Europe news travellers have a new city ranking to talk about: London has been named the most welcoming destination for tourists in Europe. Based on a new global study by eSIM provider Holafly, the British capital outperformed major European rivals thanks to strong scores for safety, visa openness, visitor services and English proficiency.
The latest irish news and ireland news travel audience will also note that Europe performed strongly overall, with nine cities making the global top 20. While Singapore took first place worldwide, Europe’s best-performing cities show that the continent remains highly competitive for international tourism in 2026.
Europe news: London tops Europe’s welcoming city ranking
Holafly assessed 200 cities worldwide using four key measures:
- Safety levels
- Visa openness
- Tourism and information services
- English language proficiency among residents
On that basis, London ranked second in the world and first in Europe. The result may surprise some travellers who associate the city with its fast pace, but the data suggests London remains exceptionally accessible for visitors.
Edinburgh also performed well, coming in 11th globally, which helped reinforce the UK’s reputation as one of the world’s most tourist-friendly destinations.
Top 20 most welcoming cities in the world
- Singapore
- London
- Sydney
- New York City
- Boston
- Penang Island
- The Hague
- Hong Kong
- Copenhagen
- Aarhus
- Edinburgh
- Utrecht
- Davao City
- Ottawa
- Melbourne
- Prague
- Amsterdam
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Brno
Which European cities made the list?
Beyond London, several other European destinations featured prominently in this Europe news ranking. Denmark and Czechia were especially notable, each placing two cities in the top 20.
- Denmark: Copenhagen (9th) and Aarhus (10th)
- Czechia: Prague (16th) and Brno (20th)
- Netherlands: The Hague (7th), Utrecht (12th) and Amsterdam (17th)
- United Kingdom: London (2nd) and Edinburgh (11th)
The Netherlands actually placed three cities in the top 20, underlining its appeal for international visitors seeking easy navigation, multilingual support and strong tourism infrastructure.
Read more: best Ireland travel news updates for Irish readers | latest Irish tourism and Europe destination news
Why Singapore beat every city in the world
Although this is big Europe news, the global winner was Singapore. The city-state secured the number one spot thanks to a high safety score, a strong visa openness rating on the Henley Openness Index, and a large number of tourism and information assistance points.
Its combination of convenience, security and visitor support made it the standout destination in the study. Even so, London’s second-place global finish shows that European cities remain among the most attractive and welcoming in the world.
What this means for travellers in 2026
For readers following ireland news, irish news and wider Europe news, the findings offer a useful snapshot of where tourists may feel most comfortable when planning a city break. Welcoming destinations increasingly matter as travellers look for places that are easy to enter, simple to navigate and well-equipped to help international visitors.
Key takeaways for tourists
- London is Europe’s highest-ranked welcoming city
- Singapore is the most welcoming city worldwide
- Europe placed nine cities in the global top 20
- Denmark, Czechia, the Netherlands and the UK were standout European performers
Explore more: luxury Europe city break inspiration for Irish travellers | top long haul and European holiday trends from Ireland
FAQs
What is the most welcoming city in Europe for tourists?
According to Holafly’s 2026 study, London is the most welcoming city in Europe for tourists.
What is the most welcoming city in the world?
Singapore ranked first globally based on safety, visa openness, tourism services and English proficiency.
Which other European cities ranked highly?
Copenhagen, Aarhus, Edinburgh, The Hague, Utrecht, Prague, Amsterdam and Brno all made the top 20 worldwide.
Why is this relevant in Europe news?
This Europe news ranking highlights the cities offering the easiest and most supportive travel experience for international visitors in 2026.
In short, this Europe news report confirms that European destinations continue to lead on accessibility and hospitality. London may have claimed the regional crown, but the wider result shows travellers have plenty of welcoming options across the continent.
