The Friendliest and Unfriendliest Cities in the World

2013-08-19

While you could argue that our readers’ list of the friendliest (and unfriendliest) cities in the U.S. hewed pretty closely to expectations, the list got a bit more surprising when we widened it to include the whole world.

20. Cork, Ireland. Cork, a “beautiful seaside city” in southern Ireland, is a “very accommodating” place where people are consistently “friendly and helpful.” The “walkable town” is framed by “grand scenery” and offers bountiful pubs, music, and history. In “quaint, lovely” Cork, there’s “always something to see and participate in, no matter what time of year.” After all, it’s a “warm city—like a beautiful gem.”

19. Asheville, North Carolina. For “great locally sourced food and friendly people,” savvy travelers head to Asheville, North Carolina, known for its compelling combination of “free thinkers and Southern hospitality.” A vibrant local art scene, plenty of microbreweries, and “excellent restaurants” make for a city with “hidden treasures around every corner.” Visitors insist that above all, it’s the “conscientious locals” who truly make this “welcoming” metropolis a “fun, quirky place to visit.”

Read more about other 18 cities.