliminary surveys of the site, it has attracted a wave of archaeologists and historians.

The Citadel is nestled in the heart of modern Erbil, with a population of around 3,000 people, 20% of whom are descendants of the original inhabitants of the Citadel. These residents live in roughly 620 traditional houses, made of brick walls, wooden beams, and mud roofs. Some of these homes even have basements. Unfortunately, many of the residents live in poverty, with low incomes. The internal strife in Iraq and the subsequent neglect have left them living in these dilapidated houses without electricity or water to this day.

Balkh is a historic town in Afghanistan's Balkh province, located about 20 kilometers northwest of Mazar-e Sharif, and 74 kilometers south of the Amu Darya River and the Uzbekistan border. Known as an ancient hub of Buddhism, Islam, and Zoroastrianism, it was one of the major cities of Khorasan. Evidence of human presence in Balkh dates back to around 1500 BCE. In ancient times, the city was highly regarded in both Greece and Rome, famed for its wealth and mystery. Balkh is considered one of the birthplaces of Arab culture.

Today, Balkh still exists, preserving its traditional weaving industry. Many cultures, industries, and empires, including the Persian Empire, have emerged from this ancient city.

Damascus, the capital city of Syria, is also the largest urban area in the country, covering 573 km² and home to over 4.5 million residents. Often referred to as the 'City of Jasmine,' Damascus was founded between 10,000 and 8,000 BCE. While its exact history is still debated, Damascus is acknowledged as one of the longest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Historically, Damascus has served as a cultural, commercial, and administrative center, attracting traders and artisans both locally and from abroad. The city has been shaped by several civilizations, including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic, each leaving its mark on the city's architecture. As a result, the city's ancient landmarks continue to draw tourists from around the globe. However, recent events have sparked fear among some of Damascus' residents, with concerns that the Islamic State (ISIS) forces may move toward the capital from northern Syria.

While the government has provided assurances, the people of Damascus are on edge, worried about the possibility of radical militants infiltrating the city.

The capital and largest city of Greece, Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a recorded history spanning at least 3,000 years. In ancient times, Athens was a powerful city-state and a major center of arts, philosophy, and education, home to the Academy and many famous philosophers, writers, and politicians of the ancient world.

Known as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, Athens offers a glimpse into its rich heritage through landmarks such as the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion.

Today, Athens is the eighth largest city in Europe, serving as the political, cultural, industrial, financial, and economic hub of Greece, covering 411,717 km² and housing a population of nearly 4 million people.

According to the Phoenician legend by Sanchuniathon, Byblos was established by Cronus as the first Phoenician city, and it became a settlement around 5000 BC.

This ancient site is of great interest to archaeologists, providing crucial pieces of the puzzle about human life over centuries. When we speak of Byblos, we must also mention the Hanging Gardens of Byblos, believed to have been constructed by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 600 BC, to help his queen Amyitis, daughter of King Uvaxshtra of the Median Empire, overcome her homesickness for Mesopotamia.

Today, Byblos still retains its alluring, ancient beauty, covering 17 km² and with a population of around 100,000, nestled on the Mediterranean coast of Lebanon.