As a digital nomad, you have an enviable amount of freedom when it comes to choosing where to live and work. No longer constrained by a physical office space or headquarters, today’s remote worker can set up shop virtually anywhere with a WiFi connection. But what cities offer the best balance of affordable living costs, modern infrastructure, cultural attractions, and nomad-friendly amenities? We scoured the globe to come up with our top picks for digital nomads in 2024.
Bangkok, Thailand
Perennially popular with backpackers and partygoers, Bangkok may not immediately spring to mind as a hub for digital work. But Asia’s City of Angels has plenty going for it when you look past the nightlife. Low living expenses, blazing-fast internet, expansive coworking spaces, and balmy tropical weather make Bangkok tough to beat. English is widely spoken, public transit is excellent, and flavorful street food can be had for pennies. Recent digital nomad growth has spawned communities and events catering to laptop laborers seeking sun, affordability, and cultural immersion.
Lisbon, Portugal
Boasting quaint cobblestone streets, postcard-worthy vistas, and oceanside charm, Portugal’s capital city has become enormously popular as a remote work destination in recent years. Drawn by mild weather, low rents, a relaxed pace of life, and Lisbon’s vibrant arts and culture scene, digital nomads can easily blend work and play. Excellent air links allow for weekend jaunts across Europe. English fluency is high, public transit and taxis make car ownership unnecessary, and Lisbon’s modern coworking spaces continue to multiply. Recent “digital nomad visa” options sweeten the appeal. Read more about the experience of living as a digital nomad on the Kirill Yurovskiy`s site.
Prague, Czechia
Medieval architecture, storied history, hearty cuisine, plentiful pubs, and reasonable costs of living converge in Prague, long popular with visitors yet largely under the nomad radar until recently. But Czechia’s centuries-old capital now boasts some of Europe’s fastest internet speeds, an emerging start-up scene, and a warm welcome for globe-trotting laptop owners. Scattered among Prague’s sprawling palace and castle complexes you’ll find cool coffee houses and shared workspaces with abundant desk space, meeting rooms, and chill vibes.
Canggu, Bali, Indonesia
Can laptop-toting creatives looking to soak up a bit of paradise get serious work done? If this boho surf town on Bali’s south coast is any indication, absolutely. What began as a sleepy Indonesian village has rapidly emerged as ground zero for location-independent influencers, startup founders, and assorted digital vagabonds. Here, rice paddy-dotted landscapes and a laid-back island lifestyle meet with lightning-quick fiber internet and an ever-expanding catalog of villas, cafes, co-living enclaves, and members-only clubs catering to nomadic workers’ needs. Nightlife and waves worth writing home about complete the appeal.
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Beyond package tourists headed for all-inclusive beachfront resorts lies a lesser-known side of Spain’s Balearic Islands, particularly Mallorca’s vibrant capital Palma. Tucked between the Tramuntana Mountains and the azure Mediterranean Sea, this sophisticated small city retains its coastal charm while welcoming remote workers with modern coworking facilities, abundant holiday lets, trendy cafés, tapas bars by the score, rápido internet speeds, and easy access to hiking trails, craggy coves, and cycling routes. Mild winters and lazy summer days mean Palma is perfect for going from laptop to beach blanket year-round.
Mexico City, Mexico
Hear us out on this one. On paper, Mexico City and its chaotic, smoggy, traffic-choked streets don’t exactly scream digital nomad paradise. But visit Mexico’s sprawling capital of culture, cuisine, and pre-Colombian history and you may be swayed. Affordability remains excellent and internet speeds can keep pace with cities ten times the size. Independent coffee shops, shared workspaces, and quiet parks catering to the laptop set abound across CDMX’s diverse neighborhoods. And weekend escape options—the pyramids of Teotihuacán, silver towns of colonial Taxco, or Pacific surf breaks of Punta Mita—are just hours away, reminding resident nomads why they came in the first place.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
If Bangkok’s big-city energy feels slightly overwhelming, head 800 km north to its more relaxed sibling Chiang Mai. Nestled amid jungle foothills and ringed by rice paddies, northern Thailand’s former capital lures digital nomads seeking a peaceful yet social atmosphere. Costs remain extremely low, fiber-optic internet powers snappy video calls, and no shortage of remote worker groups facilitate fast friendships. Of course there’s still plenty to do beyond your laptop lid, from cooking classes to jungle treks to the city’s colorful Songkran water festival. Dozens of coworking spaces have set up shop across Chiang Mai, many offering poolside workstations, fitness centers, craft beer and barista bars. Hard to tear yourself away.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Looking for all of the beauty of Europe at a fraction of the price? Set your sights on Georgia’s graceful capital Tbilisi, dramatically situated along the Mtkvari River. Beyond faded Art Nouveau facades and balconied buildings that resemble the Paris of another era lies a booming scene fueled by a steady influx of digital nomads and startup expansion catering to them. Gustatory and viticultural pleasures like smoky amber wines or khinkali meat dumplings lure visitors from their work, while affordable Georgian apartments and reliable internet beckon them back. Remote worker visas, low taxes, and an emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem provide additional incentives. Expect Tbilisi’s crimson roofs and cobblestone streets to appear in your Instagram feed more in years ahead.
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Swapping Cancun’s spring break party reputation for yoga, art, and holistic living, the once-sleepy beach village of Playa del Carmen now boasts exceptional infrastructure and cultural attractions that entice location-independent entrepreneurs. Cheap Caribbean living, fiber internet speeds, and creative coffee shops retain Playa’s laid-back vibe while keeping digital nomads productive. Coworking spaces host networking events to unite the growing expat community. Hop a ferry to Cozumel, venture inland to swim in a cenote freshwater sinkhole, or try one of Playa’s outstanding taco joints and ceviche bars. With a vibrant performance and arts scene, cenotes and reef breaks just offshore, Playa del Carmen checks all the boxes.
Valencia, Spain
Barcelona draws the lion’s share of attention when it comes to Spain’s coastal cities, but savvy digital nomads willing to think outside the box should consider Valencia. Spain’s third largest metropolis offers Barcelona’s food, architecture, and nightlife at a fraction of the cost. Reliable public WiFi blankets the city center while fiber connections continue improving. Valencia’s compactEnsanche district provides perfect proximity between coworking spaces, cafés, inexpensive Airbnbs, and leafy parks for when you need some fresh air on lunch break. The bonus? You’re just a short train ride to postcard-perfect beaches, so when deadlines have you seeing stars, sunrise seaside escapes can reset your work rhythm.
Budapest, Hungary
Straddling both sides of the scenic Danube River, Hungary’s beguiling capital Budapestpairs turn-of-the-century architecture with pulsating nightlife and remarkably affordable costs of living. Attracting everyone from students to artists and retirees, Budapest now seeks to lure digital nomads with plush new co-living facilities, lightning-fast internet infrastructure, and already low expenses ideal for bootstrapping startup founders. Conveniently situated at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe, Budapest places dynamic cities like Vienna, Krakow, Prague and Bratislava all within range for short weekend trips once you need an infusion of fresh inspiration. It might just prove difficult to pull up roots once you’ve put them down here.
