Southern Europe seems to be the end goal of every digital nomad looking to combine both beach and culture, with coastal destinations across Spain, Italy, and Croatia all brimming with workcationers lately, but there’s one caveat:
Prices across much of the Mediterranean have soared in recent years, and even in Croatia, which was historically seen as the cheaper alternative to Italy, the cost of living has skyrocketed significantly since the introduction of the euro, as reported by Superbox Travel.
Unless you’ve mastered the art of living frugally, and by that we’re talking sleeping in shared rooms and turning to supermarkets instead of restaurants for meals, it’s unlikely you’ll keep monthly expenses under $2,000 living in these tried-and-true nomad hubs.
Lucky for you, you don’t need to sacrifice comfort nor blow the budget to live it up by the European seaside, if only it’s these 4 lesser-known gems you’re headed to:
Varna, Bulgaria
A lively seaport in Eastern Bulgaria, home to over 335,000 residents, Varna is an up-and-coming workcation spot nomads are seeking for its thriving social scene, particularly over the summer season, temperate climate, and affordable prices.
It straddles the Black Sea Coast, which, as you should know by now, is only black by name: waters off the shoreline are bright blue, and unlike other European resorts, where beaches are pebbly and uncomfortable to walk on, Varna’s are of soft, honey-colored sands.
Other than lounging by the beach, visiting nomads can explore the Sea Garden, the largest landscaped park in the entire Balkan Peninsula, visit the landmark golden-dome cathedral, or catch up with work at the local Starbucks, which–wait for it–is built over Roman ruins!
According to Nomad List respondents, it costs between $1,200 and $2,078 to live and work remotely from Bulgaria’s summer capital, or a median $1,639, with lower-than-average prices observed for accommodation, food and transportation.
Ksamil, Albania
Ksamil, Albania, may not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think of a paradisiacal beach getaway in Europe, yet it straddles the same Ionian Sea as Western Greece.
Not to mention, the weather is pretty similar, and the cultural heritage is just as rich.
It is best known for the thin-white sands, turquoise seas, affordable restaurants where a generous seafood platter will set you back by only $10.90, and ancient sites, most notably the 2,800-year-old Butrint, host to a partially-flooded theater and a monumental castle.
As it is a small town still largely undeveloped, Ksamil doesn’t really have an abundance of cafes, and oftentimes nomads will find their beachfront Airbnb is the best place to work from––still, it’s not like that’s necessarily an issue:
An Airbnb in Ksamil costs from $665 a month this fall, and by that we mean a fully-furnished apartment within walking distance of the trendy Ksamil Beach, and a short drive away from the nearby city of Sarandë, where ferries to Greece depart from.
As for living costs, they’re estimated from $1,251 to $2,063––in downtown Ksamil, the pricier end is likely to be a more realistic median as demand tends to be higher due to the beach access and big choice of restaurants.
Antalya, Türkiye
Antalya is a rising nomad hub on Türkiye’s Southern Coast, with a picturesque Old Town (Kaleiçi) and a lively Konyaaltı hotel strip serving as its two main attractions––for nomads.
However, the biggest appeal lies in how affordable it is for a Mediterranean metropolis:
You can find rooms in a shared apartment for as cheap as $373 in Muratpaşa, while private apartments start from $949; on top of that, food is remarkably inexpensive, with curbside kebab meals costing $7.51, and three-course meals for two in mid-range restaurants averaging $45.04.
In addition to affordability, Antalya is probably the best-equipped nomad center in Türkiye outside Istanbul, thanks to its high concentration of laptop-friendly eateries, usually adjacent to youth hostels, walkability, and good safety levels.
One of the best digital nomad cafes in town is the aptly-named Coworking Antalya, sought-after among workers for its beautiful terrace, commanding privileged views of the marina and Ottoman-style houses in the heart of the Old Town, stable internet, and delicious finger foods.
Overall, living in Antalya equals spending $1,463 per month, based on estimates provided by Nomad List.
Faro, Portugal
Faro is the largest and best-developed city in Portugal’s Algarve, the country’s summer capital.
It enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year, so it boasts warmer temperatures year-round, and we’re not surprised workcationers have been flocking in here.
It is one of the highest-ranking destinations on the Digital Nomad Charts currently, and between the unspoiled golden-sand strips nearby and the large number of medieval and Baroque monuments it hosts, it’s certain to keep the beach and culture-loving nomads alike happy.
The low cost of living also plays its part, as Faro is the cheapest place to live in Portugal, as assessed by Nomad List––essentially, you can live here on as little as $1,984 a month, owing to the cheap rent and food (inexpensive meals in local restaurants cost roughly $13.12).
In addition, Faro is the perfect home base for exploring the Algarve, as it is well-connected to other tourism hotspots in the region–trains leave for Albufeira, Portimão, and Lagos multiple times per day, and travel distances are typically very short.
From Faro to Sagres, the westernmost point of Portugal, it’s a short 1h25 drive.
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