{"id":8978,"date":"2014-10-28T00:00:09","date_gmt":"2014-10-27T13:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=8978&preview_id=8978"},"modified":"2025-02-25T03:32:11","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T16:32:11","slug":"worlds-friendliest-countries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/worlds-friendliest-countries\/","title":{"rendered":"The world’s 10 friendliest countries"},"content":{"rendered":"

When choosing their next holiday destination, most people begin with the scenery, or the culture or those unpronounceable ruins everyone says you have to see.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But we believe that \u2018friendliness\u2019 should be high on the priority list. When you\u2019re a million miles from home, and every street corner looks the same, and you\u2019re hungry and lost and have limited phone reception, friendliness can be next to godliness.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a virtue a number of organisations are finally starting to take into account when ranking countries in their annual \u2018Mine is Better Than Yours\u2019 poll. The World Economic Forum\u2019s most recent report ranked 140 nations from the most to the least friendly. And for those travellers looking for a warm welcome, a helping hand and a friendly face, look no further than their Top 10 Friendliest Countries.<\/p>\n

10. Burkina Faso<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"friendliest

Image c\/o CIFOR, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

Proving that you don\u2019t have to have much to be happy, tiny Burkina Faso in West Africa<\/a> is one of the poorest countries in the world and, apparently, one of the friendliest. Perhaps it\u2019s the stunning waterfalls, incredible wildlife and rolling amber deserts that puts a grin on the locals\u2019 faces. Or maybe it\u2019s the small but burgeoning tourist industry. Either way it\u2019s a unique destination just crying out for an Intrepid holiday.<\/p>\n

\u00a09. Ireland<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"friendliest-countries---ireland---giuseppe-milo\"

Image c\/o Giuseppe Milo, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

No surprises here. When your national drink is Guinness and you have a proclivity for seeing magical green fairies everywhere, it\u2019s only natural to greet people with a smile. Ireland<\/a> is renowned for its friendly locals and warm hospitality. If you want to learn the gift of the gab, go kiss the Blarney Stone just outside Cork.<\/p>\n

8. Bosnia & Herzegovina<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"friendliest-countries---bosnia---kashfi-halford\"

Image c\/o Kashfi Halford, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

Don\u2019t be fooled by the fact WWI started here, Bosnians are some of the friendliest folk you\u2019ll ever meet and have the growing tourism stats to prove it. Intrepid travellers can\u2019t get enough of B&H\u2019s picturesque mountain villages<\/a>, cultural east-west fusion and world-class river rapids.<\/p>\n

7. Portugal<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"friendliest-countries---portugal---pedro-ribeiro-simoes\"

Image c\/o Pedro Ribeiro Simoes, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s hard not to be happy in Portugal<\/a>. Looking out over the rolling hills of Beiras, some fresh black olives in one hand, maybe a glass of velvety Douro valley port in the other, life starts to make sense. This welcoming country has inspired writers, artists and musicians, as well as about 13 million happy holiday makers\u00a0each year.<\/p>\n

THE AZORES ISLANDS: PORTUGAL’S SECRET ADVENTURE PARADISE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6. \u00a0Senegal<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"friendliest-countries---senegal---alessandro-silipo\"

Image c\/o Alessandro Silipo, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

The beating epicentre of new Africa, Senegal<\/a> is a stunning blend of glitzy nightlife, white-sand beaches and lush tropical forests, with a dash of saucy colonial French charm thrown in for good measure. Wherever you go here you\u2019ll be greeted with a smile, and that friendliness is paying dividends for the country\u2019s booming tourist trade.<\/p>\n

5. Austria<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"friendliest-countries---austria---luca-sartoni\"

Image c\/o Luca Sartoni, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

If Julie Andrews were singing Her Favourite Things today, statistics indicate she would include \u2018tourists\u2019 alongside \u2018brown paper packages tied up with string\u2019. Austria has become known as one of Europe\u2019s friendliest holiday destinations in recent years. Not only is it a stunning picture-postcard of alpine scenery, glacial lakes and architectural wonders, it\u2019s one of the few places on the continent where it\u2019s not unusual to be \u2018Good morning\u2019d\u2019 by strangers on your. Vibrant in summer and festive in winter, Austria holidays<\/a> are perfect any time of year.<\/p>\n

4. Macedonia<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"friendliest-countries---macedonia---nikos-koutoulas\"

Image c\/o Nikos Koutoulas, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

It must be all those mountains, but there\u2019s something special about Macedonia. Apart from its crumbling ancient ruins, hilltop monasteries and jaw-dropping alpine views, the friendliness of locals is fast becoming world-renowned. Head to the beautiful lakeside town of Ohrid for a crash course in genuine Slavic hospitality.<\/p>\n

MACEDONIA: A LAND OF PIES, PASSION AND PLENTY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

3. Morocco<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"friendliest-countries---morocco---jamie-mccaffrey\"

Image c\/o Jamie McCaffrey, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s not too surprising Moroccans are good with travellers. Historically the gateway to North Africa and a bustling trading hub alive with the languages and customs of a dozen different cultures, it\u2019s recent history as a Hollywood hotspot has also seen a big influx of film crews, movie stars and wide-eyed tourists. It\u2019s only natural they\u2019ve got being nice down to an art form.<\/p>\n

10 EXPERIENCES EVERY TRAVELLER SHOULD HAVE IN MOROCCO<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 New Zealand<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"friendliest-countries---new-zealand---dave-young\"

Image c\/o Dave Young, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

Their antipodean cousins across the Tasman Sea might be a bit miffed about missing out, but according to the World Economic Forum, New Zealand<\/a> trumps Australia when it comes to friendliness. It\u2019s probably all that clear alpine air, fresh seafood and Middle Earth magic that does the trick.<\/p>\n

5 UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ON NEW ZEALAND’S NORTH ISLAND<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

1. Iceland<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"friendliest-countries---iceland---helgi-halldorsson\"

Image c\/o Helgi Halldorsson, Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

A country that only gets 3-4 hours of sunlight in winter could be forgiven for being a bit grumpy about life. But perhaps Iceland<\/a>\u2019s spectacular volcanic scenery, colossal waterfalls and endless clean geothermal power have worked some magic on the smiling locals. Don\u2019t be surprised if you\u2019re offered free food, drinks and hiking advice from friendly Icelanders \u2013 it\u2019s all part of the culture here.<\/p>\n

\u00a07 MUST-VISIT ICELANDIC WATERFALLS,<\/a> 6 MUST-DO EXPERIENCES &<\/a> 5 AMAZING SMALL TOWNS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Tempted to experience all these stunning, ever-so-friendly countries? Check out Intrepid’s top trips.\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Feature image c\/o Jamie McCaffrey, Flickr\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When choosing their next travel destination, most people begin with the scenery, or the culture or those unpronounceable ruins everyone says you have to see. 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