With its ancient culture, impressive levels of safety, and great infrastructure, Europe seems to be the end goal of a significant percentage of digital nomads.
Cities like Barcelona, Lisbon, and Split have all become workcation havens in recent years.
The only downside to those? Anti-expat sentiment is growing across the Old Continent, as local markets become saturated and prices shoot up in response, so it’s only natural remote workers would be turning their gaze elsewhere to look for cheaper, more welcoming spots.
If you’re wondering which European gems are trending for 2025, here are 5 top (inexpensive) picks taken from Nomad List‘s fastest-rising list:
Timisoara, Romania
A mid-size city in Northwestern Romania offering an alternative to an all-too-chaotic Bucharest, Timisoara is distinguished by its stately, Vienna-inspired Secessionist buildings, 11-dome Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the finest examples of Orthodox architecture, and scenic riverfront.
The pedestrian-friendly center is flush with cafes and youth hostels that turn into lively bars at night. If you’ve been watching in dismay as crime spirals out of control in Western Europe, Timisoara is very safe in comparison, boasting a ‘very low’ level of crime on Numbeo.
Plus, it’s incredibly affordable to live in, costing $1,808 per month. Romania offers some of the cheapest consumer prices anywhere on the continent, and in Timisoara in particular, you can find meals for as cheap as $8.80 in local restaurants and monthly rentals from $425.55.
Faro, Portugal
In the Westernmost end of Europe, an often overlooked Faro is fast-increasing in popularity with nomads.
It is replacing the usual nomad hotspots of Lisbon and Porto, which (let’s be honest) are pretty much done for, what with the astounding increase in rent.
In Faro, on the other hand, you get the Baroque cathedral, the cobbled Old Town, and the pristine sandy coast at much cheaper rates––$1,987 a month versus Lisbon’s pricey $3,290––not to mention a plethora of laptop-friendly eateries and smaller crowds.
Though it is the capital of the sun-drenched Algarve region, Faro feels more like a small town where life unfolds at a much slower pace, and it feels peaceful even in the peak season, as all those British tourists will be hitting the beach in Portimão and Lagos instead.
Antalya, Türkiye
Over in Türkiye, Antalya boasts a minaret-dotted Old Town, ringed by Roman-era city walls and ornate commemorative archways, endless miles of beaches, and unusually milder temps, making it is the perfect destination for those who love ancient culture, as well as basking in the sun:
Temperatures increase up to 68°F as early as April, and there are numerous beaches lined by casual restaurants to be enjoyed, including a trendy Konyaaltı, backed by the towering Anatolian mountains and lapping turquoise-blue waters.
As for the cost of living, you should set aside some $1,507 per month relocating to Antalya, where dinners can cost a negligible $7.30, or a still-acceptable $43.77 for a three-course meal for two, and the price of basic accommodation averages $648.86.
Podgorica, Montenegro
In the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, Podgorica is great for a temporary relocation due to its friendly locals, thriving social scene and economical prices, as well as the fact it lies outside the Schengen Area, allowing nomads to remain longer than the restrictive 90 days in Europe.
Despite being the Montenegrin capital, it’s not the Montenegro you’d expect, and by that we mean, it’s no ocher-colored ancient gem lining a teal-colored Adriatic: it’s known instead for its Ottoman-built Old Town, rebuilt after the World Wars, Yugoslav-era apartment blocks, and verdant city parks.
Similarly to neighboring Croatia, Montenegro has got significantly expensive for nomads in recent years, especially places like Kotor and Budva, but not Podgorica, where having ćevapi for lunch will set you back roughly $8.75, while a centrally-situated one-bedroom apartment is $602.21.
Skopje, North Macedonia
Balkan Europe for the win! One of the greatest traction-gainers for 2025, as well as the cheapest nomad destination on this list, Skopje in North Macedonia should definitely be on your list if medieval castles and Turkish-style bazaars are your thing––and you don’t mind the odd quirky sculpture.
Known as the ‘Kitsch Capital of Europe‘, its skyline is dominated by monumental bronze figures, from Alexander the Great to Mother Teresa, historic stone bridges, and a hilltop fortress overlooking a meandering river: the quintessential European postcard.
The only difference compared to most nomad hubs across the pond? Total expenses are estimated to cap at a much-lower $1,364: ordering some Turkish coffee and a slice of pie in the center of town will have you forking out a mere $6.39, and rent typically starts from $360.45.
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