Stunning Photos of the World's Most Famous Cities Then and Now

Author image for Ely Bulnes
Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Nov 1, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

It's kind of impossible to notice change while it's happening. You go about your life, looking more or less the same every day until you stumble across an old photo and realize just how much time has passed. The tiny wrinkles at the corners of your eyes, the way your hair falls, and contours of your face are all subtly changing until it all adds up to a point where it's undeniable.

Cities are like that, too. Their transformation happens little by little. A new building here, a renovated bridge there… until the skyline is unrecognizable. When you look back and compare "then" and "now" it's crazy to see how much has changed but also how much has stayed the same. 

Below are some stunning side-by-side photos that capture the evolution of some of the world's most famous cities through the years.

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  • 01

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    1899 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 02

    Seoul, South Korea

    1900 ORHP NOW TAZY
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 03

    Hong Kong

    1950s NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 04

    Manhattan (New York City)

    1600s NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 05

    Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    1990 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 06

    Tokyo, Japan

    1945 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 07

    Shangai

    Shanghai 1990 Shanghai 2020s AURORA www ©RHP
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 08

    Moscow, Russia

    1882 ORHP NOW PECTO
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 09

    A boulevard in Paris, France

    1900 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 10

    Berlin, Germany

    1945 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 11

    Istanbul, Turkey

    1905 ORHP 151 NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 12

    Singapore, Republic of Singapore

    1900 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 13

    London, Great Britain

    ORHP www.ww 1950 NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 14

    Düsseldorf, Germany

    1990 Ge reopizza NOW ORHP
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 15

    Boston, USA

    ORHP Winston 1987 Brital Masaak NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 16

    Rotterdam, Netherlands

    1940 ORHP NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 17

    Sydney, Australia

    ORHP 1930 wwwww. NOW
    via Rare Historical Photos
  • 18

    Main Street, Deadwood, Dakota

    1877 ANK SPOSTACE LE LIQUOR DEALERS DW M. MUGH DEALER WESTERN MINING HISTORY ODEGA C-STORE SALOON 2020s
    via Rare Historical Photos

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cool usa photography old school history city clever interesting Japan Photo knowledge Historical vintage new york city
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