10. Beirut, Lebanon
Inhabited since: 3000 BC
The first historical references to Beirut date to the 14th century BC, in letters to the pharaoh of Egypt, and it’s still going strong as the capital of Lebanon. Although the “Paris of the Middle East” has been scarred by wars and local unrest, it’s still a culturally rich destination with thriving food and nightlife scenes.
9. Gaziantep, Turkey
Inhabited since: 3650 BC
Gaziantep, in southern Turkey, is just 60 miles north of another city on this list: Aleppo, Syria. Some of its popular sites include the ruins of ancient Zeugma, the Gaziantep Fortress, and the Gaziantep Zoo, which is one of the largest zoos in Turkey.
8. Faiyum, Egypt
Inhabited since: 4000 BC
Egypt’s oldest city occupies part of the ancient site of Crocodilopolis, which worshipped Sobek the Crocodile God and a sacred crocodile named Petsuchos. You can still find evidence of this past in the mounds north of the city that mark Crocodilopolis. In Faiyum you can find large bazaars, baths, and a popular weekly market. Pictured here is the Hawara pyramid. (Photo:
7. Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Inhabited since: 4000 BC
Plovdiv, the second-largest city in Bulgaria, has settlements that date as far back as 6000 BC. Evidence of the city’s former conquerors can be found throughout, including a Roman theater, Roman aqueduct, and Ottoman baths. There are also medieval walls, art museums, musical festivals, and much more to visit here.
6. Sidon, Lebanon
Inhabited since: 4000 BC
5. Susa (Shush), Iran
Inhabited since: 4200 BC
Shush is the modern name for what was the ancient city of Susa. There are traces of a Neolithic village as early as 7000 BC, and Carbon-14 dating places settlements there around 4200. Susa was a large city during ancient and medieval years, but a Mongol invasion in the 13th century shrunk it greatly and the population now stands at around 60,000. Susa is known as the burial place of the Biblical prophet Daniel, although this is disputed. Visitors can walk through the palace above the tomb.
4. Damascus, Syria
Inhabited since: 4300 BC
Some claim that Damascus is the world’s oldest city and that it’s been inhabited since 9000 BC, based on the findings of a settlement further out in the Barada basin. This ranking is based on settlement within the city itself. Damascus has been a vital city since the Aramaeans installed a network of canals and tunnels for water distribution. The city’s historical attractions, including the Great Mosque (pictured) and souk, are formidable, but with the current war in Syria, the country is an extremely dangerous place to enter.
3. Aleppo, Syria
Inhabited since: 4300
Because modern Aleppo stands right over the ancient city, it’s difficult for archaeologists to determine exactly how old it is. Still, it’s definitely among the oldest on this list, with settlements just north of Aleppo dating to 13,000 years ago. It’s the largest city in Syria, with a medieval citadel towering over the city. Unfortunately the Citadel, like the rest of the city, is off limits to travelers with war raging.
2. Byblos, Lebanon
Inhabited since: 5000 BC
Many will argue that this is truly the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Indeed, one of them was the 1st Century writer Philo of Byblos. We do know that the Greek-given name “Byblos” inspired the English word for “Bible,” thanks to papyrus being exported through the city. Byblos remains a prime tourism site thanks to its scenic mountains, sandy beaches, preserved historical sites, and annual music festival.
1. Jericho, West Bank(Palestine)
Inhabited since: 9000 BC
It comes down to this: Has Jericho been continuously inhabited since it was first settled? Some archaeological evidence claims the city has been abandoned and rebuilt, while others insist it’s remained intact. There’s no question that the city’s history goes way back: archaeologists found evidence of more than 20 successive settlements going back 11,000 years. Jericho is 846 feet below sea level and near a spring that feeds the Jordan River. It’s visited by tourists because of its proximity to the Dead Sea and its Greek Orthodox monastery atop the Mount of Temptation – you can take a cable car up to see it.
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