One European city has been voted the continent’s friendliest, making it the perfect spot for a weekend getaway or a romantic city break.
Sweden’s capital city, Stockholm, is a remarkably friendly place to visit, according to the readers of Condé Nast Traveller, who have voted the city as the friendliest in Europe.
For the publication’s 2024 Readers Choice Awards, Stockholm topped the list, with Budapest coming in second, and Valencia in third.
Announcing the winner, Condé Nast Traveller wrote: “Swedes are open-minded, polite and cheerful, so Stockholm’s title as the friendliest European city is well-deserved.”
And referencing how the city’s residents are rather serious about their coffee and cake, they continued: “A few days in the Swedish capital will introduce you to ‘fika’, literally meaning ‘coffee break’, but representing an important tradition of socialising more than the hot drinks themselves.”
The stunning city is spread across 14 islands, making it a rather unique holiday destination where visitors can ferry around the various islands and enjoy some sight-seeing boat tours.
Tourist attractions include the city’s Royal Palace, the official royal residence of the Swedish monarch, currently King Carl XVI Gustaf, although he and his wife, Queen Silvia, typically reside in their private residence, Drottningholm Palace.
The palace is located in Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s historic old town and the central island. Just over the bridge is the small island of Riddarholmen, where visitors can find the famous Riddarholm Church, the only medieval church still standing in Stockholm.
There are numerous options for those looking for museums to visit on the trip, from the Vasa Museum, showcasing the Vasa Warship that capsized and sank in 1628, to the Historiska Museet, which houses Viking artefacts and medieval displays.
Tourists should also pay a visit to Gamla Filmstaden, Sweden’s answer to Hollywood, which offers a glimpse back in time to when Sweden was at the forefront of the film industry.
And where else was on the list of the friendliest cities?
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Budapest, Hungary
- Valencia, Spain
- Vienna, Austria
- Berlin, Germany
- Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Milan, Italy
- Naples, Italy