Seven cities that deserve a place on your list: Beijing, Cairo, Amsterdam, Salzburg, Istanbul, Kingston and Prague. Each one gives you a sight you cannot see anywhere else, from the Forbidden City to the new Grand Egyptian Museum that opened in November 2025. This is part two of our series, after part one.
| City | Country | Must-see |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | China | Forbidden City, Great Wall |
| Cairo | Egypt | Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza pyramids |
| Amsterdam | Netherlands | Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House |
| Salzburg | Austria | Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg Festival |
| Istanbul | Turkey | Hagia Sophia, bazaars, two continents |
| Kingston | Jamaica | Bob Marley Museum, music scene |
| Prague | Czech Republic | Prague Castle, Charles Bridge |
Beijing, China
Beijing is China’s capital and home to more than 21.8 million people, the world’s most populous national capital. It is also China’s second-largest city by urban area, after Shanghai. The Forbidden City, built between 1406 and 1420, housed 24 Ming and Qing emperors and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Add a day on the Great Wall, and you have the mix of ancient culture and modern city that Beijing is known for. The city hosted the Olympic Games in 2008.
Cairo, Egypt
Cairo is Egypt’s capital and one of the world’s great historical cities. The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square, built in 1901, holds more than 170,000 items. The big news is the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza pyramids: it was fully inaugurated on November 1, 2025 and houses an estimated 100,000 artifacts, including the complete Tutankhamun collection.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam had 941,873 residents on January 1, 2026, and its canals earn it the nickname “Venice of the North”. Visit the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House and the Heineken Experience, which stands in the original brewery. Book museum tickets ahead, because the centre is crowded.
A note on the well-known myths: cannabis in the Netherlands is illegal but tolerated, and sold in licensed coffeeshops to adults. The historic red-light district, De Wallen, is a regulated area that is also a heavily visited walking route.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg is the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Hohensalzburg Fortress, begun in 1077, is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe and sits 506 metres above sea level. The Salzburg Festival, established in 1920, runs for five weeks from late July each summer.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul sits on two continents, with about two-thirds of its more than 15 million people living on the European side. It was the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, and Hagia Sophia, built in the sixth century, is its best-known sight. Take a guide for the main sites, then lose yourself in the bazaars.
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital of Jamaica and its financial and cultural centre. Its biggest draw for visitors is the Bob Marley Museum at 56 Hope Road, which was Marley’s home and the base of the Tuff Gong record label. Music is everywhere, from reggae sound systems to dancehall nights.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague, known as the Golden City and the City of a Hundred Spires, has about 1.4 million residents. Its historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992, and the main sights are Prague Castle, Charles Bridge and Old Town Square with its astronomical clock. Go early in the morning to see the bridge without the crowds.
Keep reading
- Amazing cities to visit in your lifetime, part 1: the first batch of the series
- Amazing cities to visit in your lifetime, part 3: the next batch
- 15 mindsets that travel gives you: what trips like these change in you
FAQ
Which city has the most historic landmarks of the seven?
Cairo and Istanbul both have thousands of years of recorded history, with the pyramids of Giza near Cairo and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Is the Grand Egyptian Museum open?
Yes. It was fully inaugurated on November 1, 2025, near the Giza pyramids.
Is cannabis legal in Amsterdam?
No. It is illegal in the Netherlands but tolerated, and adults can buy it in licensed coffeeshops.
When is the Salzburg Festival?
It runs for five weeks every summer, starting in late July.
Where can you see Bob Marley’s home in Kingston?
The Bob Marley Museum is at 56 Hope Road, Kingston, in his former residence.
Why is Prague called the Golden City?
It is one of its nicknames, along with the City of a Hundred Spires and the Heart of Europe, and its historic centre is a UNESCO site.
Last updated: October 2026.
