Seven cities still deserve a place on your lifetime list: New York, London, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Venice, Sydney and Athens. This is the final part of our Amazing Cities series, rechecked for 2026, with what has changed since we first wrote it.
| City | Do this first | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Walk the skyline and eat pizza | One World Trade Center is now the tallest building in the US |
| London | London Eye, Globe, St James’s Park | Eye is 135 m tall, opened to the public in 2000 |
| Tokyo | Fish, fashion and pop culture | Tsukiji’s wholesale market moved to Toyosu in 2018 |
| Las Vegas | Casino, shows, the Sphere | Sphere opened in September 2023 |
| Venice | Gondola ride | Day-trippers paid an access fee on 60 days in 2026 |
| Sydney | Harbour and Opera House | Opera House is a UNESCO site since 2007 |
| Athens | The Acropolis and the Agora | Classic sites, same as ever |
If you want to know more cities to see before you die, read the other parts of the series too: part 1 and part 2. Here are the seven that close the series.
New York, USA
The city that never sleeps has yellow cabs, pizza slices, sports fans and skyscrapers by the thousand. One World Trade Center, topped out in 2013, became the tallest structure in the city on 30 April 2012 and is now the tallest building in the United States. Go once and see the rest yourself.
London, England
London is among the most visited cities and one of the greenest. The London Eye is 135 meters tall and has run since March 2000, when it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. Shakespeare’s Globe, a reconstruction of the 1599 playhouse, opened in 1997 on the south bank of the Thames. For a quieter hour, walk St James’s Park, the oldest of the royal parks.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo has something for everyone: fashion, food, sport and pop culture. Our earlier advice to visit the Tsukiji fish market is out of date, because the wholesale market closed on 6 October 2018 and moved to the new Toyosu Market. The outer market at Tsukiji remains. For skyline fans, Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower (325 meters, 2023) is the tallest building in Japan.
Las Vegas, USA
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and the city has given itself new things to do. Sphere opened on 29 September 2023 with a U2 residency. It carries the world’s largest LED screen inside and cost about $1.66 billion. Add the casinos and high-stakes tables and the excess is still there.
Venice, Italy
Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world. Save as much time as you can, because there is always something beautiful to do. In 2026, day-trippers aged 14 and over paid an access fee on 60 peak days between 3 April and 26 July: 5 euros if booked at least four days ahead, 10 euros if booked later, 8:30 am to 4 pm. Guests staying overnight in the area are exempt. A gondola ride is the classic splurge. Our old price of 80 euros is out of date, and reports put the standard daytime fare for 30 minutes at about 90 euros, so confirm with the gondoliers before you board.
Sydney, Australia
Beaches, bars and a harbour you will want to see from the water. The Sydney Opera House, designed by Jørn Utzon and opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 20 October 1973, hosts more than 1,800 performances a year and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. See dawn from the beach or watch the sunset from the harbour.
Athens, Greece
Did you think we forgot Athens? Not a chance. It is the capital of Greece and has more history than you can finish in a week. Visit the Agora, once the commercial center of Athens, the Stoa of Zeus, the Temple of Apollo, the Altar of the Twelve Gods, the Odeon of Agrippa and, of course, the Acropolis.
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 2: the second batch
FAQ
Which cities should you visit in your lifetime?
This final part covers New York, London, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Venice, Sydney and Athens.
Can you still visit the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo?
The wholesale market closed on 6 October 2018 and moved to Toyosu. Only the outer market remains at Tsukiji.
Do you have to pay to enter Venice?
In 2026, day-trippers aged 14 and over paid 5 euros if booking four or more days ahead, or 10 euros if later, on 60 peak days from 3 April to 26 July. Overnight guests were exempt.
How much is a gondola ride in Venice?
Our old figure was 80 euros. Reports now put a 30-minute daytime ride at about 90 euros, but confirm before boarding.
When did the Las Vegas Sphere open?
Sphere opened on 29 September 2023 with a U2 residency.
How we put this list together
We kept the original seven cities and rechecked the dates, rules and figures against encyclopedia records and local news in October 2026. We removed anything that has closed or changed.
Last updated: October 2026.
