Greece has been voted the best country in the world in the 2026 Readers' Choice Awards run by Condé Nast Traveller, with UK readers awarding it the overall top score of 98.14. And the recognition did not stop at the headline title: the country also collected distinctions for its cuisine, beaches, hospitality and accommodation across the magazine's annual results.
The victory was a clear one. Greece took first place on 98.14 points, ahead of Japan (97.01) in second and Italy (96.48) in third. The results, published on October 6, mark the 29th edition of the awards and are based entirely on votes cast by the magazine's UK readership.
The magazine itself said its readers' love affair with Greece had "reached fever pitch" this year, pointing to the country's record tourist numbers and to its "millennium-hopping culture" as evidence of just how deep the bond runs.
Long-standing favorites such as Santorini, Mykonos and Crete — whose quietly re-emerging wine scene earns a nod — continue to pull travelers back season after season. Yet the magazine noted that more visitors are now venturing to lesser-known islands, among them Paros, Hydra, Ios and Tinos.
The capital earned praise of its own. In the magazine's telling, Athens responded to the debt crisis with a wave of creative energy that brought new restaurants, galleries and hotels — enough, in fact, to rank it today among Europe's coolest capitals.
Rounding out the overall top 10 were Turkey (4th), Portugal (5th), Costa Rica (6th), Croatia (7th), Indonesia (8th), Kenya (9th) and Thailand (10th). Japan, which had held the title in 2024, had to settle for runner-up this time.
Greek cuisine performed nearly as strongly. In the ranking of the best countries for food, Greece came second with a score of 96.72 — a mere 0.20 points behind Italy (96.92) and ahead of both Portugal and Japan.
The magazine highlighted the Cycladic menus served in the tavernas of Mykonos and the Athens chefs reinterpreting classic recipes, alongside staples the world knows by heart — souvlaki, tzatziki and olives. It added that dining outdoors, with the sea or the mountains in view, makes each meal even better. Travelers who want to taste their way through that story can follow a culinary journey through Greece — taste the authentic flavors, our guide to the dishes behind this ranking.
Hospitality did its part, too. Greece ranked eighth among the world's friendliest countries with a score of 96.31, while Costa Rica took first place on 98.67. Measured against Europe alone, the same score placed Greece fourth among the friendliest countries on the continent, in a ranking topped by Ireland.
The magazine credited philoxenia — a Greek word meaning "love of strangers" — for the warm welcome visitors receive, along with customs such as the long family lunch and the evening volta, the leisurely stroll that remains part of everyday social life.
Then come the beaches. Greece dominated the ranking of the best beaches in Europe, landing eight entries inside the top 20 — more than any other country. Spain followed with three. And for anyone tempted to go beyond the famous, well-photographed stretches of sand, our roundup of 10 enchanting hidden beaches in Greece you must visit this summer is a natural next stop.
The Greek beaches on the list are:
- Falassarna Beach, Crete (5th, 93.33)
- Porto Katsiki, Lefkada (9th, 90.00)
- Kathisma Beach, Lefkada (11th, 89.17)
- Plaka Beach, Naxos (12th, 88.33)
- Voidokilia Beach, Messinia, Peloponnese (13th, 85.56)
- Agios Ioannis Beach, Lefkada (14th, 85.42)
- Balos Lagoon, Crete (15th, 82.50)
- Elafonissi Beach, Crete (20th, 77.33)
Crete accounts for three of the eight entries and Lefkada for two. At the very top of the European table stood Sperlonga in Italy, which took first place with 96.67.
In the hotel categories, Canaves Epitome, part of the Canaves Collection in Santorini, was named the best hotel in Greece with a score of 99.07. The Dolli in Athens (98.69) and Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino in Pylos (98.32) completed the podium.
The Rooster in Antiparos (98.18), Kalesma Mykonos (98.00), The Roc Club (97.67) and Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens (97.31) followed — the last two of them located on the Athens Riviera — while Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens (97.11), together with Canaves Oia Suites (96.25) and Perivolas Lifestyle Houses (95.53), both in Santorini, completed the top 10.
The resort ranking produced a standout of its own: Ikos Odisia on Corfu took first place with a score of 99.82, one of the highest marks anywhere in the resort category. Porto Zante Villas & Spa on Zakynthos (99.33) ranked second, ahead of Sani Resort in Halkidiki (99.17) and One&Only Kéa Island (98.92).
Corfu Imperial (98.74) followed in fifth, ahead of Ikos Dassia (97.72), Santa Marina in Mykonos (96.39), Elounda Peninsula Luxury Resort on Crete (96.29), Creta Palace on Crete (96.07) and Nido, Mar-Bella Collection on Corfu (95.85). With four hotels inside the resort top 10, Corfu secured the highest representation of any Greek island in the category.
The Readers' Choice Awards also recognize leading destinations and travel experiences across a range of categories, including cities, islands, airlines, airports, cruise lines and spas. The complete 2026 results are available on the Condé Nast Traveller website.
And for the record, this report is written from Chora on Ios — one of the very islands the magazine flags as a rising pick — where our team at Hotel Mediterraneo watches the country's winning pull arrive with every summer ferry.
About Hotel Mediterraneo • Chora, Ios
We are a boutique hotel in Chora, Ios Island, Greece. Our team is passionate about sharing the authentic beauty, culinary traditions, and stories of the Cyclades with guests from around the globe.
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