With more and more people working online, there’s never been a better time to consider life as a digital nomad. A location-independent lifestyle allows you to traverse the globe and earn money at the same time. The only question is… when the world is your oyster, where do you go first? Let’s dive into the best cities in Europe for digital nomads.

Factors to Consider 

Of course, there are some factors you need to take into account. For example, although you can technically work from anywhere, it’s difficult to get anything done without a decent internet connection. Here are the main things to think about when choosing where to live as a digital nomad:

Safety 

It’s difficult to enjoy yourself when you don’t feel safe. Always double check crime statistics before jumping on a plane. For more on staying safe, check out this list of common sense travel tips. 

Affordability 

One of the perks of nomadism is that you can live somewhere your salary goes a lot further. Thankfully, there are plenty of European cities where you can enjoy a high standard of living for relatively little. 

Internet Connection

No matter your line of work, you’ll need a good internet connection. Luckily, most of Europe has pretty high-speed internet.

Coworking and Community

Loneliness is one of the biggest problems reported by digital nomads, so choose somewhere with a strong community. It’s a good sign when a city has lots of coworking spaces. These are great not just for productivity, but also for bonding with fellow travelers. 

Now that we’ve got that covered, here are the best cities in Europe for digital nomads.

Lisbon, Portugal 

Portugal’s capital city is a popular digital nomad hub with plenty of coworking spaces and a strong community. Lisbon is brimming with character, culture and a buzzing entertainment scene so there’s plenty to see and do. You can live comfortably in Lisbon for around $1,800 per month, although this does of course depend on your lifestyle. 

Not many people realise that Lisbon is very close to some wonderful beaches. You can reach the seaside in just 20-40 minutes using public transport. That’s your weekends sorted! 

Budapest, Hungary 

With a buzzing entertainment scene, beautiful Baroque architecture and fascinating history, Budapest is honestly one of the coolest cities you’ll ever visit. The digital nomad scene here is thriving and creatives will feel especially at home in this artistic hub. There are plenty of coworking spaces, quirky cafes and lavish classical European coffee shops to work from. 

It’s very affordable to live in Budapest; you’re looking at $400-500 for a 1-bed apartment in the city centre. You could save even more by living a little further out, especially since the public transport system is so good. 

Another big draw of Budapest is the unique nightlife scene. There are lots of uber-edgy ruin bars and in the summer you can attend a “Sparty” in the city’s oldest thermal baths.

Tallinn, Estonia 

Tallinn is a great choice for newbie nomads because it’s small, safe and affordable. Lots of expats call this city home, so it’s easy to find a community. It does get pretty cold in the winter but I think that just adds to Tallinn’s charm, especially during December when you can visit snow-covered Christmas markets.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is big enough to be exciting yet small enough to feel manageable. It’s a lovely, creative city where you can live lavishly for a fraction of what you’d pay in the States. You can spend your weekdays being productive in Prague’s many funky coworking spaces and stylish cafes. Weekends, on the other hand, are for boating on the river, checking out trendy bars and relaxing in traditional beer gardens. Prague is one of Europe’s most romantic cities and I just can’t get enough of the bohemian vibes. 

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

If year-round sunshine and weekends on the beach are your main reasons for becoming a digital nomad, then Las Palmas is perfect for you. It’s fun and friendly with a laid back vibe and plenty of things to do on your days off. 

Dubrovnik, Croatia 

The picturesque city of Dubrovnik is a major reason to visit Croatia. The astonishingly well-preserved medieval architecture provides a beautiful backdrop for work and play. Dubrovnik has a fantastic cafe culture and plenty of upscale nightlife to keep luxury travelers happy. It’s also a fantastic base from which to explore the rest of beautiful Croatia. 

Krakow, Poland

Similar to Budapest, Krakow is an edgy post-Soviet city with plenty to offer digital nomads. It’s one of the most affordable destinations on this list and remote workers are flocking here in their droves – especially those who work in tech. The only downside is the extremes of weather; we’re talking sweltering summers and freezing cold winters.

 That concludes my list of the top cities in Europe for digital nomads! For more on remote work, why not check out this guide to the best online jobs?