Italy is home to one of the most welcoming cities in 2026, according to the latest Booking.com Traveller Review Awards. This year, the spotlight falls on a hilltop town in southern Tuscany.
What makes this hilltop town so welcoming in 2026
The town in question is Montepulciano, a hilltop spot in southern Tuscany where hospitality still feels personal and small-scale rather than corporate.
One of Italy's most beautiful small towns, the historic centre is compact and walkable. This naturally brings visitors into regular contact with local shopkeepers, wine producers and family-run guesthouses. Stays here tend to be intimate rather than anonymous.
Booking.com also highlights the town’s strong food and wine identity, from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano to hand-rolled pici pasta. That sense of pride in local traditions, paired with consistently well-rated accommodation, is what underpins its reputation as one of the most welcoming cities for 2026.
How the “most welcoming city for 2026” ranking was calculated
For many travellers, a destination’s atmosphere matters as much as its sights. Booking.com reports that 45% of travellers say friendly locals are a major factor when deciding where to go.
The ranking forms part of the Traveller Review Awards and is powered by more than 370 million verified reviews submitted by travellers worldwide. Booking.com looks at the proportion of accommodation partners in each destination that received an award for consistently high review scores.
In practical terms, that means the title reflects measurable guest satisfaction and service standards across local hotels, guesthouses and rural stays.
Holidays in Montepulciano: what to expect in 2026
Booking.com frames Montepulciano as an “authentic Tuscan escape”, shaped by history, scenery and hospitality rather than fast-paced tourism.
Days revolve around wandering Renaissance palazzi, enjoying a tour around local vineyards, and settling into long lunches built around local produce. The historic centre funnels everyone towards Piazza Grande, yet it rarely tips into the intensity you get in Florence or Siena.
Living in Montepulciano: beyond the award
For anyone considering a longer stay, it’s worth remembering that Montepulciano remains a small hill town in Tuscany first and a travel headline second. Winter is quiet, work is largely tied to tourism, wine and agriculture, and daily life runs at a pace that suits some people far more than others.
The award confirms that visitors feel well looked after. Living there full-time is another layer altogether, and one that depends less on review scores and more on how comfortable you are with rural Italy year-round.
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