Scotland has reason to celebrate: Edinburgh has been voted the UK's friendliest city in Condé Nast Traveller's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, knocking Glasgow off the top spot after its two-year reign. Edinburgh scored 93.47, with readers praising a capital that's good-humoured, open-minded and buzzing with creative energy — especially during the Fringe, the world's largest arts festival, when the cobbled streets fill with performers and locals cheer on everything from circus troupes to quirky DJs.
It was a strong year for Scotland overall. Glasgow slipped to fourth with 88.34, still applauded for its nightlife, UNESCO City of Music credentials and generous locals, while Aberdeen took eighth (82.15), the northernmost entry on the list, where a small population, silvery granite streets and a dash of the local Doric dialect give a community feel — plus dolphins and seals off its sandy beaches.
The biggest story in the top three is Birmingham. The UK's second city is the only new entry this year and landed straight in third place with 92.15. The magazine's team says it's no surprise: Brummies are regularly rated among the country's most unpretentious and welcoming people, and the city's long-overlooked food scene is finally getting its dues. Liverpool, the highest climber, jumped from joint eighth to second on 92.86, thanks to famously outgoing locals who'll happily chat about maritime history, football rivalry or the Beatles over a packed bar.
The rest of the top ten: Manchester fifth (86.26), with its multicultural Curry Mile in Rusholme a highlight; Belfast sixth (85.33), riding a cultural renaissance of murals and atmospheric bars in the Cathedral Quarter; London seventh (83.89), where the trick is finding your neighbourhood and niche community among nine million people; Bath ninth (81.64), all honey-coloured Georgian terraces, Roman baths and down-to-earth locals; and Brighton tenth (79.94), the inclusive seaside favourite and home of the UK's biggest Pride festival each August. Cambridge is the one city to drop out of the top ten entirely.
For travellers, this list doubles as a handy shortlist. If you want conversation with strangers, Liverpool and Glasgow deliver; if you want scenery with your welcome, Aberdeen and Edinburgh fit the bill; and if food is the priority, Birmingham is having its moment. Whoever you are, the practical takeaway is simple: the places Brits themselves rate as warmest are also among the easiest to reach by train, making a two- or three-city friendliness tour entirely doable.
Story via Condé Nast Traveller UK.
