Top 10 Countries with the Friendliest People
Some places just know how to make you feel at home. You step off the plane, walk into a café, or ask for directions, and suddenly, you're greeted with warm smiles, genuine kindness, and people who actually seem happy to help. Not every country has that welcoming vibe, but some have a reputation for treating visitors like old friends.This list is all about those places. The countries where locals go out of their way to chat with strangers, invite you to share a meal, or make sure you never feel lost. It's not just about being polite. It's about a culture of friendliness that makes visitors feel comfortable and appreciated. Some nations are famous for their hospitality, while others might surprise you with how open and generous their people are.
Of course, friendliness can be different from place to place. In some countries, it's about warm greetings and endless small talk. In others, it's about quiet acts of kindness, like helping you navigate an unfamiliar city or offering a seat on a crowded bus. No matter how it's expressed, the countries on this list have a way of making outsiders feel like they belong.
So, which countries do you think have the friendliest people? Vote for the ones that deserve a spot at the top and see if others agree. If you've had an amazing experience somewhere, let the world know.
Canadians are pretty kind, polite, and have good manners. They are nicer outside of Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Rural Canadians, especially from Northern Ontario, are sweet country folk with nice accents.
Canadians are stereotyped as the nicest people on Earth. I've lived in Canada my whole life, and I can definitely say that this is true!
Canadians are called the most polite and have very little war. We are proud of our country and will strive for the best!
How is New Zealand not at the top? They have some of the friendliest people ever in existence! They are very welcoming and hospitable.
Should be at the top. Number one. The country is beautiful, and the people's hearts are too. God bless and take care of New Zealand.
New Zealand should be number 1! They're friendly, laid-back, humble, caring, and funny. What's not to love?
I visited both:
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for 15 days, and they were the best days of my life by all measures. Everyone was happy, helpful, and amazing. They don't speak much English, but that was not an issue for me since I was able to manage with my limited Spanish.
I spent only a day in Madrid due to a long layover, but it was a wonderful city with equally wonderful people. I don't know why Spain is not number one on this list. Everywhere I went, airports, supermarkets, malls, everyone was ready to help, no matter how busy they were.
Cops, especially the Policía Nacional, were super friendly, helpful, and professional. The same applies to the Policía Fronteriza (immigration police).
I felt at home and really miss that wonderful country. All I know is that Spain will always be on my list whenever I take a vacation.
Norwegians are some of the friendliest and kindest people in the world. They accept people of all races, making them some of the least racist people in the world. They are also friendly to tourists and foreigners, helping them if they need assistance.
Lovely people, lovely country. Norwegians are some of the nicest people anyone can meet. They are very friendly to everyone. They do not discriminate against others.
Scandinavians are kind of cold and shy, but they warm up, especially when they drink. Scandinavians are tolerant, chill, adventurous, and peaceful. Nordic countries are the best.
Yes, Australians are the friendliest people. I have an Australian friend, and he is so kind and friendly.
Australians (and Kiwis) are super chill, fun, funny, and cool to be around. They love life and live in one of the best countries in the world.
Come here and see, we have the friendliest people!
Lived there for three years. Lovely, friendly people.
Greeks are the best people! They are friendly, kind, and so sweet! I've been to many countries, but Greeks are special.
I love Greek people. I moved to Greece one year ago.
Greeks are very hospitable, loud, fun, and beautiful. Their country is beautiful, and so are they.
The Newcomers
Very welcoming and friendly. They can be shy or reserved because of a lack of English speakers, but once you get to know them, they become warm and welcoming.
Smiling and friendly people often want to practice their English. At first, they may seem reserved, but once you break the ice, they are kind and generous.
Japanese people are kind, polite, smart, courteous, and gentle. They can be a bit shy and reserved, but they will help you.
Japanese people are very friendly. They talk to people in a nice and pleasant way.
Every Japanese person I have met so far is very nice and polite!
They are a bit shy but warm up. Swedes are pretty kind, maybe even more forward-thinking than Norwegians. They are pretty great (and attractive).
We are generally friendly and kind but also very reserved and shy. So it might be a problem getting to befriend us, but try to start talking to us, and we will be happy to answer and be social.
P.S. People never talk on the buses, so don't talk there.
From your random guy in Aarhus, Jutland
Denmark should have been in the top ten at least. I have been to Denmark and the people are very friendly and helpful.
Danes are the most social out of the Nordics and are nicer than Germans. They are very chill, funny, have a great sense of humor, and are fun drinking buddies.
"I traveled to India a year ago, asked a person for directions to Chandni Chowk. He invited me to his home, we had lovely Indian tea, and he was with me the whole time we traveled through Chandni Chowk." - John Bruski, BBC World News
This is how friendly Indians are.
I am Chinese and I think Indians, especially Sikhs, are some of the friendliest people in the world. Sikhs are generally kind, courteous, and charitable people. I have never met a Sikh I didn't like.
Indians are pretty sweet. They are also very intelligent and love family and life. The people are beautiful, and the food is great.
Icelandic people are some of the friendliest and kindest in the world.
Iceland has minimal racism, like Norway, making these two countries among the least racist in the world. They do not discriminate against other people.
They are very friendly and helpful to people of all nationalities, ethnicities, and races. Icelandic people are so kind, nice, and friendly, and they love and respect all races, ethnicities, and nationalities, and they despise nobody.
Iceland is actually the safest country in the world to live in. I know lots of people say the best country in the world to live in is the US, mainly because of the freedom rights there. But look at Iceland and its people. It's like no one here wants to commit a crime. Icelandic people are friendlier than the world thinks.
Very nice people. If you speak basic Spanish, it goes a long way, and you will see them as colorful, energetic, and passionate as they are welcoming.
They are very friendly. Don't listen to these two idiots with their comments. I'm living on the Canadian side of the border but have visited 25 states in the USA. Nice people. New Mexico is a little less friendly. California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Nevada, Washington, New England, New York, Florida, Texas... Best people ever. With respect to Canada, both are very nice.
How is Norway above the United States? Of course, we have jerks here, but the majority of the people are awesome! Especially in the Deep South.
In the majority of places I visited, some girls were very friendly in stores, etc.
We like French people with or without foreign origins. Despite what you may read here or there, young people speak English well, but also other European languages or even Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic, especially in shops of large and medium cities.
What I like about the French is that they have many parties everywhere, celebrating anniversaries or other events, singing, dancing, and inviting you to join. I did not find that in some other countries around.
I like French people. I visited about eight different regions, and they are all different (like their architecture). They are more or less open at first contact, but after a few minutes of breaking the ice, they are friendly and warm.
They easily offer you a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. Don't refuse it.
Finnish people are friendly and helpful, but they are very shy and quiet.
My Thai friends, please vote for this as the friendliest country in Southeast Asia!
Land of smiles, kind people, warm, easy to talk to, and eager to learn English.
Definitely should be number one. It has the most beautiful women in the world (one of whom I married, by the way). The people are very loving and friendly.
The Philippines has hospitable and friendly people. Oh, come on, this should be number 1.
Yes, because I'm from the United States, this place is very hospitable.
I'm Walloon and we're nice. Nicer than our neighbors, except perhaps the Netherlands (great guys).
I've visited most countries in Europe, and the Irish were the friendliest and most generous people by far. They're very genuine. I guess I'm partial to them because my grandmother was from there, and she was the kindest person I've ever known.
This should be so much higher! I'm from the United States, and when I went to Ireland for the first time, I was shocked by how friendly and kind the people were. I'll be going on my fourth trip to Ireland next month and couldn't be more excited!
Why isn't Ireland in the top ten? When I visited, I was shocked by how kind nearly everyone was! I've been to England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, but Ireland was by far the kindest.