Poland’s historic city of Kraków has been named one of Europe’s friendliest destinations, placing eighth in a new international travel ranking and finishing ahead of famous tourist cities including Paris and Rome.
The southern Polish city scored 91.43 out of 100 in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards organised by British travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller.
The results, published on 6 October, place Kraków among 15 European cities recognised for the welcoming experiences reported by the magazine’s readers.
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Kraków finished immediately behind Vienna, which received the same published score of 91.43, and ahead of Palma in Spain, Granada, Paris and Rome.
The recognition adds another distinction to a city already celebrated for its medieval architecture, lively cultural scene and centuries of Polish history.
But unlike rankings based primarily on monuments, hotels or attractions, this list focuses on how welcome travellers feel when visiting a destination.
Kraków among Europe’s most welcoming destinations
The official Condé Nast Traveller ranking placed Porto, Portugal, first with 98.33 points.
Lisbon followed in second place with 97.60, while Amsterdam took third with 97.50.
Stockholm and Valletta completed the top five, followed by Edinburgh, Vienna and Kraków.
| Rank | City | Score / 100 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Porto, Portugal | 98.33 |
| 2 | Lisbon, Portugal | 97.60 |
| 3 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 97.50 |
| 4 | Stockholm, Sweden | 96.67 |
| 5 | Valletta, Malta | 95.00 |
| 6 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 94.55 |
| 7 | Vienna, Austria | 91.43 |
| 8 | Kraków, Poland | 91.43 |
Source: Condé Nast Traveller, Readers’ Choice Awards 2026. Vienna and Kraków have equal published scores, but are listed seventh and eighth respectively.
Further down the list, Paris placed 13th with 87.46 points, while Rome ranked 14th with 87.38.
For international readers familiar with Europe’s established tourism destinations, Kraków’s position is particularly notable.
It demonstrates that visitors’ experiences of hospitality can distinguish a destination just as much as its historical landmarks or famous attractions.
The result was also highlighted by TVP World on 18 October.
What does the ranking actually measure?
The annual Readers’ Choice Awards are based on ratings submitted by readers of the British edition of Condé Nast Traveller.
According to the magazine’s published methodology, the 2026 survey collected responses between 1 April and 30 June.
Thousands of respondents rated destinations and travel businesses through an online questionnaire.
Scores were calculated from category-relevant assessments using a five-point scale, converted into percentages and published to two decimal places.
The 2026 British awards were based on votes from the magazine’s UK readership.
This is an important distinction: the results reflect the experiences and preferences of participating readers, rather than a scientifically representative survey of Europe’s entire travelling population.
Kraków’s 91.43 score is therefore a strong endorsement from those respondents, not an objective measure proving that one city’s residents are inherently friendlier than another’s.
The magazine also maintains a separate ranking of Europe’s best cities overall, which considers a broader range of travel experiences. Kraków placed 20th on that list in 2026, with a score of 85.13.
A historic Polish city attracting millions of visitors
Kraków has long been one of Poland’s leading destinations for international tourism.
Its medieval Old Town, Wawel Royal Castle, Main Market Square and historic Kazimierz district attract visitors interested in architecture, history and Polish culture.
The city’s historic centre was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978, during the first year of inscriptions.
UNESCO recognises its exceptional medieval urban layout and the historical importance of Wawel Hill, the Old Town and Kazimierz.
Beyond its monuments, Kraków has developed an extensive network of restaurants, cafés, cultural venues and visitor attractions.
Tourism also plays an important role in the city’s economy.
According to figures released by Kraków City Hall in June 2026, approximately 16.25 million people visited Kraków in 2025, including tourists staying overnight and day visitors.
That was a record figure for the city.
City officials also reported that British visitors represented the largest group of foreign tourists staying in Kraków — an interesting connection given that the Condé Nast Traveller ranking was based on UK readership.
However, the city’s overall tourism figures and the magazine’s survey are separate datasets; the former cannot establish why readers gave Kraków its particular friendliness score.
Recognition that goes beyond architecture
Kraków’s latest placing offers a reminder that a memorable city break is not necessarily defined by buildings or sightseeing alone.
Visitors also judge destinations through everyday experiences — from finding their way through unfamiliar streets to interactions in restaurants, shops and public spaces.
For Kraków, the award adds a positive international recognition to an already substantial tourism reputation.
And although the city has long been known for its remarkable past, this particular ranking concerns something visitors experience in the present.
Among Europe’s famous capitals and historic urban centres, readers of a major British travel magazine have placed a Polish city firmly within their top ten for a friendly welcome.
Featured image: digitally generated editorial illustration of Kraków’s Main Market Square; not a documentary photograph.
