73 Fascinating Historical Cities Of The World

Explore the fascinating historic cities in the World, famous for its fascinating architectures & magnificent buildings. Here is a list of them.



North America

1. Quebec City (Canada)
Quebec City and the Chateau Frontenac, view from Lévis, CanadaQuebec City and the Chateau Frontenac, view from Lévis, Canada [ Photo by Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Quebec (or ; French: Québec  ), also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City (French: Ville de Québec) is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about 233 kilometres (145 mi) to the southwest. As of the 2006 Canadian Census, the city has a population of 491,142, and the metropolitan area has a population of 715,515. The Citadelle is still in use by the military and is also a tourist attraction. The narrowing of the Saint Lawrence River approximate to the city's promontory, Cap-Diamant (Cape Diamond), and Lévis, on the opposite bank, provided the name given to the city, Kébec, an Algonquin word meaning "where the river narrows". (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)

South America

2. Potosí (Bolivia)
Potosi with Cerro RicoPotosi with Cerro Rico [ Photo by Gerd Breitenbach / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Potosí is a city and the capital of the department of Potosí in Bolivia. It is one of the highest cities in the world by elevation at a nominal 4,090 metres (13,420 ft). and it was the location of the Spanish colonial mint, now the National Mint of Bolivia. Potosí lies beneath the Cerro de Potosí—sometimes referred to as the Cerro Rico ("rich mountain")—a mountain popularly conceived of as being "made of" silver ore, which has always dominated the city. The Cerro Rico is the reason for Potosí's historical importance, since it was the major supply of silver for Spain during the period of the New World Spanish Empire. This silver was taken by llama and mule train to the Spanish Main from where it was then taken to Spain on the Spanish treasure fleets. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
3. Sucre (Bolivia)
Historic City of Sucre, BoliviaHistoric City of Sucre, Bolivia [ Photo by Skykid 123ve / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Sucre
, also known historically as Charcas, La Plata and Chuquisaca (population 247,300 in 2006) is the constitutional capital of Bolivia and the capital of the department of Chuquisaca. Located in the south-central part of the country, Sucre lies at an elevation of 2750m (9,000 ft). This relatively high altitude gives the city a cool temperate climate year-round. The city attracts thousands of tourists every year thanks to its well-conserved downtown with buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Nestled at the foot of the twin hills of Churuquella and Sika Sika, Sucre is the gateway to numerous small villages that date from the colonial era, the most well-known of which is Tarabuco, home of the colorful "Pujllay" festival held each March. Most of these villagers are members of one of the indigenous ethnicities. (based on a wikipediaarticle / cc by-sa)
4. Ouro Preto (Brazil)
The Praça Tiradentes, view from the old School of Mines. Ouro Preto, state of Minas Gerais, BrasilThe Praça Tiradentes, view from the old School of Mines. Ouro Preto, state of Minas Gerais, Brasil [ Photo by Alvesgaspar / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Ouro Preto
 (from Portuguese, Black Gold) is a city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, a former colonial mining town located in the Serra do Espinhaço mountains and designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its outstanding Baroque architecture. 18th- and 19th-century churches decorated with gold and the sculptured works of Aleijadinho make Ouro Preto a prime tourist destination. Founded at the end of the 17th century, Ouro Preto (meaning Black Gold) was originally called Vila Rica, or "rich village," the focal point of the gold rush and Brazil's golden age in the 18th century under Portuguese rule. The tremendous wealth from gold mining in the 18th century created a city which attracted the intelligentsia of Europe. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
5. Salvador Historic Centre (Brazil)
View over harbor area and Old Customs House in Salvador, Bahia state, Brazil.View over harbor area and Old Customs House in Salvador, Bahia state, Brazil. [ Photo by Adam Jones / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

The Historic Centre (known in Brazilian Portuguese as The Pelourinho) is a historic neighborhood located in the western zone of Salvador, Bahia. It was the city's center during the Portuguese Colonial Period, and was named for the whipping post (Pelourinho means Pillory) in its central plaza where African slaves received punishment for various infractions, as well as for disciplinary purposes. In the 1990s, a major restoration effort resulted in making the area a highly desirable tourist attraction. The Historic Centre of Salvador da Bahia, frequently called the Pelourinho, is extremely rich in historical monuments dating from the 17th through the 19th centuries. Salvador was the first colonial capital of Brazil and the city is one of the oldest in the New World (founded in 1549 by Portuguese settlers). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
6. Cusco (Peru)
Central Square, Cusco, PeruCentral Square, Cusco, Peru [ Photo by Sascha Grabow www.saschagrabow.com / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Cuzco; Quechua: Qusqu and Qosqo  ) is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cuzco Region as well as the Cuzco Province. In 2007, the city had a population of 358,935 which was triple the figure of 20 years ago. Located on the eastern end of the Knot of Cuzco, its altitude is around 3,400 m (11,200 ft). It is a major tourist destination and receives almost 1.5 million visitors a year. It is designated as the Historical Capital of Peru by the Constitution of Peru. The city fell to the sphere of Huáscar in the division of the empire after the death of Huayna Capac in 1527. It was captured by the generals of Atahualpa in April 1532 in the Battle of Quipaipan. Nineteen months later, Spanish explorers invaded the city (see battle of Cuzco). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)

Central America & Caribbean

7. Havana (Cuba)
Cathedrals are often at the centre of a town. Cathedral of St. Christopher of Havana, Cuba is on a busy square. Cathedral of Havana. San Cristóbal Cathedral. The Cathedral of Saint Christopher in Havana.Cathedrals are often at the centre of a town. Cathedral of St. Christopher of Havana, Cuba is on a busy square. Cathedral of Havana. San Cristóbal Cathedral. The Cathedral of Saint Christopher in Havana. [ Photo by Krasivaja / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Havana
 (Spanish: La Habana, Spanish : , is the capital city, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city is one of the 15 Cuban provinces. The city/province has 2.1 million inhabitants, the largest city in Cuba and the second largest in the Caribbean region, after Santo Domingo. The city extends mostly westward and southward from the bay, which is entered through a narrow inlet and which divides into three main harbours: Marimelena, Guanabacoa, and Atarés. The sluggish Almendares River traverses the city from south to north, entering the Straits of Florida a few miles west of the bay. Numerous luxury hotels, casinos and nightclubs were constructed during the 1930s to serve Havana's burgeoning tourist industry, strongly rivaling Miami. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
8. Historic Town of Guanajuato (Mexico)
Historic Town of GuanajuatoHistoric Town of Guanajuato [ Photo by Anders Lagerås / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Guanajuato is a city and municipality in central Mexico and the capital of the state of the same name. It is located in a narrow valley, which makes the streets of the city narrow and winding. Most are alleys that cars cannot pass through, and some are long sets of stairs up the mountainsides. Many of the city’s thoroughfares are partially or fully underground. The historic center of the city is filled with colonial area mansions, churches and civil constructions built with pink or green sandstone and small plazas. The city was the result of the discovery of mines in the mountains that surround it. These mines were so rich that the city was one of the most influential during the colonial period. One of the mines, La Valenciana, accounted for two-thirds of the world’s silver production at its height. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)

Europe

9. Graz (Austria)
The Grazer Rathaus (City Hall of Graz) in Austria.The Grazer Rathaus (City Hall of Graz) in Austria. [ Photo by Tamirhassan / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Graz
is the second-largest city in Austria after Vienna and the capital of the federal state of Styria. On 1 April 2010 it had a population of 291,890 (of which 258,605 had principal residence status). Graz has a long tradition as a student city: its six universities have more than 44,000 students. Its "Old Town" is one of the best-preserved city centres in Central Europe. In 1999, Graz was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites, and the site was extended in 2010 by Schloss Eggenberg. Graz was sole Cultural Capital of Europe for 2003 and got the title of a City of Culinary Delights in 2008. Graz is situated on the Mur River in the southeast of Austria. It is about 200 km (120 mi) southwest of Vienna. The nearest larger urban center is Maribor in Slovenia which is about 50 km (31 mi) away. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
10. Salzburg (Austria)
The city of Salzburg, view from the top of the fortress.The city of Salzburg, view from the top of the fortress. [ Photo by DAVID ILIFF / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Salzburg
 (Austro-Bavarian: Såizburg; literally: "Salt Castle") is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital city of the federal state of Salzburg. Salzburg is a tourist favourite, with the number of tourists outnumbering locals by a large margin in peak times. In addition to Mozart's birthplace noted above, other notable places include: Salzburg's "Old Town" (Altstadt) has internationally renowned baroque architecture and one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is noted for its Alpine setting. The Life of Saint Rupert credits the 8th-century saint with the city's rebirth. When Theodo of Bavaria asked Rupert to become bishop c. 700, Rupert reconnoitered the river for the site of his basilica. Rupert chose Juvavum, ordained priests, and annexed the manor Piding. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
11. Vienna (Austria)
Naturhistorisches Museum at Maria-Theresa-SquareNaturhistorisches Museum at Maria-Theresa-Square [ Photo by Doko Ing. Mgr. Jozef Kotulič / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Vienna
 (; German: Wien ;) is the capital of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.7 million (2.4 million within the metropolitan area, more than 25% of Austria's population), and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre. It is the 10th-largest city by population in the European Union. Vienna is host to many major international organizations, such as the United Nations and OPEC. Many concert venues offer concerts aimed at tourists, featuring popular highlights of Viennese music (particularly the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss). Vienna lies in the east of Austria and is close to the borders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. These regions work together in a European Centrope border region. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
12. Brussels (Belgium)
Guildhalls on the Grand PlaceGuildhalls on the Grand Place [ Photo by Ben2 / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Brussels
; Dutch: Brussel,  ), officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region (French: Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, Dutch: Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest), is the de facto capital of Belgium and of the European Union (EU). It is also the largest urban area in Belgium, comprising 19 municipalities, including the municipality of the City of Brussels, which is the de jure capital of Belgium, in addition to the seat of the French Community of Belgium and of the Flemish Community. Numerous friteries are spread throughout the city, and in tourist areas, fresh, hot, waffles are also sold on the street. Since the end of the Second World War, Brussels has been a main center for international politics. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
13. Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
Street in Old Town Plovdiv, BulgariaStreet in Old Town Plovdiv, Bulgaria [ Photo by Jeroen Kransen / CC BY-SA 2.5 ]

Plovdiv
 (Bulgarian: Пловдив) is the second-largest city in Bulgaria with a population of 331,796. According to the latest census of 2011, Plovdiv Municipality occupies the second place after the municipality of Sofia. Plovdiv's history spans some 6,000 years, with traces of a Neolithic settlement dating to roughly 4000 BC. A number of respectable sources name Plovdiv as Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city. It is the administrative center of Plovdiv Province in southern Bulgaria and three municipalities (Plovdiv, Maritsa and Rodopi) and Bulgaria's Yuzhen tsentralen planning region (NUTS II), as well as the largest and most important city in Northern Thrace and the wider international historical region of Thrace. The city is an important economic, transport, cultural and educational center. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
14. Prague (Czech Republic)
view of Prague as viewed from Petřín Lookout Tower.view of Prague as viewed from Petřín Lookout Tower. [ Photo by DAVID ILIFF / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Prague
) is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million. The city has a temperate oceanic climate with warm summers and chilly winters. Its rich history makes it a popular tourist destination, and the city receives more than 4.1 million international visitors annually, as of 2009[update]. Prague is classified as a global city. During the thousand years of its existence, the city grew from a settlement stretching from Prague Castle in the north to the fort of Vyšehrad in the south, becoming the multicultural capital of a modern European state, the Czech Republic, a member state of the European Union. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
15. London (England)
Tower Bridge as viewed from the North-East near St Katherine Dock.Tower Bridge as viewed from the North-East near St Katherine Dock. [ Photo by DAVID ILIFF / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

London
 () is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures.[note 1] London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its founding by the Romans, who called it Londinium. London's ancient core, the City of London, largely retains its square-mile mediaeval boundaries. Since at least the 17th century the name London has also referred to the metropolis developed around this core. The bulk of this conurbation forms the London region and the Greater London administrative area,[note 2] governed by the elected Mayor of London and the London Assembly. The West End is London's main entertainment and shopping district, attracting tourists. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
16. Paris (France)
Place Vendôme, Paris.Place Vendôme, Paris. [ Photo by Dimitri Destugues / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Paris
 (; French:  ) is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region (or Paris Region, French: Région parisienne). The city of Paris, within its administrative limits largely unchanged since 1860, has an estimated population of 2,193,031 (January 2007), but the Paris metropolitan area has a population of 11,836,970 (January 2007), and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in Europe. With about 42 million tourists per year (28 in city proper of which 17 million are foreign visitors), Paris is the most visited city in the world. The city and its region contain 3,800 historical monuments and four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Paris' inhabitants are known in English as "Parisians" and in French as Parisiens ( ). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
17. Rouen (France)
Rouen, Seine-Maritime, Normandie, France. City Hall and Church of St. Ouen.Rouen, Seine-Maritime, Normandie, France. City Hall and Church of St. Ouen. [ Photo by Tango7174 / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Rouen
is the historic capital city of Normandy, in northern France on the River Seine, and currently the capital of the Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy) region. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe, Rouen was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy in the Middle Ages. It was one of the capitals of the Anglo-Norman dynasties, which ruled both England and large parts of modern France from the 11th to the 15th centuries. It was in Rouen where Joan of Arc was burnt in 1431. People from Rouen are called Rouennais. The population of the metropolitan area (in French: agglomération) at the 1999 census was 518,316 inhabitants and 532,559 inhabitants at the 2007 estimate. The city proper had an estimated population of 110,276 in 2007. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
18. Bonn (Germany)
Sunrise above the snow-covered city centre of Bonn, Germany.Sunrise above the snow-covered city centre of Bonn, Germany. [ Photo by Matthias Zepper / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Bonn
 is the 19th largest city in Germany. Located in the Cologne/Bonn Region, about 25 kilometres south of Cologne on the river Rhine in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, it was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990 and the official seat of government of united Germany from 1990 to 1999. Starting in 1998, many national government institutions were moved from Bonn to Berlin. Both houses of the German national parliament, the Bundestag and the Bundesrat, were moved along with the Chancellery and the residence of the President of Germany. Bonn remains a centre of politics and administration, however. Roughly half of all government jobs were retained as many government departments remained in Bonn and numerous sub-ministerial level government agencies relocated to the former capital from Berlin and other parts of Germany. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
19. Frankfurt (Germany)
Reconstruction (1981–1984) of six houses at the east side of the Römerberg  that were destroyed in World War IIReconstruction (1981–1984) of six houses at the east side of the Römerberg that were destroyed in World War II [ Photo by Mylius / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Frankfurt
 am Main, English: ), commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2009 population of 672,000. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,295,000 in 2010. The city is at the centre of the larger Frankfurt/Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region which has a population of 5,600,000 and is Germany's second largest metropolitan area. The Frankfurter Messe (Frankfurt Trade Fair) was first mentioned in 1150. In 1240, Emperor Friedrich II granted an Imperial privilege to its visitors, meaning they would be protected by the Empire. The fair became particularly important when similar fairs in French Beaucaire lost attraction around 1380. Book trade fairs have been held in Frankfurt since 1478. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
20. Heidelberg (Germany)
View of Heidelberg with the Heidelberg Castle on hill and the Old Bridge over river NeckarView of Heidelberg with the Heidelberg Castle on hill and the Old Bridge over river Neckar [ Photo by Christian Bienia / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Heidelberg
 is a German city situated in the south-west of the country. The fifth largest city of the German State of Baden-Württemberg after Stuttgart, Mannheim, Karlsruhe and Freiburg im Breisgau, Heidelberg is part of a densely populated region known as the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region. As of 2009, over 145,000 people live within the city's area. Heidelberg lies on the River Neckar in a steep valley in the Odenwald. Heidelberg is also a popular tourist destination due to its romantic and picturesque cityscape's character, including the Heidelberg Castle and the baroque style Old Town. The US Army has had a military base in Heidelberg since 1951. Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, the "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
21. Nuremberg (Germany)
Castle, St. Sebald, City Hall, Old Town, Nuremberg, GermanyCastle, St. Sebald, City Hall, Old Town, Nuremberg, Germany [ Photo by Johannes Kerstiens, Pirkheimer / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Nuremberg
 (German: Nürnberg, not to be confused with Nürburg) is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about 170 kilometres north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population (as of January 2006) is 500,132. The urban area of Nuremberg has 1.2 million inhabitants. In 1349 the members of the guilds unsuccessfully rebelled against the patricians in the Handwerkeraufstand (English: Craftsmen's Uprising), supported by merchants and some councillors, leading to a ban on any self-organisation of the artisans in the city, abolishing the guilds that were customary elsewhere in Europe; the unions were then dissolved, and the oligarchs remained in power while Nuremberg was a free city. (based on awikipedia article / cc by-sa)
22. Athens (Greece)
The porch of the Caryatids at the Erechtheum.The porch of the Caryatids at the Erechtheum. [ Photo by Harrieta171 / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Athens
 (; Modern Greek: Αθήνα, Athína, IPA: , Katharevousa: Ἀθῆναι, Athine, Ancient Greek: Ἀθῆναι, Athēnai), is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica periphery and it is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state. A centre for the arts, learning and philosophy, home of Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum, it is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, largely due to the impact of its cultural and political achievements during the 5th and 4th centuries BC on the rest of the then known European continent. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
23. Delphi (Greece)
The theatre, seen from aboveThe theatre, seen from above [ Photo by Leonidtsvetkov / CC BY-SA 2.5 ]

In Greek mythology, Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world, and a major site for the worship of the god Apollo after he slew the Python, a deity who lived there and protected the navel of the Earth. Python (derived from the verb pythein, "to rot") is claimed by some to be the original name of the site in recognition of the Python that Apollo defeated. The Homeric Hymn to Delphic Apollo recalled that the ancient name of this site had been Krisa. Three of the Doric columns have been restored, making it the most popular site at Delphi for tourists to take photographs. The name Delphoi comes from the same root as δελφύς delphys, "womb" and may indicate archaic veneration of Gaia, Grandmother Earth, and the Earth Goddess at the site. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
24. Vatican City (Holy See)
Taken from the dome of St Peter's in Vatican City in Rome.Taken from the dome of St Peter's in Vatican City in Rome. [ Photo by DAVID ILIFF / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Vatican City
, which translates as State of the Vatican City, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of approximately 44 hectares (110 acres), and a population of just over 800. The Vatican City State budget includes the Vatican museums and post office and is supported financially by the sale of stamps, coins, medals and tourist mementos; by fees for admission to museums; and by publications sales. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. Other industries include printing, the production of mosaics, and the manufacture of staff uniforms. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
25. Budapest (Hungary)
Budapest castle by night.Budapest castle by night. [ Photo by uzo19 / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Budapest
; names in other languages) is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2010, Budapest had 1,721,556 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 because of the mass suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter Area is home to 3,271,110 people. The city covers an area of 525 square kilometres (202.7 sq mi) within the city limits. Budapest became a single city occupying both banks of the river Danube with a unification on 17 November 1873 of west-bank Buda and Óbuda with east-bank Pest. The city attracts about 2.3 million tourists a year. In 1949, Hungary was declared a communist People's Republic. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
26. Florence (Italy)
Piazza SignoriaPiazza Signoria [ Photo by Jrousso / public domain ]

Florence
 (Italian: Firenze  , alternate obsolete form: Fiorenza; Latin: Florentia) is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with c. 370,000 inhabitants (1,500,000 in the metropolitan area). The historic centre of Florence attracts millions of tourists each year. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Florence is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and the impact of its artistic, historic and cultural heritage in the world remains to this day. The city has a major impact in music, architecture, education, cuisine, fashion, philosophy, science and religion. The historic centre of Florence contains numerous historical squares, Renaissance palaces, academies, parks, gardens, churches, monasteries, museums, art galleries and ateliers. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
27. Rome (Italy)
ColosseumColosseum [ Photo by Julo / CC BY-SA 2.5 PL ]

Rome
; Latin: Rōma) is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in 1,285.3 km2 (496.3 sq mi). The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy. In 2007 Rome was the 11th-most-visited city in the world, 3rd most visited in the European Union, and the most popular tourist attraction in Italy. The city is one of Europe's and the world's most successful city "brands", both in terms of reputation and assets. Its historic centre is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
28. Siena (Italy)
Piazza del Campo in SienaPiazza del Campo in Siena [ Photo by Massimo Catarinella / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008. Siena is famous for its cuisine, art, museums, medieval cityscape and the Palio, a horse race held twice yearly. The Palio is not simply a tourist event as a true Sienese regards this in an almost tribal way, with passions and rivalry similar to that found at a football 'Derby' match. In fact the Sienese are baptised twice, once in church and a second time in their own Contrade fountain. This loyalty is maintained through a Contrade 'social club' and regular events and charitable works. Indeed the night before the Palio the city is a mass of closed roads as each Contrade organises its own outdoor banquet, often for numbers in excess of 1,000 diners. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
29. Venice (Italy)
The Rialto Bridge over Venice's Grand Canal.The Rialto Bridge over Venice's Grand Canal. [ Photo by W. Lloyd MacKenzie / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Venice
 (Italian: Venezia  , Venetian: Venexia) is a city in northern Italy known both for tourism and for industry, and is the capital of the region Veneto, with a population of the whole Comune of about 270,660 (census estimate 30 April 2009). Together with Padua and Treviso, the city is included in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area (PATREVE) (population 1,600,000). Venice is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world, due to the city's being one of the world's greatest and most beautiful cities of art. The city has an average of 50,000 tourists a day (2007 estimate). In 2006, it was the world's 28th most internationally visited city, with 2.927 million international arrivals that year. (based on awikipedia article / cc by-sa)
30. Vilnius (Lithuania)
Ausros Vartu street, Vilnius, LithuaniaAusros Vartu street, Vilnius, Lithuania [ Photo by Wojsyl / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Vilnius
 ( , see also other names) is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 (850,324 together with Vilnius County) as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County. The first known written record of Vilnius as the Lithuanian capital is know form Gediminas' letters in 1323. Gediminas expanded the Grand Duchy through warfare along with strategic alliances and marriages. At its height it covered the territory of modern-day Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Transnistria, and portions of modern-day Poland and Russia. His grandchildren Vytautas the Great and Jogaila, however, fought civil wars. During the Lithuanian Civil War of 1389–1392, Vytautas besieged and razed the city in an attempt to wrest control from Jogaila. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
31. Bergen (Norway)
View from Skansen in Bergen, NorwayView from Skansen in Bergen, Norway [ Photo by Aqwis / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Bergen
) is the second largest city in Norway with a population of 262,300 as of July 8, 2011. Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of 386,100 as of July 8, 2011. The hotels in the city may be full at times, due to the increasing number of tourists and conferences. Prior to the Rolling Stones concert in September 2006, many hotels were already fully-booked several months in advance. Bergen is recognised as the unofficial capital of the region known as Western Norway, and recognised and marketed as the gateway city to the world famous fjords of Norway and for that reason it has become Norway's largest – and one of Europe's largest – cruise ship ports of call. Bergen is located in the county of Hordaland on the south-western coast of Norway. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
32. Kraków (Poland)
Kraków (Poland), Market square seen from tower of St. Mary church: Cloth Hall, Town Hall tower and St. Adalbert church.Kraków (Poland), Market square seen from tower of St. Mary church: Cloth Hall, Town Hall tower and St. Adalbert church. [ Photo by Pko / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Kraków) also Krakow, or Cracow (English), is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River (Polish: Wisła) in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life and is one of Poland's most important economic centres. It was the capital of Poland from 1038 to 1596; the capital of the Grand Duchy of Kraków from 1846 to 1918; and the capital of Kraków Voivodeship from the 14th century to 1999. It is now the capital of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. It is a major attraction for both local and international tourists, attracting seven million visitors a year. Major landmarks include the Main Market Square with St. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
33. Warsaw (Poland)
Taken from the Novatel Warsaw Centrum in Poland.Taken from the Novatel Warsaw Centrum in Poland. [ Photo by Bpa / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Warsaw
 (Polish: Warszawa  ; see also other names) is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River roughly 260 kilometres (160 mi) from the Baltic Sea and 300 kilometres (190 mi) from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population as of June 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855, and the Warsaw metropolitan area at approximately 2,631,902. The area of the city covers 516.9 square kilometres (199.6 sq mi), while the city's agglomeration covers 6,100.43 square kilometres (2,355.39 sq mi) (Warsaw Metro Area – Obszar Metropolitalny Warszawy). Warsaw is the 9th largest city in the European Union by population. Its interiors and park are accessible to tourists. Stanisław August Poniatowski, who remodelled the interior of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, also made Warsaw a centre of culture and the arts. (based on a wikipediaarticle / cc by-sa)
34. Lisbon (Portugal)
View of Alfama from the Miradouro of Santa Luzia in Lisbon, PortugalView of Alfama from the Miradouro of Santa Luzia in Lisbon, Portugal [ Photo by Miguel Vieira / CC BY 2.0 ]

Lisbon
is the capital city and largest city of Portugal, with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of 84.8 km2 (33 sq mi). The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on a area of 958 km2 (370 sq mi), it is the 9th most populous urban area in the European Union. About 2,831,000 people live in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (which represents approximately 27% of the population of the country). Lisbon is the westernmost large city located in Europe, as well as its westernmost capital city and the only one along the Atlantic coast. It lies in the western Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River. The city is the seventh-most-visited city in Southern Europe, after Istanbul, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Athens, and Milan, with 1,740,000 tourists in 2009. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
35. Porto (Portugal)
Historical part of Porto, a World Heritage Site seen from Vila Nova de Gaia, trough the Douro river.Historical part of Porto, a World Heritage Site seen from Vila Nova de Gaia, trough the Douro river. [ Photo by Olegivvit / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Porto
, also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits (an area of 41.66 km²/16 sq.mi) includes a population of 220,000 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes. The urbanized area of Porto, which extends beyond the administrative limits of the city, has a population of 1.1 million in an area of 389 km2 (150 sq mi), making it the second-largest urban area in Portugal. The Porto Metropolitan Area includes approximately 1.3 million people, and is recognized as a Gamma-level global city by the Globalization and World Cities (GaWC) Study Group, being one of the four cities in the peninsula with global city status (the others being Madrid, Lisbon and Barcelona). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
36. Bardejov (Slovakia)
Town Hall Square in Bardejov, SlovakiaTown Hall Square in Bardejov, Slovakia [ Photo by Hynek Moravec / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Bardejov
; German: Bartfeld, Hungarian: Bártfa, Polish: Bardejów) is a town in North-Eastern Slovakia. It is situated in the Šariš region and has about 33,000 inhabitants. The spa town, mentioned for the first time in 1241, exhibits numerous cultural monuments in its completely intact medieval town center. The town is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. The name of the town comes from the Hungarian word "bárd" (English: "chopper"), which indicated an amount of forested territory which could be chopped down by one man in one day. In the Hungarian name (Bártfa), the "fa" (English: "tree") suffix came later, and it also changed the last letter of "bárd" to "bárt", for easier. The territory of present-day Bardejov has attracted settlers since the Stone Age. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
37. Barcelona (Spain)
The Sagrada Familia viewed from Casa Milà, Barcelona, SpainThe Sagrada Familia viewed from Casa Milà, Barcelona, Spain [ Photo by Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Barcelona
 (Catalan: , Spanish: ) is the capital and the most populous city of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, after Madrid, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of 101.4 km2 (39 sq mi). The urban area of Barcelona extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of between 4,200,000 and 4,500,000 on an area of 803 km2 (310 sq mi), being the sixth-most populous urban area in the European Union after Paris, London, Ruhr area, Madrid and Milan. About five million people live in the Barcelona metropolitan area. It is also Europe's largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast. It is the main component of a union of adjacent cities and municipalities, with a population of 3,218,071 in an area of 636 km² (density 5,060 hab/km²). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
38. Cáceres (Spain)
Co-catedral de Santa María.Co-catedral de Santa María. [ Photo by Jörn Wendland / public domain ]

Cáceres is the capital of the same name province, in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. As of 2009[update], its population was 91,131 inhabitants. The municipio has a land area of 1,750.33 km², and is the largest in geographical extension in Spain. There have been settlements near Cáceres since prehistoric times. Evidence of this can be found in the caves of Maltravieso and El Conejar. The city was founded by the Romans in 25 BC. The old town (Ciudad Monumental) still has its ancient walls; this part of town is also well known for its multitude of storks' nests. The walls contain a medieval town setting with no outward signs of modernity, which is why many films have been shot there. The Universidad de Extremadura, and two astronomical observatories are situated in Cáceres. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
39. Segovia (Spain)
Aqueduct in Segovia, SpainAqueduct in Segovia, Spain [ Photo by Manuel González Olaechea y Franco / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Segovia
 is a city in Spain, the capital of Segovia Province in the autonomous community of Castile and Leon. It is situated north of Madrid, 30 minutes by high speed train. The municipality counts some 55,500 inhabitants. The name of Segovia is of celtiberian origin. The first inhabitants named the city Segobriga. This name comes from two terms of celtiberian origin, language of the celtic indo-european branch. Comes from the term Sego, which means «victory» (prefix also present in other cities such as Segeda and Segontia) and the suffix -briga, which would mean «city» or «strength». So it might be translated as "City of the victory" or "Victorious city". Segovia was first recorded as a Celtic possession, with control eventually transferring into the hands of the Romans. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
40. Toledo (Spain)
Toledo Skyline in Spain at sunrise.Toledo Skyline in Spain at sunrise. [ Photo by DAVID ILIFF / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Toledo
is a municipality located in central Spain, 70 km south of Madrid. It is the capital of the province of Toledo. It is also the capital of autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage as one of the former capitals of the Visigothic Kingdom and the Spanish Empire. Many famous people and artists were born or lived in Toledo, including Al-Zarqali, Garcilaso de la Vega, Eleanor of Toledo, Alfonso X and El Greco. It was also the place of important historic events such as the Visigothic Councils of Toledo. As of 2009[update], the city has a population of 82,291 and an area of 232.1 km2 (89.59 square miles). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
41. Bern (Switzerland)
An aerial photo of Bern.An aerial photo of Bern. [ Photo by Benutzer:Amstuzmarco / public domain ]

The city of Bern or Berne; French: Berne ; Italian: Berna ; Romansh: Berna ; Bernese German: Bärn) is the Bundesstadt (federal city, de facto capital) of Switzerland, and, with (as of December 2009) a population of 131,000, the fourth most populous city in Switzerland. The Bern agglomeration, which includes 43 municipalities, has a population of 349,000. The metropolitan area had a population of 660,000 in 2000. Bern is also the capital of the Canton of Bern, the second most populous of Switzerland's cantons. The etymology of the name Bern is uncertain. According to the local legend, based on folk etymology, Berchtold V, Duke of Zähringen, the founder of the city of Bern, vowed to name the city after the first animal he met on the hunt, and this turned out to be a bear. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)

Africa

42. Cairo (Egypt)
The streets of Islamic Cairo, adorned by Islamic architecture, are narrower and older than those in the city centreThe streets of Islamic Cairo, adorned by Islamic architecture, are narrower and older than those in the city centre [ Photo by Joonas Plaan / CC BY 2.0 ]

Cairo
 (; Arabic: القاهرة‎ al-Qāhira; French: Le Caire, literally "The Vanquisher" or "The Conqueror") is the capital of Egypt, the largest city in Africa and the 16th most populated metropolitan area in the world. The English and French names for the city ("Cairo", and "Le Caire" respectively) are corruptions of its Arabic name "Al-Qahira". Egyptians today often informally refer to Cairo as Maṣr (Arabic: مصر‎), the vernacular Egyptian of Misr, the name for Egypt itself, emphasizing the city's continued central importance in the country. Cairo has the oldest and largest film and music industries in the Arab World, as well as the world's second-oldest institution of higher learning, al-Azhar University. (based on a wikipediaarticle / cc by-sa)
43. Djenné (Mali)
Great Mosque of DjennéGreat Mosque of Djenné [ Photo by Andy Gilham / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Djenné (also Djénné, Jenné and Jenne) is an Urban Commune and town in the Inland Niger Delta region of central Mali. In the 2009 census the commune had a population of 32,944. Administratively it is part of the Mopti Region. Most tourists visit the Monday market and spend only one night in one of the 5 hotels/guest houses. In 2007 the town received around 15,000 visitors of whom 4,200 stayed overnight. Of these just over a third were from France with the remainder coming from a large number of other countries. In 2005 tourism contributed around 450 million CFA francs (687,000 Euro) to the economy of the town. The weather is hot and dry throughout much of the year. Average daily maximum temperatures in the hottest months, April and May, are around 40 °C. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
44. Fes (Morocco)
Ruines fes marocRuines fes maroc [ Photo by Zimaal / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Fes
 or Fez (Arabic: فاس‎ Fās, French: Fès) is the second largest city of Morocco, following Casablanca, with a population of approximately 1 million (2010). It is the capital of the Fès-Boulemane region. Fes is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination and many non-Moroccans are now restoring traditional houses (riads and dars) as second homes in the Fes medina. The most important monuments in the city are: Fes, the former capital, is one of the country's four "imperial cities," the others being Rabat, Marrakech and Meknes. It comprises three distinct parts, Fes el Bali (the old, walled city), Fes-Jdid (new Fes, home of the Mellah) and the Ville Nouvelle (the French-created, newest section of Fes). Fes el Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
45. Marrakesh (Morocco)
Djemaa el Fna  square at sunset.Djemaa el Fna square at sunset. [ Photo by NikoSilver / public domain ]

Marrakech or Marrakesh, known as the "Red City", is the most important former imperial city in Morocco's history. The city of Marrakesh is the capital of the mid-southwestern economic region of Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, being also the 2nd largest city in Morocco. Like many North African cities, the city of Marrakech comprises both an old fortified city (the médina) and an adjacent modern city (called Gueliz) for a total population of 1,070,000. It is served by Ménara International Airport (IATE code: RAK) and a rail link to Casablanca and the north. Marrakech has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also has one of the busiest squares in Africa and the world, Djemaa el Fna. The square bustles with acrobats, story-tellers, water sellers, dancers and musicians. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
46. Meknes (Morocco)
Paesaggio di Meknes, Marocco; Landscape from MeknesPaesaggio di Meknes, Marocco; Landscape from Meknes [ Photo by Dardorosso / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Meknes
 (Arabic: مكناس‎, Berber: Meknas or Ameknas, French: Meknès, Spanish: Mequinez) is a city in northern Morocco, located 130 kilometres (81 mi) from the capital Rabat and 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Fes. It is served by the A2 expressway between those two cities and by the corresponding railway. Meknes was the capital of Morocco under the reign of Moulay Ismail (1672–1727), before it was relocated to Marrakech. The population is 985,000 (2010 census). It is the capital of the Meknes-Tafilalet region. Meknes is named after a Berber tribe which was known as Miknasa (native Berber name: Imeknasen) in the medieval North African sources. The original community from which Meknes can be traced was an 8th century Kasbah. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
47. Kano (Nigeria)
Kano view from Dala HillKano view from Dala Hill [ Photo by Shiraz Chakera / CC BY-SA 2.0 ]

Kano
 is a city in Nigeria and the capital of Kano State in Northern Nigeria. Its metropolitan population is the second largest in Nigeria after Lagos. The Kano Urban area covers 137 sq.km and comprises six Local Government Area (LGAs) – Kano Municipal, Fagge, Dala, Gwale, Tarauni and Nassarawa – with a population of 2,163,225 at the 2006 Nigerian census. The Metropolitan Area covers 499 sq.km and comprises eight LGAs – the six mentioned above plus Ungogo and Kumbotso – with a population of 2,828,861 at the 2006 Nigerian census. Muhammad Rumfa ascended to the throne in 1463 and reigned until 1499. During his reign, he reformed the city, expanded the Sahelian Gidan Rumfa (Emir's Palace), and played a role in the further Islamization of the city, as he urged prominent residents to convert. The Kano Chronicle attributes a total of twelve "innovations" to Rumfa. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
48. Kairouan (Tunisia)
Ancient cemetery and the Great Mosque.Ancient cemetery and the Great Mosque. [ Photo by utilisateur:Douya / CC BY-SA 2.5 ]

Kairouan
 (Arabic القيروان) (also known as Kirwan, Al Qayrawan), is the capital of the Kairouan Governorate in Tunisia. Referred to as the Islamic Cultural Capital, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city was founded by the Arabs around 670. In the period of Caliph Mu'awiya (reigned 661-680), it became an important centre for Islamic and Quranic learning, and thus attracting a large number of Muslims from various parts of the world, next only to Mecca and Medina. The holy Mosque of Uqba is situated in the city. It is considered by many Muslims to be Islam's fourth holiest city. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
49. Sousse (Tunisia)
The Grand Mosque of Sousse, as seen from the tower of the RibatThe Grand Mosque of Sousse, as seen from the tower of the Ribat [ Photo by BishkekRocks / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Sousse
 (Arabic: سوسة Sūsa‎, Berber: Susa) is a city in Tunisia. Located 140 km south of the capital Tunis, the city has 173,047 inhabitants (2004). Sousse is in the central-east of the country, on the Gulf of Hammamet, which is a part of the Mediterranean Sea. The name may be of Berber origin: similar names are found in Libya and in the south of Morocco (Bilād al-Sūs). The city is the capital of Sousse Governorate with 540,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate). Its economy is based on transport equipment, processed food, olive oil, textiles and tourism. It is home to the Université de Sousse. Sousse is an important tourist resort. Hotel complexes with a capacity of 40,000 beds extend 20 km from the old city (Medina) north along the seafront to Port El Kantaoui. The fine sandy beaches are backed by orchards and olive groves. (based on awikipedia article / cc by-sa)
50. Tunis (Tunisia)
Thermes of Antoninus Pius, CarthageThermes of Antoninus Pius, Carthage [ Photo by BishkekRocks / public domain ]

Tunis
 (Arabic: تونس‎, Tūnis) is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants. The medina is found at the centre of the city: a dense agglomeration of alleys and covered passages, full of intense scents and colours, boisterous and active trade, and a surfeit of goods on offer ranging from leather to plastic, tin to the finest filigree, tourist souvenirs to the works of tiny crafts shops. In April 1655 the English admiral Robert Blake was sent to the Mediterranean to extract compensation from states that had been attacking English shipping. (based on a wikipedia article /cc by-sa)

Asia

51. Dali (China)
Chongsheng Temple in Dali, Yunnan, China.Chongsheng Temple in Dali, Yunnan, China. [ Photo by Doctoroftcm / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Dali
 City (Chinese: 大理市; pinyin: Dàlǐ shì; Bai: Darl•lit; Hani: Dafli) is a county-level city in and the seat of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, northwestern Yunnan province of Southwest China. Dali is one of Yunnan's most popular tourist destinations, both for its historic sites and the "Foreigners' Street" that features western-style food, music, and English-speaking business owners, making it popular among both western and Chinese tourists. Dali is the ancient capital of both the Bai kingdom Nanzhao, which flourished in the area during the 8th and 9th centuries, and the Kingdom of Dali, which reigned from 937-1253. Situated in a once significantly Muslim part of South China, Dali was also the center of the Panthay Rebellion against the reigning imperial Qing Dynasty from 1856-1863. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
52. Lijiang (China)
Old Town of Lijiang, ChinaOld Town of Lijiang, China [ Photo by Loewe / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Lijiang
 (simplified Chinese: 丽江市; traditional Chinese: 麗江市; pinyin: Lìjiāng Shì) is a prefecture-level city in the northwest of Yunnan Province, China. It has an area of 21,219 square kilometres (8,193 sq mi) and a population of 1,137,600 as of 2005. Lijiang City replaced former administrative region Lijiang Prefecture. Lijiang Prefecture no longer exists today. It was under the rule of the Mu family (木氏) local commanders (土司) during the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty. Lijiang City is located in the northwestern portion of Yunnan and borders Sichuan. It is in a region where the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau converge. Owing to its low latitude and high elevation, the city centre of Lijiang experiences a mild subtropical highland climate (Koppen Cwb). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
53. Pingyao (China)
The Wall of Ping Yao city, Shanxi, China 平遙城牆,中國山西。The Wall of Ping Yao city, Shanxi, China 平遙城牆,中國山西。 [ Photo by Peellden / public domain ]

Pingyao
 (Chinese: 平遥; pinyin: Píngyáo) is a Chinese city and county in central Shanxi province, China. It lies about 715 km from Beijing and 80 km from the provincial capital, Taiyuan. During the Qing Dynasty, Pingyao was a financial center of China. It is now renowned for its well-preserved ancient city wall, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the tourist high-season, the amount of visitors to the city can reach up to 3 times its maximum capacity per day. Pingyao still retains its city layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties, conforming to a typical bagua pattern. More than 300 sites in or near the city have ancient ruins. Preserved Ming- and Qing-style residences number close to 4,000. The streets and storefronts still largely retain their historical appearance. In the Spring and Autumn Period, the county belonged to the kingdom of Jin. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
54. Xi'an (China)
City Wall in Xi'an, ChinaCity Wall in Xi'an, China [ Photo by Maros M r a z (Maros) / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Xi'an (Chinese: 西安; pinyin: Xī'ān) is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty. Xi'an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, having held that position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history, including Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang. Xi'an is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army. As a tourist city, Xi'an has built expressways to Lintong, Tongchuan and Baoji, with well-maintained roads to famous scenic spots in suburban counties and to the north slope of the Qin Mountains. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
55. Delhi (India)
Akshardham TempleAkshardham Temple [ Photo by Swaminarayan Sanstha / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Delhi
, locally as Dilli (Hindi: दिल्ली, Punjabi: ਦਿੱਲੀ, Urdu: دِلّی) or Dehli (Hindi: देहली, Punjabi: ਦੇਹਲੀ, Urdu: دهلی), officially National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest metropolis by population in India. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,235 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census. There are nearly 22.2 million residents in the greater National Capital Region urban area (which also includes Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Faridabad along with other smaller nearby towns). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
56. Kyoto (Japan)
Golden Pavilion in AutumnGolden Pavilion in Autumn [ Photo by Nicholas Graves / CC BY 3.0 ]

Kyoto
) is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area. The city's cultural heritages are constantly visited by school groups from across Japan, and many foreign tourists also stop in Kyoto. In 2007, the city government announced that a record number of tourists had visited Kyoto for the sixth year in a row., and it was chosen as the second most attractive city in Japan, in a regional brand survey. In late 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi restructured the city by building new streets to double the number of north-south streets in central Kyoto, creating rectangle blocks superseding ancient square blocks. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
57. Luang Prabang (Laos)
Luang Prabang with the Nam Khan RiverLuang Prabang with the Nam Khan River [ Photo by Alcyon / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Luang Prabang
, or Louangphrabang, is a city located in north central Laos, where the Nam Khan river meets the Mekong River about 425 kilometers (264 mi) north of Vientiane. It is the capital of Luang Prabang Province. The current population of the city is about 103,000. As China has recently allowed its citizens to travel more freely to Laos, the number of tourists in the area is expected to increase rapidly, creating pressure to modernize the tourist infrastructure, particularly catering to package tourism. The city was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The city is also notable as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main part of the city consists of four main roads located on a peninsula between the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
58. Kathmandu (Nepal)
View of Kathmandu Valley from Swayambunath Stupa.View of Kathmandu Valley from Swayambunath Stupa. [ Photo by Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) / CC BY 3.0 ]

Kathmandu
 (Nepali: काठमांडौ ; Nepal Bhasa: येँ देय्‌) is the capital and, with close to one million inhabitants, the largest metropolitan city of Nepal. The city is the urban core of the Kathmandu Valley in the Himalayas, which contains two sister cities: Lalitpur (Patan), 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) to its south and Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) to its east, and a number of smaller towns. It is also acronymed as 'KTM' and named 'tri-city'. In the last census (2001), the city of Kathmandu had 671,846 inhabitants. Population estimates for 2005 were 790,612 and for 2010 they stood at 989,273. The municipal area is (50.67 square kilometres (19.56 sq mi)) and the population density is 19,500 per km². (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
59. Saint Petersburg (Russia)
Palace Square, Saint PetersburgPalace Square, Saint Petersburg [ Photo by yasmapaz & ace_heart / CC BY-SA 2.0 ]

Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербург, tr. Sankt-Peterburg, IPA:  ) is a city and a federal subject (a federal city) of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea. In 1914 the name of the city was changed to Petrograd (Russian: Петроград, IPA: ), in 1924 to Leningrad (Russian: Ленинград, IPA: ) and in 1991 back to Saint Petersburg. To the tourist, Saint Petersburg appears gray and rainy most of the time, it is interrupted with warm sunny days as well. The climate can be compared to that of the states in the Mid-Atlantic. Specific cities such as Pittsburgh, Pa, Columbus, Oh, Philadelphia, Pa. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
60. Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Miri Arab madressah in en:Bukhara.Miri Arab madressah in en:Bukhara. [ Photo by Anatoly Terentiev / public domain ]

Bukhara
 (Persian: بُخارا; Tajik: Бухоро; Uzbek: Buxoro / Бухоро), from the Soghdian βuxārak ("lucky place"), is the capital of the Bukhara Province (viloyat) of Uzbekistan. The nation's fifth-largest city, it has a population of 263,400 (2009 census estimate). The region around Bukhara has been inhabited for at least five millennia, and the city has existed for half that time. Located on the Silk Road, the city has long been a center of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion. The historic center of Bukhara, which contains numerous mosques and madrassas, has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
61. Samarkand (Uzbekistan)
Registan mosques in Samarkand.Registan mosques in Samarkand. [ Photo by Steve Evans (babasteve) / CC BY 2.0 ]

Samarkand
 (Uzbek: Samarqand; Tajik: Самарқанд; Persian: سمرقند; from Sogdian: "Stone Fort" or "Rock Town") is the second-largest city in Uzbekistan and the capital of Samarqand Province. The city is most noted for its central position on the Silk Road between China and the West, and for being an Islamic centre for scholarly study. In the 14th century, it became the capital of the empire of Timur (Tamerlane), and is the site of his mausoleum (the Gur-e Amir). The Bibi-Khanym Mosque remains one of the city's most notable landmarks. The Registan was the ancient centre of the city. There are several theories regarding the name of Samarkand. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
62. Hội An (Vietnam)
A photo of Hoi An Ancient TownA photo of Hoi An Ancient Town [ Photo by Crazy3108 / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Hội An is a city of Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea in the South Central Coast of Vietnam. It is located in Quảng Nam province and is home to approximately 120,000 inhabitants. It has been recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Today, the town is a major tourist attraction because of its traditional architecture, crafts such as textiles and ceramics preserved and visitors are exploited. Many bars, hotels, and resorts have been constructed both in Hội An and the surrounding area. The port mouth and boats are still used for both fishing and tourism. The city possessed the largest harbour in Southeast Asia in the 1st century and was known as Lâm Ấp Phố (Champa City). Between the seventh and 10th centuries, the Cham (people of Champa) controlled the strategic spice trade and with this came tremendous wealth. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
63. Hue (Vietnam)
Noon gate at Hue citadelNoon gate at Hue citadel [ Photo by Lưu Ly / public domain ]

Huế (化 in chữ Nôm) is the capital city of Thừa Thiên – Huế province, Vietnam. Between 1802 and 1945, it was the imperial capital of the Nguyễn Dynasty. It is well known for its monuments and architecture. Its population stands at about 340,000 people. Today, little of the forbidden city remains, though reconstruction efforts are in progress to maintain it as a historic tourist attraction. Huế originally rose to prominence as the capital of the Nguyễn Lords, a feudal dynasty which dominated much of southern Vietnam from the 17th to the 19th century. In 1775 when Trịnh Sâm captured it, it was known as Phú Xuân. In 1802, Nguyễn Phúc Ánh (later Emperor Gia Long) succeeded in establishing his control over the whole of Vietnam, thereby making Huế the national capital. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)

Middle East

64. Isfahan (Iran)
33 Pol Bridge.33 Pol Bridge. [ Photo by Farokh Behmardi / CC BY-SA 2.5 ]

Isfahan
 (Persian: اصفهان Esfahān), historically also rendered in English as Ispahan, Sepahan or Hispahan, is the capital of Isfahan Province in Iran, located about 340 km south of Tehran. It has a population of 1,583,609, Iran's third largest city after Tehran and Mashhad. The Isfahan metropolitan area had a population of 3,430,353 in the 2006 Census, the second most populous metropolitan area in Iran after Tehran. The history of Isfahan can be traced back to the Palaeolithic period. In recent discoveries, archaeologists have found artefacts dating back to the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron ages. Esfahan fell temporarily under the rule of Arabs until the Abbasid era, only being attended to by Al-Mansur. In the 10th century, under the Buwayhid Dynasty, Esfahan regained its importance. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
65. Acre (Israel)
Acre's PortAcre's Port [ Photo by Deror avi / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Acre
 (Hebrew: עַכּוֹ‎‎, Akko; Arabic: عكّا‎, ʻAkkā), is a city in the Western Galilee region of northern Israel at the northern extremity of Haifa Bay. Acre is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the country. Historically, it was a strategic coastal link to the Levant. Acre is the holiest city of the Bahá'í Faith. In 2009, the population was 46,300. Acre is a mixed city, 72 percent Jewish and 28 percent Arab. The mayor is Shimon Lankri, who was re-elected in 2011. Strabo refers to the city as once a rendezvous for the Persians in their expeditions against Egypt. About 165 BC Judas Maccabeus defeated the Syrians in many battles in Galilee, and drove them into Ptolemais. (based on a wikipedia article /cc by-sa)
66. Jerusalem (Israel)
The Temple MountThe Temple Mount [ Photo by אסף.צ / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Jerusalem
 (Hebrew: יְרוּשָׁלַיִם‎‎, Yerushaláyim, ISO 259-3 Yrušalaym, "Abode of Peace"; Arabic: القُدس, al-Quds [al-Sharif], "The Holy Sanctuary", أُورشَلِيم, Ūrshalīm)[ii] is the capital of Israel, though not internationally recognized as such.[iii] If the area and population of East Jerusalem is included, it is Israel's largest city in both population and area, with a population of 763,800 residents over an area of 125.1 km2 (48.3 sq mi).[iv] Located in the Judean Mountains, between the Mediterranean Sea and the northern edge of the Dead Sea, modern Jerusalem has grown far beyond the boundaries of the Old City. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
67. Beirut (Lebanon)
Mohammad al-Amin mosque and Saint George Maronite Cathedral  sit side by side in Beirut's central districtMohammad al-Amin mosque and Saint George Maronite Cathedral sit side by side in Beirut's central district [ Photo by Lebnen18 / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Beirut
 (Arabic: بيروت‎ Bayrūt, French: Beyrouth) is the capital and largest city of Lebanon with a population ranging from some 1 million to more than 2 million as of 2007. Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's coastline with the Mediterranean, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan Area, which consists of the city and its suburbs. The first mention of this metropolis is found in the ancient Egyptian Tell el Amarna letters, dating to the 15th century BC, and the city has been continuously inhabited since. After the destructive Lebanese civil war, Beirut underwent major reconstruction, and the redesigned historic city centre, marina, pubs and nightlife districts have once again rendered it a tourist attraction. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
68. Byblos (Lebanon)
The souk at ByblosThe souk at Byblos [ Photo by Linaduliban / public domain ]

Byblos
 (Ancient Greek: Βύβλος) is the Greek name of the Phoenician city Gebal (Hebrew: גְבַל‎; earlier Gubla, Phoenician: ������). It is a Mediterranean city in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of present-day Lebanon under the current Arabic name of (جبيل Jubayl) and was also referred to as Gibelet during the Crusades. It is believed to have been founded around 5000 BC, and according to fragments attributed to the semi-legendary pre-Trojan war Phoenician historian Sanchuniathon, it was built by Cronus as the first city in Phoenicia. Today it is believed by many to be the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the world. Byblos is re-emerging as an upscale touristic hub. (based on a wikipedia article /cc by-sa)
69. Tyre (Lebanon)
The fantastic remains of the ancient Triumphal Arch in Tyre, Lebanon.The fantastic remains of the ancient Triumphal Arch in Tyre, Lebanon. [ Photo by David Bjorgen / CC BY-SA 2.5 ]

Tyre
 (Arabic: صور, Ṣūr; Phoenician:, Ṣur; Hebrew: צוֹר‎‎, Tzor; Tiberian Hebrew צר, Ṣōr; Akkadian: ���� Ṣurru; Greek: Τύρος, Týros; Turkish: Sur; Latin: Tyrus) is a city in the South Governorate of Lebanon. There were approximately 117,000 inhabitants in 2003, however, the government of Lebanon has released only rough estimates of population numbers since 1932, so an accurate statistical accounting is not possible. Tyre juts out from the coast of the Mediterranean and is located about 80 km (50 mi) south of Beirut. The name of the city means "rock" after the rocky formation on which the town was originally built. The adjective for Tyre is Tyrian, and the inhabitants are Tyrians. (based on awikipedia article / cc by-sa)
70. Damascus (Syria)
The Umayyad Mosque - The Dome of the Eagle (Qubbat Al-Nisr), DamascusThe Umayyad Mosque – The Dome of the Eagle (Qubbat Al-Nisr), Damascus [ Photo by Jerzy Strzelecki / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Damascus
 (Arabic: دِمَشق‎ Dimashq), commonly known in Syria as Al Sham (Arabic: الشام‎ Al Shām), and as the City of Jasmine (Arabic: مدينة الياسمين‎ Madīnatu 'i Yāsmīn), is the capital and the largest city of Syria and one of the country's 14 governorates. The Damascus Governorate is ruled by a governor appointed by the Minister of Interior. Damascus is a major cultural and religious center of the Levant. The city has an estimated population of 4,211,000 (2009 est.). Since the early 2000s, numerous boutique hotels and bustling cafes opened in the old city which attract plenty of European tourists and Damascenes alike. The real-estate sector is booming in Damascus. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
71. Istanbul (Turkey)
Hagia Sophia, standing in Istanbul.Hagia Sophia, standing in Istanbul. [ Photo by Christophe Meneboeuf (http://www.pixinn.net) / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Istanbul
 (Turkish: İstanbul), historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople (see the names of Istanbul for further information) is the largest city of Turkey. According to the address-based birth recording system of the Turkish Statistical Institute, the metropolitan municipality (province) of the city had a population of 13.26 million as of 2010, which is 17.98% of Turkey's population. The last census data from 2000 puts its proper population at 8.8 million. Istanbul is a megacity, as well as the cultural, economic, and financial centre of Turkey. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbour known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) sides of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
72. Sana'a (Yemen)
Sana'a from the roofSana'a from the roof [ Photo by ai@ce / CC BY 2.0 ]

Sana'a
, also spelt Sanaa, is the capital of Yemen and the centre of San‘a’ Governorate; however the city itself is not part of the Governorate, but forms the separate administrative district of "Amanat Al-Asemah". The Mamelukes arrived in Yemen in AD 1517. Following the collapse of the Mamelukes in Egypt at the hands of the Ottoman Turks, Yemen fell under the Ottoman rule and during the first Ottoman rule of Yemen between 1538–1635, Sana'a became the capital of the Ottoman wilayah and also during the Ottoman second rule 1872-1918. In 1918, Sana'a was the capital of Imam Yahya, who ruled North Yemen. At the onset of the 1962 revolution which deposed the imamate rule, it became the capital of the Yemen Arab Republic. It was then the capital of unified Yemen in 1990 where it is dubbed as the historical capital of Yemen. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
73. Shibam (Yemen)
The high-rise architectures at Shibam, Wadi Hadhramaut (or Hadhramout, Hadramawt) Yemen.The high-rise architectures at Shibam, Wadi Hadhramaut (or Hadhramout, Hadramawt) Yemen. [ Photo by Jialiang Gao www.peace-on-earth.org / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]

Shibam
 (Arabic: شبام‎) (often referred to as Shibam Hadhramaut) is a town in Yemen with about 7,000 inhabitants. The first known inscription about the city dates from the 3rd century AD. It was the capital of the Hadramawt Kingdom. Shibam, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, owes its fame to its distinct architecture.The houses of Shibam are all made out of mud brick and about 500 of them are tower houses, which rise 5 to 11 stories high, with each floor having one or two rooms. This architectural style was used in order to protect residents from Bedouin attacks. While Shibam has been in existence for an estimated 1,700 years, most of the city's houses originate from the 16th century. Many, though, have been rebuilt numerous times in the last few centuries. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)

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