When you’re traveling as a digital nomad, what you want from a destination is a little different. Suddenly having endless lists of things to do becomes less important, and things like the cost of living take priority.
You seek destinations that have a balance of things to do and environments where you can get some work done. You’ll want to know that the cities have good WiFi (which takes a surprising number of destinations off the list) and possibly even coworking spaces.
This list of incredible European cities that are great for nomads has all the best destinations!
11. Lagos, Portugal
Situated along the breathtaking Algarve coast in Portugal, Lagos is a great summer and autumn destination. You can balance your work time with afternoons on beaches like Praia do Camilo, and maybe try out surfing!
Another great thing about Lagos is that unlike other European countries everything stays open quite late in Portugal. Cafes tend to be open till 8pm, or even later! Some of the best work-friendly cafes in town are Dulce Cafe and Bakery and Breadline Cafe.
If you’ve got a day off, take a cruise out to Ponte da Piedade or rent a kayak and explore the coastline in your own time.
10. Krakow, Poland
Krakow is a great city to come to if you want to stay in one place for a month or two. It’s incredibly pretty and really affordable. If you’re in a period where you need to focus on work you’ll enjoy the city’s sleepy feel and quiet streets.
Looking for laptop-friendly cafes? Get some work done at Cytat Cafe or Cheder. Another great thing about Poland is that coffee is super cheap!
At the weekend, go on a day trip to Auschwitz and learn about the history of what happened here in World War II. Next, visit Wawel Castle in the Old Town of Krakow.
9. Timișoara, Romania
Known as “little Vienna” thanks to its elegant buildings and Secessionist architecture, Timisoara is a lively city with lots of culture. Surrounded by mountains in a country known for its wild bears and wolves (so watch out!) it’s the perfect destination for digital nomads who like to hike.
If you aren’t outdoorsy, enjoy the city’s music scene and events instead. A great thing about Timisoara is that it has lots of coworking spaces. Check out Workify and The Garden if you’re going to be in town for a while.
Looking for somewhere to set up for a few hours? Porto Arte and Starbucks are great options. Bear in mind it’s worth having a SIM card you can hotspot yourself from as WiFi is never a guarantee.
8. Athens, Greece
Full of historical landmarks as well as a lively culture and great weather, it’s no wonder Athens is an up-and-coming destination for digital nomads.
Popular coworking spaces in town include Stone Soup and The Cube Athens. Once you’ve put a few hours on the clock, relax at the tavernas or wander around the bustling street markets and try the local produce.
You can’t miss some of the biggest attractions like the Acropolis and Parthenon before you hop on a plane to your next enticing digital nomad destination.
7. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is a stunning European city that offers a great balance of quiet local spots to retreat to, as well as busy neighborhoods full of tourists and life. Most hostels in Lisbon are tailored to digital nomads and offer work areas.
If you want to spend a day at a cool coworking space, check out Outsite Cowork Cafe. They have conference rooms and areas where you can meet and work with other remote workers. Melbourne Coffee House is another excellent option.
In your time off, wander through the Feira da Ladra Market or soak in the panoramic views of the city from the Miradouro das Porto do Sol viewpoint.
6. Bologna, Italy
If you’re traveling Europe you can’t leave without visiting Italy. The mouth watering food won’t be the only highlight of your time there!
Unfortunately, the one drawback of Italy is that everywhere is quite lively – which is great for relaxing but can make it hard to get any work done.
Bologna is the best city for digital nomads as there are some great spots in town you can work from. Head to the semi-public Biblioteca Renzo Renzi. The next day work from the modern Bottega Portici or the cozy Fram Cafe.
After work, enjoy a glass of wine at the Piazza Maggiore and check out the Basilica di San Petronio.
5. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Cheap, quaint, and incredibly charming – Ljubljana is the perfect city for digital nomads who want to settle down for a little while. The city is full of green spaces, and isn’t as touristy or overcrowded as other European destinations.
Slovenia is also a very small country, so on your days off you can take day trips to the country’s top attractions like Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj.
The city has a pretty present work-cafe culture. Head to Le Petit Cafe or Pritlicje when you need to get some work done.
4. Plovdiv, Bulgaria
This slightly rough around the edges city is affordable and laid-back. AirBnb’s are great value for money in Plovdiv, so if you need to spend a month getting some serious work done it’s the perfect destination.
Laptop friendly cafes are sprinkled around the city, like The Family Cofee Roasters and West Coffee. There’s even a Costa Coffee in town if you’re looking for a familiar chain.
In your free time visit the Ancient Roman Theater, cross the bridge built over the Roman Stadium, and explore the Old Town of the city. Not sure where to stay? Kapana is the coolest neighborhood to book accommodation in!
3. Tallinn, Estonia
Estonia was the first country in the world to issue a digital nomad visa. It allows remote workers to stay for up to a year. If you’re tired of having to move every few weeks and fancy catching your breath, Tallinn is the place.
If you decide to stay for a while, check out Workland Fahle which offers low-cost coworking spaces. Looking for laptop-friendly cafes? Then head to Cafe Kiosk No3 which is in a cozy bookshop or Tassikoogid Tallinn.
When you’ve packed up for the day, enjoy meandering through the Old Town. Visit the top attractions in town like the Domed Church and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
In need of some nature after hours on the computer? Wander round the National Garden that once belonged to royalty.
2. Budva, Montenegro
Montenegro is an under-the-radar destination for nomads. The country gets less tourists than some of the neighboring countries, so it’s still relatively cheap.
With less to do, Budva is a great city to come to when you’re in a crunch period at work. Enjoy working with views of the surrounding mountains in the distance, and spend your free time relaxing on the beach.
Need a quiet cafe to work in? Casper Bar is an unexpectedly nice spot to work at or you can head to Cups Coffeeshop which has a modern cafe feel to it.
1. Budapest, Hungary
The best European city for digital nomads? It’s got to be Budapest! The prices are considerably lower than in central Europe and even lower than most western European cities. That means you can work less hours and spend more time exploring.
Have you gotten out of the routine of exercising? From Budapest there are stunning hikes you can get to on public transport, like Janos Hill. Within the city, Margaret Island is a great spot for a run.
Fancy half a day relaxing before hopping back online? Book a spa day at the city’s famous thermal baths.
Some great work cafes in the city include the Alexandra Book Cafe and the 19th-century courtyard cafe Fekete.
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