Famous for their warm hospitality, Slavic culture, generous visa policies and cheaper prices, the Balkans have emerged as a safe haven for digital nomads in recent years, and indeed, if you’re a Europhile keen on making those dollars stretch further, this is where you should be headed.
Europe is not exactly known for being a budget-friendly destination for nomads who are just getting started, especially with the cost of living crisis, but the continent’s Southeastern tip offers some financial relief if you’re budget-conscious, but still wants to live on easy street.
Many will just use the Balkans as a transit hub ahead of sorting out their Spain or Italy Digital Nomad Visa, but here’s why you should consider making these 5 Balkan gems your permanent base:
Timișoara, Romania
One of the most beautiful cities in Romania, boasting a rich architectural heritage, Timisoara is the perfect mid-size city to relocate: it’s still big enough to have a vibrant social scene, but the traffic is nowhere near as chaotic as Bucharest’s, the bustling Romanian capital, and crime levels remain low.
The well-preserved Old Town has palatial buildings lurking in every corner, not to mention an imposing riverfront Orthodox cathedral with a colorful frescoed interior, and though it’s already pretty walkable, the well-connected tram system makes it easy to get around.
Plus, it’s packed with work-friendly spots, whether it’s the local cafe serving Romanian delicacies or just, you know, your regular Starbucks, and the best part, it’s dirt cheap to live in: a fully-furnished central apartment costs an acceptable $714 to rent, and monthly expenses cap at $1,813.
Ksamil, Albania
Europe’s offbeat beach destination, Ksamil has been trending with nomads lately thanks to its balmy Mediterranean climate, unspoiled white sands that have drawn unlikely Maldives comparisons, and teal-colored seas that are shared with Greece.
Unless it’s summer, when beach clubs swing open their doors and young Albanians flock from all over the country for their cheap drinks and sunset views, this is a rather quaint oceanside village, with a varied selection of affordable seafood restaurants and plenty of Old World charm:
The nearby Greco-Roman ruins of the city of Butrint, one of the best-preserved in the Balkan Peninsula, is a short 9-minute drive from Ksamil, and living here long-term, your total expenses will typically cap at $2,047 per month, based on Nomad List estimates.
Skopje, North Macedonia
The quirky, kitsch capital of a tiny landlocked country going by the name of North Macedonia, Skopje has been criminally ignored by tourists for decades now, even though it ticks all the boxes, from the hilltop fortress down to the cobbled historic center, but nomads should definitely not pay it dust.
Other than the Old World charm—and abnormally-high concentration of commemorative statues—Ohrid is famous for having a plethora of affordable restaurants, where meals can cost a negligible five bucks, and well-equipped workspaces, where renting a hot desk will set you back $85 a month.
Novi Sad, Serbia
The crown jewel of Serbia, Novi Sad is an elegant city on the banks of the fast-flowing Danube easily recognized for the towering Neo-Gothic cathedral, in a striking jaune, that pierces the otherwise-even, red tile-roofed townscape.
If you appreciate the passing of the seasons, then you’ll love it here, as it enjoys scorching-hot Balkan summers, yet autumns and winters can be freezing cold, but rain or shine, its cobblestones, Baroque facades in muted tones and cafe-lined waterside are sure to steal your heart.
If anything, you’re certain to have a cracking time without, hem, cracking the piggy bank: setting aside $722 for rent, you’re left with $665 to spend on lavish three-course dinners that are still only $41 for two people and even going on wine-tasting tours across the Vojvodina.
Budva, Montenegro
Back to the pristine Adriatic coast, Budva is a culturally-charged fortified harbor town in Montenegro, a tiny Balkan country and up-and-coming destination that’s stealing the hearts of sun-loving workcationers lately, and it’s not hard to see why:
The Old Town is storybook material, with cobbled lanes flanked by traditional Dalmatian stone houses and Romanesque churches, and the pebbly beaches just outside the city walls, joined by casual alfresco diners and ice cream parlors just scream European summer.
Staying in Budva for an entire month, you may be able to rent a fully-furnished apartment within walking distance to the beach for as cheap as $1,556 per month while keeping food costs down to under $40 a day––thanks to the lower consumer prices––and your overall budget at $2,326.
Not exactly the cheapest nomad getaway, but certainly one of the most attractive seasonal deals anywhere in the Mediterranean.
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