Famous for its fascinating culture, affordable cost of living, and inviting Mediterranean climate, Spain has become the second most popular destination for digital nomads worldwide, surpassing popular ‘workcation’ spots like Thailand, Colombia, and Mexico.
Out of 35 million nomads officially recorded by ThinkRemote, as many as 1.75 million of them are heading to Spain, typically for stays between one and three months, or as part of the newly-launched Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) program, which allows for extended stays.
If you’re a nomad yourself and you’re considering relocating to the sunny Iberian country temporarily, these 3 vibrant coastal cities should be at the top of your list:
Alicante
Population: 331,577
Average Temperature: 65°F
Lack of crime: Great
Walkability: Great
Monthtly Expenses: $3,120
A lesser-known coastal city, Alicante is best known for its oceanfront high-rises, elongated modern boardwalk lined by tall palm trees and ice cream parlors, and sandy municipal beach blessed with year-round warm weather (temperatures reaching 87.8°F in summer).
Home to a prestigious university, it has a huge student population hailing from all over Spain and abroad, which inevitably contributes to a more exciting, youthful environment, not to mention it is the chosen home of thousands of expats who relocated here for a higher quality of life.
The Internet is pretty fast and reliable around the municipality, and in addition to cafés and well-equipped public libraries, there’s free WiFi available in key tourist sites, such as Plaza de Luceros and the Explanada de España (if you feel like working outside in the sun).
In terms of connectivity, the city boasts high-speed train connections to Madrid and Valencia, and ultra-cheap flights to several more destinations: if you’re keen on a weekend escapade to party island Ibiza, there are tickets as cheap as $17 available on Ryanair.
Malaga
Population: 571,026
Average Temperature: 78.5°F
Lack of crime: Great
Walkability: Great
Monthtly Expenses: $3,131
If you dread those long, cold winters, can’t cope with February’s incessant showers, and you wish you were outside in shorts now, balmy Malaga is where you should put down roots: not only is it Europe’s hottest Mediterranean port, it is a treasure trove of architectural gems.
From the well-preserved 1st-century Roman theater to the Muslim-built Alcazaba fortress, onto a beautiful Renaissance-inspired Plaza de la Constitution, and finally, trendy Malagueta, with its iconic Plaza de Toros and m, this is easily one of the most diverse cities in Spain.
There are not many places where to get to the beach; you need to first cross a sprawling Old Town littered with historical monuments and charming chiringuito bars, as most overdeveloped coastal resorts will inevitably lack that ancient flair.
Whether you’re looking for a cultural immersion, or stress-free beachside stay, this is your port of call: it’s fairly walkable, crime levels are low, there is a thriving expat community both in Malaga and the wider Costa Del Sol, and it’s relatively affordable, with monthly expenses totalling $3,131.
Palma de Mallorca
Population: 409,661
Average Temperature: 64°F
Lack of crime: Great
Walkability: Great
Monthtly Expenses: $2,655
The compact, culturally-charged capital of one of the most beautiful islands in Spain, Palma de Mallorca, and its monumental Gothic cathedral, medieval Old Town bordered by turquoise Mediterranean waters, and modern harbor lined by tall palm trees can be recognized a mile off.
Mallorca as a whole is as incredibly trendy nomad hotspot, due to its year-round warm weather, slow-paced living, and affordable prices, but it’s in cosmopolitan Palma remote workers will find that exciting entrepreneurial scene, and a myriad of work-friendly cafes and coworking centers.
Palma is just the perfect base for exploring Mallorca, seeing it offers bus connections to all of the most popular sites, including the port town Sóller, famous for its heritage tramway, the walled coastal city of Alcudia, hilltop Valldemossa, and sandy beaches like Cala Millor and Calla Santanyí.
Ferry boats also link Palma to unspoiled Menorca, a smaller, wilder island in the same archipelago.
This gives nomads an option to swap the hustle and bustle of the resort-packed capital at the weekends when all they’re craving is a relaxing beach day.
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