According to a new landmark report by Global Citizens Solutions, sunny Spain is Europe’s top digital destination, with remote workers having flocked there in recent years drawn to its high quality of life, the favorable economic environment, as well as visa benefits.
If you’ve been out here hustling as a nomad for a while, that will hardly come as a surprise, seeing that the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is one of the most coveted, and cities like Barcelona and Valencia have essentially become workcation sanctuaries at this point.
Be that as it may, you may still be wondering where in Spain nomads are going when they’re not, hem, affluent entrepreneurs and they’re traveling on a limited budget––let’s face it: as great as Barcelona may be, it’s not exactly known for being the cheapest of coastal hubs.
Well, look no further! Whether you’re in Spain on a temporary visa or you’re a DNV holder, here are the 4 cheapest beach spots that make for an incredible home base:
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Thousands of miles away from contiguous Spain––and in fact, closer to the coast of West Africa––Gran Canaria is a mostly-arid island lapped by sandy beaches and a bright-blue Atlantic, boasting year-round mild temperatures and a cheaper cost of living compared to the mainland.
Its capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is a mid-size city home to around 400,000 inhabitants, that in recent years has been a magnet for expats and remote workers alike, be it for the active meetups, the abundance of coworking stations, or the more chill, laid-back lifestyle.
Other than the privileged coastal location, comprising a 3100 meter-long Playa de Las Canteras, Las Palmas has affordable Airbnb prices for as cheap as $545 a month, and overall, food is surprisingly cheap, too, particularly if you’re not actively looking to splurge:
You should expect to pay $11.68 for a meal in a local restaurant, or on a special occasion, $44.50 on a three-course dinner paired with local wine, and in case you’re wondering, safety levels are nothing short of excellent, to the point where even pickpocketing is relatively uncommon.
Menorca
It seems islands are where nomads are getting the best value for money, as the next entry on the list is Menorca, one of the smallest of the Balearics, an archipelago in the Mediterranean administered by Spain and arguably the most peaceful:
Unlike its big sister Mallorca, Menorca does not seem to attract the same partying crowds: instead, it caters to slow travelers and long-term visitors keen on bringing it down a notch, being in tune with nature, and working remotely from a distraction-free environment.
Menorcan capital Mahón is the ideal place to do so, a walled port town oozing Old World charm, with local-owned cafes full of character, and cozy eateries where a satisfactory paella dinner will cost you $22––on that note, check out the amazing Arjau Restaurant lining the waterfront.
Based on data provided by Numbeo, the cost of meals in no-frills restaurants ranges between $16.69 and $33.37 across Menorca, and nomads who have called Menorca home for over a month have reported monthly expenses of around $2,130 on average.
Cadiz
Located on the South Atlantic Coast of Spain, near the Strait of Gibraltar, where the vast open ocean meets the enclosed Mediterranean, Cadiz is an often-overlooked coastal gem workcationers have been sleeping on for far too long.
Other than the year-round warmer weather, averaging a pleasant 73.4°F in the fall––it is located in the hottest region not only of Spain, but all of Europe––it is a well-preserved medieval port playing host to a number of storied monuments, including a domed cathedral, and the Tavira watchtower.
It’s much more quieter than other Andalusian hotspots like Malaga and Marbella, too, though there’s always a lively beachfront venue, or casual tapas bar brimming with youngsters if you turn the next corner––last but certainly not least, there’s just no beating the local prices!
Cadiz has one of the cheapest average food costs in Spain, with a meal in an inexpensive restaurant costing $13.35, and regarding accommodation, it’s not that far behind, either: month-long rentals for private rooms start from a very-reasonable $692 on Airbnb.
A Coruña
Tucked away in the northwestern-most corner of Spain, in the much under-appreciated Galicia, A Coruña is the kind of up-and-coming European resort city you didn’t know you needed added to your bucket list as a digital nomad:
We’re talking a perfectly-preserved medieval Old Town with winding, pedestrian-friendly streets that are flanked by colorful building facades, a plethora of historical sites, including the UNESCO-listed Tower of Hercules, the last surviving Ancient Roman lighthouse, and beaches galore.
The abundance of work-friendly cafes, particularly within the historic center, the average monthly costs under $2,500––a significant low for mainland Spain––and the off-path appeal (read: no excessive crowding), all make A Coruña the perfect alternative to your typical Spanish workcation spot.
However, here’s a little warning to our fellow beach bums out there: this is not the Mediterranean!
Those sandy beaches are incredibly inviting, but A Coruña is located on the North Atlantic instead, and while weather conditions aren’t exactly terrible, it can get quite rainy in the off-season, not to mention the temperature of the water is typically gelid, so beware before you go plunging right in.
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