If you've ever wondered which city in the United Kingdom is the friendliest, there is an official answer: Glasgow. The Scottish city has long been considered one of the world's best "second cities," thanks to its vibrant arts scene, delicious food, and fascinating history. When you visit, you might make a new friend or two, too. In fall 2025, Condé Nast Traveller released its annual Readers' Choice Awards. Among many voting categories, its list of the friendliest cities in the United Kingdom got some attention. Glasgow easily took the top spot with a friendliness score of 97 — not to mention, the city also ranked No. 1 in 2024.

In the study, Condé Nast highlights the area's social scene, alongside its impeccable hospitality, vibrant nightlife, and artistic flair. Don't believe the results? Check Reddit's r/glasgow thread, where visitors and newcomers to the city regularly remark on how friendly people are. "I visited Glasgow for the first time about a year ago, and within a day I knew I was going to move there," one Reddit user writes.

You'd be forgiven for not having a travel itinerary for Glasgow ready to go. After all, travel expert Rick Steves considers Glasgow the most underrated destination in Scotland. Simply strolling around will offer unforgettable sights, thanks to the city's vivid murals that turn its gritty streets into an "outdoor art gallery." Some feature slogans that nod to the city's welcoming atmosphere, such as one with a quote from Glaswegian poet Liz Lochhead's "The Bargain," reading, "Yes today we're in love aren't we? With the whole splintering city."

Read more: Rick Steves' Most And Least Favorite Places In Europe

Friendly places to visit in Glasgow

Of course, there are plenty of friendly stops here. The over 850-year-old city offers plenty of museums, restaurants, breweries, sports stadiums, and historical sites that will appeal to many types of travelers. For example, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum offers 22 exhibitions featuring everything from Ancient Egyptian artifacts to a World War II fighter plane. The museum was a 2025 Tripadvisor Traveler's Choice winner, and the website even lists it as Glasgow's top-rated attraction. Currently, the museum enjoys a 4.7 rating and over 16,000 reviews, many of which mention the remarkably friendly staff. "By gosh, isn't Glasgow about the friendliest place in the world? The Kelvingrove is not a stuffy place ... friendly and accessible," writes one reviewer.

For a look at modern Glasgow and a chance to experience the city's friendliness first-hand, consider going to a concert. Glasgow was named the U.K.'s first UNESCO City of Music in 2008 thanks to its legendary music scene (about 130 concerts occur there per week). Whether you prefer to catch a rock band at Barrowland Ballroom — known as one of the best music venues in the U.K. — or watch Scotland's national orchestra at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, you'll have a remarkable experience. You might even make friends at the venue. On Reddit, one person advised a solo concert-goer to the Barrowland Ballroom, "You'll probably make a friend anyways, after all you have the artist in common if nothing else."

You can pair your show with dinner or drinks at one of Glasgow's world-class bars and restaurants, too. According to local publication Glasgow World, the city's friendliest eateries include the Pot Still, an award-winning, family-run whiskey house, and the Sparkle Horse, which hosts a weekly trivia night near the University of Glasgow.

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Read the original article on Islands.