Here’s proof that the nice guy doesn’t always finish last.

Aussies already have plenty to be proud of. Our country is home to beautiful beaches, spectacular native wildlife, a strong sporting legacy and one of the oldest continuous living cultures on Earth. But apparently, we’re also a particularly friendly bunch.

You don’t have to take my word for it, either. The results of Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards are in, and Australia has emerged with some serious bragging rights. Chief among them? A coveted claim to the friendliest city in the world.

Where is the world’s friendliest city?

There’s no arguing that the world’s best cities draw travellers in with famous landmarks, distinctive cultures and centuries of history. But sometimes, it’s the people you meet while you’re there that leave the biggest impression.

While Aussies are known for our warm hospitality, laid-back attitude and cheeky sense of humour, one city in particular has officially taken that reputation to the next level. According to Condé Nast Traveller readers, nowhere offered a warmer welcome in 2026 than our very own capital of cool, Melbourne.

The Victorian metropole scored a whopping 98.52 out of 100, soaring to the top spot from sixth place on the same list last year. Not only that, but it also ranked third among Condé Nast Traveller’s most liveable cities in the world for 2026.

“The accolade as the world’s friendliest city is a testament to the wonderful people and tourism operators that proudly welcome visitors to Melbourne," says Brendan McClements, CEO of the state’s tourism board, Visit Victoria.

“The recognition gives people another reason to visit Melbourne alongside global sporting events, world-class dining and our thriving culture scene."

Anyone who has visited in recent years will know just how magnetic Melbourne’s appeal can be. Data gathered by Tourism Research Australia shows the city welcomed more than 16 million annual overnight visitors in the past year alone, a staggering figure that speaks directly to its enduring popularity.

It’s not hard to see why, either. From a jam-packed sporting calendar and annual festival line-up to world-class dining and some of the country’s best coffee, there’s truly no shortage of reasons to visit Melbourne.

Especially praised were its nostalgic Victorian architecture, efficient public transport system, bold cultural institutions and European feel. But beyond the landmarks and laneways, it’s the people who call it home who make Melbourne so memorable – and now, they’ve got the title to prove it.

Where else did Australia shine?

To add to the accolades, Melbourne wasn’t the only Aussie capital to land a spot on the list this year. Coming in sixth place, Perth gave us a second top-10 finish. With a score of 97.82, residents of WA’s capital impressed with an easy-going lifestyle, sunny disposition and feel-good energy.

Australia continued to shine among the rest of Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, too. When it comes to the world’s top 10 most liveable cities, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide all made the cut, placing third, fourth and eighth respectively.

The NSW capital was also the only Aussie destination to rank among the 20 best cities in the world for 2026, coming in ninth place with a score of 92.72. And fresh from its appearance on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 list, Capella Sydney came out on top once again – this time as the best hotel in Australasia.

Tasmania proved its mettle too, with Hobart’s The Tasman named among the best hotels in the world and King Island’s Kittawa Lodge making the list of the world’s best resorts. Overall, our southernmost state placed third among the best islands in the world, joined by Lizard Island in sixth place and Lord Howe Island in eighth.

How were rankings determined?

Now in its 29th year, the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards are all about putting the power back in the hands of the people. Each year, travellers from around the world are asked to vote on the places and experiences they love most, with categories spanning everything from cities and islands to hotels and airlines.

But it’s not as simple as just picking a favourite. Readers must rate candidates against an extensive range of criteria relevant to each category, using a five-point scale that ranges from ‘excellent’ to ‘poor’.

Numbering in the thousands, these ratings are then converted into percentages and averaged to produce a final score out of 100. This determines where each contender ranks – and who ultimately comes out on top.

The top 10 friendliest cities in the world

1. Melbourne, Australia
2. Porto, Portugal
3. Seoul, South Korea
4. Lisbon, Portugal
5. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
6. Perth, Australia
7. Jaipur, India
8. Buenos Aires, Argentina
9. Bangkok, Thailand
10. Cape Town, South Africa

For the full list of Readers’ Choice Awards categories and winners for 2026, head over to the Condé Nast Traveller website.