Cork and Dublin Deemed Friendliest Cities on the Planet

Dublin has been named the fourth friendliest city in the world and third friendliest city in Europe and Cork has been named second friendliest city in Europe – by the readers of popular travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller.

Condé Nast Traveller asked its readers to decide on their favourite countries, cities, hotels and resorts around the globe, in its annual Readers Choice Awards survey. The magazine has unveiled the results of its 2023 survey – taken by over 240,000 of its readers – including its list of the friendliest cities in the world and in Europe, where readers felt most welcome.

Welcoming the news, Siobhan McManamy, Tourism Ireland’s Director of Markets, said: “I am delighted that Dublin has been named the fourth friendliest city in the world and third friendliest city in Europe and that Cork has been named second friendliest city in Europe, in this year’s prestigious Condé Nast Traveller readers’ survey. Again and again, our research shows us that the friendliness of our people is one of our unique selling points. It is the warm welcome and the ‘craic’ here that resonates with our overseas visitors and makes our cities and Ireland such a great choice for a short break or holiday. These accolades by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller magazine gives Tourism Ireland another great platform to continue to promote Cork, Dublin and Ireland around the world as a ‘must see’ destination.”

This is what Condé Nast Traveller had to say about Dublin: “It will likely surprise hardly anybody that Dublin has made it into the list of friendliest cities in the world. The population here are famed for their warm spirit and striking up an animated conversation with a stranger in a pub is almost as certain here as enjoying a freshly-pulled pint of Guinness. While you’re here, walk in history’s footsteps at Dublin Castle, pick up unique pieces on Grafton Street and check out the ever-changing exhibitions at the National Gallery of Ireland.”

This is what Condé Nast Traveller said about Cork: “Although Cork might be the Republic of Ireland’s second-largest city, the port town is even more friendly than the capital, according to our readers. This place has a big personality, an exciting culinary scene, plenty of coffee shops, galleries, museums and an iconic food market.”

The friendliest cities in the world, according to the 2023 Condé Nast Traveller survey, are:

1. Calgary, Canada
2. Edmonton, Canada
3. Victoria, Canada
4. Dublin
5. Quebec City, Canada
6. Malaga, Spain
7. Izmir, Turkey
8. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
9. Cartagena, Colombia
10. Mexico City, Mexico

The friendliest cities in Europe, according to the 2023 Condé Nast Traveller survey, are:

1. Siena, Italy
2. Cork
3. Dublin
4. Helsinki, Finland
5. Belgrade, Serbia
6. Malaga, Spain
7. San Sebastián, Spain
8. Dubrovnik, Croatia
9. Bucharest, Romania
10. Ljubljana, Slovenia