There’s a certain anxiety that can creep in before an international trip, the quiet worry that you’ll land somewhere and immediately be pegged as the loud American. That concern isn’t entirely unfounded, given that global opinions of the United States have shifted considerably over the past decade. As of 2023, a global median of roughly three in five people across surveyed countries hold a favorable view of the United States. The numbers, however, are not evenly distributed, and some places are dramatically warmer than the global average suggests.
The gap between expectation and reality is often the most interesting part of travel. Several countries greet Americans with a genuine enthusiasm that catches many visitors completely off guard. These eight destinations stand out not just for their beauty or convenience, but specifically for how welcomed American travelers tend to feel from the moment they arrive.
1. Poland: Europe’s Warmest Surprise
Some of the strongest positive opinions of the United States in the world come from Poland, where roughly nine in ten people hold a favorable view of Americans. That favorability rating is the highest in Europe and among the highest anywhere on the planet. The warmth is not a coincidence. Poland’s positive attitude toward the United States is rooted in President Reagan’s stance against the USSR and America’s help when Poland left the Soviet bloc.
American travelers consistently report feeling genuinely welcomed in Polish cities like Krakow, Warsaw, and Gdansk. Poles are perceived as very friendly, open-minded, and supportive, and what often amazes Americans is the level of general knowledge that the average Polish person has. Poland’s tourism sector is also booming. In 2025, nearly 59 million tourists stayed in Polish accommodation facilities, with foreign arrivals reaching 15.2 million, making Poland one of the fastest-growing destinations in Europe.
2. Japan: Courtesy Taken to an Art Form
Japanese hospitality, known as “omotenashi,” extends exceptional service to all visitors, but Americans often find themselves the subject of genuine curiosity and warmth from locals eager to practice English and learn about American life. The United States remained the only non-Asian country in the top five source markets for Japan, and Japan’s fascination with American culture creates a unique dynamic where American visitors are often treated with special interest and respect.
Travel to Japan has grown dramatically in recent years. The country saw 36.9 million foreign travelers visit in 2024, breaking the record with a nearly 47 percent increase from the prior year, and 2.7 million visitors from the United States went to Japan that year, itself up roughly a third compared to 2023. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, American travelers consistently report feeling safe, respected, and embraced by local communities.
3. Ireland: A Shared History That Actually Feels Personal
Ireland is consistently lauded as the friendliest country for American tourists, renowned for its genuine warmth, welcoming culture, and strong historical ties to the United States. The Irish have always maintained a special connection with Americans, largely rooted in shared history and the millions of Irish-Americans who call the United States home. That sense of kinship translates into something tangible on the ground, not just politeness, but real conversation.
The warmth and authenticity of Irish people resonates with many Americans, and the historical connection fueled by immigration and shared values contributes to a sense of familiarity. Irish pubs, known for their convivial atmosphere and live music, are also a major draw for tourists seeking an immersive cultural experience. North American tourists to Ireland were up 11 percent compared to the same period in 2024, reflecting growing momentum from across the Atlantic.
4. South Korea: Pop Culture Has Built Something Real
South Korea has a favorability rating of roughly four in five people holding a positive view of the United States, and the two countries have been allies for over 70 years. That alliance has matured into genuine mutual interest on a cultural level. The rising interest in travel to South Korea may come from the country’s global impact on pop culture, with international attention on streaming shows and K-pop groups creating a two-way curiosity between Korean and American audiences.
Seoul and Busan offer American travelers an incredibly welcoming atmosphere, with English widely spoken in tourist areas and locals eager to share their culture. The cities are modern, clean, and remarkably easy to navigate even for first-time visitors. In the Asia-Pacific region, the United States is viewed positively by 70 percent or more in Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand.
5. Vietnam: The Country That Chose to Move Forward
Surprisingly to some, Vietnam welcomes American visitors with incredible warmth despite the complicated shared history. Younger generations focus on the future, eager to practice English and learn about American culture. There is strong support for American tourists in Vietnam, with roughly eight in ten of those surveyed by Pew Research positively inclined toward Americans. That statistic is striking, given the history, and says something meaningful about the Vietnamese approach to moving on.
The Vietnamese public, unlike citizens of other countries with comparable histories, holds a favorable view of the United States, and every American president since diplomatic normalization in 1995 has visited Vietnam at least once. Tourism has been booming as well. Vietnam achieved a remarkable milestone in 2024, welcoming nearly 17.6 million international visitors, a robust increase of roughly 40 percent from the previous year. Locals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City often go out of their way to help lost tourists.
6. Italy: History Runs Deep and So Does the Welcome
According to Pew Research, roughly three in five Italians hold a positive view of Americans, with Italians generally respecting Americans and welcoming them as friends. The connection runs deeper than politeness, rooted in genuine appreciation for American culture. Italians adore the curiosity of American tourists experiencing Italian culture, and they love the way Americans enjoy their food, with another strong connection being the historical gratitude for the United States saving the country from total chaos at the end of WWII.
Italy remains a top destination for American travelers, and the country reached a record 65 million foreign visitors from around the world in 2024. Locals in Rome, Florence, and Venice are used to tourists but still maintain genuine warmth, and visitors can expect animated conversations, helpful directions, and possibly invitations to local festivals. Many Italians love American fast food brands, their sense of casual fashion, and most importantly, their curiosity and desire to explore new places.
7. The Philippines: Hospitality as a Cultural Identity
The Philippines has long been known for its genuine hospitality toward visitors, foreigners, and expatriates. The ordinary people of the Philippines typically love their visitors, especially Americans. US-Philippine relations are healthy and based on strong historical and cultural linkages and shared democratic values, and English has always been one of the official languages of the Philippines, spoken by more than 14 million Filipinos.
Locals invite strangers to family gatherings, offer rides, and provide endless recommendations for hidden beaches and restaurants. Filipino hospitality comes from the heart, creating travel experiences that feel more like visiting friends than being a tourist. Filipinos greet visitors by saying “Feel at home!” to ensure they enjoy their stay, and from the bustling streets of Manila to the pristine beaches of Palawan, American travelers consistently report feeling genuinely welcomed and appreciated by local communities.
8. Portugal: Quiet, Consistent, and Genuinely Warm
Portugal consistently ranks as one of the most welcoming countries in the world. Locals are known for their kindness and willingness to help, especially in cities like Lisbon and Porto, and with a relaxed pace of life, great weather, and a strong tourism infrastructure, Americans often find themselves feeling at home here. Unlike some of its European neighbors that have grown strained by overtourism, Portugal has maintained a genuinely hospitable culture that makes visitors feel like guests rather than revenue sources.
Portugal has seen consistent increases in traveler volumes from American visitors over recent years. The country also benefits from a practical advantage: English is widely spoken in tourist areas, costs remain relatively affordable compared to Western European neighbors, and the climate is excellent across much of the year. For Americans looking for a European experience without the friction that has crept into some more saturated destinations, Portugal offers something quietly exceptional.
What ties these eight countries together isn’t just favorable polling numbers or tourist infrastructure. It’s a genuine human warmth that goes beyond convenience, rooted in history, shared values, cultural curiosity, or simple national character. Americans who travel with openness and respect tend to discover that the welcome they receive in these places far exceeds anything they were prepared for. Sometimes the biggest travel surprises aren’t the landscapes or the food. They’re the people.
