10 Ancient Cities That Have Withstood the Test of Time

The oldest cities on earth are thousands of years old. Some still exist today. Visitors to these cities may find museums with relics, and in some cases, excavation sites or even ruins. Sadly, some of the cities on this list are still around, but are not safe enough to support tourism.

Come with us for a look at 10 ancient cities that withstood the test of time.

Athens, Greece: Founded 1100 BCE

The youngest city on our list is Athens, Greece. Not only is the city still among the oldest in the world, but much of what is considered Western culture started here.

A mild climate and the protection of overlooking mountains have helped the city to retain many of the ruins of its golden era, including the Acropolis and the Parthenon.

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India: Founded 1800 BCE

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, is a pilgrimage spot for Hindus because it is the center of Hindu mythology. It has a spectacular riverfront lined with shrines and temples. The city is very accommodating for tourists and is often visited for one of the most revered temples in Hinduism.

Many people also come here to attend one of the three universities or dozens of local colleges.

Faiyum, Egypt: Founded 1900 BCE

Faium is the oldest city in Egypt and has ruins that date back to 1938 BCE. A diverted branch of the Nile helped give the area fertile soil, allowing the land to sustain an emerging population. What has become a dessert today was once a vibrant sea. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sidon, Lebanon: Founded 3000 BCE

Sidon, Lebanon, was probably inhabited as far back as Neolithic times, but we can reasonably date artifacts from the area back to at least 4000 BCE. At one time, the city rivalled those of the Phoenicians and Persians. Today, the city embraces tourism and is a lovely old town full of small shops.