Top 5 Cities in the World For Travel Newbies
Whether you’re young or young at heart, an international trip can be intimidating. Don’t worry, you can soft-launch your overseas adventure with one of these cities.
Porto and Lisbon are the two best cities in the world for first-time travelers, according to a July 2026 report by the digital entertainment platform JB.com. Rather than having your passport stamped at one of the world’s more intimidating cities, such as Paris or Rio de Janeiro, other destinations make a first trip abroad easy and memorable.
The research examined 40 major cities worldwide to identify the best destinations for a first trip abroad. The report examined factors that matter most to first-time travelers, such as safety ratings, English proficiency, and friendliness rankings. The study also considered nightly hotel costs, historic sites, walkability, and average meal prices at local restaurants. Cities were finally ranked by combining all these travel indicators.
- Portugal (Porto & Lisbon)
- First-Time Traveler Score: 100 (Porto) / 92.8 (Lisbon)
- Average nightly hotel rate: $105 (Porto) / $134 (Lisbon)
- Walkability: 99/100 (both)
- Safety Index: 66.3 (Porto) / 66.8 (Lisbon)
- English Proficiency Index: 605
Porto and Lisbon are the best destinations for first-time travelers. These Portuguese cities are known for welcoming locals and rank fifth in the world for hospitality. Porto is the cheaper of the two at $105 a night, and despite its hills, the streets there are quite pedestrian-friendly. Lisbon costs a bit more ($135), but gives travelers nearly 200 landmarks within walking distance. Portuguese people are also generally good English speakers, so socializing won’t be a problem either.
- Prague, Czechia
Prague comes next, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular first trip. The historic center is entirely pedestrian-friendly, and with 200+ landmarks across the town, tourists could spend a week there without running out of things to do. Visitors don’t have to worry about walking outside at night either, as crime rates are low and the city scores 75/100 points on safety. Hotel rooms in Prague usually go for $107 a night, making it much more affordable than Western European alternatives.
- Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is also a great pick for inexperienced travelers, especially those on a tight budget. A room in a standard hotel here costs around $65 per night, while a proper sit-down meal can be bought for under $8. The city also offers 80+ historical sites to explore and make lasting memories. Plus, getting around is easy: Seoul scores 94/100 for walkability, and public transport is affordable, with tickets at roughly $1.30 for one ride.
- Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki’s biggest selling point is how safe it feels from the moment travelers arrive. Finland consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world, and English is spoken almost everywhere. The capital city is also compact enough to figure out quickly and has more than 60 landmarks to better understand Finnish culture. Beyond that, Helsinki is actually quite affordable, with hotels costing under $110 per night, much cheaper than in other Nordic cities.
- Kyoto, Japan
Next on the list is Kyoto, with crime-free streets that can be a real comfort when tourists are traveling abroad for the first time. The city scores 86/100 points in the safety index, putting it well ahead of places like Prague and Seoul. Beyond safety, Kyoto offers over 200 attractions to visit, including temples and preserved historic districts that have made it one of Japan’s most visited cities. It’s also far more walkable than Tokyo, so tourists can spend their time actually exploring rather than sitting in taxis and traffic.
The CEO of JB.com commented on the study: “Planning a first trip abroad can feel overwhelming, but it really doesn’t need to be. Pick two or three things you genuinely want to do each day and leave room for the unexpected.
“Don’t overload your schedule trying to see everything at once. The best travel memories usually come from the things you stumble into, not the ones you planned weeks in advance. Give yourself permission to slow down and just exist in the city for a bit.”
