Historic Cities Holidays

Antigua was declared the third capital of Guatemala by Spanish conquistadors in 1542. Little expense was spared in constructing the city in its 200 years as the capital; many intricately designed schools, religious buildings and a university still stand today. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, it is one of Latin America's most beautiful colonial cities. Guatemala City became the next capital after an earthquake forced a citywide evacuation of Antigua in 1773. Despite much of its modern appearance today, Guatemala City's history dates back to the 10th or 12th century BC, when a Maya city, Kaminaljuyu, stood in its place.

Modern-day Guatemala City was built over much of the city's ruins, but a park in the city centre contains the former ceremonial heart of Kaminaljuyu. The historic city centre retains much of its grand 18th-century architecture and some ancient Maya roots.

Much of Panama City's renown revolves around the construction of the Panama Canal, which was completed in 1914. The modern skyscrapers and metropolis which emerged as a result of the canal contrast with the city's old town or Casco Vieja, which is incredibly historic. There are centuries of architecture throughout the old town, from the Spanish colonial era to more modern French and Antillean buildings, all connected by charming cobbled streets.

Mexico City's history dates back to the 13th century, when it became a cradle of the Aztec civilisation. Then known as Tenochtitlán, the city was invaded by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1520, and a European-style settlement was quickly established. Rapid development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw Mexico City become a financial centre for the nation, and its importance has only continued to grow since. This somewhat turbulent history has given the city a fascinating blend of ancient, colonial and modern architecture and culture; ruins dating back far beyond the arrival of the Spanish still stand, alongside colonial cantinas and modern skyscrapers.

Before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in Peru, Cusco was the Inca Empire's capital city and birthplace. During its time as the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco was largely comprised of ornate palaces and temples, some of which, such as Coricancha, still stand. Spanish conquistadors looted the city of much of its wealth and built many of their homes and churches atop strong Inca walls. Much of this unique architecture, including the Inca roots, is still visible. While perhaps most visited for its proximity to the start of the Inca and Salkantay trails to Machu Picchu, it has some fine hotels and restaurants, a strong Inca heritage and vibrant markets and neighbourhoods.

Before an earthquake in 1746, Lima was home to much of the Spanish Empire's wealthy aristocracy and was comprised of fine colonial buildings. After the earthquake, its importance to the empire dwindled, but many of the buildings destroyed were rebuilt and still stand to this day. After gaining independence in 1821, Lima re-earned its importance to post-colonial Latin America, and rapidly urbanised from the beginning of the 20th century. Nowadays, many museums and markets can be visited, and the historic centre has earned UNESCO Cultural World Heritage recognition.

Arequipa is the second-largest city in Peru in terms of population, but maintains a small-town charm thanks to its remote location in the desert. The Spanish founded the city in 1540, and used a unique white volcanic rock from nearby Chachani to construct much of the city centre.

Many colonial palaces, houses and churches remain standing to this day.

Chan Chan is the largest standing adobe city in the world, comprising 9 palaces and 35 other structures. At its height, Chan Chan was estimated to be home to 35,000 people and span nearly 28 square kilometres. It was largely abandoned upon the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, and it remains fascinatingly well-preserved.

La Paz is Bolivia's administrative capital, and the world's highest capital city. Its colonial roots date back to the 16th century, when Spanish explorers established the city as a trade hub. In the early 19th century, it was the site of one of the most important rebellions against the Spanish in all of Latin America, led by Pedro Domingo Murillo. To this day, there is an interesting blend of pre-colonial Inca heritage, colonial footprints, and more modern growth as a result of La Paz's importance to Bolivian independence and its modern economy.

Santiago has long been Chile's cultural, social and economic centre. Founded by the Spanish in 1541, it developed into a colonial capital and by the 18th century had become prosperous. After independence in 1818, population growth increased. Many of the city's most historic buildings are from around this time, and contrast dramatically with the more modern skyscrapers and developments.

Valparaiso was an important port city in the 19th century as the foremost merchant stop on the Pacific coast, before the construction of the Panama Canal. Its steep hills, lined with colourful houses, and funiculars (some of which are over 100 years old) have a real charm and storied history, earning the city UNESCO World Heritage protection.

Buenos Aires, Argentina's oldest city, is perhaps also its most storied. The city was essentially founded twice by the Spanish; first in 1536, before being quickly abandoned, and again in 1580. San Telmo, one of the city's oldest and most traditional neighbourhoods, dates back to this era; its cobblestone streets and buildings still maintain their colonial charm. In 1810, citizens overthrew the Spanish viceroy, kickstarting Argentina's journey towards independence. By the early 20th century, vast immigration from Europe had transformed the city into an economic hub and helped it earn its nickname: ‘the Paris of South America'. Its grand architecture and tree-lined streets further evoke and embody the city's European influence. The Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires' main square and one of its most historic landmarks, was the site of the early events in the journey to independence, and is also home to the Casa Rosada or pink presidential palace, best known as the site of Eva Peron's famous speech in 1951.

Portuguese sailors first arrived in Rio de Janeiro in 1502, but did not officially found the city until 1565 after the French built a fort to claim the land. The city then grew rapidly, especially after the discovery of gold nearby. While Salvador was declared the first capital of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro became the official capital in 1763, a title it held until 1960. In 1808, the Portuguese royal court fled to Rio after Napoleon invaded Portugal, making the city the only European capital outside of Europe. This sparked huge cultural and architectural development, transforming it from a colonial outpost to a cosmopolitan imperial foothold. Since Brasilia was named as the new capital of Brazil in 1960, much of Rio's colonial past has been replaced with more modern high-rise buildings, but much of the city's famed liveliness and fantastic nightlife are still intact and thriving more than ever.

Paraty, a scenic 4-hour drive along the coast from Rio de Janeiro, is a fascinating look into Brazil's colonial story. The car-less cobbled streets and brightly-coloured architecture of its old town date back to the 1500s, when Paraty was used to transport gold back to Portugal. The nearby lush green forests, waterfalls and tropical beaches complement the history well.

Salvador, in the state of Bahia, is one of the oldest cities in all of the Americas. Its pastel-coloured mansions and churches speak to its importance as a colonial outpost for the Portuguese, when it was declared Brazil's first capital. It became an early centre of the transatlantic slave trade, with most of the estimated 5 million imported slaves arriving in Brazil through the Port of Salvador, bringing with them not just labour to establish the city's early sugar wealth but also many deep-rooted African traditions. To this day, it has a fascinating blend of Afro-Brazilian culture and has the highest percentage of people of African descent (around 80% of the city's population) outside of Africa. The birth of the samba dance is attributed to enslaved Africans and their descendants in Salvador, and the city's carnival, while lesser-known than that in Rio, is the largest in the world.

Bogota was first populated by several indigenous groups before being ‘founded' by the Spanish in 1538, who confirmed it as an official outpost of the Spanish empire in 1550. The old town area, La Candelaria, contains many historic buildings from the 1600s. Independence was declared in 1810, with the Republic of Gran Colombia formed 9 years later, and Bogota was named as the capital 2 years after that. Much political uncertainty and instability ensued over the next century, from the dissolution of the Republic of Gran Colombia in 1830-31 and the assassination of Jorge Eliécer Gaitán in 1948. Since then, Bogota has grown in population to around 8 million and has become much safer, but preserves and celebrates its storied history, both that written by the indigenous and the Spanish.

Medellin, the second-largest city in Colombia, originated as a Spanish settlement in 1616. It remained a relatively small town until the early 20th century, when a boom in the coffee trade and the construction of a railway gave the town a role in the world economy. Pablo Escobar famously gained control of Medellin in the 1980s. Since Escobar was killed during a raid in 1993, Medellin has transformed itself from one of the most dangerous cities in the world to a shining example of urban development and innovation.

Colombia's fifth-largest city, Cartagena, was founded by the Spanish in 1533. It is, to this day, one of Latin America's prettiest and best-preserved colonial towns, with its colourful streets evocative of its time as an important fortress town for the Spanish. The walled historic old town is entered through a clock tower gate, and horse and carriage tours are a charming alternative to walking the cobbles. The San Felipe fort, one of the most impregnable ever constructed by the Spanish, still stands to this day, and history buffs might enjoy navigating its hidden tunnels and defensive structures.

India's modern capital, Delhi, embraces the old and the new. 8 historic versions of the city have been built, most on top of (or near) the ruins of the prior iteration. Old Delhi, to the west of the newer cosmopolis, contains fine examples of Mughal architecture; most famously, the Red Fort, the primary home for the Mughal emperors for almost 2 centuries, and the Jama Masjid, a mosque with a courtyard big enough for 25,000 worshippers. Other landmarks like the Iron Pillar date as far back as the 3rd century BC. New Delhi was mostly constructed by the British after they relocated the capital back to Delhi in 1911. New Delhi is home to the Raj Ghat, a memorial complex, including one marking where the remains of Mahatma Gandhi were cremated in 1948, and India Gate, built in 1931 to honour the Indian soldiers who died in World War I.

Agra, the former capital of the Mughal Empire, is home to a number of historic sites. The Taj Mahal, built between 1631 and 1653 and requiring over 20,000 workers, is the most famous, but UNESCO has recognised the Agra Fort, a red sandstone and white marble Mughal palace, and Fatehpur Sikri, an abandoned town once intended to be the capital of the Mughal Empire, as World Heritage Sites.

Jaipur is celebrated for its ornate palaces, including the current residence of the city's royal family and the Hawa Mahal, which has an intricate, honeycomb-like facade, most of which were built in the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1876, many of the houses were painted pink to mark a state visit by the Prince of Wales, earning it the nickname ‘the pink city'. These are still visible to this day.

Sri Lanka's second largest city, Kandy, contains one of the most sacred sites for Buddhists, the Temple of the Tooth. Said to contain one of Buddha's teeth, the palace was constructed in the 18th century by the last Sinhalese king of Sri Lanka, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. Ancient royal palaces and temples, dating back to the city's establishment in the 14th century, are a popular attraction.

Nuwara Eliya is a relatively unsuspecting city high in the hills of Sri Lanka. Once a country retreat for British colonialists, the city's golf club, Post Office, and Queen's Cottage are a big reason why it continues to be known as ‘Little England' to this day—not to mention its relatively cool climate.

Takayama has maintained its Edo-period heritage and architecture, much of which dates back over 1,400 years, making it the closest living city to an open-air museum you can find in Japan. To this day, its streets are lined with wooden-fronted merchant houses and sake breweries. The old town is especially historic; its wooden latticed structures and cobblestone streets truly evoke a time gone by.

Kanazawa's cultural heritage, dating as far back as the 16th century, is fascinating. Intertwined with samurai culture and artisanship, its streets are a walkable glimpse into the Edo era.

Traditional craftsmanship remains a prevalent trade in Kanazawa, making it a great destination to pick up souvenirs. The historic district of Nagamachi has winding stone-paved streets and well-preserved homes, including the Nomura Samurai House, which offers a fascinating glimpse into life as a samurai family in pre-modern Japan.

While perhaps most known as the tragic site of the first ever nuclear attack, Hiroshima's history dates back before the Edo period; it was founded by warlord Mori Terumoto in 1589, hence its importance as a strategic port and military location. After the nuclear attack destroyed around 70% of the city, the 16th-century castle, which once served as a military fortress, was rebuilt and turned into a museum of Hiroshima's pre-war history. The site of the bomb's detonation is now a Peace Memorial Park and Museum, commemorating the victims and containing the Atomic Bomb Dome, the nearest building to survive the blast.

Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from 794 AD until 1868; it was largely spared from war, and so much of this millennia-long history is intact. It is famed for its 1,000-torii-gated Fushimi Inari, built in 711, and the mysterious zen garden in Ryōan-ji, built in the late 15th century. The rustic old-world charm of Gion, where geishas roam the wooden-shop-lined streets, is perhaps Kyoto's most intact example of Japan gone by.

Hakone played an important role in Japanese history, as it was a key checkpoint along the Tokaido trade route from Kyoto to Tokyo. Much of the trail that traders would follow is still intact, and there is a recreation of the checkpoint, which is open to visitors. It is also one of the nation's most traditional onsen towns, deriving hot spring water from major volcanic activity in the nearby peaks of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, which it sits inside.

Ho Chi Minh City has a storied history. Once the capital of French Indochina, the US delivered significant aid in exchange for influence over then-Saigon during the Vietnam War. Once the US withdrew, the city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after North Vietnam's first leader. Many features from the war, like the Cu Chi Tunnels, around an hour outside of the city centre, remain.

Hue was once the imperial capital of Vietnam and the home of the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam's last royal family. Known for its high-walled imperial citadel, bullet holes from the Vietnam War are still visible around the city perimeter, which is moated.

Hoi An's old town is marvellously evocative of the 15th century when it was constructed; the amber streetfronts and leaning timber-framed buildings are practically untouched. Its harbour was pivotal for merchants from China, Japan and Europe partaking in the silk and spice trade during the 16th and 17th centuries. When the river leading to the port was filled with mud in the 19th century, merchant ships could no longer reach the city. After the trade moved away, the city was practically untouched by wars or modernisation, leading to its old-timey appearance today.

Hanoi is perhaps a better example of Vietnam's more recent history; there is a distinct French colonial touch to the modern-day capital alongside its busy industrial centre. Some remnants of ancient Hanoi remain, such as the Temple of Literature (the first national university) built in 1070 AD, the old quarter, and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.

Luang Prabang is Laos' ancient royal and religious capital. Deriving its name from a sacred gold Buddha statue gifted from neighbouring Cambodia, many of the city's most marvellous structures are religious temples and shrines; the 33 ‘wats' or Buddhist temples, with their distinct multi-tiered, rounded triangular roofs, are a particular highlight.

Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent, was a key stop along the Silk Road trading route. After a devastating earthquake in 1966, much of the city was reconstructed, giving it a fascinating blend of old madrasahs and mosques and more modern Soviet architecture. Despite the architectural contrasts, much of the traditional heritage, including bustling market trading and strong Islamic influence, remains prevalent among the 3 million or so population.

Khiva is one of central Asia's best-preserved Silk Road cities. Its minarets, domed mosques, and carved wooden doors are almost other-worldly, while the walled town, Itchan Kala, feels like a journey back in time. Artisans keep historic silk, pottery and embroidery methods alive to this day. The nearby desert fortresses are an insightful look into early military tactics and the civilisations that once thrived along the Silk Road.

Bukhara is one of Central Asia's oldest continuously inhabited cities. The jewel in its crown of living history is the Po-i-Kalyan complex; the Kalyan Minaret has risen majestically above the complex, as it has since the 12th century, framed by the stunning blue and white tilework of the Kalyan Mosque and Mir-i-Arab Madrasah. Like many of Uzbekistan's cities, it marked a key stop on the Silk Road, and many of its trading domes and markets still maintain a centuries-enduring buzz.

Samarkand is perhaps the jewel in the Uzbek crown. Its history spans over 2,500 years, during which it has been a lively hub along the ancient Silk Road, home to the famed conqueror Timur in the 14th century, and transformed into a centre of science by Timur's grandson in the 15th century. Registan Square, framed by three intricately-mosaiced and domed madrasahs, is a marvel, especially at sunset, and the Siab Bazaar is perhaps the purest example of modern Uzbek life and livelihoods.

Cape Town's history spans the early Khoisan civilisation, who occupied the area for thousands of years; the Dutch, who arrived in 1652 and imported slaves from East Africa, Madagascar and the East Indies; and the British, who took control of the Cape in the early 19th century. The old Malay Quarter, known as Bo-Kaap, comprises colourful buildings which date back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. More recent history, such as the Apartheid era from 1948 to 1994, created distinct neighbourhoods throughout Cape Town, and many, like the Cape Flats, still carry the shadow of Apartheid.