20 Amazing Ancient Cities Around The World You Can Still See Today
History isn’t just something you read about! It’s something you can walk through, touch, and even climb.
Across the globe, remnants of once-great civilizations still stand, whispering stories of conquests, mysteries, and lost worlds.
From grand temples carved into cliffs to forgotten metropolises swallowed by the jungle, these ancient cities are still standing, waiting to be explored. Some are famous, others remain underrated, but all of them offer an unforgettable journey through time.
Pictures don’t do them justice, and standing there, surrounded by centuries of history, is something else entirely. So, what do you say? Ready to go?
1. Machu Picchu (Peru)
Ever wanted to walk through the clouds? That’s what it feels like at Machu Picchu.
This ancient Incan city, hidden high in the Andes, is a maze of stone terraces, temples, and breathtaking mountain views.
Taking the famous Inca Trail or opting for a scenic train ride? The decision is hard! But, no matter what you decide to do first, the reward is one of the most awe-inspiring sights on Earth.
The sunrise here? Pure magic. Standing at the Sun Gate as golden light spills over the ruins is a moment that stays with you forever.
2. Petra (Jordan)
Imagine stepping into an Indiana Jones movie! Except it’s real. Petra, the legendary “Rose City,” is carved into the red sandstone cliffs of Jordan.
The entrance alone, a winding rock corridor called The Siq, builds suspense before revealing the breathtaking Treasury in a dramatic first glimpse.
Beyond this famous façade, Petra stretches into a world of tombs, temples, and ancient streets. You need to climb to the Monastery for a jaw-dropping view! Or maybe you want to wander through the Royal Tombs as the rock changes colors with the setting sun? Decisions, decisions.
3. Rome (Italy)
We all know that Rome is not just a city. It’s a time machine.
The Colosseum still echoes with the roars of gladiator battles. The Pantheon, with its perfect dome, leaves you wondering how they built it without modern tools.
The Roman Forum, once the center of an empire, is now a collection of ruins brimming with history. It’s hard to go back to the present after all this!
And let’s not forget about the food, because it would’ve been a sin. Pasta, pizza, and gelato are more than just meals here. They offer you a true Roman experience.
Grab an espresso, toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, because you’ll definitely want to come back, and let the Eternal City work its magic.
4. Angkor (Cambodia)
Deep in the jungles of Cambodia, Angkor is an ancient world swallowed by nature. The famous Angkor Wat temple, with its lotus-like towers, is just the beginning.
Nearby, the tree-covered ruins of Ta Prohm look like something straight out of an adventure movie.
Exploring Angkor feels like uncovering a lost kingdom. Climb Bayon Temple to meet its giant smiling stone faces, or take a tuk-tuk ride through miles of hidden ruins. As the morning mist rises and monks chant in the distance, Angkor feels like stepping into another realm.
5. Athens (Greece)
And now, let’s get loud!
Athens is so chaotic and absolutely thrilling. Did you forget who is the center of Western civilization? The Acropolis is there to remind you!
If you want to experience a story straight out of a history book, climb up to the Parthenon. The sun beats down and the scent of grilled souvlaki is in the air! Absolutely mesmerizing.
As you descend down below, don’t lose yourself in the maze of winding streets, cozy tavernas, and the street musicians playing Greek melodies. But even if you do, it doesn’t sound too bad, right?
6. Teotihuacán (Mexico)
The Pyramids of Teotihuacán make you feel tiny.
The massive Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon rise above an ancient city that once housed over 100,000 people.
I swear, you can almost hear the echoes of rituals, celebrations, and busy markets. My advice is to soak it all in slowly, because it might be overwhelming.
After that I think you would want a little workout? Climbing the steps of the Pyramid of the Sun is one for sure. But the view is totally worth it.
The ruins stretch endlessly in every direction, and the sense of mystery lingers. The real question here is: Who built this ancient city? I guess, we’ll never know!
7. Tikal (Guatemala)
Deep in the jungle, hidden among the thick canopy, sits the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. The ruins peek through the trees like something straight out of an adventure movie.
Climbing the tallest temples, you get a view that stretches endlessly over the rainforest. You don’t need to search for any soundtracks. Because the howler monkeys provide the perfect one.
Catch an early sunrise because it is pure magic. As mist lifts off the jungle, the golden light hits the ancient pyramids, making them glow. Every step through the site feels like stepping back in time.
8. Pompeii (Italy)
Frozen in time, Pompeii is one of the most hauntingly well-preserved ancient cities in the world. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD turned a Roman city into a place that can send you back in time. Streets, houses, frescoes, and even people remain exactly as they were on that fateful day.
One thing is for sure, walking through Pompeii is creepy. You’ll see bakeries with loaves still in ovens, mosaics that look like they were finished yesterday, and plaster casts of victims caught in the disaster.
It’s a powerful reminder of how life can change in an instant. Feel free to remind yourself at any moment.
9. Bagan (Myanmar)
There’s something absolutely surreal about Bagan.
Picture thousands of ancient temples stretching across a plain, their spires piercing the misty sunrise. The landscape looks straight out of a fantasy novel. Hard to believe, but it’s real. And it is waiting for you to explore it.
Rent an e-bike and weave between centuries-old pagodas, each one unique. Or you can climb to the top of the Dhammayangyi Temple for a sweeping view or visit the golden Shwezigon Pagoda, shimmering under the Burmese sun.
Lastly, if you’re seeking a truly unforgettable experience, float above the temples in a hot air balloon as the early morning light bathes the ruins in gold.
10. Carthage (Tunisia)
You know a place has a serious history when it was burned to the ground and still came back stronger. Carthage, once Rome’s greatest rival, was destroyed in 146 BC but later rebuilt by the Romans.
Today, its ruins stretch along the Mediterranean coast, blending ancient power with modern charm.
Start at the Antonine Baths, where Roman engineering shines. These were some of the largest public baths in the empire. Climb up Byrsa Hill for sweeping views of Tunis, and don’t miss the Tophet, a Phoenician burial site wrapped in mystery and myth.
The ruins are scattered across the city, so a day exploring here feels like uncovering secrets at every turn. And after all that history? Head to La Marsa for a coffee with an ocean view. You won’t regret it!
11. Ephesus (Turkey)
If you’ve ever wanted to step into an ancient city frozen in time, Ephesus is your spot. This place was once one of the greatest cities of the Greek and Roman worlds, and walking through its streets, it still feels alive.
The Library of Celsus is an absolute stunner! This massive two-story façade is so well-preserved you’d think the scholars just left for lunch. The Great Theater is another must-see, where gladiators once fought, and massive crowds gathered for political speeches.
Walk along Marble Street, past the remains of old shops and bathhouses, and you can almost hear the chatter of merchants and philosophers. I strongly advise you to visit in the late afternoon when the crowds thin out and the setting sun turns the stones golden. The view is so beautiful!
12. Chichen Itza (Mexico)
Some places just have that energy, and Chichen Itza is one of them.
This Mayan city is as grand as they come, with the massive El Castillo pyramid dominating the landscape. There may come a moment when you’ll think you lost your mind. Don’t worry, that’s only an echo created by the clapping at the base of the pyramid.
Beyond the famous pyramid, the Great Ball Court is a must-see. This is where the Mayans played their high-stakes ball game. Some say losing wasn’t exactly an option if you valued your head.
Step off the main paths, and you’ll find quieter ruins like the Temple of the Warriors and the mysterious Cenote Sagrado, once used for ritual offerings. It’s touristy, yes, but trust me, you don’t want to miss it.
13. Persepolis (Iran)
This one gave me chills. Standing in the ruins of Persepolis, I could almost hear the footsteps of ambassadors from all over the world arriving to pay tribute to the Persian kings.
It was built in the 6th century BC by Darius the Great and was once the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Just until Alexander the Great showed up and burned it down.
The Apadana Palace reliefs tell stories of different cultures coming together under Persian rule, and the beauty of the whole place is impossible to ignore.
14. Jerash (Jordan)
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting Jerash to blow me away. But from the moment I walked through Hadrian’s Arch, I knew this wasn’t just another Roman ruin. This city is one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman sites outside of Italy, and it feels like a place that never stopped being great.
Searching for a good start? The Oval Plaza is stunning, massive, perfectly symmetrical, and lined with columns that frame the sky.
The Temple of Artemis still has huge columns standing strong after thousands of years, and the South Theater has such perfect acoustics that you can stand in the middle and hear your own whisper bounce back.
And the best part – you get to go back in time without overwhelming crowds!
15. Mohenjo-Daro (Pakistan)
Mohenjo-Daro is ancient—I’m talking 4,500 years old.
This was one of the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, built long before the pyramids of Egypt or the temples of Greece. But here’s the wild part! There are no palaces, no massive temples, just a well-planned city with grid streets, drainage systems, and multi-story homes. Just to keep things more interesting.
While you are walking through these remains, you can’t help but wonder: how is it possible that this civilization was so advanced?
It’s a bit off the beaten path, but I guarantee; this one’s worth the effort.
16. Hampi (India)
Hampi is straight out of a dream.
Massive boulders balance impossibly on each other, ancient temples rise from the earth, and the whole place feels like an open-air museum of a lost empire.
This was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, and its ruins still radiate grandeur.
Prepare yourself for the amazing Virupaksha Temple that it’s still in use today. It looks like a big guardian over the city. And if you climb Matanga Hill at sunrise, you’ll get a view so stunning it doesn’t feel real.
17. Troy (Turkey)
Yes, that Troy. The one from Homer’s Iliad, the one where Achilles and Hector had their legendary showdown.
While the famous wooden horse is just a modern reconstruction, the ruins themselves hold layers of history. Archaeologists have uncovered nine different Troys, built on top of each other over thousands of years.
The massive city walls still stand, and you can wander through the ancient watchtowers and gates. Standing here, looking out over the plains of Troy, it’s easy to imagine warriors clashing just outside the city walls.
18. Cahokia (USA)
Not many people realize that North America had its own ancient cities, and Cahokia was one of the biggest.
This was once the largest city north of Mexico, home to tens of thousands of people around 1000 AD.
The highlight is Monk’s Mound. An enormous earthen structure that once held a grand temple. Surrounding it are remnants of plazas, ceremonial circles, and defensive walls.
No one knows exactly why Cahokia was abandoned, but standing here, overlooking the Mississippi River, you can feel the weight of a lost civilization.
19. Leptis Magna (Libya)
Leptis Magna is Rome on steroids! It’s massive, grand, and so incredibly well-preserved that it feels like you just missed the last Roman parade by a few centuries. The moment you step in, your eyes don’t know where to look first.
The Severan Arch stands tall and commanding. The theater, built into a hillside, practically echoes with the sounds of long-gone performances.
And then there’s the amphitheater. It’s so enormous it could hold 16,000 spectators, making it one of the biggest in the empire.
It all feels too perfect, too untouched, like a Hollywood set frozen in time. But this is real. It’s raw history, right at your feet.
20. Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Walking into Great Zimbabwe is like stepping into the pages of a long-lost legend.
The sheer size of it—sprawling across 1,800 acres—hits you first. Then, as you wander through the ancient pathways, the whispers of a once-mighty civilization start to creep in.
There’s no cement, no modern tools, just precision stonework stacked so perfectly that it’s held strong for 700 years.
And here’s the kicker! No one really knows why it was abandoned. Theories swirl, but the mystery only adds to the magic.