Condé Nast Traveller has voted Cork as the third friendliest city in the world in a poll taken earlier this month.

Ireland’s second city saw off competition from Dublin and Galway to secure the third spot in this month’s poll. Some of the reasons given by the magazine’s editors were Cork’s ‘picturesque, riverfront location’ and ‘cozy pubs and beer gardens where you can enjoy the outdoors while sharing a table with friendly locals’ as some of the reasons for it’s winning charm.

Another reason for the victory is the famous English market where visitors to Cork are directed to visit to pick up fruits, vegetables, fish, meat and poultry, as well as for a spot of people-watching from the balcony of the Farmgate Cafe.

Other destinations contributing to it’s charm are noted such as the historic Shandon Quarter which features the Cork Butter Museum and the iconic Shandon Bells, where visitors can ring out their own tunes over the city.

The magazine also recommends visiting city landmarks including Market Lane, Idaho Cafe, Paradiso, Les Gourmandises and Mutton Lane to soak up local flavour as well as colour.

The other cities included in the top threes rankings were Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, which came in second, and San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, which was voted first for the second year in a row.

Speaking about the news, The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Mick Finn said, “It’s fantastic to see that global media is picking up on the friendliness of Corkonians and their innate curiosity about visitors, which makes Cork City a place of welcome.”

Head of Tourism in Cork City Council, Jo Gazely added, “We’re delighted to see Cork City being voted in the top 10 Friendliest Cities in the World – Cork City is an exciting destination that is busy, vibrant and cosmopolitan.”