Sydney has scored fresh bragging rights over Melbourne in the latest chapter of Australia’s long-running city rivalry.

The Harbour City has been named the third most welcoming city in the world in a new global study, finishing behind only Singapore and London.

Melbourne, meanwhile, landed well down the list in 15th place.

Travel eSIM company Holafly’s Most Welcoming Cities report assessed destinations using factors including safety, English proficiency, social support, visa openness and the availability of tourism information services.

Singapore topped the rankings after performing strongly across all six measures, while London also impressed thanks to its cultural diversity and extensive tourism information services. Sydney’s high English proficiency score of 700 helped propel it into third place, making it easy for international visitors with a functional understanding of English to navigate the city and communicate with locals.

The result may come as a rude shock to proud Melburnians, particularly after the Victorian capital was crowned Time Out’s Best City in the World for 2026 earlier this year.

Holafly said welcoming cities don’t just receive positive reviews from visitors — they’re also more likely to inspire repeat trips. According to the report, destinations where travellers feel safe, accepted and well looked after leave a lasting impression that encourages people to return.

Unlike Holafly’s ranking, Time Out’s Best Cities list focuses on how cities feel to live in and visit, taking into account factors including their food, nightlife, culture, affordability, happiness and quality of life.

Melbourne topped the 2026 rankings based on responses from more than 24,000 people across 150 cities, combined with insights from more than 100 travel experts.

After finishing runner-up in 2016, Melbourne climbed to the top this year thanks to its acclaimed food scene, live music, arts and culture, sporting calendar, café culture and strong sense of community.

Sydney also featured in the 2026 rankings, placing 21st overall.

The 20 Most Welcoming Cities Worldwide

1. Singapore, Singapore

2. London, England

3. Sydney, Australia

4. New York, USA

5. Boston, USA

6. Penang Island, Malaysia

7. The Hague, Netherlands

8. Hong Kong, Hong Kon

9. Copenhagen, Denmark

10. Aarhus, Denmark

11. Edinburgh, Scotland

12. Utrecht, Netherlands

13. Davao, Philippines

14. Ottawa, Canada

15. Melbourne, Australia

16. Prague, Czech Republic

17. Amsterdam, Netherlands

18. Toronto, Canada

19. Montreal, Canada

20. Brno, Czech Republic