Travel Solo Through History
If you’re struggling to decide where to go on your first solo trip, you might want to consider checking out the various ancient cities around the world.
Visiting historical attractions is a good way for travelers who are new to a city/destination to get a sort of “beginners guide” to navigating the area while also learning about history.
Exploring the historical side of travel could even spark some hidden passion for history you had buried deep down. You might even decide to make history a central theme in your solo travels.
So, If you still find yourself scratching your head about where to travel first, consider taking a page from history and explore some of the most ancient cities around the world.
1. Jericho, West Bank
Population: 20,000+
Jericho is a city located in the West Bank, a territory occupied by Israel along with the Gaza Strip.
Jericho is considered one of the oldest cities in the world. The first successful settlement was known to date back over 10,000 years (9,000 BCE).
Also home to Tell es-Sultan or Ancient Jericho which is now an archaeological site located in the center of the city. Tell es-Sultan is also labeled a UNESCO world heritage site which is described as the “oldest fortified city in the world”.
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact age of these ancient cities, but Jericho is most likely up there on the list of the most ancient cities in human history.
The city itself isn’t very large in terms of population, but being a city that’s been alive for 10,000 years (or more) is mind boggling.
Imagining the hundreds if not thousands of lives, not to mention the many generations and eras, this city has lived through is reason enough to visit this city at least once if you ever get the chance.
If you’ve ever been curious about ancient cities in the middle east, Jericho should be on your bucket list of places to visit if your solo travels ever take you to Israel.
2. Aleppo, Syria
Population: 2,000,000+
Another city located in the middle east, Aleppo is not only another one of the oldest inhabited cities, it’s also the largest city in Syria.
Known to have been inhabited since 5,000 BCE (7,000+ years ago). Aleppo was also known to be a key center of commerce and trade on the legendary Silk Road.
Being at the center of trade during the era of the Silk Road, You can see many examples of the various cultural influences on Aleppo throughout the city’s architecture.
Travelers should be aware that Aleppo has gone through hardship and many violent conflicts were fought throughout the city.
Despite the many political conflicts in Aleppo, the city is still open to tourism and travelers are welcome to visit.
3. Varanasi, India
Population: 1,000,000+
Varanasi is a city located on the Ganges river in northern India. Known for its importance as a holy city in Hinduism, Varanasi is another ancient city that has been inhabited for thousands of years.
Steeped in religious history and spirituality, Varanasi is known to be the holiest city in India.
People all over India travel to Varanasi for spiritual enlightenment and other religious activities. From festivals, cremations, to spreading ashes of loved ones who have passed away.
Now, that might not sound like the most upbeat of travel activities, but it’s definitely an experience that could leave an impression on you.
Being able to experience how people from different cultures express their views on life and death can have a profound affect on your perspective towards your own mortality.
If you’re at all curious about the religious culture in India, and want to learn more about the history and spirituality of Hinduism.
Varanasi could be a great place to visit if you have any interest in religious spirituality or if spirituality already has a specific importance in your life.
4. Angkor, Cambodia
Population: (Nearest City: Siem Reap) 100,000+
Although no longer inhabited, Angkor was the capital of the Khmer Empire during the 9th-15th centuries. The closest city to the Angkor region is Siem Reap.
From Siem Reap you can make your way to the Angkor Archaeological Park which covers about 400 square kilometers of land, which is also one of the most extensive archaeological sites in the world.
For comparison, the city of Siem Reap only covers an estimated area of about 10.5 square kilometers.
It’s safe to say that if you choose to travel to Cambodia and visit the Angkor Archaeological Park, you wouldn’t run out of places to explore anytime soon.
the Angkor Archaeological Park is also home to over 1,000 temples and historical structures. With the main temple attractions being Bayon, Ta Prohm, and the ever famous Angkor Wat.
If you were ever thinking of traveling to southeast Asia and at a loss on where to travel on your solo trip, this could be a good place to visit while also exploring the city of Siem Reap.
5. Rome, Italy
Population: 2,000,000+
Rome is arguably one of the most popular cities in Europe. Founded in 753 BCE, this would make Rome over 2,700+ years old.
Having been the capital of the Roman empire, most travelers know of the historical significance that Rome has had not only on Europe,
but on the history of mankind as a whole. From Iconic landmarks like the famous Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Roman Forum.
To the famous Vatican city, headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, along with St. Peters Basilica and the Vatican Museum.
Even its influence on pop culture like movies, T.V. shows, games, and so much more. The influence Roman culture has had on Western civilization is vast.
There’s no wonder why Rome is so famous among travelers around the world. If you haven’t decided where to go on your first solo travel experience, you can’t go wrong with Rome as the starting point on your solo journey.
6. Xi’an, China
Population: 8,000,000+
Historically known as Chang’an, Xi’an is an ancient city that’s over 3,000 years old. Located in north-central China, Xi’an was used as the capital city for several Chinese dynasties.
One of the historical highlights of Xi’an is its ancient city wall, Xi’an has one of the oldest and most complete city walls in the country.
Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, the wall features watchtowers, gates, and wide path ways that allows for groups of people to walk or even bike around the wall.
the Xi’an city wall is about 8.5 miles and encompasses the whole city center (not the entire city itself) and will give you a panoramic view of the historical city center.
Another famous historical attraction you can find in Xi’an is the Terracotta Army. Which is made up of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots.
The Terracotta Army was created for the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, as a way to accompany him into the afterlife. There are even stories about hidden secrets and curses about the Terracotta Army.
Of course, these are just stories, but they do add to the mystery of the ancient clay army.
Xi’an also had a connection to the Silk Road, serving as a major hub on the legendary trade route. Which contributed immensely to the cultural exchange and atmosphere of the city.
Other notable attractions are the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, which showcases Chinese Buddhist architecture, the Muslim Quarter which has a unique combination of Muslim and Chinese culture from its food stalls to the architecture of its Mosque,
and the Shaanxi Museum which houses historical artifacts of the Shaanxi province.
With a population of over 8,000,000 people, and its reputation as an ancient city, this is a great place to explore as a solo traveler if you want to experience China while also learning more about Chinese culture and history.
7. Nara, Japan
Population: 360,000+
Nara is located in the Kansai region of Japan, and is known to be the first permanent capital of Japan during the Nara period from 710 to 784 which would make the city over 1,300 years old.
Some of the highlights of Nara are the Todai-ji Temple and the Kasuga Taisha Shrine. If you’re interested in Japanese history or ancient culture, visiting these historical sites would prove to be worth your visit.
Another highlight of Nara would be the famous Deer Park. Here travelers can find wild deer that are free to roam not only the entire park, but the entire city as well.
Visiting travelers can explore the park while also interacting with the deer by feeding them special deer crackers called “shika senbei”.
While not as large compared to other ancient Japanese cities like Kyoto, visiting Nara could be a good destination to start your solo travels off in Japan.
Or It could also serve as a great side adventure off the beaten path while staying in other bigger cities like Tokyo or Kyoto.
8. Aswan, Egypt
Population: 1,500,000+
Aswan’s ancient history spans all the way back to the pharaonic era of ancient Nubia where it was once called Swenett. Making this Egyptian city thousands of years old.
Aswan is also situated on the east bank of the Nile River. Because of it’s strategic location in the past, Aswan benefitted from trade and transportation that served as a gateway to Africa and other regions further south.
There are many attractions in and around the city of Aswan. The Philae Temple which is dedicated to the goddess Isis, is now a popular tourist attraction that also features a sound and light show which tells about the history of the temple and its relocation.
The Unfinished Obelisk is another fascinating ancient construct that was carved out of the bedrock and left unfinished during construction.
If finished, it was estimated that the obelisk would have been roughly 42 meters high (about 137 ft. long) and weighing in at an estimated 1,200 metric tons which would have made this ancient structure one of the largest Obelisk’s ever created.
Other attractions that might pique your interest would be the Elephantine Island, which houses archaeological sites showcasing Egyptian, Greek, and Roman ruins.
Besides ancient ruins and monuments, Aswan also features other attractions like the Aswan High Dam which created lake Nasser one of the largest artificial lakes in the world.
You can also visit the Botanical Gardens (Kitchener’s Island) which houses a collection of different plants from around the world.
If you plan on solo traveling through Egypt, Aswan is a great place to experience more of a “local” feel while also taking in the various historical sites and ancient monuments of Egypt.
9. Choquequirao, Peru
Population: (Nearest City: Cusco) 500,000
While no longer inhabited, the ancient city of Choquequirao is an archaeological site that can be found in the Andes of Peru. It’s known as the “sister” city to the more famous Machu Picchu.
Believed to have been built around the 15th century, Choquequirao was said to have served as a religious and administrative center in the Incan empire.
The name “Choquequirao” is believed to mean “Cradle of Gold”, Featuring ruins of terraces, plazas, ceremonial platforms, residential spaces, and religious structures.
This once great Incan city is situated at an elevation of about 3,050 meters (about 10,010 ft.) above sea level. To reach these ancient city ruins you would have to undergo a rugged trek through the Andes mountain.
While not as easily accessible as Machu Picchu, if you consider yourself fit for a challenging hike the experience would be more unique than just visiting Machu Picchu. You would be able to experience breathtaking landscapes that most people only dream of.
But, if you aren’t particularly keen on taking on such a challenging trek, the city of Cusco itself is also considered an ancient city. Known to have been the capital of the Incan empire, Cusco is believed to be over a 1,000 years old.
From there you can explore everything the city has to offer, from its many historical sites to its combination of Inca and colonial architecture. You can also visit Machu Picchu which is much more accessible than a trek to Choquequirao.
Although, taking a solo trip to Choquequirao would be a bit difficult, if you’re up for a challenge it would definitely prove to be more of a unique experience outside of the typical tourist activities and destinations.
Especially if you’re into amazing “take your breath away” type of views, a hike to Choquequirao would prove to be well worth the trip.
Historical Motivation
By using history as a starting point, solo travelers can gain a lot of insight and interest on a specific destination to help them decide which destination would be the perfect place for their first solo travel experience.
There are a lot more ancient cities and historical sites to discover than the list above, but hopefully this list helps spark some ideas for solo travel newbies about the different historical cities/sites that one can explore on their own.
If you’re new to solo travel and want to learn more, visit the blog at Traks&Paks.com.
