The Friendliest Countries In Europe, According To Travelers

The people you meet on a European trip can often make an even bigger impression than the famous sights and landmarks you visit — for better or worse. If you're unlucky, you may end up in one of the countries considered by travelers to be the rudest in Europe. Whether because of cultural differences or a real disdain for tourists, some places just don't feel that welcoming to outsiders.

Thankfully, not all destinations are associated with cold locals and stuck-up service workers. Some spots are known to have an abundance of friendly people who are eager to help and strike up a cordial chat with travelers. Previously, we covered the countries with the friendliest locals according to a study by Remitly. Now, additional research by Condé Nast Traveller and Insider Monkey sheds more light on the friendliest places in Europe. If you don't want to spend your vacation bemoaning grumpy waitstaff or dodging dirty looks, consider planning your next trip to one of these destinations.

Ireland is home to Guinness beer, rugged coastlines, and some of the warmest people in all of Europe. The island country was called the most friendly European destination in 2023, and while it fell to second in Condé Nast Traveller's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards, it still hasn't lost its hospitable and congenial reputation. The Condé Nast Traveller ranking gave Ireland an impressive score of 92.86 for friendliness and highlighted its welcoming pub culture that even tourists can partake in.

Similarly, Insider Monkey, using travelers' posts on Quora and Reddit, determined that Ireland is the third-friendliest country in Europe, with a score of eight points (compared to the highest score of 10 points). Comments collected in the research noted that Irish locals are exceptionally kind to outsiders, making it easy to feel at home. In one Reddit thread, u/DJT_08 even wrote, "My son and I traveled to Ireland this past summer, and the people were so friendly that we had to strategize our way around them if we were in a hurry. A truly welcoming place." Yep, Irish people can be so friendly that constant small talk might just be your biggest obstacle on vacation.

Hop on a flight headed south of Ireland and you might just end up in Portugal, one of the most beloved tourist hubs in the world. It's easy to see why once you spend some time in the Iberian country. Besides offering stunning historical cities, luxurious beaches that are never crowded, and wines that could compete with those of France and Italy, the people are known for their exceptional kindness.

Portugal topped Insider Monkey's list with a score of 10, thanks to its friendly citizens. The destination also earned a spot in the Condé Nast Traveller's 2024 Readers' Choice rankings, coming in at fourth place. This warmth doesn't only extend to your typical traveler. A survey by InterNations also found that Portugal was the friendliest place in the world for foreign residents. Nearly 80% of expat respondents in the survey said that locals were welcoming, and many formed friendships with the Portuguese in their communities. It's no wonder Portugal is one of the most popular places for digital nomads.

Tourists flock to the Greek islands from all over the world looking for a sunny Mediterranean getaway. But what they may find is that the warm atmosphere isn't just limited to the beaches. Greek locals are also said to be warm toward visitors of their country. Remitly, which determined friendliness by comparing levels of agreeableness on a personality test, ranked Greece above any other European country. The study cited the destination's value of "philoxenia," or "hospitality" in English, as one reason for the affectionate attitude.

Meanwhile, Insider Monkey placed Greece in fourth place on its list of the friendliest countries in Europe, and Condé Nast Traveller readers ranked the country as the fifth-friendliest European spot. Despite overtourism and enormous crowds in some areas, residents tend to remain warm and good-natured toward travelers. In one Reddit thread, u/kummer5peck shared, "The Greeks themselves are what made the stay extra special. They are the most welcoming and hospitable people in all of Europe."

Vienna, the capital of Austria, has been named the world's most liveable city by EIU multiple times, a reminder of the abundant culture, superb public transportation, and overall high quality of life the Viennese are treated to daily. Additional data from Eurostat reveals that Austria consistently has one of the highest ratings of life satisfaction in the European Union. This high quality of life and overall contentment could be one explanation for why the country has some of the friendliest people on the continent — after all, it's easier to be in a pleasant mood when you live in a place like Austria.

Though Austria hasn't always been associated with friendliness, it claimed the top spot for the attribute in Condé Nast Traveller's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. This marks its first time appearing on the list, with a surprisingly strong score of 93.88. Besides kind people, expect to encounter beautiful architecture across the country, some of the best hiking trails in the world in the Austrian Alps, and amazing museums in Vienna.

It's no secret that people in Croatia can be warm and approachable. In Remitly's ranking of the world's friendliest countries, the Balkan nation placed third, surpassed only by South Africa and Greece. The study suggested that the local economy depends on tourism, which gives Croatians an incentive to be kind to travelers.

Regardless of the motive, outsiders often find people in Croatia to be open and helpful. Condé Nast Traveller readers positioned the country in third place for friendliness in the 2024 Readers' Choice rankings, an improvement from its previous 10th place ranking the year before. Netizens, too, often applaud the country's locals for being easy to get along with. Though some commenters disagreed, with u/yago1980 sharing in a Reddit thread that they felt "better accepted than at home" when visiting the coastal destination. Another user responded, "Yes I was in Croatia Rijeka a couple years ago and the people there are so nice." If you haven't visited Croatia yet, you'll have to book a trip there to judge Croatian hospitality for yourself.