1. Casablanca
   Algiers
2. Cairo
   Khartoum

If you like really, really old cities, you can't get much older than the Egyptian capital Cairo. Though the city itself was founded in 960 AD, some of the structures that surround it — including the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx — were built between 5,000 and 6,000 years ago.

1. London
   Dublin
2. Paris
   Lyon

Split north to south by the winding River Thames, London is not only the capital of England, but also of the entire United Kingdom. If you ever find yourself across the pond, take a stroll through Hyde Park or check out some of the shops along the bustling Oxford Street. If history is more your thing, gaze at the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum, or stop to watch the iconic changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace — and don't forget to curtsy if you see the Queen!

1. Buenos Aires
   Bogata
2. Lima
   Brasilia

Buenos Aires is both the capital and largest city in South America. It's known for its tango heritage, the gorgeous Teatro Colon opera house, a rich arts district, and one of the busiest ports on the continent. Bibliophiles take note — the Ateneo Grand Splendid is a massive Buenos Aires bookstore located within an old theater. In a 2019 article, National Geographic called it "the world's most beautiful bookstore."

1. New York City
   Washington, D.C.
2. Richmond
   Philadelphia

Named for the first U.S. President, Washington, D.C. has served as the capital of the United States since 1791. If you're ever in the area, head to the National Mall and check out one of the Smithsonian Museums. There are 11 located around the Mall holding some of the world's best art and artifacts, and every single one is free to visit.

1. Osaka
   Shanghai
2. Hanoi
   Bangkok

Hanoi has been the capital of Vietnam for 1,000 years, first serving as the capital of North Vietnam, then being chosen as the capital of the reunified nation in the '70s. It sits along the Red River, and is famous for its French Colonial architecture, the Grand Opera house and the historic Long Bien Bridge.

1. Beijing
   Shanghai
2. Osaka
   Taiwan

If you like your history, head straight for Beijing. Visitors to the Chinese capital can tour a whopping seven UNESCO heritage sites, including the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and sections of the Great Wall. Of course, don't forget to sample the local cuisine to find out how different authentic Chinese food is from that stuff sold at your local strip mall.

1. Seoul
   Tokyo
2. Beijing
   Pyeongchang

Officially called the Seoul Special City, Seoul sits on the Han River. There are five UNESCO world heritage sites in Seoul, including the Royal Tombs and Changdeok Palace, as well as attractions like Lotte World and the soaring Seoul Tower. Seoul played host to the 1988 Summer Olympics, the first time a Korean city hosted the games.

1. Hiroshima
   Tokyo
2. Beijing
   Beirut

Japan's capital since 1869, Tokyo is home to countless attractions to entertain visitors. Start at dawn at Tsukiji Fish Market, and watch freshly-caught tuna fly before settling down for a sushi breakfast. Next, head to Shibuya Crossing, an area with a Times Square-vibe that is reportedly one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the world.

1. Barcelona
   Madrid
2. Lisbon
   Paris

Spain's capital city Madrid is located along the River Manzanares. If you visit, be prepared to discuss the merits of Real Madrid versus Alletico de Madrid with the locals, who have strong feelings about their favorite football clubs — or what Americans would call soccer teams.

1. Naples
   Sicily
2. Pisa
   Rome

Italy's capital city of Rome, which is located kind of where the shin would be on this boot-shaped country, is a busy modern place filled with ancient structures. Get a taste of history with a tour of the Pantheon, a 2,000 year old temple, or take in the iconic Trevi Fountain, and numerous talking statues where locals go to air their grievances.

1. Oxford
   Paris
2. Barcelona
   Lima

Founded by a Celtic tribe known as the Parissi in the 3rd century BC, Paris is known for its cool, haute-couture style. Visitors to the City of Lights can stroll the Champs-Elysees, passing beneath the iconic Arc de Triomphe monument. Next, head to the Louvre, home of the Mona Lisa, and the world's most visited museum, according to the Themed Entertainment Association.

1. St. George
   Port au Prince
2. Nassau
   Havana

Located on the northern coast of Cuba where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Atlantic Ocean, Havana's historic core is filled with charming cobblestone streets and impressive Baroque and Neoclassical buildings. Once closed off to Americans because of a long-standing embargo, the city is now much more accessible for those eager to take a closer look.

1. Tehran
   Qatar
2. Kuwait
   Baghdad

Situated along the Tigris River and continuously occupied since the 8th century, Baghdad remains standing after many battles over the years. Visitors can take in its Victory Arch, consisting of two massive crossed swords, or stroll down Mutanabbi Street, the heart of the city's book-selling district.

1. Moscow
   St. Petersburg
2. Kiev
   Bucharest

Kiev became Ukraine's capital after the country won independence from Russia in 1917. Despite heavy bombing in WWII, some of Kiev's most magnificent structures, including the golden-domed St. Michael's Monastery, still stand as classic examples of Baroque architecture. Along the banks of the Dnieper River, gaze up to see The Motherland Monument, a 330-foot metal sculpture dedicated to the lives lost in WWII.

1. Manila
   Seoul
2. Bangkok
   Kabul

Founded in 1571, the Philippine capital of Manila is home to the Walled City of Intramuros. Designed by the Spanish to serve as a base for their Asian colonies, Intramuros — its name means "inside the walls" — is a charming area with cobblestone streets, well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture and a fort, complete with spooky dungeons.

1. Cairo
   Lisbon
2. Nairobi
   Asmara

Located in the southeastern part of Kenya, Nairobi has served as the nation's capital since 1907. Because it often serves as a jumping off point for African safaris, Nairobi is often called the Safari Capital of the World. People flock here from all over the world to take in the city as they prepare to hit the surrounding savanna, hoping to get up close and personal with elephants and other wildlife.

1. Bogota
   Lima
2. Buenos Aires
   Havana

Peru's capital city of Lima is home to the National University of San Marcos. Founded in 1551 — that's more than 200 years before the United States — it's one of the oldest educational institutes on the continent. Lima's Plaza de Armas is a showcase of colonial architecture, and visitors can also tour Huaca Pucllana, the ruins of an ancient Inca pyramid.

1. Rome
   Milan
2. Athens
   Milan

It can be hard to grasp the scale of history in Athens, especially if you're coming from a young country like the U.S. Athens has been continuously occupied for around 13,000 years. Historical sites still standing including the Parthenon and Acropolis, which were built around the 5th century BC.

1. Kabul
   Beirut
2. Tokyo
   Taipei

The most recognizable feature in Taiwan's capital city of Taipei is Taipei 100, a bamboo-inspired skyscraper measuring 1,671 feet tall. From 2004 to 2010, it was the tallest structure in the world, but it remains the tallest in Taiwan by hundreds of feet as of 2019.

1. Dubai
   Bucharest
2. Warsaw
   Kiev

Bucharest has served as the Romanian capital since 1862. Situated in the southeast part of the country, it is home to sites like the massive Palace of Parliament and the Memorial of Rebirth, which was built in remembrance of the 2005 Revolution. Interestingly enough, Bucharest has its very own Victory Arch, which is modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris...in fact, you might be surprised how hard it is to tell the two apart when looking at pictures.

1. Cologne
   Munich
2. Berlin
   Monaco

Once split by the Berlin Wall, Berlin is now divided only by natural boundaries of the River Spree. Visitors flock to this German capital to take in the dozens of museums on Museum Island, as well as Zoo Berlin, which ranks among the busiest zoos in Europe.

1. Glasgow
   Dublin
2. London
   Oxford

Dublin was the British administrative center of Ireland until the nation gained its independence in 1922. If you ever visit the city, take a break from your pub crawl and stop by Trinity College to view the Book of Kells. This illuminated manuscript was created around the year 800, and is a well-preserved and spectacular display of the Gospels.

1. Moscow
   Kiev
2. Budapest
   Hanoi

If you ever visit Russia's capital city of Moscow, head straight for Red Square. So-named because of its rouge-colored cobblestones, Red Square is home to some of Moscow's top attractions. Not only is the administrative complex known as the Kremlin found there, but it's also the site of St. Basil's Cathedral, a colorful structure with onion-shaped domes commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible.

1. Montevideo
   Caracas
2. Quito
   Lima

Venezuela's capital city of Caracas sits in a valley surrounded by gorgeous mountain peaks. Visitors to the city can take in the majestic National Pantheon, a 19th century temple known for its massive sparkling chandelier and paintings depicting scenes from the life of national hero Simon Bolivar.

1. Caracas
   Santiago
2. Brasilia
   Havana

Situated in the southern part of this massive South American nation, Brasilia has served as Brazil's capital city since 1960. Because it is a relatively new, planned city, much of its architecture has a modern flair, including the Cathedral made from 16 stone columns and the Claudio Santoro National Theater, which resembles a giant flat-topped pyramid.

1. Pakistan
   New Delhi
2. Calcutta
   Mumbai

New Delhi is one of the most populous capital cities on Earth, which makes sense given that India is also one of the most populous nations with more than 1.3 billion people as of 2017, according to the World Bank. This city on the banks of the Yamuna River replaced Calcutta as India's capital in 1911, when King George V took over as Emperor of India.

1. Bogota
   Lima
2. Santiago
   Madrid

Colombia's capital Bogota is no lost city of gold, but its popular Gold Museum might just be the next best thing. Full of pre-colonial golden artifacts, as well as pieces from around the world made of this precious metal, this museum is one of the most visited in the city,

1. Tehran
   Istanbul
2. Kuala Lumpur
   Abu Dhabi

Iran's capital of Tehran sits in the shadows of the mighty Alborz Mountains. This historic city houses fantastic sites like the Grand Bazaar, Milad Tower, Golestan Palace and the Carpet Museum, which showcases the famous art of Persian rug-making.

1. Vancouver
   Montreal
2. Toronto
   Ottawa

Canada's capital city of Ottawa is located in southern Ontario, and was founded in 1826 as Bytown. In the summer, you can take a boat tour of the city via the Rideau Canal, or wait til the canal freezes in the winter and skate your way from one end of Ottawa to the other.

1. Tripoli
   Tunis
2. Pretoria
   Dakar

Located in the northern part of the nation, Pretoria is home to South Africa's administrative government and its international embassies. One of the top attractions in Pretoria is Freedom Park, which offers spectacular city views as well as memorials and statues that pay tribute to its difficult past. Two other cities, Cape Town and Bloemfontein, represent the legislative and judicial centers of the African nation.

1. Bangkok
   Kuala Lumpur
2. Beijing
   Dakar

Yes, Thailand's capital city of Bangkok is known for its wild red-light district, but there's so much more to this city than debauchery. Tourists can take in history with a tour of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or the Grand Palace, or take in the 200-foot tall tower at Wat Arun Ratchawararam.

1. Dhaka
   Baghdad
2. Damascus
   Ankara

The ancient city of Ankara has been occupied since the Bronze Age, and its architecture and deign show influences of the Celts, Romans, Byzantines and Turks. One of the city's most popular attractions is Ankara Castle, a 7th century fort positioned on a hill overlooking the town that you can still tout today.

1. Adelaide
   Christchurch
2. St. George
   Canberra

In the early 1900s, Australians just couldn't stop fighting over whether to make Sydney or Melbourne the capital of the nation. Eventually they compromised and settled on Canberra, which is located in between these two major cities. Most of Australia's major cultural sites can be found here, including the Australian War Memorial and the National Galley, Museum and Library.

1. Santiago
   La Paz
2. Bogota
   Quito

Santiago serves as the capital of Chile, a long narrow country that stretches down the southwest coast of South America. Situated along the Mapocho River with views of the Andes Mountains, its well known for both its Colonial architecture and the majestic 72-foot tall statue of the Immaculate Conception located on San Cristobal Hill.

1. Rabat
   Monaco
2. Casablana
   Cairo

Morocco's capital city of Rabat blends Islamic culture with French-colonial history and architecture. Visitors can take in the historic Hassan Tower, a minaret began in 1195, or tour Chellah, a Roman fortress began in 40 AD and abandoned in the 12th century. Rue Souika serves as a traditional shopping bazaar, with the 14th century Grand Mosquee towering above the vendors and their stalls.