This article will cover the world’s best cities that I have visited so far. Why you should visit them and what to do while you are there. I’ve also included some tips to help you get the best value for money for your visit.
- Seville, Spain
- Berlin, Germany
- Singapore, Singapore
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Rome, Italy
1. Seville, Spain
This is a beautiful city in so many ways. I really felt as home here, strolling around the narrow streets of this historical city. Every street or place you visit is full of charm, the people are friendly and all of the cities’ attractions are in walking distance.
There are great attractions in Seville itself but it’s also a great base to explore Andalucia and beyond. You can board a train and visit:
- Cordoba (40 minutes) to see the Mesquita and the Roman Bridge.
- Jerez for their speciality sherry (1 hour), before continuing onto Cadiz on the coast (2 hour 30 from Seville).
- Malaga (2 hour)
- Madrid (2 hours, 30minutes)
- Granada (3 hours)
Should you be content to remain in Seville, here are my three favourite attractions I visited:
- Real Alcazar –I would suggest you set aside a good part of a morning to see this place. This UNESCO world heritage site was originally developed as a fort in 913 but over 11 centuries developed into a magnificant palace complex, which also served as a filming location for Game Of Thrones.
- Plaza de España –This is an architectural and artistic masterpiece. There are fountains, mini-canals, Venetian-style bridges, and 48 colourful alcoves with benches, each representing a different province of Spain.
- Catadral De Sevilla & Giralda Bell Tower – Built between the years 1434 and 1517 over the remains of what had previously been the city’s main mosque. Here you can also see the Tomb of Christopher Columbus. The best part of our visit here was the guided tour of the upper levels of the Cathedral including the rooftops.
Sample The Local Cuisine in Seville
Even if you just want to take it easy and not visit any of these tourist attractions, you can simply sample the exquisite Andalucian gastronomy in one of the many Tapas bars.
Prices per tapa range from €3.50 for something like swordfish to beef tenderloin for approximately €7. So you can really sample everything the Andalucian cuisine has to offer. One restaurant I would particularly recommend is Zalata Resturante & Tapas.
If you want a more in depth guide on Seville. You can read about our visit by clicking here.
2. Berlin, Germany
Berlin holds a special place in my memories as it was one of my first joint travels with my girlfriend back in 2013. Maybe this is where my travel addiction started. It’s undeniable that this city has so much to offer, this includes the following places that we visited:
Historic Features & Memorials
- Brandenburg Gate – One of Berlin’s few surviving histroical pre-WW2 features built between 1788 and 1791. It’s a giant feature standing 65.5 metres long and 11 metres deep, and supported by two rows of six Doric columns.
- Berlin Wall – The former partition between East and West Germany divided the city by zones occupied by the United Kingdom, France and the United States and those run by the Russians following WW2 in 1945. It wasn’t until the year I was born (1991) that the wall fell.
- Topography Of Terror – A place of remembrance on the former site of the SS command.
- Holocaust Memorial– A place of contemplation, remembrance and a stark warning. 19,000 square metres covered by 711 concrete slabs of different heights. There is also a museum which runs underneath the site.
- Checkpoint Charlie – It became the most famous crossing point between East and West Germany on 22nd September 1961. A month later in October 1961 it became the scene of a tank confrontation between the Americans and the Russians.
Modern Day Attractions
- Museum Island – A UNESCO heritage site that is home to five museums containing works from Ancient Egypt, Byzantium and Berlin.
- Berlin Zoo – Germany’s oldest zoological garden and home to the world’s largest variety of species. Almost 20,000 animals of around 1,300 species live in the 33-hectare zoo. The zoo supports two thirds of all endangered species programs. It also creates stable reserve populations and reintroducing captive-bred animals into the wild.
- Alexanderplatz –An historic square filled with restaurants, shops and market stalls. Visit here in December for a one of Berlin’s best Christmas markets.
Where to Stay In Berlin
One of the most interesting features of the city, is that you can still see the profound influence of the East and West Germany divide. All you have to do is look either side of the Berlin Wall to see the architecture rapidly shift.
I found it fascinating staying on the ex-communist East side of Berlin. In the City Hotel Berlin East. A very budget but centrally located hotel, just 10 minutes from Alexanderplatz by tram ride.
3. Singapore City, Singapore
One of the coolest cities I have been too. It’s a stunning modern metropolis you will be wowed by. This is how every city planner wishes there city could be. Excellent transport links, clean, efficient and lots to do for visitors and tourists. My top tips and favourite memories of this trip were:
- The Light & Water Show (Spectra) just in front of Marina Bay Sands
- The Garden Rhapsody Shown at Supertree Grove at night, laying under the trees watching the light show above.
- Acclimatising on my first day by walking around the Botanic gardens, the first UNESCO Heritage site in Singapore, which is now 160 years old.
- Within the Botanic Gardens, is the Orchid gardens,where you can see various orchids, which bare the names of celebrities such as Barack Obama and Princess Diana.
- Being completely wowed by this insane amount of shopping infrastructure on Orchard Road.
Where to Stay In Singapore
I also have a really happy memory, of feeling totally content and relaxed sitting in one of the swing chairs by the pool the hotel we stayed at; Oasia Hotel Downtown Singapore. I would highly recommend this hotel for it’s high quality and central location.
If you want a more in depth guide on Singapore. You can read about our visit by clicking here.
4. Reykjavik, Iceland
This city has to make my top 5. Not because the city itself had the best attractions, but because few places in the world offer such incredible excursions to the nature surrrounding the city.
In some instances I was literally nearly blown away, (by Gulffoss Waterfall’s) by Iceland’s awe-inspiring natural landscape. I’m not overexaggerating either. In this post I have picked just three of my highlights:
- Þingvellir National Park – This was the first ever Icelandic Parliament estabilished in 930AD and is now a UNESCO world heritage site. Here you can walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates (mid-atlantic ridge).
- Gullfoss –Which translates to ‘Golden Falls’, is where between 140-109 cubic metres per second (season dependent) of glacial water from Langjökull, cascades 32 meters (105ft). With the Canyon Walls actually reaching up to 70 meters (230ft), this is an impressive display of natures sheer power.
- Skógafoss – Is another of Icelands largest waterfalls, with a drop of 62 metres and a width of 25 meters. Here you can climb the 370 steps to the top of the waterfall or witness it in it’s full glory from the bottom. On a good day, there will likely be a rainbow across the waterfall.
Where To Stay In Reykjavik On A Budget
However, Iceland can be expensive and one of the saving graces was the Storm Hotel, costing ‘just’ £115 a night. Great location, minamlist, clean rooms and a hearty breakfast (included in the price).
If you want a more in depth guide on Reykjavik. You can read about our visit by clicking here.
5. Rome, Italy
Few cities can offer the profound and powerful ancient history that is still on display in Rome. In my opinion, Reykjavik just edges ahead of Rome but only because I’m a fan of natural wonders. With regards to ancient human made structure, Rome surely has to be second to none. You can see structures that are 2,000 years old, including the following highlights:
- Colosseum – Built between 70-80AD as an ampitheatre, with 80 arched entrances allowing access to 55,000 spectators. It was the stage for gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, executions, and battle scenes. It was even filled with water to display sea battles. All of which was free to the people of Rome.
- The Pantheon – Would have been one of the most influential building of ancient Rome. It is a Roman temple dedicated to all the gods of pagan. Despite being built in 113–125 AD, this is still a fully functioning Church.
- The Roman Forum – built 29BC
I would also recommend that you take an underground tour of Le Domus Romane, to explore an unearthed ancient Roman Villa. This also gives you a close up view of Trajan’s Column, along with a detail explaination of what inspired it’s creation.
If you want a more in depth guide on Rome. You can read about our visit by clicking here.
Final Thoughts On The World’s Best Cities … According to me
I hope you have found my take on the world’s best cities interesting and useful. Of course there are still many cities I have on my list to visit. If you have any recommendations on where to go next, please let me know! What are your 5 favourite cities? Please let me know in the comments section.
If you liked this article, then why not discover the other places I have visited by clicking here.
You can also see more photos of our travels on our new Instagram profile.
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