What is the story about?
Cities starting with the letter A exist in every continent, each one carrying its own story. Some became famous centuries ago and never lost that recognition.
Others remain relatively unknown outside their regions despite having plenty worth discovering. Here's the list of the cities and what makes these distinctive across the world.
Athens, Greece
This is the birthplace of Western civilisation, democracy, and philosophy, where ancient ruins like the Acropolis and Parthenon still dominate the skyline thousands of years after they were built.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is a city built entirely on canals where bicycles outnumber cars, world-class museums hold Dutch masterpieces, and tulip markets bloom alongside some of Europe's most progressive social attitudes.
Aarhus, Denmark
Denmark's second city successfully blends Viking history with contemporary art, modern architecture, and a revitalised waterfront that continues attracting students and creatives from across Scandinavia.
Aachen, Germany
Charlemagne chose this city as his medieval capital, and it still holds his stunning cathedral, natural thermal springs that draw spa visitors, and engineering universities that keep the city intellectually vibrant.
Antwerp, Belgium
This city serves as the diamond trading capital of the world and operates one of Europe's largest ports, while maintaining the artistic legacy of Rubens and a thriving contemporary fashion industry.
Aberdeen, Scotland
Known as the Granite City because it's literally carved from stone, Aberdeen became wealthy from North Sea oil and sits surrounded by medieval castles and the rugged coastline that defines northern Scotland.
Ancona, Italy
This important Adriatic port blends Roman ruins with modern ferry terminals that carry thousands of travellers to Croatia and Greece across the sea every summer.
Avignon, France
This medieval fortress city once housed rival popes who ruled from the massive Palais des Papes, and the entire historic centre remains enclosed by original fourteenth-century stone walls.
Aix-en-Provence, France
Cézanne's hometown overflows with elegant fountains on nearly every corner, markets selling lavender and fresh produce, and sidewalk cafés that perfectly capture southern French living.
Andorra la Vella, Andorra
Sitting as Europe's highest capital city nestled deep in the Pyrenees mountains, this tiny nation attracts visitors for duty-free shopping and world-class skiing within the same afternoon.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta functions as the economic engine of the American South, the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr and the civil rights movement, and a current major hub for hip-hop culture and film production.
Austin, Texas
This city earned its reputation as the live music capital of the world, where tech startups have created a thriving economy, food trucks line every street, and lakes provide relief from intense Texas heat.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hundreds of hot air balloons fill the desert sky each October during the International Balloon Fiesta in a city built on Route 66 heritage and traditional adobe architecture.
Anaheim, California
Disneyland transformed this former orange grove town into a global tourism destination that now welcomes millions of visitors who come specifically for the theme park experience.
Anchorage, Alaska
This city serves as the gateway to America's last frontier, where travellers arrive before heading out to see glaciers, wildlife, and the Northern Lights across the Alaskan wilderness.
Arlington, Virginia
Arlington sits across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., and houses both the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, two of America's most significant national sites.
Aurora, Colorado
This fast-growing suburban city spreads east from the Rocky Mountains and has built its economy around healthcare systems and aerospace industries that employ thousands of residents.
Akron, Ohio
Once known as the rubber capital that powered America's tyre industry throughout the twentieth century, Akron has reinvented itself through innovation hubs and research universities.
Accra, Ghana
Ghana's coastal capital pulses with Afrobeat music flowing through the streets, massive markets that overflow with energy and goods, and colonial forts that serve as reminders of the slave trade.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Serving as Africa's diplomatic capital by hosting the African Union headquarters, this high-altitude city runs on legendary coffee culture and sits surrounded by ancient Orthodox churches.
Algiers, Algeria
This Mediterranean port spreads up from the coast, where the Ottoman-era Casbah climbs steep hillsides, and French colonial architecture lines the boulevards below.
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
West Africa's economic powerhouse showcases a modern skyline connected by dramatic lagoon bridges, while its finance sector drives economic growth across the entire region.
Asmara, Eritrea
UNESCO recognised this city as a perfectly preserved time capsule of Italian modernist and Art Deco architecture that remains largely unchanged since the 1930s.
Agra, India
The Taj Mahal alone makes Agra globally famous, but the city also holds the massive Agra Fort and a living tradition of marble craftsmanship that Mughal emperors established centuries ago.
Agadir, Morocco
Morocco's primary beach resort attracts surfers who come for consistent Atlantic waves and travellers who use it as a comfortable base for trekking into the Atlas Mountains.
Arusha, Tanzania
Most East African safaris begin in this city, which serves as the gateway to both the Serengeti plains and Mount Kilimanjaro, while also hosting international conferences.
Ajmer, India
Millions of pilgrims visit the Ajmer Sharif Dargah shrine each year, and the city also provides access to nearby Pushkar and its sacred lake.
Amritsar, India
The Golden Temple draws Sikh pilgrims from around the world to this spiritual centre, which also hosts the elaborate daily flag ceremony at the Wagah Border with Pakistan.
Ahmedabad, India
UNESCO recognised this city's heritage based on its textile traditions and unique pol architecture, while the Sabarmati Ashram preserves the legacy of Gandhi's independence movement.
Amman, Jordan
Jordan's capital sprawls across seven hills, where Roman theatres and Citadel ruins share space with vibrant food markets serving traditional Middle Eastern cuisine.
Ankara, Turkey
Atatürk deliberately chose this city as Turkey's political capital after independence, and it now houses government buildings, major museums, and several prominent universities.
Antalya, Turkey
Turkey's Mediterranean coast centres on this beach resort, where ancient Roman ruins stand beside luxury hotels along one of the world's most beautiful turquoise coastlines.
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's cultural capital sits surrounded by mountains perfect for skiing, grows famous apples that may have originated here, and preserves striking Soviet-era architecture throughout the city.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
This capital became famous for covering nearly everything in white marble, creating monumental architecture, and holding multiple world records for its ambitious city planning.
Aden, Yemen
This ancient natural harbour controlled critical trade routes between Europe, Africa, and Asia for centuries, taking advantage of its strategic position on the Arabian Sea.
Abu Dhabi, UAE
As the UAE's capital and wealthiest emirate, Abu Dhabi built the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, opened the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and hosts Formula 1 racing on Yas Island.
