Ancient history tells us that there was quite a lot happening in Greece around 5,000 BCE, but there were many other European societies forming before the common era that are still populated today, with incredible ruins and relics of ancient times.
Talk about travelling off the beaten track – these fascinating cities will take you back in time.
Cadiz is an old port city in the southwest of Spain, founded in 1100 BCE by the Phoenicians, a great society originating in a region we know today as Lebanon, Syria and Israel.
They Phoenicians are said to have invented the modern alphabet and were great traders and fishermen.
Relics of the Phoenician people can be found at an archaeological site named Gadir, which takes travellers on a journey from the ancient founding of the city, right up to present day.
Visitors to Cadiz today will love the alfresco café culture between colourful buildings and tree-lined cobblestone streets, as well as stunning cathedrals, beaches and several impressive castles.
Some contest that Plovdiv is the oldest city in Europe, dating to 6,000 BCE. Today it’s the second-largest city in Bulgaria, seamlessly blending ancient sites with 19th century mansions and modern buildings to boot.
The city was built and has continued to develop on seven syenite hills, a rock like granite, giving it the apt nickname ‘The City of Seven Hills’.
The city’s trademark is its amphitheatre – one of the best preserved in the world – and it’s still used for theatrical performances today.
Visitors today can take a walk through time starting at the Old Town in the Nebet Tepe quarter built 4,000 years ago, to the Hisar Kapia, a medieval gate built in the 11th century.
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Kutaisi was once the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Colchis in the sixth century BCE, on the coast of the Black Sea.
There are several important monasteries in Kutaisi that will give visitors an insight into Georgian architecture, but perhaps some of Kutaisi’s most popular attractions are natural.
The Prometheus Cave is the biggest cave in Georgia and it was only discovered in 1984. The cave stretches for 1.4km of rivers and lakes, illuminated by spectacular LED lighting that allows visitors spectacular views of petrified waterfalls and stalactites – icicle-shaped formations hanging for the ceiling.
Just for effect (or because it’s the perfect habitat) there are plenty of bats living in the cave as well.
Portugal’s modern capital has at least 2,700 years of human settlement, thanks in part to its prime geographical position at the mouth of the Tagus River.
Stone relics from its pre-Celtic population remain in the city, and the city’s first native peoples are thought to be the Estrimnios, who traded with the Phoenicians.
One of Lisbon’s most fascinating historical sites is sometimes unbeknownst to travellers. In Lisbon’s 12th century cathedral there is a sandwich of history being excavated.
The cathedral was built on top of the foundations of a mosque, which itself was built on the foundation of Roman structures.
The result is a pit of artefacts from all different centuries.
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Certainly the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia, Zadar is a 3,000-year-old city full of historical and cultural monuments.
In its long history, it has been invaded, destructed, looted and ravaged, only to be rebuilt every time, emerging from the ruins stronger and richer than ever.
The heart of the city has been built around an ancient Roman forum. In the city are archives, libraries and museums that hold historical treasures.
Perhaps Zadar’s most unique attraction is its Sea Organ – a set of perforated stone stairs that lead into the sea.
As the wind blows over the ocean, the organ’s system of pipes and whistles exude sighs and sounds with an almost hypnotic effect.
Yerevan is one of the world’s oldest cities, having been continuously inhabited since around 4,000 BCE.
In fact, one of the city’s most prized archaeological artefacts is the world’s oldest leather shoe (a 5,500-year-old moccasin) found in an Armenian cave.
Today the city is filled with Soviet-era blocks mixed between brightly coloured stone buildings, flamboyant mosques and stylish cafes.
Here travellers can soak up the history of many thousands of years of influence over a Turkish-style coffee enjoyed alfresco.
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