Traveling is a great way to get out of your comfort zone, see new places, try new things, and experience the world’s beauty. But on top of beautiful landscapes, amazing culture, and cool people, traveling can help you explore and discover amazing history. And luckily, there’s an endless list of fantastic destinations around the world that are rich in travel. Below, we have compiled a list of the most historic cities guaranteed to quench your adventurous spirit and give you a unique peek into the past.
1. Boston
Boston is the capital city of the state of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, located in the northeastern region of the United States. According to a 2022 U.S. News & World Report, it’s one of the most historic cities in the U.S., boasting of many “American firsts.” These include the first public school, park, library, and subway system. On top of that, Boston was at the center of several American historical events, like being the first settlement for American colonists and the famous Boston Tea Party that led to the American Revolution.
You can enjoy several historic sites by visiting Boston. These include the Freedom Trail, where you can experience a unique collection of places that tells of the city’s contribution to the birth of the modern United States. Other historical sites include The Boston Common Central Park, the floating USS Constitution Museum, and the John F. Kennedy National Historic Site.
History is, however, not the only thing you can enjoy when visiting Boston. For example, the city is famous for its commerce scene, and a walk down the street will bring you across startups, gift shops, specialty shops, shopping malls, antique shops, sign design stores, farmers markets, and others. You can also enjoy amazing cuisine, like the famous Boston Baked Beans, Boston cream pie, and Yankee pot roast.
2. Berlin
Berlin is the capital of Germany and the largest city in the European country. It’s also one of the most historic cities in the world, having been at the center of several world-changing events. For example, it was the capital of the Prussian Empire (which consisted of modern-day Germany, Poland, Russia, and other European countries.) In addition, Berlin was heavily involved in the First & Second World Wards and the Cold War.
The city of Berlin has several historic sites that are full of amazing (and sometimes troublesome) history. For example, you can explore the Holocaust Memorial, erected to remember the Jews murdered during the Second World War. Other historical sites include the Berlin Wall remains, the 18th-century Brandenburg Gate, The Reichstag (parliament building), and the Berlin Stasi Prison.
Berlin is also a city that’s rich with cultural history. For example, it’s home to iconic architecture, like Berliner Philharmonie (orchestra hall), famous for being the home of classical music, and its striking golden-colored exterior and swooped roof design. In addition, the city is home to 170 museums, which display precious and historical artifacts from all over the world.
3. Athens
Athens is the capital and the largest city in Greece. According to the World History Encyclopedia, it’s one of the world’s oldest and most historic cities and has been continuously inhabited for over 3,000 years. In addition, Athens was the capital of Ancient Greece and is considered the birthplace of Western civilization, with many concepts like philosophy, science, democracy, and mathematics originating here.
You can explore an endless list of historical sites when visiting Athens. These include The Parthenon (an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Athena), the Acropolis of Athens, the 12th-century church of Agios Eleftherios, and the Ancient Agora of Athens. Other historical places include the Panathenaic Stadium, the Kerameikos (ancient cemetery remains), the Temple of Poseidon, and the Athens National Archeological Museum.
However, Athens is not just home to ancient landmarks. Indeed, when exploring the city, you’ll discover that its skyline is full of modern architectural buildings with beautiful roof designs that range from flat roofs to shingle roofing and glass roofs. These new buildings coexist peacefully with historical architecture, creating a pleasant scene.
4. Alexandria
Alexandria is a port city that’s located in Egypt. It was the cultural center of the ancient Mediterranean during the Hellenistic age, thus helping to spread Greek culture to the Mediterranean and the rest of the world. In addition, Alexandria is famous for being the birthplace of scholarship, ecclesiastical politics, and piety during early Christian history. As a result, it’s one of the most historic cities you can visit in the world.
The city of Alexandria has a lot to offer in terms of historical sites. For example, it was home to the Pharos (Lighthouse) of Alexandria, which, according to National Geographic, is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient Worlds. You can also explore other historical sites like Pompey’s Pillar, the Library of Alexandria, Montaza Palace, and the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa.
On top of historical sites, you can also explore a wide range of modern architectural buildings and landmarks in Alexandria. For example, the city is home to the iconic Bibliotheca of Alexandra, a modern 11-story library that can accommodate 4 million books. In addition, the city is also home to several buildings and homes featuring the latest designs, from glass ceilings to leather wallcovering, flat roofing, etc.
5. Rome
Rome is the capital city of Italy. It’s one of the most historic cities in the world, having been the capital of the ancient Roman Empire, which had spread to three continents during its peak. In later centuries, Rome became the spiritual capital of the Christian world and contributed heavily to spreading the Christian religion worldwide.
You can visit several historical sites in Rome to get a peek into the city’s unique and rich history. One of the top ones is The Colosseum, a large amphitheater in Ancient Rome that hosted gladiator events. Others include the Pyramid of Cestius (inspired by Egyptian Pyramids), Ostia Antica (ruins of Ancient Rome city), the Roman Forum (center of Ancient Rome), The Pantheon (Roman temple), and the Trevi Fountain.
One thing to note when visiting Rome is that the city can be dangerous due to road accidents. According to a report by the Italian Insider, the city experiences three car accidents every hour and one road traffic-related death every three days. Therefore, when exploring the city, you should be careful and be prepared with good resources like travel insurance and an accident attorney.
6. Istanbul
Istanbul is a major metropolitan in Turkey and one of Europe’s largest and most populous cities. It’s also one of the most historic cities you can visit, having been the capital of the ancient Ottoman and Byzantine Empires. In addition, the city has been at the center of several historical events, from the Roman invasion to the Crusades, The Turkish War of Independence, the Balkan Wars, and The World Wars.
Istanbul has several sites you can explore to experience the city’s rich history. These include the Hagia Sophia (Greek Orthodox church), the 17th-century Sultan Ahmet Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace (administrative center of the Ottoman Empire). Other sites include the Princes’ Islands (used to exile princes during the Byzantine and Ottoman empires periods), the Grand Bazaar (a covered marketplace), and the Taksim Square (a center of modern political events.).
While Istanbul is beautiful and full of amazing history, it’s another city you’ve got to be careful when exploring. For example, the city has a high rate of car collisions and other traffic accidents. In addition, tremors and earthquakes are common in Istanbul. Therefore, you should be adequately prepared before visiting the city, for example, by getting proper travel insurance and watching out for travel and disaster warnings.
7. Prague
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is another one of the top cities you can visit if you’re a history buff. The city was a major metropolitan during the Habsburg and Austro-Hungarian Empires. In addition, it has been at the center of several events over the centuries, from the Protestant Reformations to the Bohemian movement, the 1st and 2nd World Wars, and the Cold War era.
You can do many things in Prague if you want to experience the city’s rich history. For example, you can explore various historical sites and landmarks, like the Prague Castle, the 18th-century St. Nicholas Church, the 11th-century Strahov Monastery, and the Wenceslas Square (Prague’s social, political, and cultural center for over seven centuries). You can also visit the over 84 museums in the city and exhibition halls home to historic artifacts and art from several periods of history.
Besides history, you can enjoy several other cool things in Prague. For example, you can explore the city’s modern architecture and discover modern buildings that range from high-rise offices, skyscrapers, and contemporary homes with luxury features like swimming pools and outdoor fire pits. Other fun things include visiting Prague’s restaurants, which are famous for their delicious cuisine, or bars, pubs, and nightclubs, which offer amazing nightlife.
8. London
London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom, and another of the most historic cities in the world. According to the History Channel, the city’s area was occupied by hunters and gatherers around 6,000 B.C., and there’s also evidence of civilization during the Bronze and Iron Ages. However, modern-day London was established by the Romans in 43 A.D. during their occupation of England. Later, the city would become a vital center of the British Empire and the modern-day United Kingdom.
London is full of historical sites and landmarks that you can visit to relive the city’s historic past. These include The Buckingham Palace, the Westminster Palace, the Kennington Palace, the St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Tower Bridge, The Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London. Other iconic historical sites include The British Museum, the Houses of Parliament, the Highgate Cemetery, and the Imperial War Museum.
Aside from historical sites, you can also come across modern buildings like luxurious-looking office blocks, malls & shopping centers, and picturesque homes with wood fences when exploring London. In addition, you can experience other fun things, such as famous English meals like fish and chips, Sunday roast, English Breakfast, and Bangers and Mash. Lastly, you can engage in fun social activities like visiting a nightclub, attending concerts and festivals, or attending sports events.
9. Damascus
Damascus is a city in the Middle East that serves as the capital of the Syrian Arab Republic. According to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s one of the oldest continually inhabited capitals, making it one of the most historic cities in the world. In addition, it has been at the center of several events throughout different periods, leaving it with a rich and sometimes bloody history.
Damascus has several sites you can visit to experience its rich history. For example, you can visit the Al Azem Palace, the National Museum of Syria, the Holy Shrine of Sayyida Zaynab, and Babel Faradees for a peek into Ancient Damascus history. You can also visit other historic sites like the Citadel of Damascus, Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque, the Temple of Jupiter, and the Umayyad Mosque to experience other periods of Damascus heritage.
In addition to exploring Damascus’ history, you can do many other fun things. For example, the city has a thriving commerce scene, with shops, outlets, malls, and stores that sell everything from clothes, fashion accessories, antiques, art, tires, electronics, knives, blades, swords, etc. In addition, Damascus has a fantastic food scene, with cafes, restaurants, and street vendors who serve delicious Syrian cuisine.
10. Florence
Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region in Italy. It’s another perfect city to visit that’s full of rich history. That’s because Florence has seen it all, from being a Roman military colony to being at the center of the Renaissance period and the capital of Italy (between 1865 and 1870).
You can visit several sites and landmarks in Florence to experience the city’s rich history. These include the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the Basilica of Santa Croc, the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, the Piazza della Signoria Plaza, The Piazza della Repubblica, and the Piazzale Michelangelo. The city is also home to several historical museums and galleries like the Bargello National Museum, the Pitti Palace, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Palazzo Vecchio Museum.
You can also enjoy several non-historic activities when visiting Florence, Italy. For example, you can explore the city streets, where you’ll find several different stalls and outlets, ranging from boutiques to restaurants, gift shops, AC repair stores, factory outlets, and more. You can also enjoy sporting events, go on a wine-tasting tour, or explore the city’s amazing food scene.
Are you fascinated by historical events? The world is full of fascinating history, which you can have a lot of fun exploring. The above are some of the most historic cities in the world that you can visit to relive some of the major historical events throughout time. So, pack a bag, start exploring, and be ready to learn about past cultures, societies, and historical periods.
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