After more than a decade of navigating Europe as a digital nomad, I’ve finally figured out which cities are best for remote living.
It’s not just about good coffee and a desk with a view (although those help). These places make it easier to balance work, life and travel.
Whether you’re after an inclusive community, a lower cost of living, or just a great spot to settle for a few months, these cities have you covered.
What Matters Most
In this guide, I focus on key aspects that matter most to digital nomads.
1. Workspaces and Amenities:
- Cafes and Libraries: Ideal spots for different types of work.
- Apartment Rentals: Finding the perfect home base.
- Coworking Spaces: Boosting productivity and networking.
2. City Features
- Networking Opportunities: Connecting with like-minded professionals.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Access to organic food, exercise and wellness.
- Fast Internet: Essential for seamless work.
- Writing Retreats: Quiet environments for focused tasks.
- Lower Cost of Living: Maximising your budget.
- Coworking Opportunities: Loads of busy spots.
- Proximity to the Beach: Balancing work with relaxation.
- Fun Nightlife: Enjoying evenings after productive days.
- Best Overall: My top pick for the ultimate experience.
My Experience as a Travel Blogging Digital Nomad
I struggled to maintain productivity in my early years of being location independent. Constantly moving and lacking a set schedule made it hard to get anything done beyond taking photos and exploring.
At the time, I knew long-term travel works best when you travel slowly, but I didn’t put that into practice until I was travelling full-time for a couple of years.
Eventually, I accepted that I work better when I spend three months or more in one place and that I actually need a routine to get work done. As much as I dislike having a set schedule, I now accept it’s essential for getting things done and growing my business.
Choosing the Right City for You
Of course, where you want to live, long or short-term, depends on your priorities, lifestyle and type of business.
You might need super fast internet for video editing or a quiet environment for writing. The possibilities are endless.
Workspaces: Cafes, Libraries, Coworking
Cafes and Libraries: Cafes are great for tasks like photo editing or social media management, but the noise can be distracting for writing. On the other hand, libraries offer a quiet environment perfect for focused work, along with amenities like magazines and coffee shops nearby.
Apartment Rentals: Finding a clean, quiet and affordable apartment can be challenging at times. I usually work from home in short-term apartment rentals or hotels with kitchens. Scrutinise reviews, check the location on Google Maps, and confirm the Wi-Fi with the owner, mentioning you’ll be working from home. Consider asking for discounts on longer stays or during the off-season. In cities with housing shortages, avoid platforms like Airbnb and opt for smaller cities that benefit more from long-term tourism.
Coworking Spaces: I’ve used spaces in London, Budapest, Berlin, Zagreb, Paris and Vienna. These spaces boost productivity by surrounding you with like-minded people and minimising procrastination. Since you’re paying to be there, it encourages you to stay focused. Additionally, coworking spaces often host events that offer excellent networking opportunities or casual chats during breaks. That said, I don’t use them much now.
For more ideas and thoughts on working and travelling in Europe, this post on the Best Places to Visit in Europe lists 50 cities and towns you might find interesting.
Best Cities for Remote Work
Networking Opportunities
Bigger cities are always going to have the best networking opportunities.
- London: Every industry has regular events and meetups in London.
- Berlin: Perfect for startups and creative industries like travel.
- Amsterdam: A multicultural community ideal for meeting migrants, travellers and English-speaking locals.
Healthy Lifestyle
If you’re concerned about lifestyle, healthy eating, exercise and things like organic food, many places prioritise wellbeing.
- Copenhagen: Biking culture and organic food are huge. You can even find organic sushi, which was a first for me. Read my guide on where to stay in Copenhagen to find the best neighbourhoods.
- Vienna: Walkable and green. It’s big on brunch with healthy avo toast, smoothie bowls and organic coffee.
- Ljubljana: Environmentally conscious, all about sustainability and organic products. It doesn’t hurt that it has the best quality water on the continent.
Fast Internet
Finding fast internet isn’t as challenging as it used to be. Nomad List can help you find where to go if speed is important.
- Bucharest: 94 mps.
- Valencia: 114 mps.
- Zagreb: 137 mps.
Writing Retreats
If you don’t want to be disturbed or distracted and want to focus on writing, these cities in the off-season would be a good choice.
- Saranda: Calm outside of July and August peak summer months. Wifi is as slow as the vibe.
- Sibenik: Peaceful near the water. Try to find an apartment with views of the Kornati Islands.
- Trieste: I spent a couple of months in Trieste one summer. The city centre is bustling but everywhere else is quiet and great for working. Like many places in Italy, the internet is slow.
Lower Cost of Living
If your budget is limited, head east or to the Balkans.
- Tirana: Still relatively inexpensive.
- Wroclaw: Most of Poland is relatively affordable, with great cafes, nightlife and coworking.
- Sarajevo: One of Europe’s cheapest capitals.
Coworking Opportunities
Working from a coworking space can boost your productivity. But I don’t see the value in it these days, and I don’t like working indoors with other people.
- Barcelona: Makers, Cloudworks and Betahaus are still going strong after many years.
- Paris: Meet fellow makers at Volumes or Remix, amongst many others.
- Budapest: Cowork at award-winning Loffice (also in Vienna).
Proximity to the Beach
Maintain a healthy work-life balance by the sea. Morning swims or evening walks have helped me reduce stress and clear my mind.
- Sardinia: Stunning beaches, perfect for those who don’t need fast Wi-Fi.
- Cascais: Affordable in the off-season with beautiful sandy beaches.
- Split: Beautiful scenery, city beaches and the WIP coworking space.
Fun Nightlife
It’s been a while since I’ve experienced Europe’s nightlife. I would say Barcelona, Berlin and Budapest are the best but I’m sure there are many other cities too.
Hands Down Best Overall
Vienna: If I were to move back to Europe permanently, I would make Vienna my home. It’s often voted the world’s most livable city, and I have no doubt it’s true for both locals and short-term residents.
Neighbourhoods like Neubau, Vienna’s hipster district, have a great lifestyle with organic cafes, fancy supermarkets and amazing coffee.
With numerous coworking spaces and excellent connectivity across Europe, Vienna gets my vote as the best city to live in Europe and the best city for digital nomads.
Responsible Travel
Here are some tips for travelling responsibly in Europe:
- Show Respect: Follow local laws, have the correct visa and don’t overstay.
- Eco-Friendly Stays: Preference sustainable hotels that use renewable energy.
- Support Local Housing: Avoid exacerbating housing shortages by steering clear of platforms like Airbnb. Particularly in popular cities like Berlin, Barcelona, Lisbon and many more.
- Transport: Use public transport, walking and cycling to get around.
- Local, Organic and Plant-Based: Support local producers and resilience by seeking out small businesses and organic food options. Plant-based foods have a lower climate impact.
- Local Customs: Learn about the history and culture of the places you visit.
- Limit Waste: Avoid single-use plastics and minimise food waste.
- Conserve Energy: Be mindful of your usage and unplug electronics when not in use.
- Stay in Smaller Towns: Help reduce over-tourism by exploring less-travelled areas.
- Save Water: Be careful with the amount of water you use.
- Volunteer: When in a new place, engage with the community and make a positive impact. I like tree planting, as you get to be out in nature, benefit from a little exercise and meet people in a safe outdoor environment.