Top 8 Friendliest Cities in the World

As travelers, we all want to arrive in a place where the locals are friendly. The place itself—including the scenery and the food—is a big part of the experience, but the friendliness of the people is the icing on the cake.

Here are the friendliest cities in the world, as selected by Conde Nast.

Ubud in Bali, Indonesia

Located in the centre of Bali, Ubud is known to locals and travelers as the cultural heart of the region. There are plenty of workshops and galleries catering to artists in Ubud, and your eyes can have their fill with the wide variety of artworks, architecture, and natural wonders. The people are generally relaxed and friendly, and staying for a few weeks in the city will definitely earn you some friends.

Kilkenny in Ireland

Located in the part of Ireland called the “Sunny South East,” Kilkenny is one of the smallest cities (in terms of population) in the Republic of Ireland. Traveling to Kilkenny will treat you to well-preserved historic buildings and a small-town feel not easily found in today’s busy world. The friendliness of the people might have something to do with the large number of pubs (in ratio per person) and the comedy festival held in Kilkenny every year.

Mandalay in Burma

Mandalay is one of the last connections of Burma to its royal past, and this lovely city is shrouded in the majesty of religion in history. The city is also home to half of the population of the Burmese monks, and their influence might have rubbed off in the city’s civilian inhabitants.

Margaret River in Australia

This entry is not really a city in its own right—Margaret River is a town located in the south of Perth. The region is known for its wonderful wineries, mouth-watering gastronomic offerings, and breathtaking beaches. The climate is perfect for wineries and orchards, and the regular consumption of some of the best wines in the world might be instrumental in the people’s friendliness.

Paro in Bhutan

Paro is one of the most welcoming cities in Southeast Asia, set in a rural area with beautiful natural scenery surrounding a majestic, well-preserved fortress. The locals are very friendly, even to tourists. However, getting to Paro can be a bit of a downer. Less than ten pilots in the world are certified to land in the city, which is surrounded by intimidating cliffs.

Queenstown in New Zealand

Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is home to spectacular sights matched only by the welcoming nature of its people.

Hobart in Australia

Hobart is the capital of Tasmania, and often cited by travelers as one of the most unique places in the world. Compared to other cities in the region, Hobart has stayed true to its way of life from decades ago. Plenty of beautiful colonial architecture and pretty natural scenes, plus the people have retained their naturally and unaffected genteel ways.

Florianopolis in Brazil

Brazil is well-known among travelers to be a country filled with warm and friendly people, but Florianopolis definitely tops the list. The white sand beaches will definitely take your breath away, and your new local friends will help you scour for the best bargain in the markets.