Top 15 Cities of All Time
Tourism is a significant promoter of many cities, increasing economic growth, reputation, and local opportunity. The following list contains our 15 most deeply recommended urban locations. These cities boast safe and organized visiting experiences, featuring rich history, culture, architecture, food, etc. It should be noted that this list is an opinionated guide, feel free to contact us with any concern or feedback, _____.
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15. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina, among some of the largest cities in the world. Buenos Aires sits at the end of the Uruguay River in Buenos Aires Province. The city was colonized by the Spanish in the 16th Century, impacting the language, buildings, traditions, and far more. The Teatro Colon, some would consider the best opera house in Argentina, is located very centrally, next to Plaza Lavalle on the Av. 9 de Julio. Buenos Aires is home to many popular plazas, as seen across many other Latin American countries and urban areas. Buenos Aires could well be mistaken for Europe with the Palacio Barolo, or the Casa Rosada. The city also features a large number of skyscrapers and modern investments. The Alvear Tower is the tallest in Argentina, with 54 floors. Museums are a large part of city life in Buenos Aires, some of the best include: Museo de Arte Latinoamericano, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, and Museo del Agua y de la Historia Sanitaria. Buenos Aires exports maize and oils through the massive industrial ports that lie North and East of the city center. Argentina is not considered dangerous by The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, although crime is a major problem in the city, so be careful during a visit.
14. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is the official capital city of Scotland, and the second largest in the country. Edinburgh is a perfect mix of medieval and Georgian architecture, with both the New and Old Town’s being considered UNESCO world heritage sites. New Town features a Georgian style similar to that of London or Glasgow, Old Town, however takes on a medieval atmosphere along with some of Edinburgh’s most successful attractions. Edinburgh Castle sits over Princes Street Gardens visible from almost anywhere in the central city. Princes Street itself has many things worth seeing, such as: The Scott Monument, Scottish National Gallery, The Balmoral, and The Duke of Wellington Statue. The city is naturally hilly with Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat creating a beautiful skyline visible atop them. The Palace of Holyrood (sitting directly next to Scottish Parliament) serves as the part-time home of the Royal Family. The Royal Botanical Gardens sit just North of Stockbridge, with a beautiful Christmas-time display. Edinburgh is truly very walkable, there has also been significant effort to make the city more eco-friendly with Trams leading from the airport to Leith’s docks. Despite the expense, Edinburgh is one of the nicest cities in the world to visit. Scotland and the UK as a whole are marked as somewhat unsafe by The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs due to terrorism.
13. Florence, Italy
Florence is the capital and largest city of Italy’s Tuscany region. It is renowned worldwide for its extensive history of art, architecture, and invention throughout the renaissance and medieval periods. Many great artists, scientists, and inventors have lived and worked in Florence. Some of the best museums and art galleries to visit include: The Uffizi Gallery, Opera del Duomo Museum, Museo Galileo, Accademia Gallery, and Pitti Palace. In the center of the city you will find the stunning Cattedrale di Santa Maria constructed over 800 years ago. Heading South of that, the Palazzo Vecchio museum overlooks the city with its unique fortified shape. Ponte Vecchio is the main bridge that crosses the Arno, it has gained a reputation as one of the only 4 bridges in the world still to have buildings on either side. The Tuscany region of Italy is one of the most cuisine-rich places on earth, and Florence is no exception to that rule. Restaurants and cafes are dotted around the city very generously, and you really cant leave without trying some of the pizza, pasta, seafood, and/or ice-cream. It is worth noting that Florence is home to many scams and tourist-traps, so its important to be careful and known what to look out for. Italy is, according to The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, somewhat unsafe for American tourists due to threats of terrorism.
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12. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is located within Northern Hungary roughly 40km from the nearest border with Slovakia. It functions as the political and economic capital of Hungary and is by far the largest city. Budapest is known for its interesting museums and architecture. The Orszaghaz sits slightly North of the center as the official Hungarian Parliament, a magnificent white and orange monument to Hungarian democracy. The city is no stranger to old-school entertainment, with many play/opera-houses, the most notable being the Magyar Allami Operahaz. The city is very green, parks, trees, and gardens are scattered lavishly throughout the city. Sticking with the eco-friendly theme, Budapest has plunged the need for cars by containing up to date subways and trams. The city (and country in general) is one of the cheapest in Europe, which makes it far easier to spend time in than somewhere like Paris. Hungarian is the language of choice and the currency used is the Hungarian Forint. The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs tells travelers to exercise normal precautions.
11. Shanghai, China
Shanghai is essentially the financial capital of China and is its largest city. Known for its futuristic architecture, it is home to roughly 26 million people. Situated on China’s East coast, it is home to large industrial regions that produce cars, phones, and computers, boosting the city’s economy massively. The city is most well-known for its Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower, both magnificently towering over the city. Just over the Huangpu River you are to be greeted with many traditionally Chinese buildings and several attractions, such as: Yu Garden, 上海城隍庙 (Taoist Temple), Shanghai Old Street, and 上海博物馆 (The Shanghai Museum). Traditional Buddhist Temples have been preserved around the city reflecting its historic belief systems. There is also a Disneyland resort on the South-Eastern outskirts of the city. Shanghai is definitely a interesting city to visit if you share an interest in finance/business, Chinese history, and/or the culture managed and kept by millions of people. The Hu language is a dialect commonly spoken in Shanghai, although the national language and largest variant is Mandarin. The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs advises against travel to China because of laws and regulations that limit freedom of journalism among other restrictions.
10. Moscow, Russia
Moscow is the capital city of Russia, known well for its distinct Russian architecture that is unique to the city. The Kremlin is a fortified area filled with churches, museums, and palaces in the center of Moscow, directly next to the Red Square. St. Basil’s Cathedral, known for its colorful onion shaped domes, also sits on the Red Square. As a part of the Orthodox-Christian faith, Moscow features many churches and cathedrals sprawling throughout the city, here are some of the most important: Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Church of the Epiphany, Cathedral of the Conception of Virgin Mary, and Kazan Cathedral. The State historic museum, and many others like it, hold many relics and artworks important to Russian culture and tradition. The Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building, a tall interesting Brutalist tower, was created by Stalin in the mid 1900’s and is now used for a variety of things, including: office, recreational, financial, and residential spaces. It is also worth seeing Zaryadye Park, home to the Zaryadye Concert Hall. Russian is spoken nation-wide and they use the Russian Ruble. Due to a mixture of Geo-political reasons including the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs does not intend on motivating people to travel to Russia and warns against it, flights (although limited) still fly to Russia, and you can still enter the country as a tourist (possibly easier if you live outside of The United States).
9. Montreal, Canada
Montreal is a large city in Canada’s Quebec Provence roughly 165km from the capital, Ottawa. Montreal was colonized by the French in 1642 as a part of the Quebec colony. Much of the architecture, culture, and food is inspired by French and European ways of life. Downtown Montreal is very built up, with skyscrapers and financial buildings, while to the East there is a strong French influence. Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal sits in the center of the old settlement. Canada is a very artistic country and Montreal is home to a few art galleries and museums that are worth seeing, such as: Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History, The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and McCord Stewart Museum. Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mouth Royal lies outside of the center, south of Mount Royal Park. The City Hall is within close proximity to the stunning St. Lawrence River that flows through the Provence of Quebec. The city also has an extensive waterfront and port area. The Botanical Gardens are located in the North of the city next to the Biodome, that we would certainly recommend. French is the main language spoken in Montreal and Quebec as a whole, but English is very common. Montreal is a very safe city along with most of Canada, The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs sets no precautions with travel.
8. London, England
London is the capital city of England and the expanded United Kingdom. With 8 million residents, it is the 3rd largest city in the world and the historic capital of the largest empire ever known to mankind. Much of the old docklands and industry has left the Thames since WW2, however the river still serves as very important for ferries, sightseeing, and piers. The British Parliament (including Big Ben) is located across the Westminster Bridge from the well-known London Eye. Westminster is a city/borough inside London that contains most of the center and attractions, Buckingham Palace is the official home of the Royal Family in Westminster. London is a great city to visit if you share an interest in finance/skyscrapers, as The City of London (a part of Greater London) is home to the world-renowned Gherkin, Walkie Talkie, and Shard ( lying just across the river from the others) skyscrapers. Similarly London has had an eventful history dating back to Roman occupation, historic sites to see include: Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. London is easily recognizable by its beautiful Georgian terraced houses, mostly around the West/Center-City. The British Museum is one of the most influential in the world, from Ancient Egyptian relics to Roman sculptures, it is full of art, history, and entertainment. London has a high rate of crime so its important to be careful if you aren’t familiar with the city. According to The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs you should exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.
7. Chicago, United States
Chicago is the 3rd largest city in The United States, with around 2.7 million people. Located in North-Eastern Illinois, the city sits on Lake Michigan with The Chicago River running down the center. Chicago has made a name for itself due to its stunning Art-Deco style of architecture (much of which came as inspiration for D.C. Comic’s Gotham City). Some of the nicest Art-Deco buildings include: St. Jane, Chicago Board of Trade, Pittsfield Building, and The Civic Opera House. The Willis Tower is an iconic building that looms over the city with its 110 stories. North of the river sits the popular 875 North Michigan Avenue Building and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Talent can be found all around Chicago, here are some of the best art galleries and museums: The Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, Field Museum, and The American Writers Museum. Much like many other Mid-Western cities, Chicago hosts incredible musical talent, from hip-hop/R&B to Jazz and Gospel, here are some of the top artists: Kanye West/Ye, The Smashing Pumpkins, Common, Chicago (rock band), Muddy Waters, and R. Kelly. The Chicago Navy Pier juts out from Streeterville and contains many places to eat and attractions. Chicago’s coast on the lake prioritizes greenery, with Grant and Jackson Park granting a place to breath. Chicago has a bad reputations for being one of the US’s crime capitals, things have changed and the city is safer than it once was, however there are still areas to stay clear of.
6. Vienna, Austria
Vienna is the capital of Austria, roughly 50km from the Slovakian border. Vienna has gained a reputation worldwide since the times of The Holy Roman Empire for its beautiful detailed Baroque and Gothic buildings. The Hofburg is one of the Hapsburg’s palaces held in the 13th century onward. The palace is part of the Innere Stadt region of the city along with the Vienna Operahouse and many other attractions. With such an important play in European history, Vienna has many museums displaying art, culture, inventions, and history, here are the ones we would recommend: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, The Museums Quarter, Sisi Museum, Belvedere Palace, Museum Judenplatz, and The Albertina. To the North of the central metropolitan area runs the Danube River, providing Austria with access to the sea, which is very useful as a landlocked country. The Schonbrunn area of South-West Vienna houses the Schonbrunn Palace that is most definitely worth seeing. When it comes to shopping, Vienna has got you covered, streets like Graben and Karntner are packed full of shopping opportunities. Due to Austria’s history/past, German is spoken in Vienna and the rest of the country. The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs sets no restrictions or expectations of travel to Austria, its important still to watch out for occasional scams.
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5. Madrid, Spain
Madrid is the capital city of Spain, known primarily for its architectural style, football, and historic sites. The Royal Palace of Madrid is an 18th century historical landmark that sits with The Catedral de la Almudena on Calle de Bailen, a location that is definitely worth seeing. Just East of the Palace you will find Plaza Mayor and Palacio de la Equitativa, both of which are very nice (but full of tourists). El Retiro Park and Western Park are worth relaxing in, many streets also have trees and bushes on each side promoting greenery and environmentalism. Its hard to talk about all the historical monuments in Madrid because its so large, but here are some of the best: Puerta de Alcala, Palacio de Cristal, Temple of Debod, Paisaje de la Luz, and Congreso de los Diputados. Spain has a reputation for beautiful art, some museums we would recommend are: Museo Nacional del Prado, Museo d’America, and The National Archaeological Museum. Madrid has a large underground metro system that comes in very useful for navigating the city. In the Northern region of Castilla there is an alternative to classical and Baroque, with the tallest modern skyscrapers in Spain. The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs advises travelers to exercise increased caution due to terrorism and civil unrest.
4. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo (the capital city of Japan) is not only the largest city in Japan, it is currently (estimated to be) the largest city in the world. Tokyo is known for its importance to Japanese history in art, literature, and historic buildings. Tokyo is the city with the most Michelin Stars in the world, and that is no surprise, Japanese food is often regarded as some of the best with dishes suchlike: Sushi, Tofu, Tempura, and Ramen. Tokyo is home to the Tokyo Skytree and the Tokyo Tower that both provide a beautiful view of the vast, dense, city. Aside from the odd Japanese temple/historic site, Tokyo is a very modern city. Japan has had a very rich history and there are still many remnants of that today, here are some of the best historical sites within the city: The Imperial Palace 皇居, Meiji Jingu 明治神宮, Senso-Ji 浅草寺, and The Tokyo National Museum 東京国立博物館. Tokyo has a massive waterfront with artificial islands, large docks, and The Tokyo Disneyland, this is for a few reasons, 1. Most of the artificial islands used to be naval forts until after WW2 when they were converted into residential and commercial uses, 2. as the largest city in the world and a global hub for trade, Tokyo is home to many cargo/industrial/military ships due to its maritime past. Tokyo is full of relieving parks and gardens, here are a few that we would recommend: Hamarikyu Gardens, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and Yoyogi Park. The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs has no issues related to travel in Japan.
3. New York, United States
New York is the largest city in the United States, it is comprised of 5 boroughs (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and The Bronx). New York is a mix of old Art-Deco and Modern building styles. The Empire State Building, arguably the most famous in the United States, is located in Central/Midtown South Manhattan, it has gained recognition worldwide for its iconic shape and Art-Deco style. Just South of The Empire State you will find the Flatiron Building, also an iconic triangular in-devour of architecture. Heading South yet again, you will reach the tallest building in New York, the One World Trade Center (or Freedom Tower), it was made after the Twin Towers fell during 9/11 to replace their uses. New York really has become synonymous with skyscrapers all over the world, here are some of the other most famous: Rockefeller Center, The Trump Tower, Chrysler Building, One57, and 30 Hudson Yards. New York is also home to the New York Stock Exchange along with many other capitalistic/financial buildings centered around Wall St, one of the most important financial areas in the world. Being the massive city that it is, NY has many museums that are worth seeing, here are a few of the best: Metropolitan Museum of Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Museum of the City of NY, and The Brooklyn Museum. Central Park stands out in the vast concrete jungle of New York and is worth strolling through. The Upper Bay area has 3 major islands that are worth visiting, they are: Liberty Island (with The Statue of Liberty), Ellis Island, and Governors Island. Despite being very expensive New York is definitely a place that everyone has to see at least once.
2. Paris, France
Paris is the capital of, and largest city in, France. Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world and arguably one of the most important. Paris has gone through centuries of revolution, occupation, and terrorism. The city is known for its distinctive Haussmann architecture that largely came into existence because of Napoleon. The Seine River flows through the city leaving two islands, Ile de la Cite, and Ile Saint-Louis. Ile de la Cite contains the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle. North of the river you can find The Louvre Museum, the largest in the world, other great museums include: Musee d’Orsay, Hotel des Invalides, Musee d’Histoire de la Medecine, and Musee de l’Homme. Heading West to the 7th Arr. stands the Eiffel Tower, a tall climbable metal framework, probably the most famous building in the world. Paris is packed full of landmarks that everyone should see, here are some others: Arc de Triomphe, Sacre-Coeur de Montmarte, Luxembourg Palace, The Centre Pompidou, Pantheon, Palais Garnier, The Catacombs, and The Palace of Versailles (little bit away from the center). In addition to all the classical buildings, Paris has a financial district called La Defense, Montparnasse Tower is a massive skyscraper that sticks out in the Parisian skyline, mostly home to offices. The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs warns visitors to exercise increased caution due to terrorism.
1. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam is the capital city of The Netherlands, located in the Holland region. Amsterdam is known for its livability and social spending, eg. public transport, infrastructure, healthcare, and progressive immigration laws. The city is a global center of art and architecture and a melting pot of culture. The Rijksmuseum, along with Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum are all part of The Museumkwartier region in the Southern city. Dutch houses in Amsterdam take on a slightly different shape, size, and color, each building making the streets unique but similar and very recognizable. During WW2 Germany occupied The Netherlands, in part to extend naval capabilities and obtain France quickly. A Jewish girl called Anne Frank grew up in The Netherlands during this period, and you can visit her house that was transformed into a secret hideout, to escape The Holocaust. Probably Amsterdam’s most iconic feature is the canals, that you can get boat-tours on. The Royal Palace of Amsterdam sits on Dam Square, one of the busiest areas, here are some more attractions that are worth seeing in the area: Magna Plaza, Madame Tussaud’s, De Oude Kerk, and The National Maritime Museum. Many cities have Red Light Districts but Amsterdam’s is by far the most well known, with cannabis, prostitution, and strip clubs all allowed, it has made a name for itself over the years. At one point Amsterdam was one of the most important maritime cities in Europe, even today it still has a large functioning industry. The city of Amsterdam is unique and special in many ways, it is, in our judgement, the greatest city to visit in the world. The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs warns visitors to exercise increased caution, due to terrorism.