Now that entry requirements for the digital nomads are being relaxed, and numerous European countries are not only warmly welcoming them, but going as far as launching year-long Digital Nomad Visas, remote workers will be flocking into Europe starting this summer.
Whether it’s for the cities dating back several millennia or the idyllic Southern coastline, the Old Continent seems to be on the radar of every digital nomad lately, and with over 40 destinations to pick from, it’s not like their options are limited to the usual France, Italy, Spain boring, cliche-trio.
But where should they be headed to both experience the ancient culture and summery vibes?
With a little help from Nomad List, now we know the top 5 ‘workcation’ hubs in Europe:
Varna, Bulgaria
We’ve said this a million times over, but it’s always worth reiterating that the Black Sea is the New Mediterranean.
If you’re keen on stretching those hard-earned dollars further while still living it up by the seaside, Varna in Bulgaria is your top pick this summer.
This metropolis, founded in the 6th century BC, straddles the azure Black Sea, and between the old monuments scattered around the city center and the long miles of honey-colored sands lined by beach clubs and modern developments, it won’t take you long to fall in love with the place.
Some of the coolest landmarks include a Starbucks in a century-old house, beneath which lie a partly-preserved section of the city’s Roman Walls—needless to say, it’s every nomad’s go-to work spot in town—the towering Orthodox cathedral, with its shiny golden dome, and of course, Varna Beach.
Varna reaches pleasant highs of 86°F in summer, with a Mediterranean-like weather and sunsets from 8:30 p.m. offering plenty of daylight; plus, it’s one of the cheapest beach destinations in Europe for nomads, with month-long stays costing just over $2,000 according to Nomad List.
However, it should be noted that the cost of living will vary wildly from one nomad to the next, so always take these figures with a grain of salt.
Lagos, Portugal
Lagos is a historic Atlantic port famous for its picturesque Old Town, a maze of cobblestones full of traditional bakeries and restaurants that continues to be surrounded by medieval walls and within short walking distance of breathtaking nature.
It is the starting point for the Ponta da Piedade Trail, a 1.5-mile footpath unfolding along the rugged Algarvian coast, with wooden steps leading down to secluded sandy beaches bounded by bright-blue waters, natural lagoons, sea caves, and even historical ruins.
With its balmy climate, high concentration of heritage buildings and tasty seafood, it is the quintessential European summer getaway for nomads, though they should be aware that, no matter how hot it gets in Lagos, and it gets scorching hot, the sea is always colder.
This is the Atlantic, after all, but it always feels refreshing to go for a dip when the temperature is raging upwards from the mid 80s, and of course, there’s the affordability factor: nomads are expected to spend only $2,269 per month.
Bar, Montenegro
The first Mediterranean destination on this list—we can hear you letting out those ‘finally‘ sighs in the back—Bar is Montenegro’s best-kept secret: while the likes of Kotor, Budva, and Sveti Stefan have become awfully crowded in recent years, this gem remains more crowd free.
It is one of the largest cities in the up-and-coming Balkan country, and it combines Old World charm and modern seaside resorts, with plenty of long-term, nomad-friendly Airbnbs and guesthouses, and a thriving, youthful social scene.
Bar is home to one of Montenegro’s handful of sandy beaches, Sutormore, lapped by the turquoise waters of the Med, and even if you’re only here for the coastal vibes, beautiful Stari Bar, a hilltop, fortified settlement dating back hundreds of years, is a short 10-minute drive from the city center.
As incredible as it may be, Bar is yet to succumb to overtourism—if you exclude the thousands of Serbian and Russians who come here for some summer fun—and as it caters mostly to middle to low-income Eastern European families, it’s a steal of a deal costing Western nomads $1,808 per month.
Madeira, Portugal
We’re back to subtropical Portugal for this one, more specifically, a Portuguese island off the coast of West Africa, and one that’s recently become a safe haven for sun-seeking nomads.
Most based themselves around the charming capital city of Funchal, dominated by 16th-century Baroque buildings and surrounded by lush green hills, while those expecting more privacy and a laid-back retreat would head straight for the picturesque, sun-drenched Ponta do Sol or Seixal.
We were in Madeira ourselves for a whole week last year and can attest this is definitely the perfect summer getaway for nature lovers: it is traversed by towering peaks, laurel forests that predate human civilization, and it’s got an unlimited supply of gorgeous unspoiled beaches.
It is no wonder it’s called the Hawaii of Europe, except it’s far cheaper than the ‘Aloha’ homeland: overall, renting a modest house in a quaint part of the island and going for casual dinners every other night in downtown Funchal will set you back by $2,097 monthly.
Albania
As one of the cheapest Mediterranean destinations, with a cultural heritage spanning thousands of years and long miles of sand-and-pebble coast bounded by teal-colored seas, Albania is every digital nomad’s go-to spot across the pond right now.
Whether it’s the cosmopolitan inland capital of Tirana, a modernist playground with an ever-changing cityscape, or the laid-back coastal village of Ksamil, which was recently dubbed the ‘European Maldives‘ thanks to its sugar-white sands, nomad love for this once-forgotten Balkan jewel runs deep.
Albanians are friendly and incredibly welcoming, the weather is subtropical but not overbearingly hot, and you could spend a lifetime here and still not see everything the country has to offer: secret swimming spots, UNESCO-listed stone-built towns, well-preserved Greek ruins, and what have you.
Then, of course, there’s the fact that Albania is the cheapest destination in the sunny South of Europe, where you can have dinners for under $30, rent fully-furnished summer houses for around $700, and lead a moderately luxurious life for just $2,019 a month.
If it’s the beach and culture you crave, you truly won’t find it cheaper (or better) than this.
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