20 Most Oldest Cities In The World

The world is full of ancient cities, with some dating back thousands of years. These cities have witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations, and have been home to some of the most important events in human history.

Let’s take a look at 20 of the oldest cities in the world. These cities are spread across all continents, and each one has its own unique story to tell.

From the bustling metropolis of Damascus to the ancient ruins of Jericho, these cities are a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of humankind. They are a reminder of our shared history, and of the power of human civilization.

20 Oldest Inhabited Cities In The World

🇮🇳 Varanasi: 3,000 years

India: Varanasi is the oldest city in India and is believed to be one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history dating back over 3,000 years. It is located on the banks of the Ganges River in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Varanasi is a major religious center for Hindus, and is home to many temples and sacred sites.

🇪🇸 Cádiz: 3,100 years

Spain: Cádiz is a city in southwestern Spain, located on the Bay of Cádiz. It is the oldest city in Spain, with a history dating back over 3,100 years. Cádiz was founded by the Phoenicians in the 12th century BC, and was later an important city in the Roman and Muslim empires.

🇬🇷 Thebes: 3,400 years

Spain: Cádiz is a city in southwestern Spain, located on the Bay of Cádiz. It is the oldest city in Spain, with a history dating back over 3,100 years. Cádiz was founded by the Phoenicians in the 12th century BC, and was later an important city in the Roman and Muslim empires.

🇨🇾 Larnaca: 3,400 years

Spain: Cádiz is a city in southwestern Spain, located on the Bay of Cádiz. It is the oldest city in Spain, with a history dating back over 3,100 years. Cádiz was founded by the Phoenicians in the 12th century BC, and was later an important city in the Roman and Muslim empires.

🇬🇷 Athens: 3,400 years

Greece: Athens is the capital of Greece and is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history dating back over 3,400 years. Athens was a major city in ancient Greece, and was the home of the Acropolis, one of the most famous landmarks in the world.

🇦🇫 Balkh: 3,500 years

Afghanistan: Balkh is a city in northern Afghanistan, located on the Balkh River. It is one of the oldest cities in Afghanistan, with a history dating back over 3,500 years. Balkh was a major city in ancient Bactria, and was later an important city in the Kushan Empire and the Islamic world.

🇮🇶 Kirkuk: 4,200 years

Iraq: Kirkuk is a city in northeastern Iraq, located on the Greater Zab River. It is one of the oldest cities in Iraq, with a history dating back over 4,200 years. Kirkuk was a major city in ancient Mesopotamia, and was later an important city in the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian empires.

🇮🇶 Arbil: 4,300 years

Iraq: Arbil is a city in northeastern Iraq, located on the Greater Zab River. It is one of the oldest cities in Iraq, with a history dating back over 4,300 years. Arbil was a major city in ancient Mesopotamia, and was later an important city in the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian empires.

🇱🇧 Tyre: 4,750 years

Lebanon: Tyre is a city in southwestern Lebanon, located on a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the oldest cities in Lebanon, with a history dating back over 4,750 years. Tyre was a major city in ancient Phoenicia, and was later an important city in the Roman and Byzantine empires.

🇮🇱🇵🇸 Jerusalem: 4,800 years

Israel/Palestine: Jerusalem is a city in Western Asia, located on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history dating back over 4,800 years. Jerusalem is a holy city to the three major Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

🇱🇧 Beirut: 5,000 years

Lebanon: Beirut is the capital of Lebanon and is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history dating back over 5,000 years. Beirut was founded by the Phoenicians in the 16th century BC, and was later an important city in the Roman and Byzantine empires.

🇹🇷 Gaziantep: 5,650 years

Turkey: Gaziantep is a city in southeastern Turkey, located on the Euphrates River. It is one of the oldest cities in Turkey, with a history dating back over 5,650 years. Gaziantep was founded by the Hittites in the 18th century BC, and was later an important city in the Roman, Byzantine, and Seljuk empires.

🇧🇬 Plovdiv: 6,000 years

Bulgaria: Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria and is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with a history dating back over 6,000 years. Plovdiv was founded by the Thracians in the 6th century BC, and was later an important city in the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

🇱🇧 Sidon: 6,000 years

Lebanon: Sidon is a city in southwestern Lebanon, located on the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the oldest cities in Lebanon, with a history dating back over 6,000 years. Sidon was a major city in ancient Phoenicia, and was later an important city in the Roman and Byzantine empires.

🇪🇬 Faiyum: 6,000 years

Egypt: Faiyum is a city in central Egypt, located on the Faiyum Depression. It is one of the oldest cities in Egypt, with a history dating back over 6,000 years. Faiyum was founded by the Egyptians in the 4th millennium BC, and was later an important city in the Ptolemaic and Roman empires.

🇮🇷 Susa: 6,200 years

Iran: Susa is a city in southwestern Iran, located on the Karkheh River. It is one of the oldest cities in Iran, with a history dating back over 6,200 years. Susa was a major city in ancient Elam, and was later an important city in the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanid empires.

🇸🇾 Damascus: 6,300 years

Syria: Damascus is the capital of Syria and is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history dating back over 7,000 years. Damascus was founded by the Amorites in the 3rd millennium BC, and was later an important city in the Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, and Arab empires.

🇸🇾 Aleppo: 6,300 years

Syria: Aleppo is a city in northwestern Syria, located on the Orontes River. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history dating back over 7,000 years. Aleppo was founded by the Amorites in the 3rd millennium BC, and was later an important city in the Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, and Arab empires.

🇱🇧 Byblos: 7,000 years

Lebanon: Byblos is a city in central Lebanon, located on the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history dating back over 11,000 years. Byblos was a major city in ancient Phoenicia, and was later an important city in the Roman and Byzantine empires.

🇵🇸 Jericho: 11,000 years

Palestine: Jericho is a city in the West Bank, located in the Jordan Valley. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history dating back over 11,000 years. Jericho is believed to be the oldest city in continuous habitation. It is located in a fertile oasis in the Jordan Valley, and has been an important city throughout history.

Outing..

The world is home to many ancient cities, some of which have been continuously inhabited for thousands of years. These cities have played important roles in human history, and offer visitors a glimpse into the past.