25 Oldest Buildings In The World You Can Actually Visit

Location: Xagħra, Gozo Island

Construction Date: c. 3700 BC

Best Time To Visit: spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November)

These two limestone temple complexes are more than 5500 years old and among the oldest freestanding structures in the world. The site predates Stonehenge and the Pyramids offer a rare look at Malta’s prehistoric Megalithic culture.

Location: Papa Westray Island, Orkney

Construction Date: c. 3700 BC

Best Time To Visit: summer (June-August)

This Neolithic farm on the island of Papa Westray is the oldest surviving building in the UK. It has two adjacent rounded rectangular thick-walled stone buildings with built-in stone furniture.

Location: Tarxien

Construction Date: c. 3250 BC

Best Time To Visit: spring (April–June) or autumn (September–November)

This is a multi-chamber megalithic temple site used for ritual sacrifices and for cremation purpose. There is evidence of animal sacrifice at the site which was discovered by archaeologists.

Location: Brú na Bóinne, Eastern Ireland

Construction Date: c. 3200 BC

Best Time To Visit: spring (April-May) and fall (September-October)

Consisting of a large circular mound filled with decorated passageways and chambers, this Neolithic structure is thought to have had religious significance. The massive circular passage tombs are aligned with the winter solstice sunrise.

Location: Bay of Skaill, Orkney Islands

Construction Date: c. 3180 BC

Best Time To Visit: spring (April/May) or fall (September/October)

One of the best-preserved Neolithic villages in Europe, Skara Brae is one of many prehistoric structures on the Orkney Islands. This stone-built village is often called the “Scottish Pompeii” as it is well preserved under layers of sand.

Location: Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire

Construction Date: c. 3000 BC

Best Time To Visit: shoulder seasons (spring and autumn)

Perhaps the most famous prehistoric structure in all of Europe, no one really knows what the ring of standing stones at Stonehenge was used for. The iconic stone circle could have been a ceremonial, astronomical, or religious site.

Location: Saqqara Necropolis, South of Cairo

Construction Date: c. 2660 BC

Best Time To Visit: cooler months of October to April

Egypt’s oldest pyramid was built by the Pharaoh Djoser (Zoser). This step pyramid predates those at Giza by more than a century, making it the beginning of massive stone architecture in Egypt.

Location: Indus River Valley, Sindh

Construction Date: c. 2600 BC

Best Time To Visit: November to February

One of the world’s earliest urban settlements, this city of the Indus Valley Civilization has sophisticated roads and drainage systems with two storied brick houses and public baths.

Location: Giza, Greater Cairo

Construction Date: c.2560–2500 BC

Best Time To Visit: winter months from November to February

The three Pyramids of Giza are the last surviving wonder of the ancient world. The Great Pyramid, Sphinx, and its monumental royal tomb complexes are truly astonishing in their magnificent scale and grandeur.

Location: Near Nasiriyah, Southern Iraq

Construction Date: c. 2100 BC

Best Time To Visit: October to March

The massive stepped pyramidal stepped temple tower was dedicated to the moon god Nanna. Near the mouth of the Tigris and the Euphrates, in what was the city of Ur. This Neo-Sumerian Ziggurat was partially reconstructed in the 1980s under Saddam Hussein.

Location: East Bank of the Nile, Luxor

Construction Date: c. 2060 BC – 1085 BC

Best Time To Visit: October to April

Part of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, also called Waset, the temples of Karnak and Luxor as well as the nearby necropolis, the Valley of Kings, are awe-inspiring.

Location: Heraklion, Northern Crete

Construction Date: c. 2000 – 1300 BC

Best Time To Visit: spring or fall (April, May, September, October)

This sprawling palace complex and nearby city were the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization. The place with a population of 100,000 people was linked to the myth of King Minos and the Minotaur.

Location: Lake Nasser, Southern Egypt

Construction Date: c. 1264 BC

Best Time To Visit: cooler months from October to April Located on the western bank of Lake Nasser, the twin temples were carved into a mountainside by Pharaoh Ramesses II. The temples were entirely relocated in 1968 when they were under threat of being submerged by the Aswan High Dam.

Location: South of Salerno

Construction Date: c. 600–550 BC

Best Time To Visit: shoulder seasons of April, May, September, and October

Once a major Greek city, Pasteum (Poseidonia in Greek) is famous for the remarkably well-preserved complex. The three temples in the Doric style were dedicated to Hera and Athena.

Location: Fars Province

Construction Date: c. 530 BC

Best Time To Visit: spring (March-May) and autumn (September-October) Part of the ancient settlement of Pasargadae, the tomb of Cyrus the Great is near the hilltop fortress of Toll-e Takht. It is an UNESCO World Heritage site honoring the founder of the Persian Empire.

Location: Near Shiraz

Construction Date: c. 522 BC

Best Time To Visit: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November)

The ancient capital of the first Persian Empire (Achaemenid Empire) was built by Darius the Great. This city would have been known as Pārsa to the ancient Persians.

Location: Acropolis Hill, Athens

Construction Date: c. 447–432 BC

Best Time To Visit: spring (April-May) or fall (September-October)

Atop the Acropolis of Athens, this lavishly decorated temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena, patron of the city. While it is still under reconstruction, a full-scale replica can be found in Nashville.

Location: Kazanlak Valley

Construction Date: c. 400–300 BC

Best Time To Visit: spring (April-May) or early autumn (September)

Part of a larger Thracian necropolis near the ancient Thracian capital of Seuthopolis, this tomb is full of colorful murals representing a ritual funeral feast.

Location: Agilkia Island, Aswan

Construction Date: c. 380–362 BC

Best Time To Visit: October through April

One of the newest Egyptian temples, it is located on an island in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam. It was originally built on Philae Island and later relocated. Said to be the burial place of the god Osiris, it also contains a temple for his wife, Isis.

Location: Sanchi Town, Madhya Pradesh

Construction Date: c. 300 BC

Best Time To Visit: October to March Commissioned by the Emperor Ashoka, the Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stone structures in India. It houses relics of the Buddha.

Location: Lintong District, Xi’an

Construction Date: c. 246 BC

Best Time To Visit: spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November)

Built over 38 years, this vast complex houses the famous Terracotta Army which guard the resting place of Qin Shi Huang (who also built the first part of the Great Wall).

Location: Aurangabad District, Maharashtra

Construction Date: c. 230 BC–650 AD

Best Time To Visit: winter season (October to March)

The 29 rock-cut Buddhist caves were started in the 2nd century BC, and their sculptures and paintings are among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art.

Location: Anuradhapura Sacred City

Construction Date: c. 140 BC

Best Time To Visit: November to April

Built by King Dutugemunu, this Sri Lankan stupa is still active as a pilgrimage site. It was renovated in the early 20th century.

Location: Nîmes, Southern France

Construction Date: c. 16BC – 4AD

Best Time To Visit: spring (May–June) and fall (September–October)

Built during the early Imperial period, it is one of the best-preserved Roman temples in the world.

Location: Near the Roman Forum

Construction Date: c. 70–80 AD

Best Time To Visit: autumn (September-October)

Rome’s most famous classical ruin is located just next to the ruins of the Roman Forum. This world-famous Flavian Amphitheatre seating well over 50,000 people. Colosseum, which is one of the oldest buildings in Europe once hosted Gladiator battles and public events.

Why Studying These Old Buildings Matter

Studying the world’s oldest buildings reveals few key information like:

• How early civilizations started.
• How architecture evolved over the years across continents.
• How climate, geography, and materials influenced and shaped construction styles.
• How there has been a global spread of culture, religion, and technology.

Also Read: Have You Visited These Historic Indian Buildings?

Conclusion

These structures are not just relics, they are active cultural, archaeological, or religious sites. From Neolithic villages of Scotland to the grand temples of Egypt, Greece, China & India, the world’s oldest buildings highlight humanity’s shared heritage. If you wish to walk through thousands of years of history and understand what shaped the early civilizations, visiting these sites is a great idea.

FAQs About The World’s Oldest Buildings