Rephonic
Artwork for History's Greatest Cities

History's Greatest Cities

History Extra
Venice
Lisbon
Portugal
Amsterdam
World War II
1755 Earthquake
Warsaw
Cities
Globalization
Marco Polo
Aldus Manutius
The Fourth Crusade
East India Company
Golden Age Of Discovery
Henry the Navigator
Age Of Exploration
York
Split
Travel
History

Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield will be joining expert guides with rich local and historical knowledge. Venturing to the great cities of Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, they'll explore centuries-long stories of foundation and growth, and examine how contact between continents shaped these far-flung places. Along the way, they'll introduce the colourful characters who played p... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes52Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryEducation

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for History's Greatest Cities

Latest Episodes

Siena stands as a brick-and-marble time capsule of the Middle Ages, where banking ambition, artistic revolution, and fierce civic identity fused into one of the great medieval Italian city states. Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is joi... more

Glasgow, once the beating heart of Scotland’s industry and trade, forged a legacy of innovation and culture that still shapes the modern nation. In this episode of History’s Greatest Cities, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is joined by... more

Travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is joined by author Bradley Mayhew to explore Samarkand, the ancient Uzbek city and major hub on the Silk Roads. Together, they trace more than two millennia of history, from its ancient origins in the s... more

Serving as a medieval royal capital, Kraków was a vibrant historical centre of culture, learning and commerce, symbolising the region’s political and intellectual life for centuries. In this episode, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield and... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Craig Lamont
Lecturer in Scottish Studies at the University of Glasgow; expert in the cultural history of Glasgow in the long 18th century
University of Glasgow
Episode: Glasgow
Bradley Mayhew
Author and travel guide expert featured as the host's guide for Samarkand
Episode: Samarkand
Natalia Nowakowska
Professor of European History at Somerville College, University of Oxford
University of Oxford
Episode: Kraków
Tom Hall
Vice President at Lonely Planet with over 25 years of experience in writing about diverse destinations
Lonely Planet
Episode: 2026’s must-visit historical destinations
Kirsten Elliott
Bath-based historian and writer focusing on industrial archaeology and the Georgian period.
Aitman Press
Episode: Bath
Barnaby Rogerson
Writer and editor with over twenty-five years of experience in North Africa.
Eland Books
Episode: Marrakech
Laila Ellmoos
City historian with the City of Sydney Council
City of Sydney Council
Episode: Sydney
Jonathan Clements
A writer and broadcaster on East Asian history
Author and historian
Episode: Beijing
Audra Diptee
An author, historian, and educator at Carleton University
Carleton University
Episode: Kingston

Host

Paul Bloomfield
Host and travel writer known for guiding listeners through historical city narratives with expert guests.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 298 ratings
  • Informative

    I just started listening and I’m glad to see that the podcast is now also including non European cities.

    I was struck by one very stark absence though, Moscow isn’t anywhere in the podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    3675()
    United States7 months ago
  • Next city

    When will London be added?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AllIn72847
    United States9 months ago
  • One of the BBC’s best history podcast offerings… usually!

    This show is excellent in concept and typically good fun. Paul Bloomfield is a good host and most of the time, the guests are good too. The episodes manage to tell unfamiliar stories even about familiar places, but it also does a good job in picking cities which British audiences probably know about but don’t know all that well (personally I’m always hoping for some more East-Central Europe coverage!). I love all the different questions that get asked at the end in the more recent series- major ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Daniel Ostrowski
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Another great podcast from History Extra

    I just finished listening to the excellent episode about NewYork and thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I knew the history. I must say, though. The thing you simply must try here is a freshly made bagel - boiled, baked, and hand rolled. You'll never taste one like it anywhere else. Thanks for the great podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RAKGB
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great to learn about cities.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    OSCAR ORO
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

- The host is generally engaging, and guests often provide vivid, expert insights into each city.
- A few episodes feel rushed or rely heavily on guest strengths, which can impact pacing and depth.
- Visually strong concept with broad geographic coverage; listeners appreciate the mix of travel tips and historical depth.
- Overall, the show is considered a high-quality history + travel narrative, though some listeners wish for more diverse city selections.
- Praise for practical takeaways and recommendations for must-see sites, with some calls for broader global coverage.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#104
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#136
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#128
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#85
Ireland/History
Apple Podcasts
#88
Austria/History
Apple Podcasts
#91
South Africa/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Samarkand
Q: Could you pick one really key character and explain why they were so pivotal in the development of Samarkand and its story?
Timur, or Tamerlane, stands out as the pivotal figure; he expanded and unified a vast empire, funded and embellished Samarkand with monumental architecture, and his campaigns propelled cultural exchanges, mass migrations of artisans, and a lasting Timurid aesthetic that defined the city for centuries.
Kraków
Q: What should visitors try in Kraków and where should they go to experience it like a local?
I recommend Ostypek, a smoked sheep cheese often enjoyed in Kraków's historic eateries, with Pod Anioami as a top-drawer restaurant in the old town that serves modern Polish cuisine and a dramatic medieval cellar setting, offering a texture of Kraków's historic appetites and social life.
Kraków
Q: What are five more places that reveal Kraków's history to visitors today?
Additional sites include Dragon's Cave under Castle Hill, Rynek Market Underground in the main square, Sigismund's Chapel on Wawel, Kazimierz's Old Synagogue and the surrounding Jewish quarter, and the King Sigismund's Funery Chapel, each illustrating different eras from mythic founding to Renaissance glory and cultural revival.
Kraków
Q: Could you outline five or six key moments in Kraków's long history and give a place where visitors can feel that moment today?
Key moments include the 1364 Congress marking Kraków's rise as a capital and wealth center, the 1516 Italianate Renaissance makeover of Wawel Castle, Kosciuszko's 1794 proclamation in Market Square, the 1939 German occupation and Frank's governorship, and the 1979 mass by John Paul II; today these moments are reflected in sites like Wawel Hill, the market square (Rynek), Kazimierz, the Dragon's Cave, and the Sigismund's Chapel, among others.
Kraków
Q: To start, can you give listeners the headlines of Kraków's story? Tell us why someone with an interest in history should visit.
Kraków is a medieval city with a fairy-tale aura that became a key trading hub on routes between Asia and Western Europe, later blossoming into a Renaissance royal capital under a cosmopolitan blend of Polish, Lithuanian, and Italian influences, and evolving into the cultural heart of Poland through centuries of occupation and renewal.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About History's Greatest Cities

What is History's Greatest Cities about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Travel-focused history show that maps the long arcs of great cities around the world, blending scholarly insight with first-hand travel texture. Each episode pairs a host with a respected historian, writer, or local expert to uncover a city's foundational moments, pivotal eras, and the people who shaped its character—while also surfacing practical travel tips, memorable anecdotes, and hidden corners to visit. Expect rich storytelling about architecture, trade, migration, and cultural exchange, with episodes spanning Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The show tends to feature guests who are academics, authors, or seasoned local guides, delivering a narrative that's informative yet accessible for curious travelers and history enthusiast... more

Where can I find podcast stats for History's Greatest Cities?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for History's Greatest Cities. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to History's Greatest Cities and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does History's Greatest Cities get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for History's Greatest Cities, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for History's Greatest Cities?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for History's Greatest Cities, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does History's Greatest Cities have?

To see how many followers or subscribers History's Greatest Cities has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to History's Greatest Cities?

These podcasts share a similar audience with History's Greatest Cities:

1. HistoryExtra podcast
2. HistoryExtra Long Reads
3. Dan Snow's History Hit
4. Gone Medieval
5. The Ancients

How many episodes of History's Greatest Cities are there?

History's Greatest Cities launched 3 years ago and published 52 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact History's Greatest Cities?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for History's Greatest Cities?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for History's Greatest Cities from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for History's Greatest Cities?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of History's Greatest Cities. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on History's Greatest Cities?

Recent guests on History's Greatest Cities include:

1. Craig Lamont
2. Bradley Mayhew
3. Natalia Nowakowska
4. Tom Hall
5. Kirsten Elliott
6. Barnaby Rogerson
7. Laila Ellmoos
8. Jonathan Clements

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days