Montepulciano, Italy Crowned as the Most Welcoming City of 2026
Booking.com has unveiled its 2026 Traveller Review Awards, crowning Montepulciano in Tuscany, Italy, as the world’s most welcoming city. This accolade is based on over 370 million verified traveler reviews. The hilltop medieval town, renowned for its exquisite Vino Nobile wine and Renaissance architecture, has topped the global rankings.
Now in their 14th year, the awards recognized 1.81 million travel partners across 221 countries and territories. Destinations were ranked according to the share of accommodation partners receiving awards. This highlights the places where hospitality leaves a lasting impression through thoughtful touches, warm interactions, and hosts who go the extra mile.
The top 10 most welcoming cities are as follows:
- Montepulciano, Italy
- Magong, Taiwan’s Penghu Islands
- San MartÃn de los Andes, Argentina
- Harrogate, UK
- Fredericksburg, Texas
Seven European destinations made the top 10 cities list, with other notable mentions including Takayama in Japan, Noosa Heads in Australia, and Swakopmund in Namibia.
Research indicates that 45% of travelers consider places with friendly locals as a significant factor when deciding where to travel. In the regions category, Hidalgo in Mexico was named the most welcoming region, followed by Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, and Idaho in the United States.
Source: Booking.com