Melbourne Crowned the World’s Friendliest City for 2026 While Bibury Faces Tourism Overload

World’s Friendliest Cities Ranked for 2026

According to УНІАН — Туризм: In 2026, Condé Nast Traveller revealed its Readers’ Choice Awards ranking of the friendliest cities globally. Melbourne, Australia, topped the list with an impressive score of 98.52 points. This year’s ranking saw a major shakeup compared to 2025, with only Lisbon and Cape Town remaining in the top ten from last year’s lineup. Seoul, South Korea, earned third place with 97.94 points, and Porto, Portugal, secured the second position with 98.33 points.

• 1. Melbourne, Australia - 98.52 points
• 2. Porto, Portugal - 98.33 points
• 3. Seoul, South Korea - 97.94 points
• 4. Lisbon - 97.50 points
• 5. Amsterdam, Netherlands - 97.35 points
• 6. Perth, Australia - 97.28 points
• 7. Jaipur, India - 96.67 points
• 8. Buenos Aires, Argentina - 96.37 points
• 9. Bangkok, Thailand - 96.16 points
• 10. Cape Town - 96.00 points

Notably, Quito and Edinburgh, which appeared on the 2025 list, did not make the cut for 2026. The rankings are based on reader votes collected by Condé Nast Traveller, where participants rate cities on a 100-point scale, focusing on the warmth of local hospitality. According to the editors,

“readers are asked where in the world they have experienced the most genuine kindness-from locals helping to decode a restaurant menu to offering directions on navigating the subway.”

Tourism Pressures in Historic Bibury

Alongside the city rankings, the publication highlights the growing issue of tourist overcrowding in Bibury, a village in Gloucestershire, England. Renowned for its 17th-century terraced cottages owned by the National Trust, Bibury attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually, placing considerable strain on the local community. The influx has even forced a couple to vacate their home on Arlington Row, a row of cottages famously featured in films like "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Stardust." The village’s rising popularity among tourists exacerbates the challenges it faces due to over-tourism.

The 2026 friendliness index from Condé Nast Traveller reflects shifting traveler preferences and highlights emerging trends that emphasize authentic connections with residents. While cities like Melbourne rise in popularity for their welcoming atmospheres, the Bibury case underscores the delicate balance destinations must maintain to preserve local culture and residents’ quality of life amid growing tourist numbers.

As Melbourne celebrates its title as the world's friendliest city, the tourism boom is taking a toll on smaller destinations like Bibury. This picturesque village is grappling with the challenges of mass tourism, which has led some residents to leave their historic homes. To learn more about the impact of overcrowding on Bibury's community, read our detailed report on the situation here.