Top 10 oldest cities in the world

Civilisation began not with kings or empires, but with cities.

Thousands of years ago, humans abandoned nomadic life and settled in permanent communities, building walls for protection, markets for trade, and temples for worship.

These early cities became the heartbeat of civilisation centres of culture, commerce, and power.

While many ancient towns have long disappeared, swallowed by time, war, or natural disaster, a remarkable few still endure.

These are not dusty ruins preserved only for archaeologists; they are thriving metropolises where millions live, work, and carry forward traditions that began thousands of years ago.

Walking through their streets today feels like stepping into a living museum, where past and present coexist.

Continuously inhabited for millennia, these cities have witnessed the rise and fall of empires, sweeping cultural changes, and defining moments in history yet they remain vibrant and alive.

The planet we live on is a vast tapestry of histories, journeys, and cultural heritage, and some urban settlements stretch back as far as 8,000 years.

Among them, Damascus often hailed as the world’s oldest city stands as a symbol of endurance, alongside other ancient urban centres whose origins trace to humanity’s earliest steps toward civilisation.

This article looks at ten of the world’s oldest cities;

1. Jericho, West Bank

Often described as the world’s first true city, Jericho has evidence of human settlement as far back as 9600 BCE.

By 8000 BCE, its inhabitants had already constructed the famous Wall of Jericho, the oldest known city wall on Earth.

Over millennia, Jericho has survived conquests, earthquakes, and political upheavals. Today, despite ongoing unrest, it remains a fascinating glimpse into the dawn of urban life.

2. Byblos, Lebanon

Founded between 8800 and 7000 BCE, Byblos rose to fame as the beating heart of Phoenician trade. Its cedar wood was shipped across the ancient world, especially to Egypt.

Byblos also gave humanity one of its greatest inventions the Phoenician alphabet, the ancestor of most modern writing systems.

Today, its seaside ruins and lively harbour make it both an archaeological treasure and a tourist hotspot.

3. Plovdiv, Bulgaria

With roots stretching back to 6000 BCE, Plovdiv is one of Europe’s oldest living cities.

It has worn many faces Thracian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Each civilisation left behind layers of culture and architecture, from ancient Roman theatres to Ottoman mosques.

Plovdiv’s more than 200 historical landmarks make it a true open-air museum, yet it remains a vibrant Bulgarian city at its core.

4. Aleppo, Syria

First settled around 5000 BCE, Aleppo prospered for centuries thanks to its location on the trade routes linking Mesopotamia to the Mediterranean.

Although the Syrian Civil War caused devastating destruction, Aleppo is slowly rebuilding, holding on to its identity as a city of resilience and heritage.

5. Argos, Greece

Inhabited for over 7,000 years, Argos was once a powerful player in the Peloponnese before Sparta’s rise.

During the Mycenaean period, it was a major fortress city, and it later flourished under Roman and Byzantine influence.

Argos is also a city of myth: Greek legends claim Perseus, son of Zeus, was born here. Today, it is known for its agricultural exports especially olives and the rare Argetiko melon.

6. Jerusalem, Israel/Palestine

Dating back to at least 4500 BCE, Jerusalem may be the most spiritually significant city on Earth.

Revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, it has been fought over, destroyed, and rebuilt more times than almost any other city in history.

From the Western Wall to the Dome of the Rock, its sacred landmarks draw millions of pilgrims and tourists every year.

7. Susa, Iran

Now called Shush, Susa was founded around 4200 BCE and became the capital of the ancient Elamite civilisation.

Later absorbed by Mesopotamian and Persian empires, it played a key role as a cultural and commercial hub.

Mentioned in some of the oldest Sumerian writings, Susa’s layered history makes it one of the great archaeological cities of the Middle East.

8. Athens, Greece

Athens has been inhabited since around 4000 BCE, but it is best remembered as the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and Western culture.

During its Golden Age in the 5th century BCE, Athens produced towering figures like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, shaping ideas that still influence the modern world.

Its iconic Acropolis still towers above the city, a timeless reminder of Athens’ enduring legacy.

9. Luxor, Egypt

Built on the ruins of ancient Thebes, Luxor dates back to around 3200 BCE. Once the capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom, it was the centre of one of history’s most powerful empires.

Home to treasures like the Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, and Karnak Temple, Luxor is one of the world’s richest archaeological sites, earning its title as an open-air museum.

10. Damascus, Syria

Often called the “Pearl of the East,” Damascus may have been settled as early as 10,000 BCE, with its city centre forming between 3000–2000 BCE.

Over centuries, it has thrived under the rule of Greeks, Romans, Umayyads, and Ottomans.

Today, Damascus is Syria’s capital and cultural hub. It even boasts the world’s largest restaurant, capable of seating over 6,000 diners, a reminder that ancient cities can still thrive in modern times.