Tourists are welcomed: Europe's friendliest cities to visit in 2024
Photo: Tourists in Portugal (unsplash.com)
Tourists travel in search of new experiences and positive emotions. For many, an important aspect of leisure is a friendly atmosphere and the hospitality of local residents.
In the ranking of the friendliest destinations in 2024, half are European regions, according to schengenvisainfo.com.
Which countries received the most awards
Booking's Traveler Review Awards recently identified the best global tourist destinations for 2024. It was compiled based on feedback gathered from over 309 million customers.
Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom received the highest number of awards in accommodation establishments. Other EU countries, including Poland, Croatia, and Portugal, also made it to the top ten most hospitable destinations.
At the same time, five European regions are among the top ten friendliest destinations worldwide. Among the top five friendliest cities, three are European.
These locations received incredible reviews from travelers who have already visited them. Those who left feedback highly praised the hospitality and services.
Photo: Tourists in Europe (unsplash.com)
Friendliest European cities in 2024
The Greek city of Ermoupolis ranked second in the top 10 most hospitable cities worldwide. It's the capital of the island of Syros. The city is known for its neoclassical architecture, narrow winding streets leading to historical landmarks such as Miaouli Square and the town hall with its impressive 15-meter staircase.
Ermoupolis is also home to numerous bars, restaurants, and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in Greek culture.
Taking the third spot in the world's friendliest rankings is the city of Viana do Castelo in Portugal. Located an hour's drive from Porto Airport, this coastal city offers a diverse array of stunning architecture from different periods. Tourists are also drawn to the city for its water sports activities.
Photo: Tourists in Grindelwald, Switzerland (unsplash.com)
Fifth place on the list is occupied by the town of Grindelwald in Switzerland. It is located in the heart of the Swiss Alps at an altitude of approximately 1000 meters above sea level.
Tourists are captivated by the incredible landscapes, and the peaks can be reached by a cogwheel train.
In winter, the region becomes a hub for skiing and snowboarding on world-class slopes, while in summer, endless hiking trails through the alpine landscape open up.
Top 10 friendliest cities on Earth in 2024
The top ten cities with the most hospitality towards tourists, according to the Booking's Traveler Review Awards, are as follows:
- Arraial do Cabo, Brazil;
- Ermoupolis, Greece;
- Viana do Castelo, Portugal;
- Daylesford, Australia;
- Grindelwald, Switzerland;
- Moab, USA;
- Uzès, France;
- Mazatlan, Mexico;
- Jaisalmer, India;
- Fujikawaguchiko, Japan.
Photo: Rest on the island of Syros (unsplash.com)
At the same time, you can broaden your horizons beyond cities and choose the friendliest region where tourists can enjoy their stay comfortably. In 2024, these are the top destinations:
- Perthshire, UK;
- Penghu, Taiwan;
- Boyacá, Colombia;
- Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy;
- Los Lagos, Chile;
- Erongo, Namibia;
- Otago, New Zealand;
- Lapland, Finland;
- Asturias, Spain;
- Friesland, Netherlands.
We've previously discussed which European countries have the most satisfied residents. People tend to have the highest quality of life in Northern and Western Europe.
