If you have an online job and want to work from somewhere else than your hometown for a bit, you should check out these trending digital nomad places in 2023. These are cities or regions that are perfect for us location-independent folks for many reasons, like visa options or a big nomad community.
In this article, I give you some of the most trending places for digital nomads at the moment. We also talk about the factors that you should consider when picking a new place and look at some of the most popular digital nomad cities and regions of the past.
How to Find the Best Digital Nomad Place for Your Needs?
I’ve already published an entire blog post on how to find the best digital nomad place. So here is just a quick recap on what I think is most important when you are looking for a new place to settle for a few weeks or months:
- Internet: Since you work online you need to have a reliable internet connection. Depending on what tasks your job involves, it should be strong enough to hold video conferences at any time of the day. Tip: Get a global hotspot (my favorite choice is Solis) as a backup plan in case the local internet is down and you need a connection urgently.
- Community: It’s always nice to have like-minded people around you for support. Especially, if you’re new to the digital nomad lifestyle you may want to choose a place where it’s easy to meet fellow travel enthusiasts and make friends as a digital nomad.
- Costs: If you are just starting your location-independent life, you may not have a reliable or high income. So it’s nice to move to a place with a relatively low cost of living.
- Weather: There is a reason why most trending digital nomad places are in a warmer climate. Yes, most people prefer summer over winter or rain. But on top of that, packing light for an island life is much easier than for a winter spot. Bringing warm clothes or rain gear adds weight and space to your luggage which makes it harder to move around and be flexible.
- Visa: Unlike many people believe, you can’t simply travel wherever you like and legally work online without paying income taxes. Yes, there are grey zones and countries that turn a blind eye to it. And there are more and more countries that offer new visa options for digital nomads. So make sure you know the rules before entering.
Popular Digital Nomad Cities – The Classics
A few years ago I created a list of the most popular digital nomad cities around the world. Since these are pretty much classics and most nomads know these places by now, I won’t list them all here in detail again. But just as a reminder, these are:
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Canggu, Indonesia
- Berlin, Germany
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Bansko, Bulgaria
I’ve also written two cities guides:
So if these two places sound interesting to you, feel free to check them out!
10 Trending Digital Nomad Places
And now let’s look at some of the most trending digital nomad places:
1. Madeira, Portugal
The small island is an autonomous region of Portugal situated in the North Atlantic Ocean. In early 2021 the first-ever digital nomad village was set up in Ponta do Sol, Madeira, which offers a co-living space with modern facilities and a supportive community.
Ever since, Madeira has had a growing digital nomad community with coworking spaces, meetups, and networking events, making it easy for remote workers to connect with like-minded people.
2. Cyprus
Cyprus is an island located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and today is an independent state. While the northeastern is inhabited by Turkish Cypriots, the southern part is mainly Greek Cypriots. This is also where most digital nomads settle for a few months, in cities like Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaka. Here you get to enjoy a warm climate throughout the year.
Compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Cyprus is relatively low, especially in terms of accommodation and food. This makes it an affordable option for digital nomads looking to work remotely on a budget.
Tip: If you want to know how much money you need per month as a digital nomad, check out the linked article where I list the most important expenses with numbers.
3. Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi is the capital and largest city of Georgia which is part of the Caucasus region with the Black Sea to the west and Russia to the north. While you may not find tropical beaches or warm weather all year round here, there are several other benefits that attract digital nomads:
- Tbilisi is a safe city, with a low crime rate.
- The country has a well-developed transport system, including an international airport and a network of buses and trains, making it easy for digital nomads to explore the country and beyond.
- It has a vibrant arts scene, with many galleries and museums, and is home to a thriving community of artists and writers.
- And last, Georgia has invested in its telecommunications infrastructure, which has resulted in fast and reliable internet connections.
4. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is often overlooked by new digital nomads. However, it is a great place to travel to and stay for a while. Speaking from my own experiences I can definitely see it becoming one of the hottest places for nomads in the future.
First of all, there is a welcoming and thriving digital nomad community, with many co-working spaces, meetups, and networking events. It is also known for its delicious cuisine, with a variety of local dishes to sample. You will surely love its coffee and tea culture, with many cozy cafes and tea houses to work from.
5. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This is a bit of a tricky one. Although many nomads prefer to not travel to the United Arab Emirates, it still made it to this list of trending digital nomad places. This is mainly because Dubai has launched a digital nomad visa.
The so-called Virtual Work Residence Visa is valid for one year. You can apply for it if:
- You work remotely for an organization outside the UAE and
- You receive an income of at least $3,500 per month
Other than that, keep in mind that Dubai is extremely hot during summer and you still have to dress modestly. The living costs are definitely on the higher end, too. That’s why the nomad community is much different from the laid-back vibes you get in places like Bali or Chiang Mai.
6. Malta
Malta is the world’s tenth-smallest country by area and an island located in the Mediterranean Sea. This is the perfect place for digital nomads who are afraid they won’t be getting along with the language because one of Malta’s official languages is English. This makes it easy to communicate and even work with local businesses.
The island provides the typical island lifestyle we’re used to from many established digital nomad places: Here you get to enjoy sunny beaches, explore numerous bays and inlets and do water sports like swimming, snorkeling, and diving during your free time.
Another reason why so many digital nomads decide to venture to Malta is its favorable tax system for remote workers. The short version: You don’t have to pay personal income tax if you are already being taxed in your origin country, according to GoVisaFree. This is particularly interesting for people from the USA where there is the so-called citizenship-based taxation.
Tip: If you want to learn more about digital nomads and taxes, check out the linked blog post.
7. Gran Canaria, Spain
Since digital nomads like islands, let’s look at another one. Gran Canaria is the third largest island in the Canary Islands located off the Atlantic coast of Northwest Africa. Although it is of volcanic origin, you can still find stunning turquoise beaches and green forests.
One of the most popular places for digital nomads on the island is the city of Las Palmas. You can find several co-working spaces, like The House or CoolivingGC. There are even several co-living spaces on the island that combine working and living amongst like-minded people.
On the island, you get to enjoy a warm and sunny climate throughout the year and plenty of outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, surfing, and windsurfing.
8. Tirana, Albania
The capital of Albania also made it to the list of the most trending digital nomad places. Whenever I check digital nomad groups on Facebook I always see someone recommending the country or asking for tips because they are just about to go there.
Tirana has a low cost of living compared to other European cities, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads on a budget. There is also a vibrant nightlife and entertainment scene, with many bars, restaurants, and clubs offering a diverse range of food and music.
9. Willemstad, Curaçao
Believe it or not but the small Caribbean Island of Curaçao is becoming more and more popular among digital nomads. One of the reasons is that citizens of most countries can enter Curaçao visa-free for up to 90 days, which is enough time to settle in and explore the island while still being able to get your work done.
On top of that, digital nomads who work for clients outside of Curaçao are not required to obtain a work permit. This makes it super easy to enter the country and work legally. The capital Willemstad also has a good infrastructure, including reliable internet connectivity and coworking spaces to work from and connect with other nomads.
Not to mention the diverse and vibrant culture (a mix of African, Dutch, and Caribbean influences), the beautiful beaches, the warm climate, and the relaxed lifestyle.
If you want to learn more about what it’s like to live in Curaçao as a digital nomad, check out this article by Mitch of Project Untethered, who is sharing his experiences.
10. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Santa Teresa is a small beach town located on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, known for its excellent surf and yoga scene. It has a laid-back vibe that makes it easy to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
While Santa Teresa is a small town, it still has a growing coworking scene. It also has a tight-knit community of ex-pats and locals.
Citizens of many countries can enter Costa Rica for up to 90 days without a visa. For longer stays, a residency permit is required. There are several types of residency permits available, including the Rentista visa, which is popular among digital nomads. This visa requires proof of income of at least $2,500 per month.
And another reason why Costa Rica is a trending digital nomad place is that it has a territorial tax system, which means that only income earned within the country is subject to taxation. Generally speaking, that means if you work for companies outside of Costa Rica you don’t have to pay local taxes.
Start Your Digital Nomad Life Here
As you can see, there are many trending digital nomad places to start your nomadic lifestyle. Here you can find an active community of like-minded people, good internet quality, a relatively low cost of living, and a safe environment.
Of course, you could also travel to a totally different place if you want to explore another region of the world. Whatever feels good to you (and offers reliable internet) works for a digital nomad.
I’m curious: Have you visited any of the listed places before? Or do you have plans on traveling there any time soon? Let me know in the comments below!
FAQs
What makes a destination a great place for digital nomads to work from?
A great digital nomad place typically has reliable internet, a strong community of remote workers, affordable cost of living, access to coworking spaces, and interesting things to see and do outside of work hours.
What are some of the top trending digital nomad places for 2023?
Some of the top trending digital nomad places for 2023 include Madeira, Cyprus, Georgia, Malta, Gran Canaria, and Costa Rica.
How can digital nomads find affordable housing in popular destinations?
Digital nomads can find affordable housing in popular destinations by looking for short-term rentals, homestays, and coliving spaces. They can also use websites and apps like TrustedHousesitters, Airbnb, Booking.com, and Couchsurfing to find accommodation that fits their budget.
What are the visa requirements for digital nomads working in different countries?
Visa requirements for digital nomads vary depending on the country. Some countries offer special visas for digital nomads, while others require a work visa. Please do your research before traveling to a new destination to avoid getting in trouble.
How can digital nomads connect with other remote workers and form a community while traveling?
Digital nomads can connect with other remote workers and form a community while traveling by attending meetups, joining coworking spaces, participating in online forums and social media groups, and collaborating on projects with other remote workers.
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