Estonia Ranked Seventh in 2026 Friendliness Poll
The nation fell from the top spot it held in the previous year's annual travel reader survey.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Europe
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In the 2026 Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards, Estonia placed seventh among the friendliest countries in Europe. This ranking follows the country's first-place finish in the same survey during 2025.
Why it matters
The annual survey reflects shifting perceptions among international travelers regarding hospitality and cultural warmth across European destinations. These rankings help define the competitive landscape for tourism and consumer travel trends.
Nearly 300,000 readers cast votes in the 29th annual edition of the survey. Estonia now sits behind Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Turkey, but remains ahead of Slovenia, Croatia, and Austria.
The players
Condé Nast Traveller
This travel magazine is a globally recognized brand that tracks tourism trends and conducts annual reader surveys.
Estonia
This Baltic nation is a northern European country that has been a subject of recent international travel rankings.
The details
The rankings are derived from the feedback of nearly 300,000 participants who weighed in on their travel experiences. While Ireland took the top title for the region, Porto was recognized as the friendliest city in Europe.
Timeline
2025: Estonia held the first-place ranking in the annual survey.
2026: Estonia moved to the seventh position in the latest reader poll.
Travel Outlook
This story follows the established pattern set by the Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards, which annually measures consumer sentiment toward international travel destinations. The results highlight how shifting tourism preferences impact the reputation of European nations over time.
Travelers looking for highly rated friendly destinations may consider the top-ranked countries including Ireland and Portugal for their upcoming trips. Keeping an eye on these annual rankings helps tourists align their vacation expectations with recent reader feedback.
The takeaway
Travelers often look to annual reader polls to help decide which regions offer the most welcoming cultural experiences. While rankings fluctuate annually, they serve as a useful tool for planning personal itineraries across Europe.
Further reading
For more information on regional travel trends, see the Europe section.
Live Poll
Do you believe annual tourism rankings accurately reflect the true hospitality of a country's residents?
