Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots
1Planning a year (or more) of travelling and working abroad? Try these urban hubs and idyllic hideaways around the world, where you can earn more than just bragging rights…
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
2Chiang Mai, Thailand: Ask the seasoned independents and they’ll wax lyrical on why this traditional temple town is one of the most favoured destinations today: lush mountain scenery, hilly cool weather, languid pace, friendly vibe, affordable living, fantastic café and co-working culture (e.g., PunSpace), superb tech connectivity and supportive social networks. Not to mention the ample ways to wind down – from elephant riding to rafting. punspace.com [Photo: Hatoriz Kwansiripat/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
3Bali, Indonesia: Plug in and kick back on a beachside lounger, Bintang in hand, or connect and sip coconut water at quaint downtown cafés or in the cooler foothills – it’s perfectly possible in this beachy start-up hub. Newer co-working spaces (e.g., Outpost in Ubud) go beyond the usual to offer resort-style living and working with wellness extras thrown in – so you can go swimming or even see a masseur while on duty. outpost-asia.com [Photo: Outpost]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
4Jeju Island, South Korea: Emerging but with so much to offer – like blazing tech connectivity, a free co-working space (J-Space), pristine beauty, nomad-friendly culture, incredible places to see (including the World Natural Heritage site Seongsan Ilchulbong), inviting foodie streets, lots of good coffee and excellent transport – this place has received fillip from the local government and is being touted as the ‘next Bali’ for remote work. [Photo: Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
5Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Sure you can visit the Reunification Palace, Museum of Vietnamese history or even plan a historical site tour during your stay, but that’s not the only draw of this place. Think productivity – high-speed internet, a booming café scene, inviting climate, ample WiFi spots and, of course, delicious food and creative minds for company. Come here if you’re looking for variety and chaos. Hot Spots: Work Saigon and Saigon CoWorking. saigoncoworking.com, worksaigon.com [Photo: Phèn Chua/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
6Koh Phangan, Thailand: Craving natural beauty and chill time? Visit this idyllic island in the Gulf of Thailand. Boisterous Full Moon parties aside, fulfil your fantasies of working from white sandy beaches and enjoying brilliant sunsets, all while still sitting at a desk or hanging from a hammock with fast internet and a full-service menu. It happens at BeacHub, a door-free beachfront co-working property. beachub.org [Photo: Inge Van Veen, beacHub]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
7Penang, Malaysia: There’s a lot of buzz around the start-up scene here. Book a spot at @CAT for access to giant work rooms, free beverages, meeting rooms, event space and quality internet at wallet-friendly rates. For all the productivity you’ll be clocking here, head to Chulia St and Love Lane to chill at hipster cafes or small pubs. Or sign up for popular martial arts/yoga sessions in the evenings. acatpenang.com [Photo: Roman Korzh/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
8Singapore: We’re completely sold on the variety of co-working spaces and the unusual offerings designed to spoil all kinds of virtual workers in this bustling megalopolis. Think gorgeously designed interiors with free whisky on offer (The Refinery), calming spaces with an attached beer garden for chilling out (The Working Capitol) and another solely dedicated to women and with flexible plans for work-life balance (Woolf Works). therefinery.sg, theworkingcapitol.com, woolfworks.sg [Photo: The Working Capitol]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
9Berlin, Germany: A hive of work independents from entrepreneurs to musicians, it’s ‘the’ place in Western Europe if you’re looking for a city break – easy on the pocket, plenty of support groups and lots to discover on the street food, market, music, cinema and café fronts. betahaus is a popular co-working hangout in Kreuzberg with an affordable monthly membership: join in the free weekly breakfast meets or hang out at their free-for-drop-ins café downstairs to make new connections. betahaus.com [Photo: Marlano Mantel/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
10Amsterdam, Netherlands: This charming capital barely needs a marketing pitch – from art and culture to food and nightlife, it’s always buzzing with things to do. There’s a lot of lure on the start-up front, too, and fancy incubators-cum-work-spaces have recently emerged, like B Amsterdam offering quirky perks such a sustainable garden, bocce courts, a water basin and a rooftop phone booth shaped like a vintage car. b.amsterdam [Photo: B Amsterdam]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
11Stavanger, Norway: There are many reasons to come here – (A) It’s close to the North Pole and the Norwegian fjords with so many scenic attractions including Lysefjord, Sola beach and the world-famous “Pulpit Rock”; (B) the peaceful pace of life; (C) no need to learn a new language; (D) alternate lifestyles are welcome. All topped off, of course, with views of the Northern Lights in winter. [Photo: Giuseppe Milo/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
12Vienna, Austria: From culture to cuisine, Vienna has it all – and it’s also getting in on the latest ‘concept co-working’ trend. Case in point: Hotel Schani, Wien, offering digital nomads hotel rooms as well as event rooms and an integrated industrial-chic lobby, dining room and co-working area. And, of course, being a hotel, there’s also an opportunity for guests to connect and collaborate with global travellers. hotelschani.com [Photo: Hotel Schani Wien]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
13Porto, Portugal: Spectacular sunsets from the Bridge of Dom Luis, mouth-watering Francesinha, surfing lessons on the beach, weekend wine-tastings in nearby Douro Valley, fantastic coastal cuisine, fine tiled architecture, modern office infrastructure and friendly folks all over – Portugal’s second-largest city lays claim to all this and more. Our pick for an office with panoramic river views: Porto I/O. porto.io [Photo: Psyche Della/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
14Mercatello sul Metauro, Italy: No dreamy beaches or peaceful mountains here, but an authentically rural and thoroughly Italian small-town experience that affords work as well as introspection in real-world surroundings. Simply secure a housesitting job (browse House Carers, Mind My House, etc.), for a chance to work from a home away from home and acclimate to a new culture. housecarers.com, mindmyhouse.com [Photo: Toni Pecoraro/Wikimedia Commons]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
15Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain: Sunny not sweltering year round, cheap to work and live in, sand ‘n’ surf paradise, party place with thriving music and nightlife (no taxes on alcohol, either), lightning-fast fibre internet at most places, supportive social groups and a variety of office spaces and rooftop meeting places – who says working out of Las Palmas is not a pleasure? [Photo: Jorge Correa/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
16Sofia, Bulgaria: Sofia is city with a rich history, beautiful architecture and ample nature, plus it boasts good weather during the warmer months, has a friendly vibe and a blossoming start-up and venture capital environment, and it’s relatively inexpensive to live and work here. There’s free and fast WiFi at most places – even neighbourhood cafés. Salted Café, serving vegan fare and offering plenty of plug-in points and meeting room, is a great option if you’re looking for a downtown workspace. workfrom.co/salted-cafe [Photo: Adam Sloan/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
17Prague, Czech Republic: Come for work but stay for the picturesque architecture, Bohemian art and top-class tipples. It’s one of the best places to get your creative juices flowing, or even find a solution to a nagging work problem, as there’s plenty of inspiration everywhere and ample opportunity to reboot while discovering cute chapels, tucked-away gardens, spectacular bridges and old-world bars. Suggested: Hub Praha, Locus Workspace. hubpraha.cz, locusworkspace.cz
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
18Budapest, Hungary: When the digital wanderers themselves are all praises for the city’s beauty, quality of living, affordability, transport system, internet infrastructure, restaurant and café scene, centrality as well as connectedness, there’s no real argument. KAPTÁR, KUBIK, LOFFICE and GreenSpaces are worthwhile communal workplace options. kubik.hu, kaptarbudapest.hu, greenspaces.hu, budapest.lofficecoworking.com [Photo: Moyan Brenn/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
19Ljubljana, Slovenia: Until you arrive in the quaint, medieval Slovenian capital, it’s hard to imagine just how close you are to other European gems, like Croatia, Italy, Hungary and Austria. The ease of access to surrounding areas, the city’s own pristine environment, readily available farm-fresh food and natural beauty makes the time spent here feel extremely rewarding as well as rejuvenating. [Photo: Gilad Rom/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
20Tel Aviv, Israel: Besides the ample Mediterranean coastline, inviting climate, good food, strong entrepreneurial network and cool vibe, a big draw here is the municipal-laid free WiFi network that runs throughout the city, meaning you can work from any inspiring place that suits your mood – stylish cafés (e.g., Nechama VeHetzi, The Little Prince), pretty parks or even from the seafront promenade and the 3,000-year-old ruins of the ancient city of Jaffa. [Photo: Israel Tourism/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
21Vancouver, Canada: Not just another big city, but one that’s delightfully scenic and loaded with things to do: kayaking, mountain biking, forest trail walking, beach-side activities, snow sports and rainforest tours. Then there’s the culture, from music to theatre, and a foodie scene with a variety of ethnic and farm-to-table delights to sample après work hours. That said, living here isn’t cheap – so budget ahead. For the start-up inclined, see Launch Academy. launchacademy.ca [Photo: Michael Matti/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
22Austin, USA: From LA to NYC, the most popular US cities often take the cake when it comes to living and working costs, but if you’re seeking affordable options, try this Texan city famed for its ultra-cool music, film, tech and outdoor life. There’s no dearth of shared spaces here, but for the discerning, we suggest the contemporary cool Vuka Austin or the entrepreneur haven Capital Factory. vukaaustin.com, capitalfactory.com [Photo: Dave Wilson/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
23Oaxaca, Mexico: Pronounced (wah-Ha-kuh), the city boasts a lively art and crafts scene and a rich indigenous culture, plus there’s much to explore in the surrounding state of Oaxaca and along the coast – all within easy reach – and the local cuisine is very popular with visitors. Try internet cafes or coffee shops in the city centre, if you’re looking for decent WiFi. [Photo: Adam/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
24Medellín, Colombia: The ‘City of Eternal Spring’ is fast becoming popular for its great infrastructure and rising creative and entrepreneurial environment. By and large, it’s a safe place, though not fully devoid of nefarious elements. What attracts is the almost year-round good weather, cool café and restaurant scene, Aguardiente nights and a choice of recreational and cultural dos within driving distance of the city. [Photo: Feria Enbici/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
25Lago de Atitlan, Guatemala: Hankering for a serene, remote and paradisiacal spot for a workation? Consider Lake Atitlan and its surrounds perched high up in the highlands of Western Guatemala and home to 3 huge volcanoes, Mayan villages, coffee plantations and lots of yoga. Panajachel on the northeast bank is best to get work done, as the internet can be spotty in the nearby villages. For meditation and yoga, seek refuge in the glass-tipped pyramids at Las Piramides. [Photo: Daniel Mennerich/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
26Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: With its white sand beaches, tropical vegetation, easily accessible nearby national parks and alternative hippie lifestyle, Puerto Viejo charms wanderers. But traditional office environments or co-working hubs aren’t the norm, here so you’ll have to make do with quirky coffee shops, restaurants, bars or cyber cafés. Food-wise, there’s lots of homemade fare on offer, from cookies to kombucha, ginger ale and micro-brewery beer. [Photo: Ben Kucinski/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
27Buenos Aires, Argentina: What is it about this city that attracts hordes of expats from all over the world? How about affordability (despite the inflation), trendy bars and cafés, beautiful scenery, art, theatre and tango scene, excellent cuisine (try the steaks) and welcoming climate between October to April, to begin with. For the start-up savvy, Palermo is a great neighbourhood to set up camp, and for a work spot, check out the bright and cheery Urban Station. enjoyurbanstation.com [Photo: Alex Prolmos/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
28Cape Town, South Africa: You’ll never be left wanting for ways to wind down in the Mother City. Besides all the culture and history, there’s loads of outdoorsy fun on offer – rock climbing, kite surfing, paragliding, surfing, mountain biking, whale watching, wine tasting, even a fun early morning run to the base of Table Mountain. Recommended work spaces: Spin Street House, Cape Town Garage, No80 Hout Street spinstreet.co, capetowngarage.com, coworkingcapetown.co.za [Photo: ser_is_snarkish/Flickr]
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The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
29Eua Island, Tonga: It’s far away and serene – not raucous, touristy and entertaining when compared to some of the more popular island destinations, but there’s good quality WiFi at hotels, so you can get a lot done – mindfully and without distraction. Fly to Auckland, board a 3-hour flight to Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa and take a rather long-ish ferry ride or an incredibly short 8-minute flight to get here. [Photo: Boris Johnson/Wikimedia Commons]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
30Melbourne, Australia: When winter descends on the Northern Hemisphere, head down under to the most liveable city in the world. The beaches, sports, food and music are the main selling points here. Plus it’s overflowing with all kinds of co-working spots, allowing benefits from cinemas to MarioKart and comfort food, but bear in mind that it’s not a city for the penny pinchers. Recommended: York Butter Factory, Electron Workshop. yorkbutterfactory.com, electronworkshop.com.au [Photo: Sarah Price/Flickr]
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Special Nomadic Living
The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
31Various Cities: Regardless of how exotic it sounds, there’s always uncertainty associated with living in a new city – searching for a suitable place to live in and work out of, finding collaborative groups and maximising productivity as well as the travel experience. But here’s an option that takes the stress out of it all: sail the high seas aboard a wind- and solar-powered catamaran with fast and reliable internet, establish ties with co-sailing digital wanderers, and explore inspiring ports along the way. coboat.org [Photo: Coboat]
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The Top 30 Digital Nomad Hotspots.
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Amex Essentials
Posted at 14:42h, 14 AugustThanks, Evi, more food for thought! We’re sure the possibility of working from beautiful Greece will intrigue many digital nomads.