The 10 Friendliest Cities in the World That Travelers Can’t Stop Talking About
Friendliest cities in the world are not just dots on a map, they are places where a stranger becomes a friend within the first ten minutes of landing. I have spent the last few years chasing exactly that feeling, and every time I ask fellow travelers which destination surprised them the most with its warmth, […]
Friendliest cities in the world are not just dots on a map, they are places where a stranger becomes a friend within the first ten minutes of landing. I have spent the last few years chasing exactly that feeling, and every time I ask fellow travelers which destination surprised them the most with its warmth, I keep hearing the same phrase: “the people made the trip.”
That’s the whole idea behind this list of the friendliest cities in the world.
I have combined real 2026 survey data from Condé Nast Traveler, Booking.com, MoneySuperMarket, and Time Out with my own research to bring you a list that is not copy-pasted from anywhere else on the internet.
If you are planning your next trip and want a destination where locals genuinely welcome you, where asking for directions turns into a ten-minute conversation, and where you leave feeling like you made a friend instead of just visiting a landmark, this guide is for you.
Below, you’ll find the 10 friendliest cities in the world, backed by numbers, not just opinions.
Why "Friendliest Cities in the World" Actually Matters for Travelers
Before jumping into the list, it’s worth asking why the friendliest cities in the world even matter. A destination can have the most beautiful architecture, but if the locals are cold or indifferent, the trip feels incomplete.
On the other hand, even an average-looking neighborhood feels unforgettable when a shopkeeper remembers your name or a stranger walks you to your hotel instead of just pointing.
Recent global surveys back this up. MoneySuperMarket analyzed more than 100,000 customer reviews across 107 cities worldwide to rank the friendliest cities in the world for customer service in 2026, while Booking.com’s Traveller Review Awards drew on over 370 million verified reviews.
These are not guesses, they reflect what millions of real travelers experienced. So when I say these are the friendliest cities in the world, it’s backed by data, not vibes alone.
The 10 Friendliest Cities in the World
Travel isn’t just about breathtaking landmarks or beautiful beaches, it’s also about the people you meet along the way. From locals who go out of their way to help strangers to communities that welcome visitors with genuine warmth, these are the 10 friendliest cities in the world that make every trip feel like a home away from home.
1. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh currently tops MoneySuperMarket’s 2026 ranking of the friendliest cities in the world for customer service, based on an analysis of more than 100,000 reviews across 107 cities.
From hotel staff to café servers, the Scottish capital scored highest for warmth in everyday interactions. Walk through the Royal Mile, and you’ll notice locals striking up conversations without being asked; it’s one of the most welcoming cities for solo travelers I have personally recommended to friends.
Numeric insight: Ranked #1 out of 107 cities analyzed (MoneySuperMarket, 2026).
2. Singapore
Singapore has repeatedly topped Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, scoring 94.84 out of 100 for friendliness. Its clean streets, low crime rate, and multicultural population make it one of the most welcoming cities for expats and first-time travelers alike. Locals are known for going out of their way to help tourists navigate the city’s efficient transport system.
Numeric insight: Friendliness score of 94.84/100 (Condé Nast Traveler).
3. Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi was the only Southeast Asian city to make MoneySuperMarket’s 2026 top-friendliest list, with 58.6% of customer reviews specifically mentioning friendly staff and service. The city’s Old Quarter is full of small vendors who will teach you a phrase or two in Vietnamese just to see you smile.
Numeric insight: 58.6% of reviews mention friendly service (MoneySuperMarket, 2026).
4. Zurich, Switzerland
According to William Russell’s 2026 global friendliness index, Zurich ranks as the world’s friendliest city for expats, largely due to its low social conflict, orderly living environment, and strong sense of safety.
It may not have the loud, chatty warmth of other cities on this list, but the quiet reliability and helpfulness of locals make it one of the most welcoming cities for expats settling long-term.
Numeric insight: Ranked #1 friendliest city for expats globally (William Russell, 2026).
5. Sydney, Australia
Sydney took second place in Condé Nast Traveler’s ranking of the friendliest cities in the world, with a score of 93.85. Australians are famously easygoing, and Sydney adds beach-town charm to that reputation; expect friendly small talk from cab drivers, café owners, and fellow beachgoers at Bondi.
Numeric insight: Friendliness score of 93.85/100 (Condé Nast Traveler)
6. Montepulciano, Italy
Booking.com’s 2026 Traveller Review Awards, based on more than 370 million verified reviews, named Montepulciano, a small hilltop town in Tuscany with a population of just 14,000, the single most welcoming city on Earth. Despite its size, tourism has shaped its economy for over 60 years, and that history shows in the way visitors are genuinely treated.
Numeric insight: Ranked the #1 most welcoming city globally out of 370 million+ reviews analyzed (Booking.com, 2026).
7. Hong Kong
Hong Kong ranked 8th among the friendliest cities in the world in Condé Nast Traveler’s rankings, with a score of 89.70. Despite being a dense, fast-paced metropolis, locals were praised for warm hospitality, especially in smaller neighborhood eateries away from the tourist strip.
Numeric insight: Friendliness score of 89.70/100 (Condé Nast Traveler).
8. Brighton, UK
Time Out’s 2025 global survey of more than 18,500 city residents ranked Brighton as the 6th friendliest city in the world. Known as the UK’s most welcoming coastal city, Brighton also ranked as the world’s third most diverse and inclusive city in the same survey.
Numeric insight: Ranked 6th friendliest globally out of 18,500+ residents surveyed (Time Out, 2025).
9. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town regularly appears among Condé Nast Traveler’s top 10 friendliest cities in the world, praised for the openness of its people despite the city’s complex history. Locals are known for warmly sharing recommendations that go beyond guidebooks, from hidden hiking trails to family-run restaurants.
Numeric insight: Consistently ranked in the global top 10 for multiple consecutive years (Condé Nast Traveler).
10. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok scored 92 out of 100 in Condé Nast Traveler’s friendliest cities in the world ranking. The “City of Angels” earns its nickname through the genuine warmth of its street food vendors, tuk-tuk drivers, and temple guides, who often go beyond their job to make sure visitors feel comfortable.
Numeric insight: Friendliness score of 92/100 (Condé Nast Traveler).
What Makes a City "Friendly": According to the Data
Across every major 2026 survey, three factors consistently decide which are the friendliest cities in the world:
- Ease of finding help: how quickly a stranger offers directions or assistance.
- Warmth in everyday service: hotel staff, restaurant servers, and shop owners going beyond formal politeness.
- Sense of safety and low social conflict: cities where people feel comfortable enough to be openly welcoming.
If you’re picking your next destination purely based on how welcoming the locals are, these are the most reliable indicators to look for, and exactly why this list of the friendliest cities in the world holds up across multiple independent studies
Tips for Experiencing the Warmth of These Cities Yourself
- Learn 3–5 basic phrases in the local language, it instantly changes how locals respond to you.
- Skip the most touristy streets; friendliness is almost always stronger a few blocks away from the main attractions.
- Say yes to small conversations, many of the “friendliest cities in the world” stories come from unplanned chats with strangers.
- Travel slow. Spending 4–5 days instead of 1–2 gives locals time to recognize and welcome you back.
For more destination inspiration, check out our guides on Best Solo Travel Destinations, Budget-Friendly Cities in Europe, and Top Cultural Experiences Around the World, all written with the same first-hand research approach as this list of the friendliest cities in the world.
Conclusion
Choosing a destination based on warmth rather than just landmarks changes the way you travel. Every city on this list, from Edinburgh to Bangkok, earned its place through real 2026 data, not just travel-blog opinion.
Whether you’re planning a solo trip or a family vacation, these friendliest cities in the world promise more than good photos; they promise genuine human connection.
If you’ve visited any of these friendliest cities in the world yourself, I’d love to hear which one felt the most welcoming.
FAQs
Which Asian city is considered one of the friendliest cities in the world?
Singapore, Hanoi, Hong Kong, and Bangkok all rank among the friendliest cities in the world for tourists in 2026 rankings.
Which city is officially ranked the friendliest city in the world in 2026?
According to MoneySuperMarket's 2026 customer-service survey, Edinburgh currently ranks as the friendliest city in the world, while Booking.com separately named Montepulciano, Italy, the most welcoming city overall.
What are the most welcoming cities for solo travelers?
Edinburgh, Singapore, and Hanoi are consistently rated among the most welcoming cities for solo travelers due to safety, easy navigation, and approachable locals.
Are the friendliest cities in the world also the safest?
Mostly yes. Zurich, Singapore, and Edinburgh rank high on both friendliness and safety indexes, since low social conflict tends to make locals more open and relaxed with strangers.
How is a city's "friendliness" actually measured?
Organizations like Condé Nast Traveler, Booking.com, and Time Out measure friendliness through resident and traveler surveys, verified review analysis, and factors like ease of finding help and warmth of service.
