17 Lost Cities That Have Been Rediscovered & Are Open to the Public
Have you ever dreamed about visiting the Lost City of Atlantis and finding mermaids along the way? It’s a mystery that I’ve always wanted to uncover as a kid. Why wait for unproven under-the-sea empires when you can explore lost cities today?
The world is filled with mysteries left untold and, in the case of lost cities, forgotten. Fortunately, these lost cities didn’t go anywhere, and many have been found and rediscovered.
If you’re set exploring some of the lost cities you would want to get lost in, we’ve collated some of the most popular ones. Here are some interesting lost cities you can check out.
1. Machu Picchu (Peru)
Machu Picchu was built in 1450 AD as one of the Incan ruler’s summer homes but was later abandoned in 1550 AD. It remained frozen in time until Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911 during his exploration of all Incan settlements.
Today, it’s regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven Wonders of the World. It shows the stunning Temple of the Sun and Paucarcancha Ruins. You need to climb for 90 minutes to reach the site, or sit in a crammed bus, and only 400 visitors can be accommodated daily, so make sure to book a slot.
2. Pompeii (Italy)
Italy’s Pompeii tells a tragic story perfect for TV screens and cinemas (in fact, several movies have been made about it). When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, it buried the entire city of Pompeii in ashes. In 1979, as a summer palace was being built for the Duke of Naples, the lost city was rediscovered.
Pompeii is now one of the world’s most popular and most-visited lost cities. Visit the Pompeii Archaeological Site to witness some of the well-preserved ruins forgotten for centuries.
3. Troy (Turkey)
Have you read Homer’s The Illiad or The Odyssey? As narrated in these literary masterpieces, the city of Troy was the prosperous setting of the 10-year siege caused by the tragic love affair between Troy’s Paris and Sparta’s Queen Helen in 1200 BC. It is believed to be the lost city dug in the Aegean coast in Turkey in 1868.
German businessman Heinrich Schliemann once believed he had found Troy in his archaeological dig. While the ancient city he found was occupied for 3,000 years, around 4000 BC, it was still made a UNESCO World Heritage Site despite its unclear origin.
4. Vijayanagara (India)
In the 14th century AD, the Vijayanagara empire was very powerful because it traded sapphires and diamonds. The wealthy empire had stone buildings with detailed carvings. In 1565, the empire was destroyed in the Battle of Talikot.
Scottish office Colin Mackenzie discovered the ancient ruins in 1799. Today, stone monuments of the fallen empire have been restored and are now regarded as part of the Hampi’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. The massive elephant stables and underground greenstone passages are a must-see.
5. Petra (Jordan)
In the 4th century, Jordan’s Petra was an important liaison city between Asia and the Western World, trading spices and silk. Its decline happened when the Romans invaded the city.
Currently, Petra is a stunning lost city that showcases a blend of the Roman and Greco architectural styles, along with the intricate touch of its original inhabitants, the Nabataeans. Don’t forget to drop by Al-Siq, the Royal Tombs, and the Monastery to fully appreciate its grandeur.
6. Caral (Peru)
Caral in Peru was discovered by American historian Paul Kosok when he came across the lost city in 1948. Interested in ancient settlements, he worked hard in the desert north of Lima when he came upon the buried city.
The ancient city of Caral in Peru covered 370 acres and was home to temples and ordinary houses. Despite being undisturbed by war, the city was inexplicably abandoned around 2000 BC. The city dates back 5,000 years and was once inhabited by around 3,000 people before the rise of the Incan civilization.
7. Tikal (Guatemala)
Guatemala’s Tikal is an ancient Maya city notable for its majestic pyramid-style structures that’ll remind you of Egypt’s great pyramids — just the smaller version. The historical city dates back to 4 BC and collapsed around 900 AC. The reason for its decline is still unknown.
You can check out this rediscovered Mayan city by exploring all the magnificent ancient structures. The Great Jaguar Tikal and the Palace of The Grooves are a stunning sight.
8. Tanis (Egypt)
Tanis was once the capital of ancient Egypt around 1000 BC. In 1939, Pierre Montet and his team worked on an excavation site northeast of Cairo to look for Zoan. This biblical site is said to be where Moses was found.
Monet’s team discovered the Egyptian city instead, which includes the temple of the king of the gods Amun and the stunning walls surrounding the place of worship. If you want to visit the massive temples and burial chambers, take a train to Port Said and ride a bus to the ancient city.
9. Angkor (Cambodia)
Cambodia’s Angkor, while not fully abandoned, lost its luster in the 15th century. The Khmer Empire reigned the capital from the 9th to the 15th century, when it started its decline. It started rising again after the French explorer Henri Mouhout rediscovered it in 1859 during his Mekong River exploration.
The current Angkor welcomes millions of tourists every year from all over the world. Visit the Angkor Archaeological Park for a more in-depth experience of the history and architecture of the past.
10. Qalatga Darband (Iraqi Kurdistan)
Qalatga Darband is a fortified city believed to have been built by military leader and genius Alexander the Great in 331 BC. The lost city was only discovered in 1996 through declassified spy footage.
The collaboration between British and Iraqi archaeologists led the excavation mission. Today, you can now see some of the Greco-Roman statues and the terracotta roof tiles of the buildings.
11. Calakmul (Mexico)
Calakmul is a Mexican lost city that was home to the Mayan civilization. The civilization’s prosperity was evidenced by its huge palaces and incredible pyramids. After the fall of the civilization, the major city-state was left forgotten for the thick jungles to swallow until the 1930s, when it was rediscovered.
Calakmul has fascinating architectural pieces you’d want to see, like the palaces surrounded by tropical rainforests. The massive monuments will leave you looking up to stare at them.
12. Xanadu (China)
In 1275, Venetian explorer Marco Polo set eyes on Xanadu, China, the emperor’s summer residence, with marble chambers and halls filled with wild animals. It was abandoned in 1430, but British diplomat Stephen Bushell discovered the ruins in 1872.
After being rediscovered, efforts have been made to preserve what remains, including the stone dragons, lions, and the intact city gate. It was reopened in 2011 for everyone to visit and explore, particularly the nearby museum dedicated to the lost city.
13. Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Great Zimbabwe is a Medieval city that was an economic wonder in the 11th century because of its flourishing gold and ivory trade. It was built and inhabited by the Gokomere people, ancestors of the modern Shona ethnic group.
The great city was rediscovered in 1867 and preserved to be opened to the public. Today, you can visit the Great Zimbabwe Hill Complex and the Great Enclosure.
14. Skara Brae (Scotland)
Skara Brae was discovered in 1850 after a horrible storm in Scotland claimed the lives of 200 people and destroyed a part of the cliff covering the lost and forgotten city. Estate owner William Watt uncovered several houses in the forgotten city, which was believed to have been inhabited between 3200 and 2200 BC.
It was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Visit this mysterious lost city by riding a ferry from John O’Goats to Orkney Isles’ Bay of Skaill.
15. Sigiriya (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka’s lost city of Sigiriya started as a Buddhist monastery and then became a palace for King Kasyapsa 800 years later. It is famous for its grand lion-shaped entrance and breathtaking gardens on a massive rock that appears to float above a jungle. Abandoned in the 14th century, British Major Jonathan Forbes accidentally came upon the lost city in 1831.
If you want to visit Sigiriya, prepare to trek for about 1,200 steps to reach the city. Now called the Sky Palace, it sits on a rock surrounded by stunning pools and frescoes–all worth the climb.
16. Knossos (Greece)
Knossos in Crete, Greece, has been home to the thriving Minoan Civilization for many years, but its history dates back to the Bronze Age. In 1350 BC, the civilization collapsed, and the city was left to the unknown.
The lost Greek city was rediscovered in the 1900s through excavation. Today, it is a popular tourist destination. The Palance of Minos and the Northern Entrance are some must-see spots.
17. The Lost City (Colombia)
Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) remained hidden for around three centuries after it was abandoned in the late 16th century due to the Spanish conquistadors. In 1972, bird hunters stumbled upon a walkway and staircase covered in moss and, after following the steps, uncovered a city lost in time.
Ciudad Perdida was known in 800 AD as Teyuna, home to thousands of Tairona living in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. To reach the city, you must hike for five days and climb 1,200 steps, so be prepared for the workout.
17 Cities With the Highest Quality of Life
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Before you answer that question, you might want to learn more about the most liveable cities in the world. Some cities have higher living standards than others. A recent study by Mercer, a world-class consulting firm, surveys and ranks cities according to quality of life. Who doesn’t want to go to the places with the highest life quality.
Unique & Sustainable Travel Destinations in 2024, According to Experts
Climate change, waste problems, and how our travel impacts the planet has never been more relevant. With Americans exploring the world, being conscious about the environment has become more than a travel trend.
If you’re also on the hunt for eco-friendly travel experiences that will be the trip of a lifetime, these destinations are worth looking into.
Greece Unveiled: 11 Cities Where History Meets Enchantment
Greece, a country steeped in history, mythology, and unparalleled natural beauty, is home to some of the world’s most enchanting cities. Each city offers a unique blend of historical significance, cultural vibrancy, and scenic splendor. From the iconic islands to the historic cities on the mainland, here’s a look at 11 Greek cities that deserve multiple visits.
