Recent polls have shown that Icelanders are generally very positive towards foreign visitors, even if people are vary of off-roading adventurers (it's illegal and destroys nature) or people who litter. (Why? Off-road destruction of nature and littering are disrespectful, and people tend to dislike disrespectful vistors. It's pretty simple, really.) And it seems foreign visitors to Iceland feel this positive attitude, experiencing Icelanders as both welcoming and friendly! A recent poll by the The readers of the travel magazine Travel + Leisure have chosen Reykjavík as one of the 30 friendliest cities of the world.
Reykjavík is the 18th friendliest city in the world
The readers rank their favourite cities and hotels around the globe in the magazine’s “World’s Best Award” survey. The criteria include things like landmarks, art and culture, but also hospitality and friendliness. According to this survey Reykjavík is the 18th friendliest city in the world. “Extraordinary sites and otherworldy atmosphere, so it seems, are only a part of the reason everyone here is so cheery.”
“Friendliness, be it instinctual hospitality, or a warm smile at every storefront, does a lot to make a city more accessible to travellers,” as Travel + Leisure puts it.
But it’s not just smiles at every storefront which make the friendliness of locals important to visitors. Travel + Leisure point out helpfulness is also important:
People who are proud of their city, passionate about its culture, and invested in its future are eager to share that with visitors. Like voluntary tour guides, they're the first to point you in the right direction, share a little-known cafe home to the most spectacular local delicacy…
We at Iceland Insider agree, although we are somewhat vary about travellers relying on locals providing voluntary tour-guiding. You tend to get better tour guiding from professional guides, and there's plenty of them offering their services. Also, you don’t need to stop people in the street for directions to great local cafés: We have you covered on that front!
Read more: 6 of the Best Down-town Coffee shops
Or help with choosing your street foods? We at Iceland Insider have covered that as well!
Read more: Guide: The street food of Reykjavík – Not just hot dogs anymore
One of the readers of Travel + Leisure advised visitors to take an evening dip in a municipal pool. “That’s where everyone goes to relax and connect with the community.” We can second that advice.
Recent polls have shown that Icelanders are generally very positive towards foreign visitors, even if people are vary of off-roading adventurers (it's illegal and destroys nature) or people who litter. (Why? Off-road destruction of nature and littering are disrespectful, and people tend to dislike disrespectful vistors. It's pretty simple, really.) And it seems foreign visitors to Iceland feel this positive attitude, experiencing Icelanders as both welcoming and friendly! A recent poll by the The readers of the travel magazine Travel + Leisure have chosen Reykjavík as one of the 30 friendliest cities of the world.
Reykjavík is the 18th friendliest city in the world
The readers rank their favourite cities and hotels around the globe in the magazine’s “World’s Best Award” survey. The criteria include things like landmarks, art and culture, but also hospitality and friendliness. According to this survey Reykjavík is the 18th friendliest city in the world. “Extraordinary sites and otherworldy atmosphere, so it seems, are only a part of the reason everyone here is so cheery.”
“Friendliness, be it instinctual hospitality, or a warm smile at every storefront, does a lot to make a city more accessible to travellers,” as Travel + Leisure puts it.
But it’s not just smiles at every storefront which make the friendliness of locals important to visitors. Travel + Leisure point out helpfulness is also important:
People who are proud of their city, passionate about its culture, and invested in its future are eager to share that with visitors. Like voluntary tour guides, they're the first to point you in the right direction, share a little-known cafe home to the most spectacular local delicacy…
We at Iceland Insider agree, although we are somewhat vary about travellers relying on locals providing voluntary tour-guiding. You tend to get better tour guiding from professional guides, and there's plenty of them offering their services. Also, you don’t need to stop people in the street for directions to great local cafés: We have you covered on that front!
Read more: 6 of the Best Down-town Coffee shops
Or help with choosing your street foods? We at Iceland Insider have covered that as well!
Read more: Guide: The street food of Reykjavík – Not just hot dogs anymore
One of the readers of Travel + Leisure advised visitors to take an evening dip in a municipal pool. “That’s where everyone goes to relax and connect with the community.” We can second that advice.
