The world's most welcoming places for 2025 named: Chester is No.1 in the UK while America's oldest city makes the top 5 on the global list Booking.com compiled the list based on its Annual Traveller Review Awards READ MORE: Man who's lived on cruises for 25 years reveals how much it costs READ MORE: I've visited every country in Europe - this is where I felt most unsafe By HAYLEY MINN Published: 15:43, 27 January 2025 | Updated: 16:30, 27 January 2025 e-mail 7 View comments The most welcoming places on Earth for 2025 have been revealed - and it’s Sigiriya in Sri Lanka that’s No.
1 overall, with Chester topping the ranking for the UK and coming 10th globally. The rankings have been drawn up by Booking.com , with entries identified based on the number of Traveller Review Awards each has.
Sigiriya is a 180m (590ft) high ancient rock fortress in Sri Lanka's Matale District that's surrounded by around two-dozen hotels that are on Booking.com. Following the Unesco World Heritage Site on the worldwide list are Cazorla, Spain (second); Urubici, Brazil (third); and Taupo, New Zealand (fourth), which Booking.
com says has ‘serene landscapes and a warm and welcoming nature, with cosy cafes, and a vibrant local arts scene’. Coming fifth is St. Augustine, Florida - which is the oldest city in America, having been founded in 1565.
The most welcoming places on Earth for 2025 have been revealed - and it’s Sigiriya (above) in Sri Lanka that’s No.1 overall. Sigiriya is a 180m- (590ft.
