The 17 best places to live as a digital nomad
These are some of the best places to live as a digital nomad whether you’re looking for a bustling city or a quiet getaway.
One of the best parts of being a digital nomad is choosing where you and your laptop are going to go next!
But you have to be strategic when picking your next location, according to budget, weather, and if you want to be in a city or a more rural location.
Of course, as a digital nomad, you’re not constrained to when you travel, so consider going to all of the places below out of the busy/high tourist season when most things are more expensive (and far too crowded to enjoy!)
So, here are our picks of the best digital nomad cities and towns to consider.
The best places to live as a digital nomad
The best cities
London £££
One of the best digital nomad cities and one of the best cities in the world! With endless food, entertainment and sightseeing options for all budgets. Many museums are free, the nightlife is epic and it’s a great place to meet other digital nomads, with countless networking events across the city, every day of the week.
Top tip: Skip touristy areas like Leicester Square and base yourself in the suburbs to live like a local. For instance, check out stops in Zone 2 and 3 of the Northern Line
Dublin, Ireland £££
For another small, walkable city with a ton of character, head to Dublin. It has a thriving tech scene and of course, lashing of Guinness, which just doesn’t taste as good anywhere else. You can also rent a car and do some gorgeous day trips from the capital in under an hour.
Top tip: Work from Thirdspace with other digital nomads and enjoy some great coffee and reliable WiFi
Budapest, Hungary £
Budapest might just be one of the coolest places we know and one of the best digital nomad cities. It’s great value for money and has tons of quirky places to explore, including their ‘ruin bars’. We loved their outdoor spas known for their health benefits, including Szechenyi, which is a perfect place to unwind after work.
Top tip: Many other cities can be easily reached by trains from Budapest, such as Vienna and Prague, so check out the local rail network
Zagreb, Croatia £
Apparently, it was voted as one of the most boring European cities, but we don’t agree! It’s a beautiful small city that hasn’t been overrun by tourism and offers great value for money. It has one of the best 5-star hotels we’ve ever stayed in, where you can get a sumptuous room with breakfast for less than 90 euros a night!
Top tip: Grab a burek at BUREK located just underneath the Dolac market for lunch on the go. Order it with a small yoghurt as the locals do
Melbourne, Australia £££
It’s far away for many, but might just be one of the most vibrant cities (we think) on the planet! Yes, Melbourne is worth the trip and one of the best digital nomad cities. We’re still dreaming about the fresh, high-quality food and coffee, and it’s also very vegan-friendly. We loved how every neighborhood felt unique. Don’t miss Brunswick and Fitzroy for live music and vintage shopping.
Top tip: Rent a car and explore the gorgeous surrounding coastal area of Mornington Peninsula and its seaside town Sorrento. It’s heaven.
Athens, Greece £
Athens offers real bang for your buck, with Airbnbs at a steal off-season and some outrageously good street food for just a few euros. A city of contrasts, the streets can look gritty by day, but the illuminated nighttime views of the Acropolis are spectacular. There’s a great cafe scene to cafe hop and work remotely from.
Top tip: The Athenian Riviera is a gem and a stretch of coastline which is still relatively undiscovered. Reach it in a taxi from central Athens in 30 minutes
Toulouse, France £££
Toulouse is as authentically French as you can get and the city feels relaxed yet vibrant. J’adore! The food is sublime and many restos offer three-course set lunch deals for under 30 euros per person. As you would expect, there is a great coffee culture, and the classy neighborhoods of Calmes and St Georges are simply fabulous.
Top tip: The social hub is a trendy hotel to stay in or just to work from. The lobby downstairs has spacious sitting areas, great coffee, and Wifi!
San Sebastian, Spain ££
Alas, San Sebastian is no longer a well-kept secret, having been voted a European Capital of Culture, and for good reason. It’s a gorgeous seaside city, and one of the best places to live as a digital nomad. It is world famous for its surfing and its food, namely pintxos. Bars all over town offer a huge variety of pintxos which are delectable bite-sized dishes, where it’s customary to do a ‘crawl’ sampling several small plates in each venue.
Top tip: After all the eating, take a break at La Perla Spa. It’s a sublime indoor 5-star retreat which offers day passes
Aix-en-Provence, France £££
Oh la la! Aix-en-Provence is what (French) dreams are made of! A small, cobbled street city in easy reach of Marseille and with gorgeous shops and cafes. Famous for its fountains, there’s a photo opportunity on every corner. Be warned, it’s not cheap, but it’s a great nomad destination for those who want to splurge.
Top tip: Work from Le 20/35, a unique concept and a great working space. You pay what you like for your time and coffee there
Bangkok, Thailand £
A classic nomadic destination and one of the best places to live as a digital nomad. It’s not as cheap as it used to be, but your dollar can still go a long way, with dinner and a drink for as low as five bucks. It’s bustling, hot, noisy, and dusty but it’s a vibrant, 24-hour city with lots of opportunities to meet other travelers.
Top tip: Don’t miss the many night markets Bangkok has to offer
Off the beaten track
Split, Croatia ££
Croatia is one of the best places to live as a digital nomad as it offers an excellent and affordable digital nomad visa. It’s not quite ‘off the beaten track’ as it’s the second largest city in Croatia. However, it does have a small town feel, and on the Adriatic Sea, the water is crystal clear and the surrounding areas are lush. There is a small but lively group of digital nomads who live and host events there all year round.
Top tip: Walk up to Marjan Hill for fantastic views of the city
Cornwall, UK £££
Cornwall is a gorgeous English county and whilst many flock to Newquay, the seaside town of Bude is one of its highlights. It’s great for those who like the simple life and the great outdoors; rolling countryside and hearty local pubs.
Top tip: Weather permitting, take a refreshing dip in the natural Bude sea pool
Olhao, Portugal £
Olhao is overlooked by many heading to the Algarve, which is a shame as it is an authentic Portuguese town and a great digital nomad base. It doesn’t have many cultural landmarks and sightseeing opportunities, but it’s perfect for those looking for a quiet life living among locals. And as it’s a well-known fishing port, you can indulge in fresh, great-value seafood.
Top tip: Olhao is a port town, so there are many options for local day trips via ferry
Chania, Greece £
Chania, Western Crete is quickly becoming well known as one of the best places to live as a digital nomad, but you can also venture into one of the nearby mountain towns if you want a more peaceful setting. We would argue Chania has some of the best beaches in the world! And the old town is a beautiful maze of cobbled streets and small bars. It’s a calming place to work remotely from, with Facebook events organised by local expats to get involved with if you want to.
Top tip: Do not leave Chania without trying souvlaki, street food you can get for just a few euros. Perfect after work as a quick dinner option!
Reims, France £££
Reims is just an hour from Paris and is the capital of the Champagne region. It’s a small, peaceful city with plenty of coffee shops, bars, and restaurants and it’s also home to one of France’s most famous cathedrals. It’s a great place to enjoy French culture at a slower pace.
Top tip: Check out the local supermarkets to buy champagne, sold directly from the local champagne houses at bargain prices
Mayo, Ireland £££
A rugged Irish county where you can feel truly alone if solitude is what you’re looking for. In this wilderness, you should have a rental car, or base yourself in one of the charming small towns such as Newport or Westport where you’ll find good local pubs and Irish home cooking.
Top tip: If you are an experienced hiker, check out the famous Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail
Sitges, Spain £
Skip Barcelona and head to the nearby coastal town of Sitges. Sun, sea, and sand but with half the crowds (at least out of high season) and fewer tourist traps. This region is also famous for its wine and cava so it’s a perfect base to visit some vineyards.
Top tip: Go to El Cable, a local restaurant for some of the best patatas bravas in Spain!
Ultimately, these are just some of our top picks of the best places to live as a digital nomad, but there are so many more! Where are your favourites?
The information on this page is not professional, business or lifestyle advice and is for entertainment purposes only.