Malaga Named Friendliest City? The SHOCKING Reason Why Will Amaze You!

So, a new study just dropped, and it's painting a pretty rosy picture of Spanish hospitality, specifically zeroing in on where you're most likely to get a Friendly smile and a helpful hand. Remitly, that money transfer outfit, decided to dig into which Spanish cities boast the most amicable residents. And guess what? Malaga is shining bright on that list!

Malaga Named Friendliest City? The SHOCKING Reason...

The study, released January 18, 2026, puts Bilbao right at the top as the friendliest city in Spain. Now, I've never been to Bilbao myself, but this research suggests I should probably book a flight, stat! The real kicker, though, is how consistently cordial Spain seems to be overall. Even the city ranked last scored remarkably high. It speaks volumes about the general culture, doesn't it?

Apparently, Remitly didn’t just pull these rankings out of thin air. They actually surveyed over 2,000 people across Spain back in November 2025. They used something called the "agreeableness" dimension from the Big Five personality model – fancy psychological stuff, basically measuring how empathetic, respectful, and generally nice people are. It's a solid approach, I think. Gets you past just superficial impressions.

Zaragoza snagged second place, racking up 72.34 points. They're apparently known for being considerate and quick to resolve conflicts, which sounds like a pretty chill place to live. But the really interesting bit is the tie for third between Valladolid and Malaga, both scoring 72.30. Valladolid is lauded for its polite interactions, while Malaga gets props for its open and welcoming vibe, which makes sense considering how many tourists and expats call it home. I’ve been to Malaga a few times, and I can definitely attest to that warm, inviting feeling. There's a certain energy about the place that just makes you feel comfortable.

Alicante, bless its heart, came in last with 70.78 points. Now, before anyone gets too down on Alicante, let's remember that the difference between first and last place was only a few points! That just underscores how generally Friendly Spaniards are across the board. It's not like Alicante is full of grumpy gusses, they're just comparatively less… effusively welcoming than the other cities on the list.

Eva Borislavova, the CEO of Remitly Europe, rightly points out that friendliness can really make or break someone's experience of a new city, especially for those just moving in or visiting. A simple smile or a kind gesture can be a game-changer. This study really highlights the importance of human connection, something we could all use a little more of, don't you think?

Ultimately, this study gives us a peek into the social fabric of Spain and confirms what many of us already suspected: Spaniards are generally a pretty welcoming bunch, regardless of where you find yourself. And that’s a beautiful thing.