Tourists chose the most hospitable city in the world. It has a timeless charm
This town may attract more tourists this year. Thousands of travelers have found it to be one of the most hospitable places in the world.
Tourists are no longer welcome everywhere, especially in charming small towns that attract crowds in the summer. However, there are still many places in Europe where you can count on a hospitable welcome.
The accommodation booking platform Booking.com has published the results of the Traveler Review Awards ranking, selecting the 10 most hospitable cities in 2026. This was determined by 370 million verified opinions of travelers from around the world.
Montepulciano. Renaissance flourishing and beautiful views
In first place was the Italian Montepulciano in Tuscany, in the province of Siena. Like many other places in Italy, it combines the beauty of nature with a well-preserved historical heritage.
The city, founded by the Etruscans, flourished during the Renaissance, thanks to its strategic location and the patronage of local noble families. That’s why today it is not just a quiet village with views of hills covered with cypress trees. You can walk here close to beautiful palaces and decorations reminding you of the ancient roots of the city – a walk along the main street Il Corso will be a historical snapshot. The Tuscan trip experience will be complemented by a visit to olive groves and vineyards.
“Situated high above the Tuscan countryside, Montepulciano is a hilltop gem where medieval architecture, world-class wine and sweeping vineyard views create an atmosphere of timeless charm,” reads the ranking summary.
The Italian “gem” had already been discovered by film crews – it was here that part of the photos for the “Twilight” saga: New Moon and “Heaven” by Tom Tykwer were shot, based on the script by Krzysztof Kieślowski.
Tourists felt best in these cities
Less obvious destinations also topped the ranking – the city of Magong in Taiwan and San Martín de los Andes in Argentina.
The study, commissioned by Booking.com, was conducted independently among a sample of adults who had made a recreational trip with an overnight stay in the last 12 months and were planning a trip in 2025. The sample included 32,106 respondents from 32 markets surveyed in January 2025, including: from the USA, Italy, Spain, Japan and the UAE. There were no Polish tourists among the respondents. Places are sorted by the total share of 2026 Traveler Review Award winners compared to the total number of eligible accommodations in a given city or region.
