World's Best Cities for Remote Work
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Remote work is here to stay. Whether you have been working remotely for a while or are thinking about it, many people fantasize about working from home in another country.
Expats and digital nomads have been living that life for a long time in some of the most fun and beautiful places in the world. And they didn't have to sell all their possessions to afford it.
Are you ready to make the jump (or just want to feed your dream)? These are the best cities for remote work in the world.
Note: We may earn money from affiliate partners if you buy through links on our site.
40. Bangkok, Thailand
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Internet speed: Fast, 27 megabits per second ( Mbps)
Cost: Affordable, $1,408/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
* City information comes from Nomad List. Rankings were based on Nomad List, Etias' "The World's Best Capital Cities for Digital Nomads" report and our own editorial input.
Bottom Line: Bangkok, Thailand
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The Thai capital can be too much for some people, but if you like the hustle and bustle of cities, a nightlife that’s thriving every day of the week and a never-ending list of things to do, don’t skip Bangkok.
Be prepared for some truly terrible traffic, but also know that you will be surrounded by many beautiful temples.
In between working, visiting temples and riding boats on the river, you can indulge in some of the most delicious food in the world.
Where to stay: Muu Bangkok Hotel
39. Warsaw, Poland
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Internet speed: Average, 19 Mbps
Cost: Pricey, $2,892/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Warsaw, Poland
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The underrated Polish capital is much cooler than most people think. If travelers overlook it, it's probably because it's a bit too modern outside of its postcard-perfect medieval core.
But this fast-paced modernity is exactly what attracts expats and nomads. The startup culture is strong, making for various co-working spaces. Food is good, life is affordable and the streets are bike-friendly.
However, Warsaw did not rank more highly because of its mostly dreary weather, relatively expensive cost of living and, more importantly, its notoriously closed attitude toward the LGBTQIA+ community.
Where to stay: Hilton Warsaw City
38. Willemstad, Curaçao
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Internet speed: Average, 14 Mbps
Cost: Very high, $4,333/month
Safety: OK
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Willemstad, Curaçao
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You've probably seen pictures on social media of Willemstad, the colorful capital of Curaçao. But we're willing to bet you haven't considered moving to it — yet.
A territory of the Netherlands, Curaçao blends together Dutch and Caribbean cultural elements, most present in the architecture and cuisine, and is considered one of the best Caribbean islands. Willemstad is the commercial center of the island, where most things seem to happen. Beaches, shops and restaurants abound, providing you with plenty of activities to take advantage of when you log off work.
Though Willemstad may seem a bit random, more digital nomads are adding it to their radar since Curaçao announced the launch of a digital nomad visa. Unlike most similar schemes in the region, this one doesn't have a minimum income for interested applicants.
Where to stay: Blue Bay Lodges
37. Medellin, Colombia
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Internet speed: Average, 11 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,296/month
Safety: Low
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Medellin, Colombia
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The bad rapMedellin got at the end of the last century is history, and it's now a digital nomad enclave. Expats gather in El Poblado, a neighborhood that has everything, from quiet nooks to the best bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the city. Though we'd encourage you to leave this enclave and see the real city.
Medellin is called the "City of Eternal Spring" for its perfect weather and beautiful mountains surround it. Add to that one of the most efficient and cleanest metros on the continent, and it's easy to see why people fall in love with this city.
A Resume.io report ranked Medellin as the top city in South America for digital nomads. It didn’t rank higher with Nomadlist because pickpocketing is common, and Medellin has a low racial tolerance score.
Where to stay: Hotel Poblado Alejandria
36. Puerto Escondido, Mexico
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Internet speed: Fast, 31 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,964/month
Safety: Okay
Places to work from: Good
Bottom Line: Puerto Escondido, Mexico
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Puerto Escondido translates to "hidden port," a fitting description for this peaceful surf town on Mexico's Pacific Coast.
Unlike places like Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco, Puerto Escondido is still a laid-back town that doesn't get as much tourism. In fact, many of the foreigners you meet here will likely be expats and remote workers.
Good WiFi exists in cafes and co-working spaces but is fairly spotty everywhere else, which keeps this gem of a place from ranking higher. On the plus side, you'll be surfing in your free time.
Where to stay: Shavanna Hotel Boutique
35. Zagreb, Croatia
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Internet speed: Average, 11 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,625/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Zagreb, Croatia
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Tourists often skip Zagreb, preferring the admittedly more alluring Adriatic Coast, which boasts destinations like Split and Dubrovnik.
But if you're looking to spend some time in Croatia working remotely, there really is no better place to do it than in the inland capital. Geographically, Zagreb has always been a point of contact between the Mediterranean and Central Europe, guaranteeing a diverse and strong economy. This, in turn, translates to relatively low crime levels and a high standard of living for residents — even temporary ones.
We really can't think of any inconvenience to complain about with Zagreb, except maybe that English isn't as widely spoken, but that shouldn't be expected anyways. Oh, and that it's not on the Adriatic Sea.
Where to stay: Mövenpick Zagreb
34. Copenhagen, Denmark
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Internet speed: Very fast, 43 Mbps
Cost: Expensive, $5,452/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Copenhagen, Denmark
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Many people avoid even thinking of Scandinavia as a possible place for remote work because of its incredibly high cost of living.
But if you bring in the big bucks and care more about quality of life than cost of living, consider spending time in Copenhagen. The Danish capital is renowned for its historical row of colorful houses. You'll find it very easy to get around the city by bike, which will cut down some of the aforementioned costs and keep you active — a necessity when you spend your days in front of a computer.
The other downfall of Copenhagen is its extremely harsh winters. Then again, if you're working remotely, the solution is as simple as packing up and leaving once the winds turn cold.
Where to stay: Scandic Falkoner
33. Prague, Czech Republic
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Internet speed: Fast, 20 Mbps
Cost: High, $3,380/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Prague, Czech Republic
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Gorgeous Prague leaves travelers breathless with its UNESCO World Heritage historical center. The Czechian capital is a combination of storybook medieval buildings and pragmatic Soviet architecture.
Digital nomads often prefer to stay near the center to be able to walk along Charles Bridge and see Prague Castle from a distance. But wherever you are located, there is good nightlife, great beer and overall friendly locals.
The city could’ve scored higher, but racial intolerance can make it uncomfortable for travelers of color.
Where to stay: Grand Hotel Bohemia
32. Seoul, South Korea
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Internet speed: Fast, 20 Mbps
Cost: Pricey, $2,386/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Seoul, South Korea
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The South Korean capital is a fast-paced city. While often overlooked by digital nomads, longtime expats love it
Seoul has fast, reliable internet and a widespread cafe and internet culture that make it easy to always have somewhere to work. The city is clean, efficient and punctual. So is the country’s rail system, meaning you can use your weekends and vacations to explore.
Besides that, few cities in the world can beat Seoul when it comes to nightlife. There are gigantic nightclubs where the soju flows, large party districts and singing rooms for the end of the night. This is also one of the safest places you'll ever travel to. Oh, and the food is amazing.
However, South Korea is behind in accepting sexual minorities, and people of color report discrimination, though physical violence against either group is rare.
Where to stay: Moxy Seoul, Myeongdong
31. Toronto, Canada
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Internet speed: Average, 19 Mbps
Cost: Very high, $4,543/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Toronto, Canada
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If New York City had a heart, it would be Toronto. Here, everyone is always in a rush, yet has managed to maintain the shred of human decency that New Yorkers gave up on a long time ago.
Besides the notoriously nice Canadians, Toronto has a bit of everything: good public transit, loads of green spaces, a waterfront promenade, farmer's markets, weekly cultural events and a dynamic, diverse population. There are tons of remote workers in the city, both locals and expats, so you'll easily find people who understand your lifestyle.
Toronto also ranks very highly in terms of safety for sexual minorities.
Where to stay: Novotel Toronto Centre
30. Da Nang, Vietnam
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Internet speed: Slow, 2 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,121/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Da Nang, Vietnam
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Located in Central Vietnam, in between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang is a great place for those who want to use weekends to explore the country.
The city serves as a gateway to Hoi An, a popular tourist spot. You’ll have to share the pavement with large groups of tourists at any time of the year. But it also means meeting people from different countries is easy.
Da Nang is a pleasant city to spend time in, with mouthwatering food at very affordable prices, a low cost of living and beaches you can swim in even in the winter.
The city and the rest of the country are largely intolerant of the LGBTQIA community, which negatively affects its score.
Where to stay: Naman Retreat
29. New York, United States
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Internet speed: Fast, 44 Mbps
Cost: Expensive, $6,814/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: New York, United States
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New York is expensive, but it is a fantastic place to live, especially if you’re in your 20s and don’t mind sleeping in a "room" where your door is a hanging bedsheet.
The city has everything. Food, parks, night shows, clubs, bars, restaurants (with every type of food), world-renowned museums, famous libraries. Even its train station is a landmark.
As one of the most diverse and tolerant cities in the world, New York makes it easy to find friends who understand you.
Its major issue is the cost of living, which can be upwards of $6,000 a month unless you're very frugal.
Where to stay: citizenM New York Bowery
28. São Paulo, Brazil
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Internet speed: OK, 9 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,924/month
Safety: Low
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: São Paulo, Brazil
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Love the idea of New York but can't afford it? Set your eyes on São Paulo. Brazil's second most famous city is one of the largest metropolises in Latin America. This makes it loud, dynamic, diverse and incredibly exciting.
Plus, nightlife is irrefutably much, much better than in New York and the weather is more agreeable. But the true cherry on top is that the cost of living is a third of what you'd pay in the Big Apple.
As for work, there are many co-working spaces or cozy cafes, and with 12.33 million people, you're sure to find community.
Where to stay: Hotel bras
27. Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Internet speed: Fast, 21 Mbps
Cost: High, $3,263/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Ljubljana, Slovenia
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The unappreciated Slovenian capital has anonymity working for it. It doesn’t have landmarks that are known around the world, and it is often ignored for destinations in nearby Italy, Austria and Croatia.
But one tourist’s no-go city is an expat's treasure. Here, you won’t have to deal with the summer swarms that invade other capital cities or wait in long lines to get to the city’s best places. You also won’t have to worry about your favorite coffee shop becoming a souvenir shop.
In Ljubljana, you have the city to enjoy. Living and working is a pleasure because you can integrate into the society, which has not yet been jaded against foreigners who bring in overtourism.
Where to stay: Hotel Nox
26. Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Internet speed: Fast, 28 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,015/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Chiang Mai is the digital nomad city in Thailand. Though there may be more expats in Bangkok, this northern city is where people who want to get away from the congested capital come.
Thailand's second city is still cosmopolitan, but it is surrounded by mountains, so it is very easy to get to nature. Visiting temples is a pastime that could consume much of your free time, with Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep being the most popular.
Thailand also offers foreigners the chance to live there for up to one year to learn an aspect of Thai culture like the language.
Where to stay: Syn Boutique Hotel
25. Vancouver, Canada
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Internet speed: Average, 16 Mbps
Cost: Expensive, $5,109/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Vancouver, Canada
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Vancouver is one of the best places to live in the world. To begin with, the city is gorgeous. It has the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, making it easy to hop from an urban metropolis to nature.
There’s also no shortage of cafes, bars, restaurants, museums and parks, all within walking distance of wherever you live in the city. Besides this, Vancouver is known for being diverse and tolerant, celebrating LGBTQIA rights and welcoming people of different races and ethnicities.
This is why it ranked as the digital nomad capital of the world on the Resume.io report.
Where to stay: Kingston Hotel
24. Auckland, New Zealand
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Internet speed: Average, 19 Mbps
Cost: High, $3,356/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Auckland, New Zealand
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Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand, with about 1.66 million people. Despite its small population for a metropolitan city, Auckland is big on excitement. The city draws in expats who love the outdoors and extreme sports. Skydiving has been a popular pastime for decades.
With a year-round temperate climate, you can almost always hike or picnic in Auckland Domain, a park built around an extinct volcano. You’ll also have access to the bay, which offers views and watersports.
In terms of work, the internet is fast, cafes abound and New Zealand’s Work Travel program guarantees a steady stream of expats that have formed a strong community.
The only real downside of the city is how expensive it is.
Where to stay: Hotel Debrett Auckland
23. Budapest, Hungary
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Internet speed: Fast, 30 Mbps
Cost: Pricey, $2,908/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Budapest, Hungary
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Caught in between Eastern and Western Europe, Budapest is a wonderful juxtaposition of influences.
There is no way around it, the city is breathtaking. It’s also walkable, which makes it pleasant to live in since you can get around without having to worry about having a car. On top of that, the internet is fast, and there are tons of cafes — two requirements for working remotely.
Budapest is also a fun city, with decent nightlife and many landmarks to visit when you’re not sitting in front of your laptop.
However, LGBTQIA and POC travelers should note that this isn’t the most tolerant city in Europe.
Where to stay: TG Hotel Suites Budapest
22. Melbourne, Australia
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Internet speed: Very fast, 65 Mbps
Cost: Very high, $4,155/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Good
Bottom Line: Melbourne, Australia
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Everyone loves Sydney, but Melbourne is where people choose to live. Walkable, tolerant, vibrant and green, this city has everything you could want. You will find a diverse population, an eclectic food scene that reflects this diversity and all the cultural events and institutions your heart could wish for.
If you’re into sports, you’ll feel right at home, with locals being obsessed with catching every sporting event that could be relevant to them.
The only things that keep the city from ranking higher are its location, which makes it difficult for people to travel to other countries, and its high cost of living.
Where to stay: ibis Melbourne Little Lonsdale Street
21. Porto, Portugal
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Internet speed: Fast, 39 Mbps
Cost: High, $3,211/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Porto, Portugal
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Portugal’s second-largest city is its most scenic. The riverfront is dotted with colorful houses packed on top of each other and restaurants where people sip port wine and enjoy local seafood specialties.
The city's beauty can be one of its downfalls though, as tourists overrun Porto on summer weekends. This is tolerable if you’re one of the tourists, but can become overwhelming when you’re living in the city.
Just avoid the touristy areas on the weekends or use your days off to visit smaller cities in this beautiful country, ranked as the second best country in Europe.
Where to stay: Yotel Porto
20. Singapore
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Internet speed: Very fast, 87 Mbps
Cost: Expensive, $5,445/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Singapore
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Singapore is a tiny city-state and one of the coolest places on the whole planet. Living there would be a dream come true. Let’s start with the fact that Singapore has the No. 1 airport in the world. It's so beautiful that it is a tourist attraction in its own right.
The city also uses smart tech to make the city more eco-friendly, best seen at Gardens at the Bay. Add a mix of languages, cultures and cuisines in a fairly small space, and you feel like there are five cities in one. On top of that, Singapore is one of the cleanest countries in the world.
If we have a single complaint about it, it’s the high cost of living.
Where to stay: Hotel Miramar Singapore
19. Barcelona, Spain
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Internet speed: Fast, 21 Mbps
Cost: Very high, $4,842/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Barcelona, Spain
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Do we even need to explain why people love to live in Barcelona? The city is beautiful, and full of history, and it has tons of parks, beaches and great food. It’s no mystery why people flock here.
You have to try to find an ugly place in the city, and Catalonian nightlife, which doesn't start until around midnight, is famous for good reason.
But for all its wonderful qualities, Barcelona has too many tourists and is very expensive. It is also known for discriminating against travelers of color, particularly black and indigenous people.
Locals have also spoken out against overtourism, so if you move here, make sure you're not pricing out locals and having a negative impact on the community.
Where to stay: Holiday Inn Barcelona - Sant Cugat
18. Timisoara, Romania
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Internet speed: Fast, 27 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,734/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Timisoara, Romania
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If you want to experience Europe without the crowds, come to Timisoara. While the city is decidedly urban, it still has traditional Eastern European charm and continues to be a sort of Romanian secret not many foreigners know about.
Timisoara is known for having many green spaces, with several tulip gardens in its public squares that are particularly pleasant in the spring.
Unfortunately, LGBTQIA people still face discrimination in Romania.
Where to stay: Savoy Hotel Timisoara
17. Istanbul, Turkey
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Internet speed: OK, 6 Mbps
Cost: Pricey, $2,106/month
Safety: OK (political conflict)
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Istanbul, Turkey
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A true link between Europe and Asia, Turkey’s most famous city is breathtaking.
Istanbul is definitely not for those who want peace and quiet, which you won’t find in most places of this packed city. What you’ll find is great nightlife, more landmarks than you could ever visit (you should start at the Hagia Sophia) and food so good you’ll want to cry.
American expats should be careful given the political tension between the two countries. There is also a high intolerance for the LGBTQIA community.
Where to stay: Akgun Istanbul Hotel
16. Penang, Malaysia
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Internet speed: Average, 13 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,006/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Penang, Malaysia
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All you really need to know about Penang is that the island is considered the food capital of Malaysia, has beaches and is nicknamed the "Pearl of the Orient."
It's also safe for women, locals are friendly to foreigners. There are mountains nearby, and the architecture is interesting.
Need more convincing? It’s also pretty cheap, at a little over a thousand dollars per month for a decent expat life.
Where to stay: Amari Spice Penang
15. London, United Kingdom
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Internet speed: Average, 16 Mbps
Cost: Expensive, $6,593/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: London, United Kingdom
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Like New York, London is too expensive, but it makes up for it with its charm.
If you’ve never been, don’t pay attention to movies that show London as a drab and dreary place. That image couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, it rains a lot, but you won’t be thinking about the rain while you’re stumbling from landmark to landmark on the way to the coffee shop to start the day.
The food is also just too good to not mention, though it’s mostly because you can find lots of non-English food. Besides this, the city’s diversity makes it tolerant, friendly and safe for people from most backgrounds — at least compared to other places in the world.
Where to stay: Mama Shelter London
14. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
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Internet speed: Average, 18 Mbps
Cost: Pricey, $2,290/month
Safety: OK
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
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Ever dreamed of being a digital nomad in Mexico? So have a lot of other people, and many of them end up in Playa del Carmen.
Geographically in between Cancun and Tulum, this beach town is also halfway in between in terms of personality. It is not a giant resort town like Cancun, but it also lacks the small jungle town vibes that make Tulum popular (though development is jeopardizing those vibes).
Playa del Carmen has a huge expat community, boasts great weather year-round and makes for a good starting point to visit other places in Yucatan, such as Chichen Itza.
Where to stay: The Reef 28
13. Cape Town, South Africa
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Internet speed: OK, 6 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,968/month
Safety: Low
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Cape Town, South Africa
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Any city that has an imposing flat-topped mountain next to the ocean is a city worth living in. But that’s not all Cape Town has to offer.
Locals are friendly and welcoming. You can find good South African wine practically everywhere. And there are several museums dedicated to art and history that will keep you occupied on the weekends.
Once you have established a community, you’ll be invited to a Braai, a BBQ-style gathering that is extremely important to the local culture and makes South Africa one of the best countries for BBQ.
Where to stay: Bliss Boutique Hotel
12. Austin, Texas
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Internet speed: Very fast, 55 Mbps
Cost: High, $3,942/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Austin, Texas
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Austin is a great place to live. The people are friendly and accepting, going against stereotypes people have about Texans. Live music venues are everywhere, and the city's large lakes make it easy to go boating, fishing and swimming.
The internet is also very fast and very easy to access, which has made it a remote worker hub. If you don't like coffee shops, there are countless coworking spaces.
Yes, it is pretty expensive, but the cool factor makes Austin the highest-ranked city for remote workers in the U.S.
Where to stay: Hyatt Place Austin Downtown
11. Tallinn, Estonia
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Internet speed: Fast, 19 Mbps
Cost: Very high, $4,712/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Tallinn, Estonia
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Effortlessly cool Tallinn is somehow still under the radar for most remote workers. Yes, life isn't dirt cheap, and yes, the winter will make you question the meaning of existence — but you can say the same thing for plenty of cities that are still very popular (we're looking at you, London and New York).
Estonia is one of the world's most innovative countries, investing a lot in creating infrastructure and opportunities for startups and small businesses. The Baltic nation was also one of the first on the planet to issue a digital nomad visa, way before the coronavirus pandemic made it cool.
Where to stay: Oru Hub Hotel
10. Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
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Internet speed: Fast, 28 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,616/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
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Ko Pha Ngan is perfect for young nomads who want to work hard and play hard. The Thai island is mostly known for its Full Moon parties, which attract monthly flocks of backpackers. You'll definitely have fun while enjoying a low cost of living.
When you're not partying, there is actually a very serious digital nomad community, plenty of cafes from where you can work and good internet speed. As a bonus, you'll get to relax and exercise at the beach.
Where to stay: Phangan Beach Resort
9. Berlin, Germany
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Internet speed: Average, 19 Mbps
Cost: Very high, $4,216/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Berlin, Germany
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No city can match the aloof coolness of Berlin. The city doesn’t even try. If anything, it does its most to be dingy, but this only makes it cooler.
Though the cost of living is high, Berlin is somewhat affordable by European standards. Public transportation is great, there are too many parks to count, and the population is very diverse. History lovers will also never run out of things to see, do and learn.
If you like to party after work, this is the city for that. After all, Berlin may be as famous for its nightclubs as it is for its monuments. To make the deal even sweeter, Germany has a digital nomad visa for freelancers.
Where to stay: Mondrian Suites Berlin Checkpoint Charlie
8. Tenerife, Spain
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Internet speed: Fast, 27 Mbps
Cost: Pricey, $2,880/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Tenerife, Spain
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Does living on an island sound like a dream to you? You’re not alone. Especially if that island is Tenerife, famed for its natural beauty and raging parties.
There are very few bad things to say about this island, which is tolerant and diverse. You can spend your days working from a cafe before you go swimming in the afternoon and prepare to go out at night.
There also are mountains (well, a dormant volcano) to climb if you want to escape to nature.
Where to stay: Hotel Taburiente
7. Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Internet speed: Fast, 23 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,681/month
Safety: OK
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Buenos Aires is an expat favorite due to its perfect combination of good weather, nice people, beautiful architecture and delicious wine. Cafe culture is strong in the Argentine capital, so you'll never have to worry about finding a good place to work from. Besides, there are now many co-working spaces catering to both locals and foreigners who work remotely.
When you're not working, you can take advantage of the city's cultural offerings, which include museums like the Buenos Aires Museum of Latin American Art (MALBA) and the famed Teatro Colón, where you can catch plays, ballets and operas.
Where to stay: 725 Continental Hotel
6. Madeira, Portugal
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Internet speed: Very fast, 42 Mbps
Cost: Pricey, $2,320/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Madeira, Portugal
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Located off the northwest coast of Africa is a Portuguese archipelago made up of four islands. The main island, Madeira, is becoming very popular with expats. This isn’t a coincidence, as the government launched a program to attract digital nomads.
You can enjoy beaches, mountains and rivers on this volcanic island. Disconnecting after work is easy, given the remoteness of the location and the calm pace of life.
Where to stay: Pestana Carlton Madeira
5. Tbilisi, Georgia
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Internet speed: OK, 10 Mbps
Cost: Pricey, $2,327/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Tsibili, Georgia
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Tbilisi has enough wine, food and beauty to attract all the remote workers that it wants. But what sets the Georgian capital apart is that it allows U.S. citizens to stay without a visa for up to a year.
Digital nomads can stop the constant cycle of packing up and moving every couple of months and set down temporary roots here. This is a breath of fresh air for remote workers that feel burnt out by too much movement.
That being said, Georgia is not very accepting of sexual minorities and has a bad track record of discrimination against people of color.
Where to stay: Silver 34 Boutique
4. Mexico City, Mexico
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Internet speed: Fast, 21 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,876/month
Safety: Low
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Mexico City, Mexico
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If you come to the Mexican capital looking for beaches and hot weather, you’ll upset the locals and set yourself up for disappointment. The inland capital has balmy weather year-round and is densely populated.
Traffic is always busy, but the metro is efficient, and there are designated female cars that try to boost safety for women. We don’t need to tell you that the food is beyond description. If you love street food, you will be in absolute paradise. The city also has lots of cultural institutions, with some of the most famous museums in the world, large universities and Aztec ruins displayed in the middle of the city.
Remote workers also love the work-life balance that is easy to follow here, and LGBTQIA expats can find a welcoming community and a gay nightlife district. Mexico City ranks second as the best capital for digital nomads, according to the Etias report.
Where to stay: Hotel Marquis Reforma
3. Bali, Indonesia
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Internet speed: OK, 6 Mbps
Cost: Affordable, $1,732/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Bali, Indonesia
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Can you be a digital nomad if you haven’t spent time in Bali?
There are many places on this Indonesian island that have become a hub for expats and digital nomads, so it’s possible to find a place that fits your needs.
Besides having a built-in community, the island is affordable and beautiful, the locals are nice, and there are plenty of things to do during your off-hours. This includes visiting temples, seeing rice terrace fields and spending obscene amounts of time at the beach.
Where to stay: Visesa Ubud Resort
2. Taipei, Taiwan
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Internet speed: Fast, 24 Mbps
Cost: Pricey, $2,231/month
Safety: Good
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Taipei, Taiwan
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We dare you to find someone who has one bad thing to say about Taipei. The Taiwanese capital gets close to being a perfect city, and not just for remote workers.
The people are extremely friendly, female safety is high, the air quality is good, the food is great and the nightlife never gets old. Taipei also sets itself apart from other Asian cities in its openness towards the LGBTQIA community.
If you ever find yourself living in this city, thank your lucky stars every day.
Where to stay: The Riviera Hotel Taipei
1. Lisbon, Portugal
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Internet speed: Fast, 39 Mbps
Cost: Pricey, $3,822/month
Safety: Great
Places to work from: Great
Bottom Line: Lisbon, Portugal
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Where do we begin to list all of Lisbon’s positive qualities?
We could be here for days gushing about pasteis de nata, the colorful architecture adorned with azulejos (typical Portuguese tiles), the great weather, the friendly locals, the relatively cheap cost of living, the multiple lookout points scattered throughout the city for perfect views and the dirt-cheap, high-quality wine.
All of this, combined with a digital nomad visa, fast internet, safety and a robust expat community, makes Lisbon a no-brainer as the best city for remote work.
Where to stay: Hotel Real Palacio