High prices, grumpy locals, drivers who do not respect pedestrians, all are signs of non-friendly cities. For some, tourists can be a nuisance. They may fill the Tube or ask directions from you when you are in a hurry. Just remember: they admire your city, they want to feel its vibe and it’s up to you to make them feel welcome.
Friendly cities are the ones who combine culture, with a nice attitude. And its locals do even more: they share with tourists a secret spot to eat, they seem really happy that you are here and they propose landmarks to visit.
So, here are 10 of the friendliest cities in the world.
Reykjavik, Iceland
The otherworldly atmosphere and a positive attitude towards tourists are some of the reasons that make cold Reykjavik one of the most friendly cities in the world. It’s nice to visit a fantastic place, it’s even nicer to see locals greet you with a smile (as long as you don’t litter or harm the environment in any way).
Kyoto, Japan
One of the most beautiful cities in Japan, Kyoto has a long history. With thousands of shrines and temples and the ability to see a geisha (they are called geiko in Kyoto) at the geisha district, it’s no wonder that tourists love it.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Travelers have voted the Scottish city one of the most friendly in the world. Tourists found that it has “great energy” -among other things. Tourists comment on the mix of “ancient and modern” in a city full of cultural events. And they can enjoy these events together with locals.
Adelaide, Australia
Tourists consider Australia one of the most friendly countries in the world. Travelers consider Sydney and Melbourne as friendly, but Adelaide outvoted them in a survey by Conde Nast Traveller. What tourists like is the chill coastal vibe of the city (it’s in the southeast), welcoming locals and the famous wines. Some travelers even commented that they would love to live there.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Like their neighbors in Austalia, people in New Zealand are friendly and they know how to make travelers feel welcome. With tourist numbers increasing, due to films like Lord of the Rings, that’s no small feat. Auckland is considered one of the friendliest cities as well, but Queenstown has the kiwi ease that all travelers love.
Dublin, Ireland
Ireland is one of the friendliest countries in the world, with a lot of its cities topping lists. What is it that makes Dublin one of the best cities to visit? Well, the Irish capital has plenty of things to see and do, and locals help make the atmosphere inviting. They are not going to push you aside and if you ask them for directions they will give them gladly and with a smile. In local pubs you can also find tourists and locals together, enjoying their meal and having a nice time.
Greenville, South Carolina
It’s one of the friendliest cities in the US. As voted by Conde Nast Traveller, travelers can enjoy festivals during the summertime, and they can see jazz musicians playing in the street. Locals greet travelers and restaurants use local products.
Galway, Ireland
Another Irish city tops the list of the most friendly cities in the world. Galway has street performers, interesting architecture and smiling locals. During a night out you can enjoy a pint of Guinness with the townspeople, and during the day you can visit one of the tourist attractions.
Puebla, Mexico
It’s Mexico’s fourth largest city and it is considered one of the safest. Visitors can check the flea market, the ceramic shops, and beautiful chapels. Travelers also tell stories of locals offering them an extra slice of quesadillas and Uber drivers who will take a detour through town with no charge, in order to guide you through Puebla history.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
The “land of smiles” -as Thailand is known- could not be absent from this list. Bangkok usually makes the cut, however, Chiang Mai is considered one of the friendliest Asian cities. After a few days in Chiang Mai, locals will start to greet you, and locals will smile at you when you take a walk or enjoy street food.
