Conde Nast recently revealed their community-based poll on the friendliest and unfriendliest cities in the world. We weren’t surprised to see some of our favourites on the friendly list but sadly, some destinations on the unfriendly front have seen better days. Take a look and see if you agree:
The friendliest:
#1 Sydney, Australia
On the very top of the list too! Can you really say you’re surprised? We’ve never met an Sydney nomad we didn’t like… have you? It’s not uncommon to strike up conversation with someone on the street and have them become your own tour guide. They’ll probably even take you to one of these restaurants, as recommended by a Sydney nomad himself. If you’re too shy to start a conversation, take a ride on the Sea Sydney Cruise boat tour, which includes a BBQ lunch and activities like fishing and swimming.
#2 Dublin, Ireland
Blame it on the alcohol? Maybe, but heck, let’s drink to Dublin taking the number 2 spot. Pubs here are a many — apparently there are over 1,000 of them — all filled with locals and tourists. The Irish really are a fun bunch (again, ever met one you didn’t like?). To make a few new Irish friends, try out the oldest watering hole in all of Dublin (like really old — 1198 old); Brazen Head. Then of course, and we can’t stop ourselves from saying this next line but… have a Guinness!
#3 Queenstown, New Zealand
Adventure time! Queenstown, on the shore of South Island, is like the world’s playground and with that backdrop — it ought to be on everyone’s bucket list. Adrenaline seekers make their way here for a whole range of activities like bungy jumping, skydiving and white water rafting. It must be those feel good dopamine hormones that’s having everyone all smiles and cheerful.
And the unfriendliest:
#1 Caracas, Venezuela
It’s not the safest place on earth either. Years and years ago it was cosmopolitan and unique, but in the last decade the barrios have seen a huge increase in crime with poor quality of life to boot. Very sad for such a beautiful place! You can’t exactly blame the locals for not being so welcoming, can you?
#2 Casablanca, Morocco
Looove the movie? Chances are you won’t love the actual place as much. While Marrakech defines beauty, Casablanca hmm, not so much. The largest metropolis of Morocco is filled with too many street vendors, traffic and honking, even screaming people. Thankfully the Hassan II Mosque is magnicifent as ever, but sadly everything else around the mosque did not retain its charm with age.
#3 Guangzhou, China
China is a tough destination to predict — while some parts are postcard-perfect, others like Guangzhao fade in comparison (literally, thanks to all the smoke). The industrial city is located on the Pearl River and has a few touristy sites like the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees… but its streets are dirty, crowded and polluted. Guangzhao is the trade hub of China, so maybe somewhere most tourist-friendly like Beijing would be a better fit.
Let’s stick to the friendly cities.
