The most unique cities in the world

Climate, geography, isolation, altitude, population density, and even “no death” all make some settlements unique to travelers and explorers.

1. Russia's Cold Poles

- Verkhoyansk (Yakutia). The average annual temperature is 14.5 °C and a record low of 67.8 °C (1892). The largest temperature difference in the world is 106.2 °C. The city is located in the basin of the Vilyui River, where the cold air gets stuck.

- Oymyakon (Yakutia). Average temperature -12 °C, minimum -67.7 °C (1933), maximum +38 °C (2021). It is officially considered the coldest inhabited place on Earth. Available only on the winter road "Kolskaya", closing in the summer.

- Norilsk (Krasnoyarsk Territory). Average temperature -10 °C, minimum -58 °C (1935), maximum +31 °C (2022). One of the northernmost industrial cities, almost 90% of the population works in the mining and metallurgical complex.

Why are they coming here?

- Extreme tourism: snowmobiles, trekking on the tundra, watching the aurora.
Scientific expeditions (climate, geology, biology).
- Cultural festivals, such as the Winter Polar Marathon and the Day of the Sun in Oymyakon.

2. Long megacities

- Sochi (Russia) – stretches along the sea coast for more than 145 km, an area of about 3,500 km2, the population ≈ 470,000. Here are the Olympic venues of 2014, Krasnaya Polyana and Sochi National Park.

You will be welcomed in Sochi.private guidesAnd they'll offer you a copy.individual toursehtravel agenciesSochi cities will offer their services and organizetourInteresting excursions for travelers.

Mexico City (Mexico) – the city stretches for more than 200 km from north to south, the agglomeration covers 1,485 km2, the population is 9.2 million (city) and 22 million (metropolis). Key attractions: Templo Mayor, Treasure Square, Xochimilco canals.

Tokyo (Japan) - the core of the city about 30 km, and a wide agglomeration extends for 100 km. The area of the core is 2,190 km2, the population of the metropolis is 37 million (2024). Here are the Tokyo Tower, Skytree (634 m), Shibuya District and Tsukiji Market.

Interesting facts

Sochi is the only Russian city that stretches along the sea for more than 145 km.
Mexico City is located at an altitude of 2,250 m above sea level, making it the highest metropolis in the world.
Tokyo has the largest railway network in the world – 300 lines and more than 2,000 stations.

3. High and young cities

- Tarnyauz (Kabardino-Balkaria) - an altitude of about 1,300 m above sea level, an ancient village (≈ 2 thousand years), a population of 30,000. It is known as the “Crane Gorge” at the foot of Elbrus and as a center of ski tourism.
Innopolis (Republic of Tatarstan) – 150 m high, founded in 2012, population ≈ 3,800. Specialized IT-city-in-one, in 2023 received the status of “year of innovation”.
Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan) – height of 347 m, founded in 1969 as Astana, population ≈ 1.2 million The fastest growing metropolis (growth ≈ 5% per year).

What attracts tourists
- Tarnyaus - hiking routes to Elbrus, cable cars, mountain lakes.
Innopolis – techno parks, excursions to IT centers, eSports arenas.

4. Eastern and Historical Cities

- Anadyr (Chukotka), population - 14,000. The most eastern large settlement of Russia; in 2015, the Polar Museum was opened.
- Smolensk (Tver region), population - 330 000. The longest fortress wall of Russia (6.5 km).
- Hum (Croatia), population ≈ 30-72 people. The smallest city in the world by official status; annual festival of winemaking.
- Iquitos (Peru), population ≈ 400,000. Available only by river and plane; "Peruvian Venice" - floating houses on stilts.
Setenil de las Bodegas (Spain), population ≈ 1,200. Houses in rocks under basalt vaults; part of the "Andalusian Trail" route.

Tourism potential

Anadyr – polar excursions, meetings with indigenous Chukchi, observation of the migration of marine mammals.

- Smolensk - historical tourism: Smolensk fortress, museum "Smolensk during the war".

- Hum - wine tours, medieval festival "Wine Way".

Iquitos - ecotourism in the Amazon rainforest, watching crocodiles and birds.

Setenil - rock routes, night excursions to underground churches.

5. Hot and densely populated cities

Kuwait (Kuwait) – record temperature 54 °C (Mitriba, 2016), average annual ≈ 30 °C, population ≈ 4 million The hottest city in the world according to official data; almost round-the-clock temperatures > 45 °C.

Tokyo (Japan) – record temperature of 38.9 °C (2020), average annual temperature of 16 °C, metropolitan population of 37 million The most populous metropolis, more than 500 skyscrapers, Skytree (634 m).

Jakarta (Indonesia) – record temperature 39.5 °C (2019), average annual ≈ 27 °C, population ≈ 10.5 million (city). Southeast Asia’s most populous metropolis; frequent flooding due to rising sea levels.

In Kuwait, almost every house is equipped with central air conditioning; in 2022, the Tourist Center of Cold Oases was opened, where the temperature of ≈ 22 ° C is maintained in the underground rooms.

Tokyo has more than 200 million m2 of covered green space, making it one of the greenest metropolises in Asia.

6. Utopian and Immortal Cities

Longyearbyen (Svalbard, Norway) – founded in 1906, the population ≈ 1,200. Permafrost prevents bodies from decomposing and burials are prohibited. In the soil live strains of the Spanish flu of 1918.

Chongqing (China) – ancient (III century AD), population ≈ 32 million The longest arched bridge in the world, metro in a residential building, parking towers for 400 cars.

Auroville (India) is an experimental community city in India founded on February 28, 1968.

What can tourists see?

Longyearbyen - polar exploration, excursions to old Soviet stations, observation of the northern lights.
Chongqing - architectural "tricks": noise suppressing materials, vertical transport, suspended parking lots.
Auroville – meditation retreats, yoga workshops, vegan cooking, open spaces for joint creativity.

These cities show how diverse the conditions of life on the planet can be. Each of them opens up new horizons of travel.

Text: personalguide

Read other texts:

"Phuket or Bali"? What to choose?

How to transport skis and snowboards on an airplane?

What countries can tourists from Russia visit without a passport in 2026?