Top 10 Oldest Cities in the World: Cities are like encyclopedias that hold a lot of information about the past. Every building tells stories about the past. Imagine traveling through time, from busy trade hubs to holy pilgrimage places.
This piece, which you can find at The Entertainment Adda, the ultimate destination for interesting content is a fascinating look at the world’s ten oldest cities. These old cities are examples of how resilient and creative people can be.
Get ready to be amazed by the many cultures, architectural wonders, and traditions that still live on in these lasting gems.
Table: Top 10 Oldest Cities in the World
| Rank | City | Country | Age |
| 1 | Damascus | Syria | 11,000 years |
| 2 | Aleppo | Syria | 8,000 years |
| 3 | Byblos | Lebanon | 7,000 years |
| 4 | Argos | Greece | 7,000 years |
| 5 | Athens | Greece | 7,000 years |
| 6 | Susa | Iran | 6,300 years |
| 7 | Erbil | Iraqi Kurdistan | 6,000 years |
| 8 | Sidon | Lebanon | 6,000 years |
| 9 | Plovdiv | Bulgaria | 6,000 years |
| 10 | Varanasi | India | 5,000 years |
1. Damascus, Syria (more than 11,000 years old)
Among the top 10 Oldest Cities in the World Damascus is the world’s oldest continuously occupied city. It is known as the “City of Jasmine” the centre of Arab culture.
Archaeological evidence shows that people lived in the area as early as the second half in the seventh millennium BC. Throughout its long history, this ancient metropolis has been an important culture hub and seen the rise and fall of empires.
Damascus is now a busy city with more than two million people living there.
2. Aleppo, Syria (More than 8,000 Years old)
Aleppo is the capital of the Aleppo Governorate and has a past that goes back more than 8,000 years. Archaeological evidence from the area shows that people lived there as early as 11,000 BC.
In ancient times, Aleppo was an important trade hub because it was in a good spot among the Mediterranean Sea as well as Mesopotamia. Unfortunately, the city has been destroyed by ongoing wars since 2012.
3. Byblos, Lebanon
The oldest and biggest city in Lebanon’s Mount Lebanon Governorate is Byblos, which is north of Beirut. It is thought that the first people to live in Byblos did so between 8800 BC and 7000 BC.
People have lived there continuously for more than 7,000 years. Byblos is a wonder of archaeology, with layers of history that have been revealed by hundreds of years of people living there.
4. Argos, Greece (7,000 years old)
Argos is one of the oldest towns in the world, and it is still inhabited. It is in the Peloponnese region, and research shows that it stays neutral all over history, even throughout the Greco-Persian Wars.
Argos is home to around about 22,000 people.
5. Athens, Greece (7000 years old)
Athens, the capital and biggest city of Greece, is as big as a country, and it is also where Western culture began. Between the 11th as well 7th millennia BC, there is evidence that people lived in the Attica area.
People all over the world know Athens as the place where democracy began and for its intellectual contributions. This city has stood the test of the years, surviving the damage of the Persian and Dorian invasions.
A lot of people visit Athens every year and it is the most ancient capital city of Europe.
6. Susa, Iran (6300 years old)
Susa was a major city in the Near East during the time of the Proto-Elamite culture. This city grew into an important trade and cultural hub thanks to its location near the Tigris River.
While the Assyrians tried to destroy the city, it was rebuilt and hit its peak over the Persian Empire.
7. Erbil, Kurdistan in Iraq (6,000 Years Old)
Erbil is a city in Iraqi Kurdistan that has a past that goes back more than 6,000 years. This city is a mix of different cultures because it has been inhabited by many different groups of people over time, such as the Persians, Greeks, Romans, Mongols as well as Ottomans.
The Erbil Citadel, which is also called Hawler Castle, is the city’s crown jewel. It is an old building that dates back to 2,000 BC. Today, Erbil is a busy city known for its UNESCO World Heritage sites, modern conveniences, and historical sites.
8. Sidon, Lebanon (6000 years old)
Sidon was an important Phoenician city because it was strategically located on the Mediterranean coast and had been inhabited for over 6,000 years.
As a major port city, Sidon thrived on trade, and the city was known for having the best shipbuilders and navigators in the Mediterranean Sea.
The city was likewise famous for making glass, which helped it become very wealthy and successful. Sidon is the third-biggest city in Lebanon now, and a lot of people love to visit.
9. Plovdiv, Bulgaria (6,000 years old)
The past of Plovdiv, which is the second-biggest city in Bulgaria, goes back more than 6,000 years. Nebet Tepe Hill has been home to people since 4000 BC, according to excavations.
This makes it one of the oldest cities in Europe. Plovdiv was an important center for many powers, such as the Persians, Thracians, Macedonians, and Ottomans ones. Presently Plovdiv is a lively city that is experiencing a tourism rebirth.
Its rich cultural history and amazing architecture bring in lots of tourists.
10. Varanasi, India (5,000 Years Old)
Varanasi, which is also called Kashi, Banaras, or Benares, is the oldest city in India that has always had people living in it. It is also a holy place for Hindus to visit.
Varanasi is in Uttar Pradesh and is on the banks of the Ganges River. It was built in the 11th century BC. Every year, millions of Hindu tourists and travelers come to this holy city to bathe in the holy Ganges and do religious ceremonies.
The streets of Varanasi are lined with more than 2,000 shrines, such as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Conclusion
The fact that the Top 10 Oldest Cities in the World are still standing shows the power of human society. They show how cultures, building styles, and societies have changed over thousands of years, giving us an insight into the past.
Every place has its own story to tell, from the busy city of Damascus to the holy city of Varanasi. As we visit the world, these old cities invite us to learn more about their history, culture, and traditions.