The oldest cities in the world

Damascus
The origin of some of the oldest cities in the world. Therefore, the classification that we will see below is not made in chronological order, since there are certain discrepancies about some of these places. What is clear is that they are cities with a lot of history and tradition and they deserve to be on this list. Do you want to meet them? We present them below.

Damascus

It is the one that is erected in almost all rankings as the oldest city in the world. They say it may have been inhabited since 9000 B.C. However, it seems that its establishment as a city in 2000 BC is considered as “official”. Towns such as the Romans, the Aramaeans, the Byzantines or the Arabs have passed through it.

Jericho

For some it is the second oldest city in the world although the latest archaeological finds found in this place in the Palestinian territories confirm that it was built more than 10,000 years ago and catapult it to the first position. Bowls, axes, arrowheads and figures have been found in it that have helped to study the Neolithic revolution.


Plovdiv

Is bulgarian city it is older than Athens and Rome, with a history behind it of 6,000 years. It is one of the longest-lived in Europe. In it you can visit tourist attractions such as museums, a Roman theater or the Dzhumaya and Imaret mosques.

Plovdiv

Kirkuk

Located between the Iraq Kurdish and Arabic, it has been inhabited by several different populations, such as the Arabs or the Babylonians. It was built on the ruins of the Kirkuk Citadel, where Arrapḫa used to be.


Threw

Located in the south of Lebanon, this city seems to be less than 6,000 years old. It was declared Heritage of humanity by unesco in 1984 thanks to the archaeological embers from different civilizations that have been found throughout the years. It highlights, for example, the triumphal arch or the Al Mina excavation, among other points of interest.

Beijing

It seems that in the year 10,000 B.C. there could be evidence of some settlement in this part of China, although it is not considered of such magnitude as to give it the rank of city. The Chinese government officially dates the birth of Beijing in 1045 B.C.

Cadiz

We include a Spanish city in this review of the oldest cities in the world. Is about Cadiz, which was founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 B.C. It is the oldest urban settlement that has references in our country. Populations of all kinds have passed through it.


Cadiz

Varanasi

This city is located on the banks of the Ganges river. It is the oldest of the India and the archaeological discoveries found in it date the first human settlements about the 20th century B.C. It is also known as Benares and is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

Erbil

Another Iraqi city that is known to have had settlements since 5000 BC, although its birth as a city dates back to 2300 B.C. It is the main city of Kurdistan and UNESCO considers that it has been inhabited constantly by people for more than 8,000 years.

Beirut

During the excavations carried out in this city, remains that this possible city could have been born around 3000 B.C. Several civilizations have passed through it and, like many of those we have seen in this review, it lives with the permanent yoke of terrorism and war.

Top 10 OLDEST CITIES in the WORLD (March 2024)


  • Beirut, Cadiz, cities, Damascus, Erbil, Jericho, Kirkuk, Beijing, Plovdiv, Tire, Varanasi
  • 1,230