The most welcoming places on Earth

Booking.com is unveiling the 10 Most Welcoming Cities on Earth for 2023*, all of which have been awarded for consistently providing outstanding hospitality – demonstrated by over 240 million verified reviews from Booking.com travellers.

Read on for tips on the world’s welcoming places to add to your travel wishlist, alongside suggestions for things to do and places to stay while you’re there.

The town of Polignano a Mare sits on the southern coast of Italy. Known for its pretty houses perched on a limestone cliff, it’s also popular for its sandy cove lapped by the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic. It’s the poster child for picture-perfect Puglia, the region that forms the stiletto heel to the country’s boot. Be sure to visit Grotta Palazzese while you’re in town, a spectacular restaurant set in a natural cave overlooking the sea. Or another famous local attraction, Alberobello – a nearby town famous for its trulli (whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs).

An interesting pattern that surfaced from our research is that in Italy, apartments are the highest-rated type of holiday accommodation.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Hualien City, situated on the East Coast of Taiwan. First of all, it has Taiwan’s most beautiful national park, Taroko, on its doorstep. After an outdoors adventure spent exploring temples and waterfalls, soak up some more nature and the city’s laid-back atmosphere with a relaxing visit to a park like Meilunshan. Another reason to visit is that it’s the perfect place to taste some Taiwanese delicacies at one of the city’s many buzzing night markets, like Dongdaemun Night Market.

In Taiwan, homestays are the most popular type of holiday accommodation.

Surrounded by the Spanish Basque Country’s golden beaches, San Sebastián is a sensational seaside destination to visit for foodie travellers. World-class restaurants and bars are scattered throughout the city, offering treats like fresh oysters and txakoli – a light, locally produced sparkling white wine. Fine dine in one of the city’s many Michelin-starred restaurants. Or eat pintxos (Basque tapas) with fresh regional ingredients in one of the many bars or during a Pintxos Tasting and Spanish Wines Experience.

Our research revealed that travellers visiting Spain are most likely to book apartments to stay in while on holiday.

As the capital city of the German state of Saxony, Dresden has a lot to offer in the way of culture and history. After suffering devastating bomb damage during the Second World War, much of the city has been rebuilt – restoring its historic, baroque architectural style. It’s not surprising that Dresden has been nicknamed ‘Florence of the North’, as it has a similar grandiose and whimsical look and feel as Florence, Italy. Explore the old town on a Historic Walking Tour and see famous sights like the Augustus Bridge, the Renaissance Royal Palace and the Frauenkirche, a church with a soaring dome that was rebuilt after the war.

The historic Lithuanian port city of Klaipėda sits at the confluence of the Baltic Sea and the Danė River. The city offers plenty of culture and architecture to admire. The old town has German-style wood-framed buildings situated in the cobblestoned streets, whereas the modern city features cranes and industrial shipyards. For those who want to explore nature, Klaipėda is a gateway to one of Europe’s best-kept secrets – the Curonian Spit. This narrow sand dune peninsula separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea with 100 kilometres of spectacular scenery and charming villages. Try a Full-day Tour of the Curonian Spit National Park to see some wildlife and visit the UNESCO-listed Dead Dunes.

Transport yourself back in time when visiting the city of York. Situated in the north-east of the UK, it was founded by the Ancient Romans, and boasts long, magnificently preserved medieval city walls. From historic, picturesque buildings to quirky tea shops, a visit to York promises plenty to see and do. At the heart of York’s historic centre is The Shambles, a 14th-century cobbled street known for its timber-framed houses with tiny cafés, sweet shops and boutiques. The seventh-century cathedral of York Minster is the city’s architectural crown jewel, with its Gothic facade towering above the cityscape. Delve deeper with a Ghost Bus Tour, taking you to some of York’s most famous landmarks while learning about the creepier side to their history.

Ushuaia is known as ‘El Fin del Mundo’ (the end of the world) because it is the southernmost city on earth, and is also famous as the gateway to Antarctica. It’s the perfect destination for an outdoorsy adventure, as it’s situated in Tierra del Fuego province where you’ll find one of Argentina's most impressive national parks. Known for dramatic landscapes and incredible vistas of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, wild tundra and wind-sculpted trees, it’s a great region for hiking. Alternatively, you can opt to explore by water on a boat tour to spot penguin colonies.

In Argentina, apartments are the most popular type of holiday accommodation.

Beautiful beaches with bright sands and crystalline water can be found in Porto De Galinhas. One of Brazil’s top coastal destinations, it showcases the very best of authentic Brazilian beach culture. It’s also home to natural tidal pools – pockets of turquoise water surrounded by coral reefs where tropical fish congregate at low tide. One of the best ways to witness this phenomenon is by taking a 'jangada' – a single-sail fishing boat – for some offshore snorkelling. Enjoy plenty of lively restaurants and bars situated in the town, with churrascarias (barbecues) and a fantastic seafood selection.

Apartments are the most-booked type of holiday accommodation in Brazil.

Steeped in history and culture, the sprawling Mexico City offers a wealth of attractions in each of its eclectic neighbourhoods – from museums and art galleries to ancient ruins and vast parks. The capital of Mexico is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the city’s historic centre, which can be explored on a Historic Downtown Walking Tour. Taste traditional Mexican cuisine such as tacos and quesadillas paired with local drinks like mezcal and tequila. There is a great selection of cantinas (local bars), street food stalls and high-end restaurants here. And for anyone who wants to explore further afield, a day trip outside the city to the archaeological complex of Teotihuacán or the World Heritage Site of Xochimilco are highly recommended.

Sun, surf and sea, this is what the Gold Coast is all about. With its white-sand beaches and choice of luxury hotels, this surfers’ paradise south of Brisbane is ideal for a mix of pleasure and relaxation. Besides amazing beaches, Gold Coast is known as Australia’s theme park capital, with a variety of theme parks throughout the city. For travellers who prefer nature-based trips, a variety of national parks are situated in the surrounding area. Spend a day out visiting the nearby Nerang National Park or Lamington National Park, where you can hike and mountain bike, and spot some native wildlife.

Our research revealed that travellers visiting Australia are most likely to book holiday homes.

*Destinations were sorted by the total share of Traveller Review Awards 2023 recipients when compared to the total number of eligible properties in that city (accommodation only). Destinations also had to have an above-average number of winners to be included on this list (500 award recipients or higher for cities) and were curated for geographic spread.