Spain’s Friendliest Cities, According to Scientific Study
Across the globe, Spain is recognised as a warm and sociable country, rich in culture and day-to-day interaction.1 But within the country, every city has its own character. Some places are shaped by a slower pace of life that naturally feels more welcoming, while others are known for being more direct and straightforward in their style.
Remitly’s research explores what it is like to live in different countries around the world and the friendliness of people can be a key part of that experience. In fact, our previous study found that Spain ranks as the 11th friendliest country in the world. So this time we wanted to take a closer look and find out which cities are home to the most friendly and welcoming people.
With this in mind, we asked 2,000 people across the country a series of questions inspired by the ‘agreeableness’ section of the Big Five Personality test. This framework is based on the scientific ‘Big Five’ model of the key personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extraversion, and neuroticism.2 Rather than simply asking if someone considers themselves friendly, we focused on how much they agreed with statements like “I treat all people equally” or “I make others feel at ease”. These are part of the ‘agreeableness’ element, widely seen as one of the most effective ways to measure social harmony.
Remitly’s research explores what it is like to live in different countries around the world and the friendliness of people can be a key part of that experience. In fact, our previous study found that Spain ranks as the 11th friendliest country in the world. So this time we wanted to take a closer look and find out which cities are home to the most friendly and welcoming people.
With this in mind, we asked 2,000 people across the country a series of questions inspired by the ‘agreeableness’ section of the Big Five Personality test. This framework is based on the scientific ‘Big Five’ model of the key personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, extraversion, and neuroticism.2 Rather than simply asking if someone considers themselves friendly, we focused on how much they agreed with statements like “I treat all people equally” or “I make others feel at ease”. These are part of the ‘agreeableness’ element, widely seen as one of the most effective ways to measure social harmony.
Key findings:
- Bilbao is named the friendliest city in Spain in our study, scoring the highest with 72.53 out of 100 points.
- The research found that** residents in Barcelona are the most respectful**, followed by Bilbao and Palma.
- Fewer than two points separate the most and least friendly cities, showing the country generally is home to friendly people.
Which cities in Spain are most likely to give you a warm welcome?
To understand which Spanish cities are genuinely friendly, we analysed the everyday behaviours that shape how people treat one another. Rather than relying on general impressions, we asked respondents to rate traits that directly influence how welcoming a place feels: treating everyone equally, showing respect, making others feel at ease, trusting what people say, and being able to empathise.
We also included the less pleasant behaviours, the ones that can make a city feel colder or harsher: criticising others, being abrupt or sharp-tongued, holding grudges, suspecting people’s motives or acting purely out of self-interest.
By combining both sides, the positive habits and the more challenging ones, we created a friendliness score that captures how people behave day to day and highlights the places that stand out for their warmth, patience and openness towards others.
Finding friendly people can be essential when moving to a new country. Working out who you’re going to get along with in your new workplace or which neighbours you can rely on make the settling in process much smoother. If you’re moving to the Iberian Peninsula, use Remitly to send money to Spain.
We also included the less pleasant behaviours, the ones that can make a city feel colder or harsher: criticising others, being abrupt or sharp-tongued, holding grudges, suspecting people’s motives or acting purely out of self-interest.
By combining both sides, the positive habits and the more challenging ones, we created a friendliness score that captures how people behave day to day and highlights the places that stand out for their warmth, patience and openness towards others.
Finding friendly people can be essential when moving to a new country. Working out who you’re going to get along with in your new workplace or which neighbours you can rely on make the settling in process much smoother. If you’re moving to the Iberian Peninsula, use Remitly to send money to Spain.
The friendliest cities in Spain
| Rank | City | Friendliness score (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bilbao | 72.53 |
| 2 | Zaragoza | 72.34 |
| =3 | Valladolid | 72.30 |
| =3 | Málaga | 72.30 |
| 4 | Palma | 72.26 |
| 5 | Sevilla | 72.21 |
| 6 | Vigo | 72.16 |
| 7 | Murcia | 72.06 |
| 8 | Gijón | 71.99 |
| 9 | Madrid | 71.92 |
| 10 | Valencia | 71.31 |
| 11 | Córdoba | 71.26 |
| 12 | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | 71.24 |
| 13 | Barcelona | 70.89 |
| 14 | Alicante | 70.78 |
- Bilbao
Taking the top spot as Spain’s friendliest city is Bilbao, scoring the highest with an impressive 72.53 out of 100. While internationally the city is known for its impressive gastronomy, our survey found that residents score particularly highly for respecting others, accepting people for who they are, and making people feel at ease. People in the Basque region are often considered sincere, respectful, and calm, which clearly aligns with our findings. Bilbao also recorded the highest level of disagreement with the statement “I often insult people”, with 87% saying it does not describe them, reinforcing the city’s strong emphasis on treating others well.
- Zaragoza
Zaragoza follows closely in second place, scoring 72.34 out of 100. Residents here scored highly for being conscientious of the people around them, and not making demands of others. Residents also scored lower regarding seeking out revenge if they feel they’ve been ‘wronged’. This suggests Zaragoza is a city where people prefer to keep interactions smooth and considerate.
They also show low levels of suspicion and low ego, while scoring well for making others feel at ease. Although they’re not the most expressive city emotionally, their combination of fairness, respect and steady behaviour creates a friendly atmosphere.
They also show low levels of suspicion and low ego, while scoring well for making others feel at ease. Although they’re not the most expressive city emotionally, their combination of fairness, respect and steady behaviour creates a friendly atmosphere.
=3. Valladolid and Málaga
Valladolid and Málaga round out the top three, with both locations scoring 72.30 in our friendliness index.
Valladolid is often associated with calm and measured interactions, with a reputation for politeness, clear communication and consideration in their daily behaviour. The city is often referred to as a place that has some of the ‘purest’ Spanish, with a very neutral Spanish accent. Our survey showed that they scored particularly high for being respectful to others and not likely to insult other people, which aligns with their reputation.
Alongside Valladolid sits Málaga, bringing its typically warm and easygoing local character into the top tier of Spain’s friendliest cities. As a coastal hub that regularly interacts with visitors and newcomers, the city has long been shaped by a relaxed, outward-facing culture. People living here scored highly for making other people feel at ease, and a low number says they insult others, reflecting the city’s openness and light-hearted style of communication.
Valladolid is often associated with calm and measured interactions, with a reputation for politeness, clear communication and consideration in their daily behaviour. The city is often referred to as a place that has some of the ‘purest’ Spanish, with a very neutral Spanish accent. Our survey showed that they scored particularly high for being respectful to others and not likely to insult other people, which aligns with their reputation.
Alongside Valladolid sits Málaga, bringing its typically warm and easygoing local character into the top tier of Spain’s friendliest cities. As a coastal hub that regularly interacts with visitors and newcomers, the city has long been shaped by a relaxed, outward-facing culture. People living here scored highly for making other people feel at ease, and a low number says they insult others, reflecting the city’s openness and light-hearted style of communication.
Alicante ranks lowest for friendliness
On the other end of the scale, Alicante ranks as the least friendly city with a score of 70.78 out of 100. Several behaviours contribute to this result: responses to “getting back at others” were more evenly divided than in other cities, and residents score lower on sympathising with others’ feelings and trusting what people say. However, it’s important to note that less than two points separate the most friendly city (Bilbao) from the bottom ranking city, indicating that overall, no matter where you go in Spain, you can largely find a friendly bunch of people.
The most respectful cities in Spain
Respecting others is a core element of friendliness, and across the country, this is a fundamental trait people emphasise, as 90% of Spaniards say they respect the people around them. But how do these results compare when you look at cities up close?
Leading the way is Barcelona, where an impressive 93.4% say they respect others, which equates to over 1.6 million 3 people when taking into account Barcelona’s population. Bilbao once again follows closely, with 92.3%. Interestingly, Alicante, which ranks lowest in our friendliness index, takes fourth place with 91.4% agreeing that they are respectful of others.
Leading the way is Barcelona, where an impressive 93.4% say they respect others, which equates to over 1.6 million 3 people when taking into account Barcelona’s population. Bilbao once again follows closely, with 92.3%. Interestingly, Alicante, which ranks lowest in our friendliness index, takes fourth place with 91.4% agreeing that they are respectful of others.
The cities that scored highest for ‘respect’ in Spain
| Rank | City | % who say they respect others |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 93.4% |
| 2 | Bilbao | 92.3% |
| 3 | Palma | 92.2% |
| 4 | Alicante | 91.4% |
| 5 | Gijón | 91.2% |
| 6 | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | 90.7% |
| =7 | Madrid | 90.6% |
| =7 | Vigo | 90.6% |
| 8 | Valladolid | 90.4% |
| 9 | Murcia | 90.3% |
| 10 | Málaga | 89.3% |
| 11 | Zaragoza | 88.2% |
| 12 | Valencia | 87.5% |
| 13 | Córdoba | 87.0% |
| 14 | Sevilla | 86.4% |
The most welcoming cities in Spain
There are many ways people express friendliness, but making others feel welcome is something that gets noticed instantly. It’s the small gestures, like a friendly smile when greeting someone, making room at a table, even simple ‘please’ and ‘thank you’s.
To pinpoint the most welcoming places in Spain, we took a closer look at the locations that make an effort to make people feel at ease. Leading the way is Valencia, where over eight in 10 (81.7%) people say they try and make others feel at ease. This could be through giving other people space to speak, ensuring they don’t feel rushed, spotting cues for when someone is unsure and adjusting their response to help make things easier. This type of behaviour can be particularly reassuring for people who are new to the country or city and are trying to settle in.
Valladolid not only ranks third-friendliest, but it also takes second place for creating a calm atmosphere, with 82.5% of people stating this. Murcia ranks third with 80.5%.
Interestingly, men are more likely to try and bring a sense of calm to others, as 78% say this is an accurate trait of themselves, compared to 75% of women.
To pinpoint the most welcoming places in Spain, we took a closer look at the locations that make an effort to make people feel at ease. Leading the way is Valencia, where over eight in 10 (81.7%) people say they try and make others feel at ease. This could be through giving other people space to speak, ensuring they don’t feel rushed, spotting cues for when someone is unsure and adjusting their response to help make things easier. This type of behaviour can be particularly reassuring for people who are new to the country or city and are trying to settle in.
Valladolid not only ranks third-friendliest, but it also takes second place for creating a calm atmosphere, with 82.5% of people stating this. Murcia ranks third with 80.5%.
Interestingly, men are more likely to try and bring a sense of calm to others, as 78% say this is an accurate trait of themselves, compared to 75% of women.
How age and gender influence friendliness
Beyond regional differences, the data also reveals clear patterns across age groups. Older respondents tend to score higher on agreeableness overall, with people aged 55 and over consistently reporting more respectful, patient and empathetic behaviours. They are also less likely to show negative traits such as contradicting others, seeking revenge or being overly critical.
At the other end of the scale, young adults aged 18–24 record the lowest friendliness scores, with lower levels of trust, less emotional empathy and slightly higher levels of self-interest. It could be seen as expected with many of the traits measured (patience, perspective-taking and emotional regulation) being qualities that often strengthen with age and life experience.
When it comes to gender, the overall friendliness levels are similar, but the way traits are expressed differs. Women score higher for empathy, concern for others and making people feel at ease, creating a more emotionally supportive interaction style. They’re also noticeably less likely to act out of self-interest, strongly disagreeing with the statement “I am out for my own personal gain.”
Men, meanwhile, show slightly elevated levels in traits tied to directness, including contradicting others and being more blunt or critical in conversation. These differences don’t suggest that men are less friendly, but rather that they tend to communicate more directly. Ultimately, both genders display generally friendly tendencies, just expressed in different ways: women through emotional warmth and men through a more forthright and assertive approach.
So, while some cities are known for being friendlier or more welcoming than others, feeling connected often comes down to how you engage with the place and the people themselves. Each city has its own nuances and quirks, so if you’re moving to a new city or just want to make new friends where you live, immersing yourself in local communities can help. Social connections have been shown to improve mental health and can help ease the transition to new environments, particularly if you are moving away from family and friends.
At the other end of the scale, young adults aged 18–24 record the lowest friendliness scores, with lower levels of trust, less emotional empathy and slightly higher levels of self-interest. It could be seen as expected with many of the traits measured (patience, perspective-taking and emotional regulation) being qualities that often strengthen with age and life experience.
When it comes to gender, the overall friendliness levels are similar, but the way traits are expressed differs. Women score higher for empathy, concern for others and making people feel at ease, creating a more emotionally supportive interaction style. They’re also noticeably less likely to act out of self-interest, strongly disagreeing with the statement “I am out for my own personal gain.”
Men, meanwhile, show slightly elevated levels in traits tied to directness, including contradicting others and being more blunt or critical in conversation. These differences don’t suggest that men are less friendly, but rather that they tend to communicate more directly. Ultimately, both genders display generally friendly tendencies, just expressed in different ways: women through emotional warmth and men through a more forthright and assertive approach.
So, while some cities are known for being friendlier or more welcoming than others, feeling connected often comes down to how you engage with the place and the people themselves. Each city has its own nuances and quirks, so if you’re moving to a new city or just want to make new friends where you live, immersing yourself in local communities can help. Social connections have been shown to improve mental health and can help ease the transition to new environments, particularly if you are moving away from family and friends.
Methodology
We tested 2,000 participants from Spain on the ‘agreeableness’ trait of the Big 5 Personality Test, a globally recognised and standardised personality test.2 We tested participants on a simplified version of the ‘agreeableness’ section of the Big 5 Personality Test, asking them questions that gave them a score between 1 and 100 as to how ‘agreeable’ they were.
The higher they scored on the test, the more ‘agreeable’ they are (as identified by the personality test) and, therefore, the more friendly they are. We then calculated the average score of people in each city to calculate an average 'friendliness' score for each city. All data is correct as of November 2025.
The higher they scored on the test, the more ‘agreeable’ they are (as identified by the personality test) and, therefore, the more friendly they are. We then calculated the average score of people in each city to calculate an average 'friendliness' score for each city. All data is correct as of November 2025.
References
- Spain Tourism Board, ‘Eight Spanish customs that help you feel happy’ https://www.spain.info/en/top/spain-happy-lifestyle/
- Psychology Today, ‘Five Big Reasons to Embrace the Big Five Personality Traits’ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/people-are-strange/201910/five-big-reasons-embrace-the-big-five-personality-traits
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística, https://www.ine.es/jaxiT3/Datos.htm?t=68538#_tabs-tabla, 1,686,208 within Barcelona
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