Friendliest Cities
Most of us don’t think “friendly” is the right word when describing a city: we might say that New York City is frantic, Los Angeles is grid-locked and London is full of people who’d rather not, thank you. These are stereotypes, sure, and certainly not always true. But the fact is, cities often feel too vast and busy to take the time to welcome travelers.
Wouldn’t it be great if cities were instead inviting places to outsiders? Well, according to a new list that ranks the world’s cities by friendliness, plenty of them are.
Internations, a global network for people who live and work abroad, has released a report on the planet’s most gracious cities, per ex-pats reporting on “Friendly Attitude to Foreigners” and “General Friendliness.” The list includes some real surprises; for instance, just one city in the U.S. makes the cut, and only two in Europe.
Book one of these destinations for your next vacation, and you'll enjoy world-class amenities paired with a very warm welcome.
15. São Paulo
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 80%
General Friendliness: 72%
Brasília, Brazil’s capital, is the better-known city in the country, but São Paulo, the country’s financial center, is the friendliest. With 12 million residents, it’s also the nation’s most populated city, so expect to meet lots of friendly faces here. One ex-pat noted, “It's easy to embrace the culture and fit in” here.
As befits a global finance city, São Paulo is multicultural, with a large population of Arab, Italian and Japanese ex-pats. Architecture buffs in particular will enjoy the destination, where iconic buildings range from the Catedral Metropolitana, which broke ground in 1913 and opened in 1954, to modern skyscrapers, some of the tallest in the world.
Paulista Avenue – a sort of Brazilian 5th Avenue, with shopping and museums – is well worth seeing too, as is the large and scenic Ibirapuera Park.
14. Abu Dhabi
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 78%
General Friendliness: 71%
The capital of the United Arab Emirates is a friendly place, as befits its status as a modern city, welcoming people from all over the world. One of the survey respondents said she loves “the friendliness and tolerance of the people" here, while also singling out the city's food, culture and temperate winter weather.
Abu Dhabi is best known for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a white marble house of worship with a remarkable 82 domes. The city of 1.4 million people is both very wealthy and very old, with archaeology indicating that civilization has lived there since the third millennium BCE. That means the museums and other cultural institutions are top-notch.
Plus, Abu Dhabi is an extremely safe city to visit.
13. Bangkok
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 77%
General Friendliness: 79%
Another country’s capital is 13th on this list: Bangkok, the most populous city in Thailand, where some 10 million people call home.
While noting that the roads and transportation systems are difficult to navigate, one man said in his survey response that he likes “how happy most people are, the quality of infrastructure and the availability of competent services. Housing is not too expensive, and the climate is warm.”
Many visitors make a beeline for Bangkok's famous Buddhist shrines – including the Wat Pho Temple, which features a massive reclining Buddha, and the Grand Palace building complex and its Wat Phra Kaew Temple, the most important in the country.
The vibrant street life of Bangkok, marked by lively street-food vendors and shopping markets, provides another opportunity to interact with the sociable residents here.
12. Cape Town
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 78%
General Friendliness: 74%
The first African country on our list is this port city in South Africa, which one Dutch ex-pat called "beautiful with nice people."
The most famous destination in Cape Town is nearby Table Mountain, reached by cable cars from downtown that promise awe-inspiring views. The flat top of the mountain overlooks the surrounding countryside and ocean.
Cape Town boasts much to attract visitors, from a mild climate to well-established infrastructure. According to ex-pats, the friendliness of the 4.4 million people who live here is just the icing on the cake.
11. Nairobi
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 80%
General Friendliness: 73%
The next African city in our Top 15 is Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi, with a population of around 3.5 million.
What draws ex-pats to Nairobi? As one survey respondent put it: “the climate, the travel opportunities and the friendliness of locals."
The enormous Nairobi National Park, a game reserve where the rare Black Rhino is bred, and where many other kinds of wildlife can be seen, is a major tourist attraction. An elephant orphanage nearby also draws crowds.
Many of the affable residents derive their livelihood from tourism, since the city is also a frequent beginning point for foreigners on safari.
10. Dublin
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 77%
General Friendliness: 78%
The first European city on our list will not be a surprise to those who’ve visited and enjoyed a warm Irish welcome. In fact, one American living in Dublin told Internations, “I like the overall approach to life [in Dublin]. Family, friends, welcoming ‘strangers’ and enjoying life feels like the priority to the Irish.”
Ireland’s capital is also known for its literary attractions celebrating James Joyce and other Irish writers, as well as its pub scene, where anyone can join in for good craic (conversation).
Historic buildings are additionally worth a visit; St. Patrick’s Cathedral was founded in 1191 and Dublin Castle in the 1200s. And of course, the Guinness Brewery is famously welcoming as well.
9. Houston
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 76%
General Friendliness: 84%
Our lone U.S. city on this list is Texas’s most populous, with about 2.3 million people. As one ex-pat noted, Houston’s residents are “open and friendly, they are supportive and help you.” The city is also consistently ranked as one of the most family-friendly cities in the U.S.
Attractions abound in Houston, from the 6,000-animal-strong Houston Zoo, part of the vast Houston Museum District, to the Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston, where visitors can learn about the past, present and future of NASA. Plus, the city’s culinary scene, which is all about beef and BBQ, is superlative.
(One important note, though: Houston lags behind even its sister cities in Texas in welcoming LGBTQ+ people. But this is slowly changing, and neighborhoods like Montrose are notably inclusive.)
8. Lisbon
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 83%
General Friendliness: 85%
Portugal topped our Friendliest Countries list, so it makes sense that its capital city of Lisbon is pretty darn friendly, too. One ex-pat noted “the climate, the beauty of the city and the friendly people,” common themes among survey respondents.
The hilly, coastal city of around 2.8 million people is one of the oldest in the world, older than Rome, London and Paris by many centuries. The Old Quarter is a traveler’s dream offering views of the city, coastline and Tagus River. The neighborhood is topped by the Castelo de São Jorge, a castle on a hilltop occupied since 205 BCE.
Plus, Lisbon’s seafood is among the best on the planet, and locals will be happy to point you in the right direction to consume it.
7. Jakarta
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 85%
General Friendliness: 89%
Yet another friendly capital is Jakarta, in Indonesia, on the northwest corner of the island of Java. A British ex-pat shared: “I love the people and the country and the way they make me feel part of their life at work and home. It is by far the most welcoming country I have ever lived in.”
Like the country it’s in, Jakarta is polyglot, shaped by influences from the Javanese, Chinese, Malay, Indian, European and Arab peoples. Lots and lots of people live in Jakarta – it’s projected to be the most populous city in the world by 2030, and is at 10 million strong already – so it makes sense that they’ve learned how to get along and welcome strangers too.
6. Mexico City
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 84%
General Friendliness: 76%
Mexico’s capital is the most populous metropolis in North America, and its many residents are famously inviting. One respondent to the Internations survey reported that Mexico City’s “people are amazing, friendly, interested and willing to help. The food is awesome, the weather is brilliant, and there are so many cultural aspects to explore.”
Indeed, there’s much to see and do in Mexico City. Many travelers begin their visit by seeing the Plaza de la Constitución, better known as the Zócalo, the city’s massive main square. It’s been a gathering place for the Mexican people since the Aztecs ruled here, and now provides wonderful opportunities to observe and interact with the 21.2 million locals.
Venturing to the city’s many markets provides another opportunity to get to know the amiable people who call Mexico City home.
5. Kampala
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 81%
General Friendliness: 74%
The next city on our list might be a surprise since it’s less-known: Uganda’s capital city of Kampala. But it belongs on the bucket list of any traveler looking to encounter kindly locals. One ex-pat was quick to praise the “friendly people and good weather” in this bustling city.
Kampala borders Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, so it has more lush foliage than many African cities. Red-tile villas and numerous trees make Kampala quite lovely, and the Uganda Museum, National Mosque and Kasubi Tombs – the burial place for generations of royalty – are all interesting to visitors.
Welcoming all nationalities is an intrinsic part of Ugandan culture, so it makes sense that Kampala is so high on our list. Just over 1.35 million people live here.
4. Muscat
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 83%
General Friendliness: 79%
We travel back to the Middle East for the fourth most friendly city: Muscat, the capital of Oman. One ex-pat said that Muscat “…is peaceful and easy going, with tremendous natural beauty and super friendly people.”
The scenery here is spectacular, with mountains and desert on one side and the Gulf of Oman, part of the Arabian Sea, on the other. A smaller city than many on this list (it’s home to 1.28 million residents), Muscat offers the opportunity for a deep dive into Arabian culture, with many large and elaborate mosques, a half-dozen museums and Old Muscat, the original historic city, built in 1625.
Muscat is principally a Muslim city, with its own subset of Islam, called Ibadhism. The people here are used to multicultural life and welcome visitors warmly.
3. Manama
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 87%
General Friendliness: 74%
Another Middle Eastern city, Bahrain’s capital of Manama is in third place for a reason. One respondent told Internations that it “…is a beautiful place, with a combination of old culture and history and the new advancement is amazing. People are friendly, and it is easy to adjust to the social environment.”
Like Muscat, Manama has ancient roots, since it is located at the center of many trade routes used before the Common Era. Manama is the smallest city on our list, with a population of around 550,000, and has a diverse population with a particularly strong Portuguese influence.
Mosques, museums and souqs – street markets – are popular places to visit here. Bahrain is progressive on women’s rights and allows the consumption of alcohol, making it a Middle Eastern country many first-time American visitors feel comfortable in.
2. Ho Chi Minh City
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 86%
General Friendliness: 90%
Once known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is most known to Americans for the pivotal role it played under that name during the Vietnam War. These days, the city is lauded for its friendly welcome to visitors. An ex-pat noted, “I think it’s a very beautiful country and city… Also, the people here are very friendly.”
The city showcases the unique combination of French and Vietnamese cultures that shaped it, evident in the cuisine (especially the widely available street food), sites (such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, made entirely of materials shipped over from France) and opportunities to learn about the War from the Vietnamese perspective, such as at the War Remnants Museum.
About 12 million people make their home here.
1. Taipei
Friendly Attitude to Foreigners: 94%
General Friendliness: 94%
And here we are, at the friendliest city on the planet – Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan.
A municipality of about 2.5 million people, Taipei reflects Taiwan’s status as a special municipality of China with its many Chinese cultural influences. But it's a melting pot of many other cultures as well, from Japanese to American. An ex-pat told Internations, “People here are so friendly and always want to help. I feel safe here. It is a lovely place to live!”
The city is an intriguing mix of ancient Japanese streets and modern skyscrapers, such as the Taipei 101, a bamboo-shaped building with an observatory at the top that’s worth checking out. Taipei also has a vibrant food market scene, as well as lush city parks to visit.
Visitors and expats alike rave about how friendly the people here are; they will go out of their way to make sure travelers are looked after and feel at home. The Taiwanese are what make their city so special.
Wondering which countries are the friendliest in the world? Find out here.