Just a post to see what everyone's favorite major city in Skyrim is.

1. Whiterun is the capital city of Whiterun Hold, in the province of Skyrim. Whiterun has suffered from many problems in recent times. Excessively harsh winters, harassment by Horme bandits, and the attacks of Frost Trolls have diminished the once-proud city. Whiterun was once considered Skyrim's equivalent of the Imperial City. It is a strategic city for both the Imperial Legion and the Stormcloaks because it is based in the center of Skyrim.

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2. The city of Solitude, also known as Haafingar, is the home of the famous Bards College and one of Skyrim's chief ports. Watercraft from up and down the coast can be found at her crowded quays, loading timber and salted cod for the markets of Wayrest, Anvil, and Senchal. Founded during Skyrim's long Alessian flirtation, the Bards College continues to flaunt a heretical streak, and its students are famous carousers, fittingly enough given their chosen trade. Students yearly invade the marketplace for a week of revelry, the climax of which is the famous burning of "King Olaf" in effigy, possibly a now-forgotten contender in the War of Succession. Graduates have no trouble finding employment in noble households across Tamriel, including the restored Imperial Court in Cyrodiil, but many still choose to follow in the wandering footsteps of illustrious alumni such as Callisos and Morachellis.

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3. Riften is a city located in south-eastern Skyrim. The Jarl of Riften is Laila Law-Giver. Riften is home to the Temple of Mara where the Dragonborn can get married. Riften also houses the Thieves' Guild Headquarters in the Ratways beneath the city. Riften is the capital city of The Rift.

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4. Markarth was the former city of Nchuand-Zel, belonging to the ancient Dwemer, also known as the Dwarves, who resided in Morrowind, Skyrim, and Hammerfell during the First Era, and whose origin was located in the west-central region of Skyrim, the homeland of the warlike and barbaric Nordic tribes. Following the disappearance of the Dwemer from the face of Nirn after they attempted to control the power of the Numidium, Markarth was abandoned until the rise of the Septim Empire, the third of the Cyrodiilic Empires which arose under the leadership of Tiber Septim and his successor, Pelagius Septim. Emperor Tiber Septim established the Imperial College of the Voice in Markarth, which, subsequently, attracted the Nords to establish it as one of the nine cities of Skyrim.

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5. Windhelm was once the capital of the First Empire. The Palace of Kings, one of the few remaining First Empire buildings and former home to the Ysgramor dynasty, dominates the center of the city. It was sacked during the War of Succession, and again by the Akaviri army of Ada'Soom Dir-Kamal.

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Let me know which city is your personal favorite, and why you chose it.

:!: I meant to make this post only dealing with cities surrounded by walls, meaning you must endure a loading screen to enter. If I have missed one such city please let me know.

Information and photos are from The Elder Scrolls Wiki.