Booking.com’s annual Traveller Review Awards has revealed the world’s top ten “Most Welcoming” cities for 2026.
Now in its 14th year, the awards are based on more than 370 million verified reviews from travellers across the world.
This year’s Most Welcoming Cities on Earth celebrate destinations where guests feel genuinely cared for, with personal touches, warm interactions, and hosts who go the extra mile to make trips memorable.
Among the global winners are Harrogate in the UK, renowned for its elegant spa heritage, leafy gardens, and beautifully kept streets. The town offers a relaxed yet refined atmosphere, complemented by friendly independent shops, cafés and a strong sense of community that makes visitors feel at home. Other cities recognised globally include Montepulciano in Italy, celebrated for its hilltop beauty and rich wine culture, while Takayama in Japan, admired for its preserved old town, traditional hospitality and deep-rooted cultural warmth.
Further across the globe, Magong (Taiwan) and San Martin de los Andes (Argentina) feature in the list of most welcoming cities, while it was apartments that continued to top the list for global travellers when choosing accommodation. This was driven by a desire for unique, personalised stays that feel more like home.
2026’s Most Welcoming Cities on Earth
- Montepulciano, Italy
- Magong, Taiwan
- San Martín de los Andes, Argentina
- Harrogate, United Kingdom
- Fredericksburg, Texas, United States
- Pirenópolis, Brazil
- Swakopmund, Namibia
- Takayama, Japan
- Noosa Heads, Australia
- Klaipeda, Lithuania
Within the winners across 221 countries and territories, the honourees include 1,817,848 accommodation providers, 1,977 rental car companies, and 137 airport transfer suppliers.
Apartments remain the most awarded property type for the ninth consecutive year with 901,481 awards, followed by holiday homes (287,464), and hotels (197,658).
Meanwhile, camping and villas saw the highest year-on-year increase in award recipients, each at 15%, followed by ryokans at 13%. These patterns highlight travellers’ continued interest in unique, character-rich stays that offer a sense of place, at a time when travellers are seeking authenticity more than ever.
Rental car companies received a 49% increase in awards from 2025 (1,977), highlighting the expanding role of transport in ensuring seamless in-trip journeys and exceptional service at every stage of a traveller’s trip.
“From welcoming hosts who go above and beyond for guest stays to expert taxi drivers sharing ‘local-only’ tips, these personal touches can make a trip truly special for travellers,” said James Waters, Chief Business Officer at Booking.com. “The Traveller Review Awards continue to shine a well-deserved spotlight on our partners who help create lifelong memories for travellers. It’s one of our ways of saying ‘thank you’ from all of us at Booking.com and the hundreds of millions of travellers around the world.”
