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Maybe it’s the sunshine, maybe it’s the across-the-board use of the term “mate” – whatever the reason, it’s hard to deny that Australians are a naturally welcoming bunch. And according to almost 300,000 travellers, Victoria’s very own capital city is the friendliest city on Earth. Melbourne was just named the friendliest city in the world for 2026 in Condé Nast Traveler's Readers’ Choice Awards, off the back of a whopping 298,356 votes.
RELATED READ: Melbourne named the best city in the world for 2026
While Melbourne is famous for its exceptional coffee culture, buzzy nightlife and global sporting events, the results prove the city's biggest asset might actually be its people. It climbed to number one this year – up from sixth place in 2025 – reclaiming the top spot it shared with Dublin in 2014.
So, what makes Melbourne such a friendly place? It could be the neighbourhood café culture where baristas remember your name and exact coffee order, the intimate walkable laneways, or the city's obsession with shared experiences – from blockbuster sporting events to small indie gigs. Throw in a Free Tram Zone where you can easily strike up a conversation with a stranger, and it’s easy to see why visitors feel welcome in Melbourne.
The only other Australian city to crack the top ten is Perth in sixth place, putting it just behind Oporto, Seoul, Lisbon and Amsterdam. Western Australia’s capital likely won over voters with its relaxed coastal charm, laid-back attitude and genuine hospitality.
It’s worth noting that this ranking is drawn specifically from a survey of UK-based readers. But hey, if the Brits – notoriously hard to impress when it comes to weather and cheerfulness – think Australians are lovely, we’ll take the win. You can check out the full top ten below.
The 10 friendliest cities in Australia for 2026:
- Melbourne, Australia
- Porto, Portugal
- Seoul, South Korea
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Perth, Australia
- Jaipur, India
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Cape Town, South Africa
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