The Friendliest Countries and Cities of Europe for Tourists and Expats in 2023

Europe remains the point of attraction for immigrants, tourists, and travelers. It is not very easy to determine which country in Europe is the friendliest as there are no generally accepted evaluation criteria. However, if you move away from a formal approach, the problem can be solved quite easily.

It should be noted that the friendliest country in Europe is a relative definition. Many guests, tourists, expats, and digital nomads have their personal opinions about that. Therefore, you should adopt a complex approach to the choice and first of all take into account the factors that are important in this particular situation. In any case, the countries (not just in Europe) that adopt the friendliest attitude to visitors are worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. The actual information has been provided by Condé Nast Traveller (a travel magazine focused on wealthy tourists).

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The Friendliest Countries in Europe

The attractiveness of separate countries for foreigners who want to visit them as tourists is in many ways determined by the openness of local residents rather than the living conditions, prices, well-developed infrastructure, or affordable housing. This factor is one of the most important conditions for a good rest. These are the countries that you want to visit once more to feel the special friendly attitude of the locals you have not encountered in any other place.

Ireland

According to the majority of respected editions that write about tourism in Europe, the country where the friendliest people in the world live is located here. Ireland cannot be called an ideal country due to its climate and quite high prices, but it is undoubtedly a leader in Europe when it comes to the openness of the locals.

Places to visit and things to see or taste to appreciate the country and the friendly attitude of its residents:

• Dublin’s breweries
• Giant’s Causeway in Antrim County
• Cliffs of Moher (the height reaches 214 m in some places)
• Maumturks mountain range

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Portugal

The country’s popularity is in many ways explained by its unique geographical location: it was formed as the center of travelers and sea expeditions. At present, Portugal is a choice for those looking for relaxed rest who want to run a quiet business in Europe.

Places to visit and things to see or taste to appreciate the country and the friendly attitude of its residents:

• Wonderful beaches
• Unique architectural monuments
• Excellent cuisine
• Any theme festival (a great many of these are held in Portugal)

Greece

This is the cradle of Western civilization, the center of Europe’s history, and a country with long-standing hospitality traditions and a special atmosphere. Greece is a country of antiquity that has preserved its irresistible charm in the 21^st century.

Places to visit and things to see or taste to appreciate the country and the friendly attitude of its residents:

• Boating or yachting in the Ionian or Aegean Sea
• An excursion to one of the country’s ten thousand islands
• A visit to any beach club you are interested in
• Watching stunning sunsets
• Many historical monuments preserved from antiquity
• Excellent cuisine

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Iceland

This is a country of lava rocks, mountain ranges, mysterious beaches, and the historical memory of the times of the Vikings hidden in every stone. This is also a country with a severe climate where there are practically no possibilities for beach rest. But if you set a goal to choose the most beautiful countries in Europe, Iceland will certainly be one of the leaders.

Places to visit and things to see or taste to appreciate the country and the friendly attitude of its residents:

• Unusual black beaches
• Country’s memorable landscapes
• Icelandic whales
• Local cuisine based on seafood
• Natural basins

Finland

This is a country in Europe where Santa Claus is officially based. It is interesting not so much by natural views but by the eternal conflict between night and day, the northern cold and the warm summer wind. If you are lucky enough, you will see aurora borealis which is considered to be the best in Europe.

Places to visit and things to see or taste to appreciate the country and the friendly attitude of its residents:

• Käpylä and Vallila wooden blocks in Helsinki
• Many national parks
• The headquarters of Santa Claus
• Restaurants or cafes with local cuisine

Turkey

This is a unique country where the East meets the West, and the European and Asian civilizations merge to create a unique eclectic cocktail. The friendly attitude of the locals may sometimes be a little intrusive (for example, when you visit multiple bazaars), but you quickly get used to it and see it as the local color.

Places to visit and things to see or taste to appreciate the country and the friendly attitude of its residents:

• Fishermen’s villages (it is better to visit those that were not specially prepared as a place of interest for tourists)
• Small streets and lanes of old Istanbul or Ankara
• Chimneys of Cappadocia
• Uchisar Castle
• The gilded Blue Mosque in Istanbul
• A local bazaar

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Denmark

Denmark is the historical center of the Viking empire. The residents of the country respect their history, but they are glad to welcome tourists. Denmark will hardly win an unofficial contest where the countries of Europe with the nicest people would be selected, but it is sure to take a prize.

Places to visit and things to see or taste to appreciate the country and the friendly attitude of its residents:

• Historical cemeteries (burial mounds)
• Bustling coastal streets of any town
• Futuristic House of Music

Spain

This is one more multicultural center of civilization in Europe. The traditions of many nations (many of them no longer exist) have been merging here for centuries. In the Middle Ages, the country was one of the centers of Europe and actively propagated its influence all over the world. The only reminder of those times now is the country’s historical monuments and the friendly attitude of the Spanish that remember their past.

Places to visit and things to see or taste to appreciate the country and the friendly attitude of its residents:

• Sagrada Familia
• Beach of Cala Macarelleta
• Prado national museum
• Cave of Altamira (Santander)
• Las Ramblas street (Barcelona)
• Small restaurants or cafes
• Football matches

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Netherlands

This is one of the most tolerant countries in Europe. If you are a person that finds traditional moral norms too tight for you, you will feel comfortable here. Friendly attitude to the guests of the Netherlands is visible in many details, from the desire to help to the respect for the opinion of others.

Places to visit and things to see or taste to appreciate the country and the friendly attitude of its residents:

• Amsterdam’s channels
• Anne Frank’s house
• Rolling tulip fields
• Windmills
• Port of Rotterdam

Italy

The country in Europe that stood at the cradle of the antique civilization managed to preserve its influence in the Middle Ages and in the turbulent decades of the 20^th century. The monuments that date back to the Roman Empire and the glass-and-concrete shopping centers, elite restaurants and small family cafes, museums and nightclubs peacefully coexist in present-day Italy. This is a unique cocktail in the south of Europe that tourists enjoy.

Places to visit and things to see or taste to appreciate the country and the friendly attitude of its residents:

• Roman Colosseum
• The Milan Duomo
• Trevi fountain
• Valley of the Temples in Sicily
• The cave city of Sassi di Matera
• Trauttsmansdorff botanical gardens
• Grand Canal in Venice

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The Friendliest Cities in Europe

If you want to know how the country lives in reality, we recommend choosing small hotels far from tourist centers. There are a lot of cities in Europe that will be interesting to visit, and each of them has its historical monuments and iconic places. But if you set the goal of finding the friendliest cities in Europe, you will choose them using absolutely different criteria. These are not usually mentioned in guides, so we used the materials of Readers’ Choice Awards 2023 (CN Traveller) for the article.

Dubrovnik

• Country: Croatia.

This is a city on the Adriatic Sea coast. Dubrovnik may seem dull and uninteresting in the background of other centers in Europe that are traditionally chosen by tourists. However, this is a superficial opinion: Dubrovnik is one of the cities that carefully preserves the medieval history of Europe. 

Ways to appreciate the friendly city of Dubrovnik:

• Quiet streets of the old city
• Pedestrian trade zones
• The best in Europe Baroque style architectural monuments (St. Blaise’s Church)
• Beaches that are not crowded with tourists

Athens

• Country: Greece.

This is the center where the history of Europe (and the whole antique world) actually originated. The residents of Athens are proud of their city and are always happy to welcome visitors. Come to Athens and explore the city slowly and thoughtfully. Many old residents are ready to accompany tourists all day long telling them about the history of Athens, a city in Europe that dates back several millennia.

Things not to miss in friendly Athens:

• the antique Acropolis
• Panepistimiou street
• Family restaurants (many people think that Athens is the culinary center of Europe if we talk about seafood).

Amsterdam

• Country: Netherlands.

Many people perceive the city as Europe’s capital of singles and a place where freedom and liberal views are valued. However, Amsterdam can turn its other side to you: it is also a historical center, a multicultural hub, a point of attraction for gourmets, and a huge artistic gallery.

Ways to appreciate the friendly Amsterdam:

• A walk on foot around the historical center
• Coffee or dinner in a restaurant located far from traditional tourist routes
• Designer hotels (some of them are really original)
• Artistic galleries (especially those that display modern European art)

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Stockholm

• Country: Sweden.

This is one of the few cities in Europe where freedom, friendly attitude to foreigners, and respect for other people’s opinions are the unconditional values of human society.

Things to visit in friendly Stockholm:

• The island district of Södermalm
• Östermalm’s bars
• The old city of Gamla Stan

Lisbon

• Country: Portugal.

This is the friendliest city in Europe if you want to have a weekend break here. Lisbon presents a unique combination of medieval architecture, expensive boutiques, tiny family cafes, and wonderful beaches.

Ways to appreciate the warm welcome of friendly Lisbon:

• Cobbled streets of the old center
• Any beach not mentioned in tourist guides
• A sightseeing tour around the city
• Dinner in a restaurant on the coastline

Oslo

• Country: Norway.

The friendliest cities in Europe often display history and architecture as the main assets. Oslo is different in this respect as it charms you with Scandinavian hospitality, the possibility to preserve individuality, respect for the opinions of other people, and a special world outlook. This is one of the best cities in Europe for young people who are ready to stand up for their opinions.

Things to do in the friendly Oslo:

• Local product markets
• Eco-hotels
• Floating saunas
• City parks and squares

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Dublin

• Country: Ireland.

This is one of the few cities in Europe where people celebrate something almost every day. Ireland is often called the territory of eternal joy, and guests are always welcome here. A friendly attitude to foreigners is a norm in Dublin, so the city attracts a lot of tourists.

Don’t miss the following opportunities in Dublin’s friendly atmosphere:

• Numerous pubs
• Street musicians
• City parks and squares
• Center of Dublin, especially during holidays and festivals

Porto

• Country: Portugal.

The city is a kind of copy of Lisbon deprived of the capital’s gloss. However, they are very similar in all other respects: there are very few cities in Europe that successfully combine medieval architecture, loose morals, the special charm of the leisurely patriarchal life, and friendly attitude to guests.

Things to appreciate in friendly Porto:

• Old city streets
• Small cafes and restaurants
• Mercado, a traditional market
• Jardins do Palácio de Cristal – the botanical gardens
• Centro Comercial Bombarda – the shopping center

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Copenhagen

• Country: Denmark.

This is one of the few cities in Europe with a rich history that preserved its charm in the 21^st century. Friendly attitude to guests is explained by the status of a tourist center in Europe, but this does not make Copenhagen less attractive or interesting.

Discover the friendly city of Copenhagen:

• Cobbled streets of the old center
• Snack bars and small cafes with tables outdoors
• The city hall square
• Nyhavn embankment
• Strøget pedestrian area

Reykjavik

• Country: Iceland.

This is a city of museums, active geothermal springs, and fanciful hotels. Reykjavik, a city in Europe which was once one of the centers of the Viking empire, shows a friendly attitude to all unusual things that are out of the ordinary. This is a good option for tourists who are tired of standard travel destinations.

Ways to benefit from Reykjavik’s friendly atmosphere:

• Blue Lagoon, the geothermal spa salon
• Tours in Iceland
• A walk in Austurstraeti street
• Nauthólsvík geothermal beach
• A 24-hour excursion around the Iceland’s Golden Circle

Bruges

• Country: Belgium.

This is a capital of the Western Flanders, one of the best-known medieval cities in Europe. Bruges is similar to Italian Venice to some extent, but it is not so popular with tourists. Bruges is friendly to everything that is new and stands out. This is a city in Europe where you can be yourself without fear of being disliked by the surrounding people.

Things to pay attention to in friendly Bruges:

• Boating along the canals
• Visit to a chocolate box shop
• A cycling tour along the old city
• A market square
• De Halve Maan Brewery museum

San Sebastian

• Country: Spain.

This is the most hospitable city in the Western Europe that is friendly to guests. Tourists will like absolutely everything here: Basque cuisine (there are Michelin-starred restaurants), local bars, beaches, picturesque embankments, and stunning natural views. San Sebastian is the pearl of Spain and the heart of the Basque country.

Things to appreciate in the friendly city of San Sebastian:

• Have a rest on La Concha, Ondaretta, and La Suriolla beaches
• Taste pintxos
• Go on an excursion in the Aquarium (Plaza de Carlos Blasco Imaz). One of the best oceanography museums in Europe
• Go up Urgull or Igueldo mountains
• Take a run along the embankment
• Visit a fish market in Mercado San Martín shopping center

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It is quite hard to choose the friendliest country in Europe. Each of them has its secrets and mysteries that are only revealed to thoughtful tourists. And it is even more difficult to select a city in Europe that displays the friendliest attitude to foreigners as the choice will depend on the kind of rest preferred by a particular person.

Choose any option for your first acquaintance with Europe and its medieval cities. The difference in the attitude to guests is visible on the level of barely perceptible nuances, while friendliness and openness are guaranteed in any case. And if you want to choose a suitable city in Europe for relocation, we recommend getting in touch with the experts of the Q Wealth portal to discuss all matters at an individual session.

Additional information for potential migrants:

• Invest in Turkish Citizenship: Apartments in Solis Cityscape, Izmir.
• Special Offer Extended: Acquire Citizenship of St Kitts at a Discount until January 31, 2024.
• Four Ways of Acquiring Dual Citizenship for Your Children.
• New Opportunities to Acquire Foreign Citizenship by Descent in 2023.
• Which Country Citizenship Is Hardest to Get?.
• Best Countries for Relocation in 2022.
• Foreign Citizenship by Investment: All Available Options.

Reach the Q Wealth experts at in**@***********rt.com or use alternative communication channels.