Highest cities in the world by elevation
These cities sit at the greatest altitudes above sea level. High-altitude cities present unique challenges for residents and visitors alike — from thinner air to dramatic temperature swings.
For a full elevation breakdown by continent, see the Elevation insight page.
| # | City | Continent | Elevation (m) | Elevation (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 La Paz, Bolivia |
South America | 3,640 m | 11,942 ft |
| 2 |
 Quito, Ecuador |
South America | 2,850 m | 9,350 ft |
| 3 |
 Bogotá, Colombia |
South America | 2,625 m | 8,612 ft |
| 4 |
 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
Africa | 2,355 m | 7,726 ft |
| 5 |
 Nairobi, Kenya |
Africa | 1,795 m | 5,889 ft |
| 6 |
 Mexico City, Mexico |
North America | 2,240 m | 7,349 ft |
| 7 |
 Ankara, Turkey |
Europe, Asia | 938 m | 3,077 ft |
| 8 |
 Kabul, Afghanistan |
Asia | 1,791 m | 5,876 ft |
| 9 |
 Johannesburg, South Africa |
Africa | 1,753 m | 5,751 ft |
| 10 |
Pretoria, South Africa |
Africa | 1,339 m | 4,393 ft |