I used to travel way more than I do now. In fact, I don’t travel much at all these days. But one thing is for sure — whenever I would go someplace, I’d get an immediate feeling about the place. Both positive and negative.
The one that stands out for me was Amsterdam. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I felt at home there. Perhaps we’ve all experienced this as well — finding those places where we instantly feel at home.
I just love the magic of a welcoming place.
Each year, Booking.com compiles a list of the world’s friendliest destinations through its Traveller Review Awards. For 2025, they analyzed over 360 million reviews across 212 countries to find the places that go above and beyond in warmth and hospitality.
I have a hard time believing what topped the list. But there it is — Sigiriya, Sri Lanka. Home of the famous Lion Rock Fortress and now officially the world’s most welcoming city. Guests give much praise to this place. They say it’s not just the beauty of the ancient city, but the kindness of the locals and the exceptional service at places like the Royal Rock Sigiriya.
Here’s the full list of the ten most welcoming cities on Earth for 2025:
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Cazorla, Spain
Urubici, Brazil
Taupo, New Zealand
St. Augustine, United States
Orvieto, Italy
Manizales, Colombia
Quedlinburg, Germany
Ko Lanta, Thailand
Chester, United Kingdom
If that were not enough, Booking.com also spotlighted the top ten most welcoming regions in the world. Again, I am surprised by Croatia and Georgia. But here is the list:
Osijek-Baranja, Croatia
Kakheti, Georgia
Madeira, Portugal
Misiones, Argentina
Graubünden, Switzerland
South Australia, Australia
Bretagne, France
Baja California Sur, Mexico
Kien Giang, Vietnam
Drenthe, Netherlands
All of this comes down to our personal likes and dislikes. The things we love or don’t love. But one thing is for sure. The world’s most welcoming places share a very important characteristic.
They remind us that kindness travels farther than a destination. It travels right into our hearts.
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“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” — Anita Desai
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“The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one.” — Unknown
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“The great gift of travel is that it teaches us kindness without translation.” — Joseph Wellman
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“The more I traveled, the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.” — Shirley MacLaine
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