Top 10 Most Welcoming Cities Worldwide by Booking.com 2025

Summary of the Most Welcoming Destinations

  1. Top Welcoming City: Polignano a Mare, Italy
  2. Second Top City: Hualien City, Taiwan
  3. Other Notable Cities: San Sebastián, Dresden, Klaipėda, York, Ushuaia, Porto De Galinhas, Mexico City, Gold Coast
  4. Leading Regions: La Rioja, Oberosterreich, Marlborough, Newfoundland & Labrador, North Dakota

Hospitality can profoundly impact a travel experience, which is why Booking.com has revealed its list of the Most Welcoming Cities on Earth for 2023. The top city is Italy’s Adriatic coastal town of Polignano a Mare in the Puglia region, followed closely by Hualien City on Taiwan’s east coast near Taroko National Park.

“This year’s Most Welcoming Places on Earth encompass five continents, showcasing stunning coastal gems and rural destinations surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty,” Booking.com noted in a statement. “They have all been identified based on the share of accommodation partners receiving a Traveller Review Award 2023.”

Square in Dresden, Germany with outdoor cafe seating and old European style buildings
Courtesy of Booking.com

Additional cities on the list include Spain’s San Sebastián, Germany’s Dresden, Lithuania’s Klaipėda, the UK’s York, Argentina’s Ushuaia, Brazil’s Porto De Galinhas, Mexico’s Mexico City, and Australia’s Gold Coast.

A pink and purple sky along the beach with city skyscrapers in the distance
Courtesy of Booking.com

“This personal attention to detail when checking in or offering local recommendations showcases how our partners excel for travelers daily,” stated Arjan Dijk, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Booking.com, noting a remarkable 1.36 million travel providers received its Traveller Review Award this year.

Seaside town with boats in a harbor and snowy mountains in the distance
Courtesy of Booking.com

In addition to listing cities, Booking.com also unveiled the top 10 Most Welcoming Regions on Earth, with Spain’s La Rioja taking the top honor. Other notable regions include Oberosterreich in Austria, Marlborough in New Zealand, Newfoundland & Labrador in Canada, and North Dakota.

For a comprehensive list of the Most Welcoming Places on Earth, highlighting regions known for exceptional hospitality, refer here.


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