Which place ranks first for English-friendliness?

Amsterdam and St. Julian's share first place, each with a score of 10/10 (more English-friendly than about 95% of cities).

Which places make the top five for English-friendliness?

The first five places on this list are Amsterdam, St. Julian's, Abu Dhabi, Ayia Napa and Cape Town.

Which country has the most places on this list?

Greece and Philippines, with 7 places each.

Most English-Friendly Places Where English Isn't the Local Language

Compare places where English works well day to day, ranked by Nomadr’s stored language score and excluding countries where English is the local language.

Countries where English is the everyday language — the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the anglophone Caribbean and Singapore — are left out. The point of this list is finding places where English still works when it isn't the local language.

Ordered by our stored language and English-friendliness score. The list draws from 280 of our 333 cities — cities we hold no score for are left out rather than ranked last. Showing 73 ranked cities; exact score-and-percentile ties share a rank and are never split alphabetically.

How we score this

Places are ranked by Nomadr’s language and English-friendliness score. In October 2026 an AI model (Claude Sonnet) read each place’s full stored language research and rated it from 1 to 10 for how easy it is to live and travel using only English, weighing how widely it is spoken, signage, service businesses and dealing with officials. Each place was rated twice, independently, and the two ratings were averaged. Each score is then compared with every other place we cover to give the percentile shown under it.

=1tiedAmsterdam · NetherlandsGood to know: Dutch is the official language, but roughly 90-97% of Amsterdammers speak English fluently—communication without Dutch is entirely realistic for nomadsMore English-friendly than about 95% of cities10/10
=1tiedSt. Julian's · MaltaGood to know: St. Julian's is one of the most English-friendly areas in Malta; alongside Sliema and Valletta, English is essentially the first spoken language in public interactions.More English-friendly than about 95% of cities10/10
=3tiedAbu Dhabi · United Arab EmiratesGood to know: English is sufficient for daily life, business, and tourism in Abu Dhabi—Arabic is not a practical necessity for visitors or nomadsMore English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedAyia Napa · CyprusGood to know: English is the most practical language for communication in Ayia Napa—you can comfortably navigate daily life, dining, shopping, and tourist services entirely in English.More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedCape Town · South AfricaGood to know: Approximately 90% of Capetonians speak at least passable English due to its use in schools and business, making daily life straightforward for English-speaking nomads.More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedCopenhagen · DenmarkGood to know: You can navigate Copenhagen entirely in English for short stays, but Danes respond most warmly when you open conversations with English and respect their language—many will willingly switch to English and speak at near-native levelMore English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedDubai · United Arab EmiratesGood to know: English-only speakers face no meaningful barriers in Dubai's urban center—hotels, restaurants, shops, transportation, and government services (in developed emirates) all have English-speaking staff.More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedJohannesburg · South AfricaGood to know: English is the primary language of Johannesburg's business and urban professional landscape; however, learning basic greetings or phrases in Zulu or Xhosa is appreciated by locals and enhances cultural integration.More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedLevi · FinlandGood to know: English is widely spoken in Levi's tourism infrastructure—you can comfortably get by with English alone in the ski resort, hotels, restaurants, and shops.More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedLimassol · CyprusGood to know: English is so widely spoken in Limassol that you can comfortably live and work entirely in English without learning Greek.More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedNadi · FijiGood to know: English speakers will have minimal difficulty communicating in Nadi and other tourist areas; no language barrier expected for basic transactions and tourism.More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedOslo · NorwayGood to know: Almost everyone in Oslo speaks English fluently, making it one of Europe's most English-friendly major cities.More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedReykjavík · IcelandGood to know: Iceland consistently ranks among the highest non-native English-speaking countries in the world.More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedRotterdam · NetherlandsGood to know: Rotterdam has the world's strongest English proficiency among non-native speakers—you can comfortably get by with English in daily life and businessMore English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedSt. Anton · AustriaGood to know: St. Anton is far more English-friendly than many other Austrian ski resorts (such as Ischgl, where English is much less common).More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedStockholm · SwedenGood to know: For every ten people you stop on the street, 8 or 9 of them will speak English fluently.More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedUtila · HondurasGood to know: English dominance makes Utila exceptionally accessible for English speakers compared to mainland Honduras—you can navigate daily life, dining, and accommodations entirely in English.More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=3tiedValletta · MaltaGood to know: English speakers face virtually no language barriers in Valletta.More English-friendly than about 85% of cities9/10
=19tiedAccra · GhanaGood to know: Learning even a few Twi greetings is highly appreciated by locals and creates a positive social impression.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedÅre · SwedenGood to know: Nearly 90% of Swedes understand English, making Åre highly accessible for English-speaking visitors.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedAthens · GreeceGood to know: English is very widely spoken in Greece, especially in the most touristy parts of the city.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedBocas del Toro · PanamaGood to know: Bocas has the highest English proficiency of any Panamanian destination due to Caribbean heritage and heavy tourismMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedBonaire · BonaireGood to know: You can navigate Bonaire speaking only English; most tourist-facing staff are fluentMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedBoracay · PhilippinesGood to know: Learning a few basic Tagalog or Aklanon phrases (like 'salamat' for thank you) is appreciated and can improve service interactionsMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedCascais · PortugalGood to know: Cascais has a welcoming community for English-speaking expats with international services, language schools, and cultural integration programs.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedCebu City · PhilippinesGood to know: Cebuano (Bisaya) is the everyday vernacular, distinct enough from Tagalog that locals rarely use Filipino despite it being nationally co-officialMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedChania · GreeceGood to know: Most people under 40 can communicate comfortably in EnglishMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedDahab · EgyptGood to know: English is so widely spoken in Dahab that a digital nomad or tourist can comfortably function without Arabic knowledge.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedDubrovnik · CroatiaGood to know: Basic Croatian phrases like "Dobar dan" (Good day), "Hvala" (Thank you), or "Molim" (Please/You're welcome) can go a long way.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedDumaguete · PhilippinesGood to know: English is one of two official languages and genuinely widely spoken in Dumaguete—visitors and expats report no major communication barriers in the city properMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedDurban · South AfricaGood to know: English is the dominant language for business, government, and media, making it very practical for digital nomads.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedEl Nido · PhilippinesGood to know: English is widely spoken by locals in tourism-related businesses, making communication seamless for English-speaking nomads.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedFunchal · PortugalGood to know: Funchal's economy heavily depends on tourism, making English extremely prevalent in hotels, restaurants, and shopsMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedHelsinki · FinlandGood to know: Most Helsinkians speak English confidently alongside their mother tongue, making it one of Europe's most English-friendly capitalsMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedHvar · CroatiaGood to know: English is excellent in Hvar's main tourist areas—you'll navigate easily at restaurants, bars, hotels, and marinasMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedIos · GreeceGood to know: English is widely available for daily communication on Ios, especially in hospitality venues, restaurants, shops, and tourist-facing services.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedJeffreys Bay · South AfricaGood to know: While English is widely spoken in Jeffreys Bay, Afrikaans is the predominant first language locally and learning basic Afrikaans phrases could enhance interactions with localsMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedKavos · GreeceGood to know: Greek is the official language; however, Kavos is exceptionally tourism-oriented with high English prevalence in hospitality and commercial spaces.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedKranjska Gora · SloveniaGood to know: English is widely understood in Kranjska Gora's tourist and hospitality sectors, including hotels, restaurants, and ski schools offering English-speaking instructors.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedKuala Lumpur · MalaysiaGood to know: English is genuinely widely spoken in KL, especially downtown—you can navigate daily life comfortably as an English speakerMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedLagos · PortugalGood to know: English is nearly a second language in Lagos and other Algarve tourist areas—most bars, restaurants, and shops have English-speaking staff, though smaller local venues may not.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedLangebaan · South AfricaGood to know: English is the lingua franca for business, government, and tourism throughout South Africa, making it the practical working language for digital nomads and visitors.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedLisbon · PortugalGood to know: English is genuinely widely spoken in Lisbon's central districts, especially among under-40s, in hospitality, and in tourism — you can comfortably navigate as a short-term visitor speaking only English.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedLjubljana · SloveniaGood to know: English is widely spoken in Ljubljana, especially in tourist areas, service industries, and among people under 40—you can comfortably navigate the city using English alone.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedMalia · GreeceGood to know: English is the dominant working language in Malia's tourism sector; you can navigate the town and conduct most transactions in English without difficulty.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedManama · BahrainGood to know: English is widely considered the easiest entry point for English-speaking expats new to the Gulf region — most sources note Manama is more English-friendly than neighboring Gulf capitalsMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedManila · PhilippinesGood to know: Manila has exceptionally high English proficiency for a Southeast Asian city.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedMoalboal · PhilippinesGood to know: English is widely understood and spoken in Moalboal's tourism sector, making communication with visitors and service providers straightforward.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedMuscat · OmanGood to know: English proficiency is highest in Muscat and major urban centers; it decreases in smaller towns and rural areas outside the capital.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedMykonos · GreeceGood to know: Learning a few basic Greek phrases can go a long way in connecting with locals and immersing yourself in the cultureMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedNairobi · KenyaGood to know: English is the primary business and commercial language in Nairobi; you can conduct most professional work and navigate the city comfortably with English alone.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedOranjestad · ArubaGood to know: English is widely spoken in Oranjestad's tourist sector, but the primary everyday language is Papiamento, a Creole language with strong cultural significance to locals.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedPalau · PalauGood to know: English is widely understood in Koror and tourist areas, making basic communication accessible for English-speaking visitors and digital nomads.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedPenang · MalaysiaGood to know: Penang has a strong English legacy from the colonial era.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedPorto · PortugalGood to know: In Porto you can get by almost entirely in EnglishMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedRoatán · HondurasGood to know: English is the practical lingua franca on Roatan despite Spanish being the official language—a legacy of British colonization and settlement from English-speaking Caribbean islands.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedSanta Teresa · Costa RicaGood to know: While Spanish is the official language, Santa Teresa is extremely English-friendly in the main tourist areas—you can easily navigate the town with English alone.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedSantorini · GreeceGood to know: Santorini has among the highest English proficiency rates in Greece due to heavy tourism concentration.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedSiargao · PhilippinesGood to know: English proficiency is genuinely widespread across all age groups, making Siargao exceptionally accessible for English-speaking visitors and digital nomads.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedSplit · CroatiaGood to know: English is extremely widely spoken in Split's tourist zones—hotels, restaurants, bars, and attractions.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedTallinn · EstoniaGood to know: English proficiency in Tallinn is genuinely high for a Baltic capital, particularly in business and hospitality — you can function comfortably for most nomad needs without EstonianMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedTamarindo · Costa RicaGood to know: English is so prevalent in Tamarindo that the town is colloquially nicknamed 'Tamagringo' — some visitors love this international vibe, others find it less authentically Costa Rican.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedTartu · EstoniaGood to know: 82% of Tartu's population speaks a foreign language, with strong English proficiency especially among the younger generation and university community.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedTrysil · NorwayGood to know: Most Norwegians aged 60 or younger studied English in school; some elderly Norwegians may have difficulty communicating in English, but younger people generally have no such issues.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedVal d'Isère · FranceGood to know: English is very comfortable for the main resort areas and skiing activities, but becomes scarcer as you venture into surrounding rural villages or off-season months.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedVal Thorens · FranceGood to know: English is commonly spoken in restaurants, bars, hotels, and shops throughout Val Thorens due to its status as a major international ski resort, though French remains the official language.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedVerbier · SwitzerlandGood to know: French is the local official language, but English is widely spoken throughout the resort, especially in tourism-related services (hotels, restaurants, ski schools).More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedVienna · AustriaGood to know: Vienna ranks 2nd globally for English-friendliness among cities; practically no language barrier in tourism and hospitalityMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedWindhoek · NamibiaGood to know: English is the sole official language and the lingua franca in Windhoek for inter-ethnic communication, but it is most people's second or third language — locals are accustomed to and patient with clear, deliberate speech.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedZagreb · CroatiaGood to know: English is widely understood in Zagreb's city center, hospitality sector, and by younger residents; expect minimal language barriers for tourist activities.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedZermatt · SwitzerlandGood to know: While English is widely spoken in Zermatt, it's always a good idea to know a few helpful phrases in the local language.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedZrće Beach · CroatiaGood to know: Staff at major beach clubs (Papaya, Aquarius, Kalypso, Noa) speak English fluently due to international clienteleMore English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10
=19tiedZurich · SwitzerlandGood to know: English will get you far in Zurich—most people in the city speak at least some English, and many are fluent.More English-friendly than about 70% of cities8/10

Questions about this list

Which place ranks first for English-friendliness?: Amsterdam and St. Julian's share first place, each with a score of 10/10 (more English-friendly than about 95% of cities).
Which places make the top five for English-friendliness?: The first five places on this list are Amsterdam, St. Julian's, Abu Dhabi, Ayia Napa and Cape Town.
Which country has the most places on this list?: Greece and Philippines, with 7 places each.