In My Experience, 20 Cities Are Worth Seeing And 7 That You Simply Can’t Miss
Ever land in a city and feel it instantly—like the place is alive, pulling you in with its rhythm, its people, its soul? After years of wandering the world, I’ve found cities that did just that and a few that quietly worked their magic over time.
From buzzing markets to hidden courtyards, these are the places that stayed with me long after I left.
In this list, I’m sharing 20 cities that genuinely impressed me and 7 that stole a piece of my heart. Let’s dive into the places that live up to the hype, and then some.
1. Paris, France
If you’ve ever tasted a flaky croissant beneath the shade of chestnut trees, you know Paris feels like poetry. Artists sketch by the Seine as bicycles whiz past. There’s an elegance in every detail, from ornate bridges to golden boulangeries.
The Louvre’s glass pyramid glimmers at dusk, and laughter echoes from café terraces. Where else can you savor cheese with a view of Notre Dame? I still find myself humming street violin tunes long after I leave.
Curiously, the city’s energy shifts with each arrondissement—each neighborhood a tiny world. Paris isn’t just a city; it’s a feeling that lingers.
2. Kyoto, Japan
How do ancient temples hide in the heart of a city? In Kyoto, I walked beneath torii gates painted crimson, every step echoing centuries of stories. Lanterns blink at night along dim stone paths.
If you ever sip matcha in a quiet teahouse, time slows. Each garden, each shrine, radiates peace. The cherry blossoms remind me that beauty can be fleeting—and breathtaking.
Did you know Kyoto hosts more than 1,600 temples? I watched monks raking patterns in gravel, creating art that will vanish with the wind. Kyoto is gentle, mysterious, and unforgettable.
3. Cape Town, South Africa
When Table Mountain’s shadow stretches across Cape Town, the city glows. I wandered through the Bo-Kaap, where houses shine in pastels and children play soccer in the streets. The Atlantic sparkled at every turn.
Are you craving adventure? Hike trails that climb above the clouds or stroll bustling waterfronts. Sizzle of spices lingers from markets where merchants share their stories.
Curiosity led me to Robben Island, where history echoes from ancient walls. Cape Town’s contrasts—wild beauty, gritty history, and boundless warmth—make it a city that sticks with you.
4. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tango’s soulful rhythm fills Buenos Aires’ air. Once, I watched couples spin gracefully across cobblestones in La Boca, painted houses clashing beautifully. The city pulses with creativity.
How does a place feel both European and distinctly Latin? Cafés spill onto grand avenues, while parrillas serve smoky steaks late into the night. Friends laugh over yerba mate in city parks.
Did you know Buenos Aires has the most bookstores per person in the world? The city reads, dreams, and dances. Come for the tango, stay for the passion of everyday life.
5. Istanbul, Turkey
Where two continents meet, Istanbul sparkles. I lost myself in the Grand Bazaar’s maze, scents of spices and fresh baklava beckoning at every turn. Muezzins’ calls soar above bustling tramways.
It’s impossible not to marvel at domes and minarets rising in golden light. Ferries glide across the Bosphorus, linking histories and hopes. Each cup of tea comes with a smile and a story.
Here, ancient mosaics and modern street art dance side by side. Istanbul invites you to taste, listen, and discover.
6. Lisbon, Portugal
How do city streets ripple like a river? In Lisbon, the cobblestones undulate beneath your feet. I clung to a rattling yellow tram, city views flashing between tiled facades and red rooftops.
Fado music spills from hidden taverns, bittersweet as the sea air. At miradouros, couples share pastries, eyes on the Tagus below. Lisbon’s sunlight feels golden, never harsh.
If you’re drawn to places with stories, Lisbon’s hills, tiles, and melancholic music will call you back. Not every city glows at twilight—this one does.
7. Venice, Italy
Where silence settles on water, Venice appears. I drifted in a gondola, city shimmering all around, while bridges arched like stone rainbows overhead. The air smelled faintly of salt and history.
Are you fascinated by mystery? Venice’s labyrinthine alleys echo with laughter, the footsteps of centuries. Mask shops tempt with glittering secrets.
Did you know Venice has more than 400 bridges? I lost count, following the call of church bells. Venice is romance, intrigue, and beauty—all floating together.
8. New York City, USA
How can chaos feel so electric? In New York City, I felt alive in a crowd of strangers. Yellow taxis honked, skyscrapers sparkled, and every block told a new story.
Bagels in hand, I wandered from Central Park’s green calm to Broadway’s flashing lights. Artists, dreamers, and hustlers all share this concrete patchwork.
Did you know New York is home to more than 800 languages? It’s a city of a thousand worlds, each more fascinating than the last.
9. Prague, Czech Republic
Gothic spires pierce the dawn in Prague, and fairy tales seem possible. I meandered through Old Town, each corner revealing a new wonder—an Astronomical Clock chiming, sweet scent of trdelník pastries.
If you ever cross the Charles Bridge at sunrise, statues watch over you in silence. The city whispers secrets in every shadow.
Legend says golems once roamed here, protecting the city’s soul. Prague feels timeless, a stage for magic and history to dance.
10. Cusco, Peru
When I gazed over Cusco’s red roofs, the Andes stretched endlessly behind. Plaza de Armas bustled with color: woven blankets, laughing children, scent of fresh corn.
How does a city hold both Inca and Spanish spirit? At twilight, music drifted up stone lanes, llamas quietly joined the crowds.
Once the heart of an empire, Cusco’s walls still hum with ancient power. It’s a city where old gods and new dreams meet.
11. Sydney, Australia
If you’ve ever seen the Sydney Opera House shimmer in sunlight, you’ll understand this city’s magic. I watched ferries bob by, sails unfurling as laughter filled the harborside.
Palm trees lined the walkways; a local offered me a golden meat pie. The surf’s roar mingled with buskers’ tunes.
Sydney feels young, energetic, and utterly relaxed—a rare combination. Did you know more than 250 languages are spoken here? That diversity shapes every neighborhood.
12. Seville, Spain
Orange blossoms scent the air in Seville, where flamenco guitars echo in tiled courtyards. I joined a crowd in Plaza de España, caught in the swirl of a dancer’s red dress.
There’s a sense of celebration in each street—horses clop by, tapas arrive with a smile, and the sun lingers late. Secret gardens hide behind ornate doors.
Curiously, Seville’s Alcázar has starred in movies and TV shows for decades. History and drama thrive here, side by side.
13. Istanbul, Turkey
Where two continents meet, Istanbul sparkles. I lost myself in the Grand Bazaar’s maze, scents of spices and fresh baklava beckoning at every turn. Muezzins’ calls soar above bustling tramways.
It’s impossible not to marvel at domes and minarets rising in golden light. Ferries glide across the Bosphorus, linking histories and hopes. Each cup of tea comes with a smile and a story.
Here, ancient mosaics and modern street art dance side by side. Istanbul invites you to taste, listen, and discover.
14. Marrakech, Morocco
Snake charmers perform as dusk falls over Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fnaa. Lanterns cast a golden haze in the bustling square, and the scent of saffron fills the air.
I wandered maze-like souks, hands brushing hand-woven carpets, spices bright as jewels. Each corner offers new wonders—mint tea, ornate doors, painted ceilings.
Did you know the city walls are made of crushed red earth? Marrakech blazes with color and life, a true feast for the senses.
15. Florence, Italy
How can a city be an open-air museum? In Florence, art spills onto every piazza. I gazed up at Brunelleschi’s dome, spellbound by the Duomo’s enormity and grace.
Gelato melts as you cross Ponte Vecchio, goldsmiths’ shops glittering in arches above the Arno. Sunsets cast a warm glow on centuries-old stone.
Did you know Florence’s Uffizi Gallery was Europe’s first modern museum? Artistic genius and everyday life mingle here, always.
16. Istanbul, Turkey
Where two continents meet, Istanbul sparkles. I lost myself in the Grand Bazaar’s maze, scents of spices and fresh baklava beckoning at every turn. Muezzins’ calls soar above bustling tramways.
It’s impossible not to marvel at domes and minarets rising in golden light. Ferries glide across the Bosphorus, linking histories and hopes. Each cup of tea comes with a smile and a story.
Here, ancient mosaics and modern street art dance side by side. Istanbul invites you to taste, listen, and discover.
17. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Medieval stone walls hug Dubrovnik, and the Adriatic glimmers just beyond. I traced the ramparts, seagulls soaring overhead, sea breeze teasing at my map.
Where stories spill from every cobbled street, I imagined pirates and poets walking these same stones. The city’s light is uniquely golden at dusk.
Strangely, Dubrovnik has starred in many fantasy series. Magic lingers here, blending with history and salt air.
18. Barcelona, Spain
Color explodes in Barcelona, from Gaudi’s mosaics to lively food markets. I stared up, speechless, at the Sagrada Familia’s wild towers—never finished, forever inspiring.
Beach-goers sunbathe nearby, and laughter floats through winding Gothic alleys. Tapas eaten at midnight taste better by the Mediterranean.
Did you know Barcelona’s parks are dotted with whimsical lizards? It’s a city of endless surprises, always vibrant and inventive.
19. Singapore
How does a city thrive in perpetual summer? Singapore’s gardens seem to float among skyscrapers. I wandered beneath glowing supertrees, a gentle rain tapping on glass domes.
Food hawkers stir bright curries and noodles, and the air buzzes with a dozen languages. Order and wild creativity coexist here.
Did you know chewing gum is famously banned? Singapore is efficient yet playful—a true garden city.
20. Rome, Italy
When I first saw the Colosseum, it took my breath away. Rome’s ruins glow at sunset, living history among lively piazzas and gelato stands. Vespa engines hum down ancient lanes.
Are you a history lover? Here, every stone tells a story. Locals gather in bustling markets, sharing laughter and espresso shots.
Curiously, Rome’s fountains have more fresh water than any other city in the world. Rome is grand, chaotic, and endlessly fascinating.
21. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tulips bloom along Amsterdam’s canals, and the scent of fresh stroopwafels drifts from corner bakeries. I cycled past storybook houses, the city buzzing with friendly chatter.
Did you know bikes outnumber people here? I lost myself in art museums and quirky neighborhood shops.
Amsterdam is whimsical, practical, and full of hidden treasures. You’ll want to linger, map forgotten in your pocket.
22. Berlin, Germany
If you crave reinvention, Berlin is your muse. I marveled at street art sprawling across the Berlin Wall, history meeting bold creativity.
The scent of currywurst mingled with techno beats, outdoor cafés alive with spirited debate. Each neighborhood offers a new adventure.
Did you know Berlin has more bridges than Venice? The city thrives on change—embrace its rhythm, and you’ll feel right at home.
23. Cairo, Egypt
How do ancient wonders live beside modern chaos? In Cairo, I stared at the pyramids, sun-baked and timeless, then ducked into markets alive with shouts and color.
The scent of spices and diesel fills the air. Children play in alleyways shaded by minarets, centuries-old stories echoing around every corner.
Curiously, the Nile divides the city like an ancient ribbon. Cairo is legend and life, unfiltered and unforgettable.
24. San Francisco, USA
Fog rolls gently over the Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco wakes slowly. I watched cable cars climb pastel hills, the bay sparkling below.
Chinatown beckons with lanterns and steaming dumplings. Painted Victorians stand proud along crooked streets.
Did you know San Francisco has more dogs than children? The city is quirky, brilliant, and unpredictable—just how I like it.
25. London, England
Where history meets modern buzz, London shines. I caught a double-decker bus past Big Ben, the Thames reflecting city lights. Rain barely slowed the crowds.
Afternoon tea in Covent Garden felt like a tradition worth keeping. Markets brimmed with color and laughter.
Did you know London has over 170 museums? Each visit reveals a new story in this ever-surprising city.
26. Reykjavik, Iceland
Auroras flicker over Reykjavik’s rooftops, and the air tingles with cold and excitement. I huddled in cozy cafés, watching locals sip strong coffee as snow drifted past the windows.
Where else do geothermal pools steam beside icy streets? Colorful houses burst from the white landscape.
Legend says elves wander here, hidden in the lava fields. Reykjavik is quirky and calm, a wonder on the edge of the world.
27. Petra, Jordan
Where red cliffs hide ancient secrets, Petra astonishes. I wound through the Siq, walls rising high above, until sunlight revealed the famed Treasury’s intricate face.
Bedouins offered mint tea as camels dozed in the shade. Centuries of footsteps linger in the dust.
Did you know Petra was unknown to the West until the early 1800s? This lost city feels timeless—a marvel that never fades.