The UK’s friendliest cities for 2022 have been named – and it’s Glasgow that ranks No.1. The Scottish city came top in the ‘friendliest UK city’ category of the 2022 Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, with Manchester second and Liverpool scooping bronze. The poll put Belfast in fourth and Cardiff in fifth. Conde Nast Traveller writer and Glasgow local Steve King explained that the city is one ‘where complete strangers will talk to you as if you’d been at school together’. But he said that ‘Glaswegian friendliness isn’t unconditional or evenly distributed’, revealing that ‘the English are not, on the whole, cherished’, but by contrast ‘the French are adored’. He added: ‘French friends of mine have been given free taxi rides in Glasgow simply because they’re French.’ He suggests that the origin of this liking for the French might be found in the 13th-century alliance between Scotland and France to support one another against England. According to Visit Scotland, top attractions and experiences in Glasgow include the city centre mural trail, the Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, the Botanic Gardens, Pollok Country Park, Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre and guided walking tours of the city’s music scene. Ken Massie, VisitScotland Head of Regional Leadership and Development, said: ‘It is fantastic that Glasgow has been named the UK’s friendliest city. ‘Glasgow is a destination bursting with world-class attractions – including the revamped Burrell Collection, recently reopened by King Charles. It boasts vibrant neighbourhoods, fantastic food and drink and legendary venues as the UK’s first UNESCO City of Music. ‘The city’s slogan is “People make Glasgow” and this Readers’ Choice Award proves just that. We hope this award will inspire more people to visit Scotland’s largest city and experience our world-famous warm welcome for themselves.’ Runner-up Manchester offers plenty for visitors, too. There’s fine dining at The French restaurant at The Midland hotel, plays to see at the renowned Royal Exchange theatre, the uber-hip Ancoats neighbourhood to explore, home to exceptional places to eat and drink such as natural wine bar Flawd and paintings to see and performances to watch at The Lowry arts centre.