Booking.com: Syros’ Ermoupoli in Top 10 Most Welcoming Cities on Earth for 2024

Syros Soul Luxury Suites, Photo source: Booking.com

The city of Ermoupoli on the Greek island of Syros has been named the second “most welcoming on Earth” for 2024, according to a list compiled by Booking.com in line with the twelfth edition of its Traveller Review Awards.

Identified based on the share of accommodation providers/partners of Booking.com that received a Traveller Review Award 2024, this year’s list of the Most Welcoming Cities on Earth showcases a vast range of destinations from across the globe. Destinations in the Top 10 were sorted by the total share of Traveller Review Award 2024 recipients when compared to the total amount of eligible properties in that city (accommodation only).

The ‘stunning’ capital of Syros ranks 2nd Most Welcoming City on Earth

The Greek city of Ermoupoli ranked as the second Most Welcoming City on Earth in this year’s awards, following Arraial d’Ajuda in Brazil.

“What makes Ermoupoli unique compared to other Cycladic towns is its Venetian heart and exceptional neoclassical architecture painted in attractive pastel hues, making this hillside town an eyecatcher on its own,” Booking.com notes.

Source: Booking.com

According to Booking.com, visitors to the capital of Syros can enjoy the tiny streets and the cultural sights including the historic Miaouli Square and the city’s town hall with its 15-meter staircase leading up to the building’s main entrance.

Booking.com also makes suggestions to its customers regarding hotels, car rental, beaches to discover, and quaint villages with many tavernas to enjoy traditional Greek cuisine.

Syros Soul Luxury Suites, Photo source: Booking.com

Viana do Castelo, Portugal , came third on the 2024 Most Welcoming Cities On Earth list and is followed by Daylesford, Australia; Grindelwald, Switzerland; Moab, United States; Uzès, France; Mazatlán, Mexico; Jaisalmer, India; and Fujikawaguchiko, Japan.

Booking.com’s 12th annual Traveller Review Awards: Recipients

Based on more than 309 million verified customer reviews, and in recognition of delivering consistently excellent service and hospitality, a record 1.48 million travel partners received a Booking.com Traveller Review Award 2024, including 1,484,294 accommodations, 449 rental car companies and 129 taxi providers.

Italy, for the seventh year in a row, was home again to the largest number of award recipients (181,012), followed by Spain (125,611), France (124,361), Germany (86,910), and the United Kingdom (74,754) jumping two spots to the fifth position. Poland (61,693), Brazil (58,788), the United States (56,014), Croatia (53,971), and Portugal (32,910) round out the top 10.

“The Traveller Review Awards are our way of thanking and publicly acknowledging the top-notch service our partners provide to travellers and the critical role they play in our mission of making it easier for everyone to experience the world,” commented Arjan Dijk, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Booking.com.