This comprehensive review paper examines the technological advancements towards smart energy management in smart cities. It provides an overview of the concept of smart energy management, the challenges faced by cities in managing their energy consumption, and the need for technological advancements to overcome these challenges. The advancements are categorized based on their applications, such as smart grids, smart buildings, and smart transportation, and their benefits are discussed, including increased efficiency, reduced costs, and better sustainability. The paper also presents case studies of successful implementation of smart energy management technologies and discusses the challenges faced during implementation and how they were overcome. In addition, the paper highlights potential research areas and emerging technologies, including block chain, edge computing, IoT, big data analytics, energy harvesting technologies, machine learning, and distributed energy resources (DERs). The importance of technological advancements for smart energy management in smart cities is emphasized, and recommendations for future research and development in the field are provided. Overall, this review paper contributes to the ongoing development of smart cities and provides valuable insights for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers working towards a more sustainable future.