Across the world, people typically travel to places to see sites of historical significance or natural wonders. This is understandable – when you spend so much time and money getting from point A to point B, you want it to be a memorable and iconic place. However, modern cities are as much of a marvel as a waterfall or a mountain range.
There are some cities in the world you must visit. These iconic urban centers house a melting pot of culture, tradition, modernism, and more. These cities are a modern culture, and you can soak up every drop of it with a little careful planning and budgeting. So if you’re looking to travel to cities when you are allowed, here’s where you should go.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the biggest city in the world. It spans far beyond the city limits and houses over 37 million people. However long you want to visit Tokyo, it would be impossible to cover much of this megacity. Whether you are interested in religion, culture, spirituality, food, fashion, or even shopping, there is something for everyone in Tokyo.
Tokyo is not a cheap or even affordable city. You can easily spend up to $250 on a room if you don’t plan well and don’t do your research. In terms of traveling within the city, you should get a Japan Rail Pass for maximum savings. Other forms of public transport can get expensive, and many people choose to hire a car for the day instead.
New York City, USA
New York City has inspired movies, video games, and songs. It is a modern icon and a legend in terms of places to stay. The Times Square New Years Bash is watched by millions of people across the world and has heralded the new year for decades. NYC, as it is popularly known, attracts people interested in art, theatre, movies, food, and more.
New York is also one of the most expensive places to live in the world. Hotel charges, transportation charges – everything is expensive in New York. However, a few places like the Selina Chelsea Hotel Manhattan, NYC, offer reasonable accommodations to travelers of all kinds. Make sure to book a bit ahead of time, as the rooms sell out pretty fast! You can also enjoy a nice discount for booking in advance.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio is the second most populated city in Brazil and one of the most historical cities in the world. So much so, in fact, that a large part of the city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city was founded in 1565 and is home to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue, an iconic tourist destination ever since it was installed.
Rio is the perfect beach city with bustling nightlife and gorgeous white-sand beaches and low mountains in perfect harmony. An iconic event that happens in Rio is the Carnival. The Carnival occurs before Lent, which draws millions of tourists from all over the world. If you plan to attend Carnival, you should book your tickets at least a year before.
Seoul, South Korea
If you like all things tech and skincare, Seoul is the perfect place for you! Seoul is iconic because of its amalgamation between historical and religious sites and modern, cutting-edge architecture. While it has a reputation for being expensive, it can be a lot cheaper than Europe or even North America. As long as you spend smartly, you can absolutely go to Seoul on a budget.
If you’re stumped about what to do in Seoul, you can simply wander around the streets and click what you come across. Seoul is filled with quirky cafes, a litany of festivals that take place all around the year, and more bars and restaurants than you can eat from. Even if you don’t have a plan, you can spend days packed with activities and events.
Paris, France
Can any list of iconic cities in the world be complete without mentioning Paris? Paris, known as the city of love, is iconic because of several reasons. The Eiffel Tower is one, drawing millions of people across all continents to take pictures of this testament to love. History buffs can stroll through Paris’ famous and historic lanes, also known as rues, and connect them to events that shaped the modern world.
Culture buffs can spend the day browsing through the Louvre Museum, provided you last the long lines. If you’re into food, you can spend weeks in Parish eating somewhere new every week. Whether you like baking or any other culinary arts, you will find yourself spoilt for choice among the cute cafes that line the historic city streets.
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