Top 10 Oldest Cities in the World

Top 10 Oldest Cities

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the cities around the world that possess the longest historical footprint. Keep in mind that these numbers are all approximate, as were still a time machine away from nailing down precise dates.

#10: Gaziantep, Turkey

5,000 Years

Although the site of present-day Gaziantep, Turkey was severely damaged during the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake, it continues to stand as one of the worlds oldest cities. The history of this Anatolian area is said to date back five thousand years, back to the Hellenistic period of post-Classical Greece. Additionally, a diverse array of people have lived within Gaziantep over the years, from native Turks to those from Israel, Armenia, and Syria. Today, the populous and metropolitan Gaziantep stands tall in the face of that aforementioned earthquake, with the promise of rebirth after this most deadly natural disaster.

#9: Faiyum, Egypt

6,000+ Years

Egypt is a nation full of formidable history and legitimate, natural wonder. That said, the city of Faiyum stands as a piece of living history, even amongst some of Egypts most impressive and long-standing resources. This city in Middle Egypt is said to be approximately six thousand years old, with some archeological evidence placing habitation in the area to around five thousand B.C. Some of the most famous evidence of the Egyptian mummification and burial rites have been unearthed in Faiyum, while today the city houses a popular open-air market. Additionally, the history of Faiyum and its connection with Sobek, the Crocodile God, is also celebrated with mounds that mark the cultures historical relationship with its polytheistic past.

#8: Erbil, Kurdistan

6,000 Years

This capital of Kurdistan possesses a history that dates back over six thousand years, with human habitation said to have taken place analogous to the Egyptians in Faiyum. It was the site of many battles during the B.C. era, and came under the control of the Assyrians, Ottomans, Macedonians, and more over the course of many years. Today, Erbils Kurdish people populate much of its mountainous terrain, alongside many others who have fled the conflict in Syria. The area remains unstable at times, however, particularly when the United States possessed a military in Iraq. History buffs who find themselves in the region, however, would do well to visit the Erbil Civilization Museum, which harbors many amazing artifacts from Erbils pre-A.D. history.

#7: Plovdiv, Bulgaria

6,000 Years

This city of Plovdiv possesses a history that dates back over six thousand years, yet it also stands today as a lifeline to culture and connection for Bulgaria. Plovdiv is another city that has amassed over six thousand birthdays, dating back to the days of Alexander the Great and his conquering of Persia. Theres a lot of evidence from this area intact today since Plovdiv is home to hundreds of archeological sites. Theyve done a lot to preserve this history as well, with multiple museums covering everything from aviation to artifacts from the Ottoman Empire. Aged churches and religious sites can also be found in Plovdiv, together with its rich culture of theater, music, and art.

#6: Susa & Shush, Iran

6,300 Years

Very little of the original area of Susa, in Iran, remains today. What does exist is about a kilometer of archeological history, upon which the modern city of Shush currently stands. This physical area dates back over 6,300 years, one of the oldest to be settled in Iranian history. It is designated today as a World Heritage Site by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and is another city that passed through many different hands over thousands of years. Susa never truly recovered after a Mongol Invasion in 1218, and its people dispersed to cities like Dezful, and the aforementioned Shush. Its here where Susas historical significance remains with Shushs small, but growing population.

#5: Athens, Greece

5,000 + Years

Its difficult to nail down with absolute certainty the numbers game when it comes to what constitutes a city versus a province or settlement. As a result, cities like Athens and Argos in Greece, may or may not be as old as some of the cities weve already mentioned. However, their reputations as cradles of modern civilization more than make their legacy impressive when it comes to their influence today. What matters most is how Athens five-thousand-plus-year history has permeated so much of what we take for granted on a daily basis. From art and culture to politics, discourse, and philosophy, the importance of Athens is as impressive as its longevity as one of the worlds iconic destinations.

#4: Byblos, Lebanon

7,000 Years

Lebanon is another country with multiple candidates for the worlds oldest city prize. These include areas like Sidon, Beirut, as well as our next entry, Byblos. The history of this city is said to be over seven thousand years old and has encompassed generations of people from areas like Egypt, Persia, Turkey, and Italy. Byblos has managed to flourish in the modern day, however, generating tourism thanks to its natural beauty and historical significance. Celebrities visited Byblos frequently back in the 60s and 70s, including Rat Pack leader Frank Sinatra and acting legend Marlon Brando.

#3: Aleppo, Syria

8,000 Years

The fact that the area of Aleppo, Syria, has been inhabited for over eight thousand years is nothing short of remarkable. It used to be a massive trading hub, back at the height of the Silk Road network that helped connect the East and West. Unfortunately, modern-day Aleppo suffered greatly during the Syrian Civil War, particularly during the 2010s. The area is still unstable today, despite a half-million previously dispersed persons having returned to Aleppo in late 2016. Reconstruction projects that take place in the region of Aleppo have been forced to deal not only with moments of reemerging conflict, but also natural disasters, such as the aforementioned Turkey-Syria Earthquake of 2023.

#2: Jericho, Palestine

11,000 Years

Is Jericho the oldest city in the world? Some may say so, especially when it comes to its Biblical history. In this sense, cities like Jericho continually come up in these sorts of conversations, along with other Biblical cities, such as Jerusalem. However, Jericho remains a strong contender for the title, especially considering that it is approximately eleven thousand years old. Archeological findings date Jerichos settlement at approximately 10,000 BCE, while its connection with the Christian faith helps fund some of its modern tourism. This is despite Jerichos predominantly Muslim population. Jericho is also a haven for many rare birds and sits near the world-famous Dead Sea.

#1: Damascus, Syria

11,000 Years

The city of Damascus is on par with Jericho as one of the oldest continually habited cities in the entire world. This is despite the fact that modern-day Damascus is a place thats earned the bottom spot on the Global Liveability Ranking conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Damascus has won these dubious honors multiple times, including as recently as 2023. This is due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, although Damascus historical footprint dates back over eleven thousand years. Both international trade and tourism have flourished during times of peace, and one can only hope that Damascus can once again achieve the potential that parallels its status as one of Earths most venerable cities.

Are you an avid traveler? Where would you most like to visit? Let us know in the comments!