A part-time digital nomad myself, I’ve been location independent and working remotely before this was a thing.

The term digital nomad was first used in 1997in the book Digital Nomad by Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners.

The foundation of being a digital nomad is working remotely, allowing people to do their work wherever there is internet coverage.

Since 2005 – when I started working remotely, for myself – I’ve set up my workspace in cafes, restaurants, trains, hotels, hostels, gardens, and apartment rentals. I’ve lived for a bit in Puglia, I’ve worked from hotels in Greece, Austria, and Hungary. I’ve taken my work with me when I explored Transylvania, in Romania.

And just like me, there are plenty of wonderful people out there who are working from absolutely gorgeous places in Europe.

That’s why I’ve asked fellow travel bloggers to share with me their favorite European places for digital nomads and remote workers.

• Split, Croatia
• Tirana, Albania
• London, England
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Sofia, Bulgaria
• Rome, Italy
• Malaga, Spain
• Dublin, Ireland
• Athens, Greece
• Budapest, Hungary
• Barcelona, Spain
• Paris, France

European Places for Digital Nomads: Split, Croatia

Croatia is an amazing country for digital nomads! Since it is part of the EU, especially EU citizens can stay and work in the country easily and without much bureaucratic effort. Also, Non-EU citizens, since 2021, can get the “digital nomad visa” – perfect for all who work remotely!

The best way to get to Split is on a flight from other European countries. Or, it might be cheaper and simpler to travel by land on a bus or a train.

The cost of living in the Split area is still relatively cheap, although it gets a bit more expensive if you choose to stay along the coast. You can find plenty of fantastic deals for apartments in Split. Its standard that your accommodation has WIFI but if you need a tourist sim card you can get one at Hrvatski Telekom – T-Mobile Croatia, A1 Croatia, or TELE2 Croatia.

Staying in Split has many advantages. The city is filled with things to do, whether you want to get immersed in the local life or prefer to try the more touristy things.

You can grab fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables at the farmers’ markets. A bit out of the town, you’ll find some supermarkets, where you can get everything for your daily life.

In your free time, you can take amazing day trips from Split, visiting cities like Zagreb and Rijeka, where you can enjoy a hip lifestyle. Or you can go to visit the beautiful national parks (Krka NP, Kornati NP, Plitvice NP), and islands like Brac and Hvar that provide peace and relaxation.

The people in Croatia are hospitable, will help you in any situation and most of them speak English.

Martina & Jürgen from Places of Juma. Follow them on Instagram.

No matter where “temporary” home may be, you’d likely need some of these gadgets to boost productivity and comfort.

European Places for Digital Nomads: Tirana, Albania

Tirana might not be at the top of every digital nomad’s wish list, but Albania’s capital city is fast becoming one of the most coveted hubs for remote workers in Europe. An affordable cost of living, cosmopolitan vibe, fast internet, and access to Albania’s incredible beaches and alpine hiking are just some of the factors that make Tirana a terrific place to live and work.

Tirana has good overland and air connections from the rest of Europe. It’s also possible to reach the city by ferry from Italy via the coastal hub of Durres. Downtown Tirana is brimming with apartment blocks (both new buildings and atmospheric communist-era blocks), which makes it easy to source long-term accommodation in Tirana – either through an agent or more conveniently using Airbnb. Blloku is Tirana’s trendiest suburb and a great place to base yourself for easy access to cafes, shops, and green space.

Eating out in Tirana is incredibly affordable and there is no shortage of local, Italian, and international restaurants to try. For fresh produce, head to the Markata E Fruta Perimeve or the farmers’ market on Rruga Shyqyri Ishmi.

Public transport in Tirana is easy to navigate, and for traveling further afield you can make use of the country’s slightly clunky but efficient bus network. Easy day trips from Tirana include the historic city of Kruje and the beaches on the Albanian Riviera. Many people (especially the younger generations) speak English. If you know some Italian or Greek, this will also come in handy – around a quarter of Tirana locals speak one of the two!

4G is cheap and reliable in Tirana. Vodafone and One are the most popular mobile data providers, with prices starting from just 5 Euros for 10GB/month. The majority of hotels and apartments come with WIFI but it’s a good idea to buy your own sim card as well – it’s fast and easy to set up in-store.

The approximate cost of living for one person in Tirana is around 85,000 LEK (690 Euros) per month, including an apartment in the city center.

Emily from Wander-Lush. Follow her on Facebook.

European Places for Digital Nomads: London, England

Without a doubt, one of the best European places to work remotely is London, England. Not only is London incredibly accessible via train and plane, but there are a wealth of reasonably priced long-term stays that are available to people working remotely.

So, if you’d like to work in London, be sure to check out, CoLiving London – The Collective. It’s a special housing complex for people who want to live in North London for a minimum of four months and offers exceptional, communal accommodations that start at 250 GBP per week and include high-speed wifi, TV, bedding, regular cleaning, and more.

Alternatively, you could also try the Cube Ealing for a shorter-term stay. The rates are pretty reasonable (under $100 per night) since this is a student housing complex that also offers rooms to travelers.

Just know that for affordable, long-term accommodations, you will most likely have to stay just outside of central London and then commute into the city center if you want to sightsee or use the awesome Work.Life coworking space in the heart of Camden.

There are also plenty of reasonable local food markets where you can go shopping like Camden Market and Borough Market – although the most reasonably priced grocery store in the city is definitely Sainsbury’s.
This is also where you buy reasonably priced SIM cards that start at 10 GBP and that can be renewed monthly depending on how long you plan to stay in the city.

That being said, London is not an overly cheap city to live in. As a result, you should plan on spending around $2230 (1611 GBP) per month to live here. Obviously, that amount is going to vary based on where you stay, what you do, and how you spend your money.

However, with such a high cost of living, you can enjoy many amazing things to do. So, you could easily do a day trip to the nearby beaches of London, shop for vintage items at the markets on Portobello Road, check out the funky street art in Shoreditch, or visit some of London’s most iconic landmarks, like Big Ben.

Kelly from Girl with the Passport. Follow her on Instagram.

>>Traveling with a dog? Check out these 7 Things Digital Nomads Should Know Before Getting A Dog

European Places for Digital Nomads: Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a hotspot for digital nomads and a great choice if you want a combination of culture, nightlife, and warm weather.

The city is large so it’s not too difficult to find an apartment. While the city center can be a bit pricier, Lisbon is a generally affordable city making it perfect for digital nomads.

Lisbon has a large international airport so you can easily fly there, however, a lot of digital nomads also like to take a road trip through Portugal. Since the country is quite small you can easily get from one place to another. Lisbon has a central location and it’s perfect for a base to venture on day trips to the Algarve or little beach towns like Nazare.
Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal, thus you’ll be able to find everything you need here. From high-street shops to little artisanal stores selling local products there is something for everyone.

Definitely head to Time Out Market for some of the best food around or LX Factory food fantastic shopping opportunities.
Communicating in English is very easy in Lisbon. Most people speak English although learning a few words in Portuguese will be very helpful. You should download a language app or take lessons every once in a while. It’s not necessary if you’re just staying for a short period of time but might make your life a bit easier.

The internet in Lisbon is very good and you’ll find a good selection of workspaces all around the city.

Victoria from Guide Your Travel. Follow her on Instagram.

Being a digital nomad is fun. But finding the motivation to stick to the tasks can be quite hard when you live in a stunning European city. These easy time management and productivity tips should come in handy!

European Places for Digital Nomads: Sofia, Bulgaria

For the offbeat and adventurous digital nomad, Sofia, Bulgaria is the perfect city for working remotely.
This city is lively, encompassing both modern and historical aspects, and truly unique. Life as a digital nomad in Sofia means access to amazing Bulgarian cuisine (try Bulgarian moussaka), fantastic nightlife, and easy access to the natural and historical landmarks throughout Bulgaria.

As a digital nomad in Sofia, you can expect a cost of living of around $1500 USD. This includes a comfortable lifestyle of apartment rentals in Sofia , buying groceries, eating out or going for drinks a few times a week, and traveling on weekends. If you are a budget traveler, it’s easy to spend even less.
I’d recommend staying closer to the city center, where most of the bars, restaurants, and tourist sites are. However, Sofia is connected by a fairly good metro system, so as long as you live near one you can get around with ease. You’ll find plenty of options on various rental platforms, with monthly rentals starting from $450 USD.

The Wi-Fi in Bulgaria is exceptionally speedy, making it ideal for working online. Mobile download speeds average at 96 mbps, with fixed broadband speeds averaging 80 mbps (according to Speed Test in March 2021).

The local language is Bulgarian, but you’ll have no issues getting by with just English unless you travel to very rural areas. However, some menus or signs may only be in Cyrillic, so it helps to know some, but it’s not necessary.

Traveling around Bulgaria from Sofia is very easy, and you can get to most other cities within Bulgaria for about $10 USD or less by train. My top picks for places to visit are Plovdiv, a culturally rich city, and Veliko Tarnovo, a historical and picturesque town. If you love nature, be sure to visit Rila National Park and hike the Seven Lakes district. While here, you can also stop by the world-famous Rila Monastery, which holds a UNESCO title for its artistic beauty.

Getting to Sofia is easy, as you can fly into Sofia International Airport from basically any major city within Europe. If you are coming from a neighboring country such as Turkey or Romania, it’s possible to take a bus. You can take Flixbus from Bucharest to Sofia, which is a very hassle-free journey.

Jacqueline from Your Travel Flamingo. Follow her on Instagram.

European Places for Digital Nomads: Rome, Italy

Rome is one of the best places for digital nomads in Europe. There are a lot of affordable co-working spaces in the city, and you’ll be surrounded by the most marvelous ancient monuments and the most mouthwatering food. What more could you ask for?

Getting to Rome is easy. The Rome Fiumicino International Airport is connected by direct flights from pretty much every major city around the world. The Roma Termini train station is also reachable from pretty much anywhere in Italy.
There are tons of nice apartment rentals and hotels to stay near the city center.

Trastevere is an especially nice neighborhood to stay in as it’s the #1 foodie neighborhood in Rome, and it’s less crowded than the historic center. For long-term rentals, you can use Idealista to find a good place. Typically, a private studio will cost around €800 – €1250 a month depending on the neighborhood. There are plenty of accommodations in Rome that come with Wi-Fi. For SIMs cards, the best option is to get it from TIM. They offer 10 GB of data and unlimited calls in the EU for €25 a month.

There are tons of farmer’s markets in the city where you can get fresh produce at low costs. Some of the best ones are the Mercato di Testaccio, the Mercato Trionfale, and the Campo de’ Fiori Market. Groceries are also cheaper in Rome than in other parts of Europe, so your local supermarket is also a great option.

If you’re in the historic center, most of the vendors and restaurant staff speak English. If you plan to stay outside the historic center, though, (which I recommend you do because it’ll be a lot cheaper), learning some basic Italian would definitely help you get by.

In general, the cost of living in Rome is around €1000 – €1500 per month and around €500 – €800 for a week (provided you’re staying at a comfort hotel). There are so many things to do in the city, whether you’re just in Rome for 3 days or a month. There are also plenty of day trips you can take from Rome, such as Ostia Antica, Bracciano, Orvieto, Sperlona, and Florence.

Jiayi from The Diary of a Nomad. Follow her on Instagram.

European Places for Digital Nomads: Malaga, Spain

Malaga is one of the preferred cities in the South of Spain for digital nomads. The affordable prices, the fast internet, the sunshine, and the good food contribute to more and more people coming to Malaga to work remotely.

Getting to Malaga is very easy, with direct flights from most of the European cities. The airport is located just outside of the city and is connected by a fast train to the central train station in Malaga. A ticket from the airport to the city center costs around 2 euros.

There are some digital nomad groups dedicated to Malaga on Facebook, so finding a place to stay in the city is not hard at all. Most of the digital nomads prefer to either rent a small apartment in Malaga on their own, or a room in a shared flat in the city center. Prices are quite affordable: a room with all bills included costs around 400 euros a month whilst an apartment goes for around 600-700 euros + bills.

Malaga is not a big city, and its center is walkable, there is no need to take public transport unless you live in one of the suburbs. It has two beautiful beaches walking distance from the center, so there is always somewhere to go for a swim or a beer on the beach. When it comes to restaurants, there are plenty of great tapas bars all around the city. The menu del dia, which is served at lunchtime and included 3 courses, coffee, and a drink, costs less than 10 euros. If you want to cook at home, you can buy fresh ingredients from Mercado Central de Atarazanas, the central market in Malaga.

Malaga has a privileged position on Costa del Sol, with so many fantastic places to go for a day or weekend trips. Granada is only 1.5 hours away, whilst Sevilla is 2.5 hours away. The public transport is fantastic, with many fast buses connecting Malaga with all the other cities in Andalucia. If you want to first try out what the city has to offer, you can always fly to Malaga for a weekend and experience the digital nomad community here (before you decide to stay for longer).

Joanna from Andalucia in My Pocket. Follow her on Instagram.

Take advantage of the walking & hiking opportunities around the European cities and stick to your fitness routine. Here are some tips & tricks to be healthy & fit when you work remote or from home.

European Places for Digital Nomads: Dublin, Ireland

The capital city of Ireland, Dublin is a popular European weekend getaway for couples and one of the best places to live in for expats! The best way to get to Dublin depends on where you’re traveling from, most people arrive by plane at Dublin International Airport or by bus from the UK or by boat from France, UK, and other major European cities.

Dublin is a multicultural city with expats from Africa, Europe, and Asia! The cost of living in Dublin tends to be higher than in other Irish towns and cities, as rent is more expensive. Expect to spend at least €600 a week on food, accommodation, and utilities. Internet is not inclusive in most apartments and usually costs about €50 a month. Daft.ie is the go-to resource for finding an apartment in Dublin . Some of the best neighborhoods to live in include Portobello, Donnybrook, and Ranelagh.

My favorite thing about living in Dublin is how accessible everything is, and you can easily cycle or walk from one end of the city to the other in 30 minutes. My least favorite thing about Dublin is the weather – it’s unpredictable and tends to rain a lot.

There are many options for day trips from Dublin, my favorite is to Belfast in the UK. You can go on a black taxi tour and learn about the city’s history, visit the Titanic Museum where the actual site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard, where the RMS Titanic was built. Alternatively travel to Cobh in County Cork to see the last place where the ship stopped before the tragedy.

Julie from Wandering Sunsets. Follow her on Instagram .

European Places for Digital Nomads: Athens, Greece

One of the best places to work remotely in Europe is the city of Athens. This is the capital of Greece and it is an amazing place to live as a digital nomad. Furthermore, it is one of the most beautiful places in Greece !

Getting to the city of Athens is very easy. If you are coming from a place within Greece or very close to it, you can go by ferry or by train. There are lots of direct routes to Athens.

Also, Athens is served by an international airport, that receives lots of international flights, making it easy to get there from many countries.

You find lots of great places to stay in Athens. A good area for this is the area surrounding Monastiraki and Plaka. That’s because this is where you can find most of the sights and things to do in the city. Also, Athens is a relatively cheap place to stay so staying in the city center is very doable.

You find lots of grocery stores and other stores in the city center. Furthermore, there are plenty of farmer’s markets in the city.

What’s great is that communication in English is very easy to do in Athens. Most of the people there speak it, so it is very doable to just speak English.

Almost all accommodation in Athens includes Wi-Fi and there are many places in the city with free Wi-Fi. And of course, you can buy a SIM card with a data plan at many stores throughout the city (Vodafone is a great choice).

The estimated cost per month for Athens is about $1400 for a single person.

In your free time, you can explore the amazing city of Athens. There are so many historic sites where you can learn about Ancient Greece. And if you fancy a weekend away, the charming islands of Hydra and Aegina are a short ferry ride away!

Dymphe from Dym Abroad. Follow her on Instagram.

European Places for Digital Nomads: Budapest, Hungary

Budapest has recently become one of the most popular travel destinations in Eastern Europe among short-time travelers and digital nomads alike. If you’re looking for the best European places to work remotely on a reasonable budget, you definitely need to take a look at the Hungarian capital!

Getting to Budapest is super easy and you have multiple options to choose from. The most convenient way is to take a flight to Budapest Airport (otherwise known as Liszt Ferenc International Airport), located 16 km from the city center. If you’re planning to come from another European city, it’s worth checking the timetable for international trains and buses. Lastly, you can also opt to arrive with your own car – you won’t really need it to explore Budapest, but it can come in handy if you want to take some day trips from the city.

The best website for apartment rentals is ingatlan.com but most apartments on this site require a one-year contract. If you rent from here, you usually need to take care of the internet yourself (you can sign a contract with an internet provider for one year or buy an unlimited SIM card) and pay for the overhead costs on top of the monthly rental price.

If you’re not planning to stay that long, you can take a look at long-term apartment rentals on Airbnb or Booking.com as well. Usually, these rentals already include overhead costs and internet, so you don’t need to worry about that. Apartment rentals generally start from 100,000 HUF (280 EUR) per month but for a nicer apartment, you can expect to pay between 150,000-250,000 HUF (415-700 EUR).

Knowing a few phrases in Hungarian comes in handy but you will get along perfectly fine with English at most places. You will find countless amazing restaurants, cafes, and breakfast places in Budapest so if you don’t want to work from home, you’ll have many options. And if you have some free time, you can explore the many beautiful sights in the city: you can see the sunrise from Fisherman’s Bastion, take a scenic Danube river cruise, visit the Hungarian parliament, take a stroll at the City Park or Margaret Island, and relax at the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, just to name a few.

Krisztina from She Wanders Abroad. Follow her on Instagram.

European Places for Digital Nomads: Barcelona, Spain

If you want to base yourself somewhere warm, with good food and many cultural attractions, Barcelona is a great choice. One of the most vibrant cities in Europe, Barcelona has an excellent climate and a wealth of activities and restaurants. Easily accessible by both air and train travel, Barcelona is well-connected with the rest of Europe and other towns and cities in Spain, making day trips or weekends away very accessible.

Barcelona is also a relatively affordable place to live. If you’re planning on staying for a while, a monthly rental apartment is the best option. If you’re wondering where to stay in Barcelona , Gracia is a great pick for a longer stay. It’s a charming local neighborhood close to the city center, with few tourists and good dining options.
Apartment rentals in Barcelona are relatively affordable, and if a budget of 2000 euros a month, should be enough for you to live comfortably and enjoy what the city has to offer.

English is widely spoken in Barcelona and there is a large expat community there. That said, being able to speak basic Spanish would be very helpful, especially if you go beyond the tourist center. Knowing a few phrases in Catalan is also a bonus if you’re going to be staying there for a while.

Most short-term rentals in Barcelona come with WIFI, although you would have to organize your own provider for a longer-term apartment rental. It’s also easy to purchase a SIM card with data, which you can use throughout the EU without roaming charges. Many cafes offer WIFI and if you’ll be based in the city for a while, there are a few coworking spaces where you can rent a desk for a month or two.

The best thing about working remotely in Barcelona is everything you can do in your free time. With nearby beaches, great nightlife, tapas bars, and cultural attractions, you’ll have your pick of activities. Living in Barcelona also allows you to immerse yourself in the complex and fascinating Catalan culture, and gain a deeper understanding of daily life in this exciting city.

Roxanne from Faraway Worlds. Follow her on Instagram.

European Places for Digital Nomads: Paris, France

Paris is a great destination to work remotely. The French capital is a beautiful place to live, the list of things to do in Paris is long, and the French food and wine are incredible!

The main language in Paris is French, but everybody understands English, more or less. Not speaking French shouldn’t be an issue for digital nomad, remote workers, and tourists.

The French capital is super well connected to France and the rest of the world! Today, 135 airlines worldwide offer flights to Paris (direct or with a short layover somewhere), while fast TGV trains connect the city to Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the UK, and the Netherlands.

True, Paris is not one of the cheapest cities in Europe but if it is definitely cheaper for people who avoid the touristy districts to eat, sleep and play. While one beer near Notre Dame can cost around 8€, it is half price in the lesser-known arrondissements of Paris.

Another positive point about Paris is that it is a very walkable city and well connected by metro. Also, bicycles are becoming a common means of transportation. People considering Paris to work remotely won’t need to invest in a car, which saves a lot of money!

Internet in Paris is excellent and fast (4G available and currently deploying 5G). Usually, it does not come with the accommodation unless it is a furnished apartment for short stays (less than a year). For this, booking.com offers interesting apartments for rent in Paris, especially in the lesser-known districts.

Elisa from World in Paris. Follow her on Facebook.

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