This Is the Best City In The World For First-time Travelers, and No, It’s Not London or Paris

There are few experiences more magical than nabbing that first passport stamp and becoming an international traveler. If you are ready to take that step but are not sure where to go, new insights from JB.com can help.

In June, the digital entertainment website revealed its list of the top 10 destinations for first-time international travelers. In a press release, the team said it created a list of 40 major cities around the world, then ranked them by analyzing factors that matter most to first-time travelers, including safety ratings, English proficiency, and friendliness. It also took into account nightly hotel costs, historic sites, walkability, and average meal prices at local restaurants.

Coming in at the very top of that list is Portugal, with both Porto and Lisbon tying for first place.

According to the results, both cities rank fifth in the world for hospitality. Porto is slightly more affordable, with a nightly hotel rate of $105 compared to Lisbon’s $134, and its streets are pedestrian-friendly despite its many hills. Lisbon also shines in this category, with almost 200 landmarks within walking distance of each other, huge if you love exploring on foot. The results also note that Portuguese people are “generally good English speakers, so socializing won’t be a problem” if you’re coming from an English-speaking country.

In second place was Prague, which received high praise thanks to its pedestrian-friendly historic center and more than 200 landmarks scattered throughout the city. “Tourists could spend a week there without running out of things to do,” the team said. The crime rate is low, with the city scoring 75 out of 100 points on safety. Additionally, the nightly hotel rate is an average of $107, “which makes it much more affordable compared to Western European alternatives,” the team said.

Rounding out the top three is Seoul, which is a particularly great spot for travelers on a tight budget. A standard hotel room runs for about $65 per night, and a sit-down meal at a restaurant will cost you about $8 (especially impressive given Seoul’s renowned food scene). With over 80 historical sites to explore, a 94/100 walkability score, and affordable public transit (about $1.30 per ride), it’s easy to see why the capital of South Korea appeals to first-time international travelers.

Other top destinations include Helsinki, Finland, at No. 4, followed by Kyoto, Madrid, Budapest, Vienna, and finally, Seville, Spain, rounding out the top 10.