Ancient cities you can still visit and explore today

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Ancient cities you can still visit and explore today

These extraordinary ancient cities have stood the test of time and remain open for travellers to explore

Written by Aanya Mehta
<a href="https://healthylife7.com/last-week-in-college-gym-july-27/” title=”Last Week in College Gym: July 27″>July 27, 2026 17:00 IST
Updated : July 27, 2026 11:09 IST

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   Across the world, abandoned ancient cities continue to fascinate travellers with their ruins, legends, and preserved histories. These once-thriving centres of power and culture now offer visitors a rare chance to step directly into the past and explore civilisations frozen in time

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      Angkor: The ancient capital of the Khmer Empire is now surrounded by dense jungle landscapes, with Angkor Wat remaining one of Southeast Asia’s greatest architectural wonders

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         Fatehpur Sikri: Built by Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16th century, Fatehpur Sikri was once the grand capital of the Mughal Empire before being abandoned due to water shortages and political challenges

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            Machu Picchu: Hidden high in the Andes Mountains, this mysterious Incan city remained largely unknown to the outside world until the early 20th century

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               Petra: Famous for its rose coloured rock cut architecture, Petra once thrived as a major trading hub connecting Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean

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                  Pompeii: Buried under volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, Pompeii remarkably preserved Roman streets, homes, frescoes, and everyday life for centuries

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                     Tikal: Deep within Guatemala’s rainforests, Tikal’s towering Mayan pyramids rise dramatically above the jungle canopy, creating one of the world’s most atmospheric archaeological sites