Some cities around the world have been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, making them among the oldest known to humanity. These ancient cities have witnessed the rise and fall of empires, cultural changes, and significant historical events, while still remaining vibrant and populated today. Here, we explore some of the world’s oldest cities, each with a rich history and unique stories to tell.
Damascus, the capital of Syria, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with a history dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. Known as the “City of Jasmine,” it was once the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate and remains an important cultural center. Despite suffering damage during the Syrian Civil War, its historic Old City still holds landmarks like the Umayyad Mosque and Saladin’s Mausoleum.
Damascus of Syrus, with a history dating back to 11,000 years old, holds the title of the oldest city in the world, followed by Aleppo, Byblos, and Argos.
Here is the list of top-10 oldest cities in the world:
| Oldest Cities in the World | ||||
| Rank | City | Country | Age (years old) | Description |
| 1. | Damascus | Syria | 11,000 | Oldest continuously inhabited city, dating back to the second half of the seventh millennium B.C. Named the Arab Capital of Culture in 2008. A cultural hub of the Arab world. |
| 2. | Aleppo | Syria | 8,000 | Capital of Aleppo Governorate, continuously inhabited for over 8,000 years. Located between the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, it became an important trading hub. Facing conflict since 2012. |
| 3. | Byblos | Lebanon | 7,000 | Located 42 km north of Beirut, believed to be first occupied by humans between 8800 and 7000 BC. A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its archaeological layers from centuries of habitation. |
| 4. | Argos | Greece | 7,000 | City in Argolis, Peloponnese, remained neutral throughout history, including the Greco-Persian Wars. Home to numerous ancient monuments. |
| 5. | Athens | Greece | 7,000 | Capital of Greece, inhabited since the 11th-7th millennium BC. Birthplace of Western civilization, known for its philosophical history. Oldest capital city in Europe. |
| 6. | Susa | Iran | 6,300 | Ancient city of the Proto-Elamite and a significant city in the Ancient Near East. Located near the Tigris River, it was destroyed and rebuilt before flourishing under the Persian Empire. |
| 7. | Erbil | Iraqi Kurdistan | 6,000 | Inhabited by Persians, Greeks, Romans, Mongols, and Ottoman Turks. Home to the Erbil Citadel, an ancient structure dating back to 2,000 B.C., and a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
| 8. | Sidon | Lebanon | 6,000 | One of the most important Phoenician cities, known for glass production and shipbuilding. Third-largest city in Lebanon, located in the South Governorate. |
| 9. | Plovdiv | Bulgaria | 6,000 | Second-largest city in Bulgaria, with a history spanning over six millennia. Important hub for Persians, Thracians, Macedonians, and Ottomans. |
| 10. | Varanasi | India | 5,000 | Oldest city in India and birthplace of Hinduism. Located on the banks of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, it attracts Hindu pilgrims for religious rituals. |
Madhya Pradesh, situated in central India, is renowned for its vibrant cultural heritage, historical sites,…
The Election Commission of India signed an agreement for electoral cooperation with Uzbekistan's central poll…
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the 21st Livestock Census on Friday, which will be…
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most cherished festivals celebrated across India…
India is a large and diverse country in South Asia, known for its rich history,…
Axis Bank has officially announced the re-appointment of Amitabh Chaudhry as its Managing Director and…