Cardiff has been named the UK's best city in a luxury travel magazine's annual awards. Condé Nast Traveller, which alerts its readers to the best and most upmarket hotels, resorts and food in the world, asked its readers to vote for the best cities in the UK.
Despite some big competition in both categories, Cardiff came first in polls of both the best, and the friendliest, cities in the UK in 2023. The readers voted the Welsh capital as being better than London, Liverpool and Manchester - and friendlier than Edinburgh, Liverpool and Glasgow, among others.
Scoring 86.84% based on "overall average levels of satisfaction," and a mighty 97.78% for friendliness, Cardiff is a "bustling city... well-loved by all who visit," says the magazine. Its blurb continued: "Peppered with historical houses, castles (supposedly the most of any city the world-over) and, of course, the BBC studios where Doctor Who is filmed, the people of Cardiff extend their warm hospitality to all who visit.
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"The playful Welsh capital takes the top spot for 2023 with its exciting independent restaurants, buzzy bars and up-and-coming neighbourhoods." Obviously, we know Cardiff is fantastic - you can find our about the best things to do in the capital with our What's On newsletter here.
Named in the awards earlier in October, Cardiff joins a list of the world's friendliest cities - with Condé Nast Traveller readers naming Siena, Italy, the friendliest in Europe and Calgary, Canada, the friendliest in the world. Ireland, meanwhile, was named the friendliest country in Europe, and Dominica the friendliest in the world.
Interestingly, though, Cardiff doesn't crack the top 10 in the world rankings. As well as publishing a guide to the best things to do in Cardiff, the magazine has published an ode to the UK's best city - from Chippy Lane (or Chippy Alley, or Caroline Street...) to Castell Coch.
