9Byblos, Lebanon
Byblos is another contender for the title of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city, with history dating back over 7,000 years. It was an important Phoenician port city and is believed to be where the alphabet originated. The ancient Greeks called it Byblos, a name derived from the word “book,” as the city was a major center for the export of papyrus.
Travelers to Byblos can visit the Byblos Castle, an impressive fortress built by Crusaders in the 12th century, and the Byblos Archaeological Site, home to temples, tombs, and other ancient ruins. The charming old town, with its cobblestone streets and stone buildings, adds to the city’s allure.
