Ranking 10 Remarkable Ancient Cities You Can Still Visit Today

Formerly known as Chang'an, Xi'an served as the imperial capital for thirteen dynasties and preserves one of the world's most complete ancient defense walls.

Regarded as the spiritual heart of India, Varanasi has witnessed continuous ritual prayer along its stone riverfront ghats since the Bronze Age.

Tracing its roots to 5000 BCE, Byblos gave the world the Phoenician alphabet and still charms visitors with its historic stone harbor and Crusader fortress.

Once a thriving port city of 250,000 citizens, Ephesus dazzles modern visitors with the iconic two-story Library of Celsus and its colossal Great Theatre.

Standing on the site of ancient Thebes, Luxor represents the world's greatest open-air museum, crowned by the immense forest of 134 stone columns at Karnak.

With over four millennia of documented history, the Old City of Jerusalem concentrates world heritage within its ancient limestone quarters and the Western Wall.

Inhabited for more than 5,000 years, Athens crowns the skyline with the 5th-century BCE Acropolis, where ancient temples stand watch over the bustling capital.

Founded as Byzantium and later reigning as Constantinople, this transcontinental city preserves ancient marvels from the Basilica Cistern to the monumental Hagia Sophia.

Established in the 4th century BCE as the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, Petra remains one of the world's most breathtaking hand-carved desert metropolises.

From the colossal arena of the Colosseum to the Roman Forum, Rome seamlessly blends 2,800 years of living history with the vibrant energy of a modern metropolis.