A chair pulled closer to make room. A shopkeeper stepping away from their stall for a moment to point you towards the right street. A first name remembered from your very first meeting. These small gestures offer a sense of what makes a stay welcoming: you feel comfortable enough to ask for help, and someone takes the time to answer. On 6 October 2026, readers of Condé Nast Traveller placed Ireland at the top of their ranking of Europe’s most welcoming countries.
Ireland tops Europe’s welcoming-country ranking
What readers recognised
Having come second in the previous two editions, Ireland scored 98.39 in the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, ahead of Portugal (96.67) and Italy (96.54). The ranking reflects the experiences of the readers who took part in the vote. It does not measure the generosity of a population, nor does it predict how every encounter will unfold. Instead, it highlights an aspect of travel that itineraries often overlook: the way visitors are received.
Irish hospitality: generosity expressed through small gestures
Giving your time, making room, sharing a tip
When travelling, hospitality can begin with an answer that is a little longer than expected. You ask where a path leads, and someone also explains the best way back. You pause at a market stall, and the trader tells you how they prepare what you are looking at. That attentiveness changes the nature of the exchange: you leave with advice you can follow, and sometimes with the urge to return and say what you thought of it.
In a traditional pub, generosity may come down to a chair pointed out to you or a few words exchanged between tunes. In a café or at a market, it takes another form: someone explains a name you do not know, or suggests a detour to take on foot. There is nothing obligatory about these moments. That is precisely what makes them memorable when they happen.
A welcoming experience, even when you are searching for the words
In Cork, start with a simple question
Cork also ranks 12th in the separate ranking of Europe’s most welcoming cities. At the English Market, its covered market, simply stopping at a stall is enough to find a topic of conversation. What is in drisheen, the black pudding associated with the city? How is it served? A question about what is in front of you is often easier to ask than trying to strike up a conversation from nowhere.
If the reply comes a little too quickly, Sorry, could you say that again, please? is a useful way to ask someone to repeat themselves. This is one of the uses we explain in our article on saying “sorry” in Ireland. This ease of starting a conversation is a form of social accessibility. For wheelchair or pushchair access to a venue, it is best to check the facilities at each address separately: the ranking does not assess them.
