Travellers always comment on how friendly or aloof the residents of a city are when they reflect on their global adventures above most other things. If you are looking for a city of smiles, then consider these studies that help to define where you are likely to get a warm welcome.
Time Out’s guide was based on respondents being asked which other city they would most like to live in, and also polled more than 100 well-travelled Time Out staff writers and editors for the cities that excited them. Their top ten was:
- New York
- Cape Town
- Berlin
- London
- Madrid
- Mexico City
- Liverpool
- Tokyo
- Rome
- Porto
Booking.com’s study for 2024 highlighted how travel isn’t just an escape, but a catalyst for people to experience their best lives. In its Traveller Review Awards, Booking.com unveiled the 10 Most Welcoming Cities on Earth. The company looked into over 309 million verified customer reviews for accommodations in over 221 countries to compile its list. These were:
- Arraial d'Ajuda, Brazil
- Ermoupoli, Greece
- Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Daylesford, Australia
- Grindelwald, Switzerland
- Moab, United States
- Uzès, France
- Mazatlán, Mexico
- Jaisalmer, India
- Fujikawaguchiko, Japan
For the readers of Travel + Leisure, the survey shows again that cities come in all shapes and sizes. From destinations with views of beaches to metropolises where centuries-old monuments stand alongside modernity, there’s a city to suit every travel interest. Their top draw choices:
- San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
- Udaipur, India
- Kyoto, Japan
- Hoi An, Vietnam
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Florence, Italy
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Tokyo, Japan
- Ubud, Indonesia
- Funchal, Portugal
Conclusion:
These surveys just go to show that the world is truly your oyster, and finding the most welcoming people will make those experiences a lifetime of wonder and fulfilment.
Andy Probert is an independent journalist based in Turkey. He writes about travel, aviation, new tech and business. His work has appeared on the BBC, in The Daily Telegraph, Hurriyet Daily News and other newspapers worldwide.
