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Workcation
If you’ve gone away for work and added a few vacation days you’ve experienced a workcation. Recently, MoneyTransfers.com assessed six key criteria across 20 of the most popular European city hotspots to discover the top workcation destinations promising the perfect blend of productivity and adventure! We asked a group of travel writers, bloggers, and video content creators to give us their opinion on why these cities rank so well for remote work tied AND tourist destinations.
Madrid
Margarita Ibbott of DownshiftingPRO points to the central location of Spain’s Capital: “Madrid is a great European hub and is easy to get to from North America or any other European city. Fairly compact and very walkable, you can access hot-desks with full wifi, workstations and even coffee for the perfect workcation. Once you’re done for the day, take a break and brush up on your language skills while watching your favourite Spanish show on Netflix or enjoy a variety of tapas at San Miguel Market.”
Barcelona
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YouTube vlogger, Jay Jay Maniquis from Jaycation, is living the dream with a workcation stay in this sunny Catalan capital: “Although Barcelona has put restrictions on Airbnbs (you have to stay at least a month) I have been working out of an Airbnb in La Barceloneta. Beautiful Views of the beach & Acai Bowl spots for days! The second workplace is Bar Estudiantil in the Universitat area basically the center of the city. Enjoy people-watching over drinks or coffee while working with fast wifi.”
Bucharest
Bucharest, the capital of Romania, stands out as an excellent workcation destination due to its affordability and solid infrastructure. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and benefit from the city’s fast internet connections. Discover the monumental Palace of the Parliament, wander through the charming Old Town, and immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural scene.
Budapest
Melanie Allen from Partners in Fire speaks from experience: “Budapest is fantastic for remote workers because it’s relatively inexpensive compared to many other European cities, but you still get the old-world atmosphere, architecture, and culture. The city is also very clean and filled with interesting things to do, like touring the castle or exploring the labyrinth hidden beneath. It’s the best of all worlds.”
Paris
On a trip to the city of light, Karee Blunt of Our Woven Journey highlights efficient public transportation. “Paris is such a walkable city, making it ideal for combining work and vacation. We stayed near the heart of the city, and each morning we were able to get up early to do some work before heading out to explore art galleries, museums, and famous landmarks, all within reasonable walking distance of our hotel. Paris also has a fantastic metro system, so if we wanted to explore a part of town that was too far to walk, there was always a metro station nearby to get to. Having easy access to so many famous attractions made Paris easy to work and play!”
Berlin
“Berlin is an ideal workcation destination if you’re looking for a more cultural and creative experience. Berlin offers a vibrant and diverse atmosphere that fosters creativity and innovation, making it a hub to meet other entrepreneurs and freelancers. Besides that, the city has a rich cultural scene, with world-class museums, art galleries, and historical landmarks, providing opportunities for inspiration and exploration during work breaks. Additionally, Berlin’s efficient public transportation, thriving cafe culture, and many co-working spaces make it a stimulating choice for a workcation experience.” from the folks at Celeb Net Worth
London
Don’t be a ‘dull boy!’ says Sarah Borg Barthet from Dukes Avenue. “London offers a vibrant energy unmatched by other locations. The well-connected London Underground (or ‘Tube’ as locals call it) makes it easy to jump from location to location and the plethora of coffee shops, co-working spaces, or private members clubs. Areas like Shoreditch or the more upmarket Mayfair, make getting into work mode an easy task. As the British saying goes: ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’, and no one knows this more than a Londoner. Take a leaf out of their book and indulge in all the sites and attractions the town has to offer, get lost in the art galleries and museums, feast at the many world-class eateries, and of course, have a tipple at the local pub!”
Warsaw
For digital nomads on a budget, Warsaw stood out with its affordable nightly stay and satisfactory internet speed, making it an attractive option for those seeking a budget workcation experience. This vibrant Polish city seamlessly combines history, culture, and modernity. Explore its rich heritage through meticulously restored landmarks like the Royal Castle and the Old Town. Warsaw is not only a hub for business opportunities but also offers affordable accommodations and convenient co-working spaces, making it an ideal work destination. Immerse yourself in its thriving arts scene, attend music festivals, and discover diverse cultural events.
Prague
JayDee Vykoukal of Mom Blog Life pointed out the affordability of this European capital: “Compared to other major cities in Europe, Prague offers all the charm, history, and beautiful architecture with a more budget-friendly price tag. You can find great deals on a weekly or monthly stay throughout the city, and no matter where you stay you can easily get from one end to the other with their metro system. When you need to get some work done, head to a local restaurant with Wi-Fi to drink the cheap local beer and try new delicious cuisine like baked pork knuckle, goulash, or duck with dumplings.”
Lisbon
Travel blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, points out Portugal eagerly welcomes digital nomads. “Lisbon is an ideal location for a workcation. It offers a relaxed pace of life, friendly people, cultural vibes and a lower cost of living than other European cities. The are opportunities to see historic sites, a beautiful coastline and nature all within close proximity. This is ideal for putting in a few hours of work and seeing the sights in the same day. In Lisbon, public transit is easy to use and can get you most places with ease. Due to the popularity of remote working in Lisbon, you can find several hotels and vacation rentals that cater to this along with co-working spaces and cafes.”
Rome
The City of Love works well for Marjolein Dilven, of Spark Nomad. “Rome is an exceptional workcation destination for people looking for an immersive experience in one of the most unique cities in the world. Rome offers a unique blend of history, culture, and beauty, providing an inspiring environment to work in. Besides, the city has excellent infrastructure, with numerous co-working spaces, cafes, and libraries where you can work during the day. Rome’s vibrant atmosphere, delicious cuisine, and countless historical attractions perfectly balance work and leisure, providing an unforgettable workcation experience.”
Amsterdam
“Amsterdam is a city with plenty of space to work indoors or outside. Their trains and buses make it easy to travel between cities whether you want a change of scenery for working remotely one day or you want to tour another area. Every Dutch person you encounter likely speaks English making it an extra welcoming city. They value a work-life balance and are very much connected — technically speaking — so you’re able to get online easily for your workcation.” Mikkel Woodruff from Sometimes Sailing
Vienna
Katalin from Spatula Desserts visited Vienna 2 years ago and knew her visit would be a workcation. “I already had my blog that requires daily work and I feel Vienna is one of the best places in Europe to combine work and pleasure. Sets along the banks of the River Danube with great infrastructure, public transport, a safe environment and a strategic location in the center of Europe I fell in love with the city. It also has recreation opportunities in the evenings and weekends such as cafes, restaurants, cultural events, parks and historical places. Whether you are on a short or long workcation, Vienna is one of the best places to live in from a quality of life perspective – according to international studies – and it really is, I loved it!”
Copenhagen
Originally from Belgium, Inge from Destination Explorer found working in the Danish capital was very easy: “In Copenhagen, you will find a lot of co-working spaces that provide a stimulating work environment. The infrastructure and facilities in Copenhagen are at world-class standards. You can use high-speed internet everywhere and the co-working spaces are well-equipped with modern amenities. Besides attractive co-working places, the city also offers public Wi-Fi in many different locations, such as Copenhagen City Wi-fi, libraries, train stations, museums, and of course, cafés, bars and restaurants. The public transport in Copenhagen is excellent. But Copenhagen is known as a bike-friendly city, renting a bike is a popular way to commute and explore the city.”
Stockholm
Stockholm, the Swedish capital, is a captivating destination for work and vacation. With its blend of historical charm and modern innovation, the city offers excellent work opportunities and a vibrant Scandinavian cultural scene. While accommodations and dining can be pricey, Stockholm caters to various budgets. Explore the enchanting Gamla Stan (Old Town) and iconic landmarks like the Royal Palace. Immerse yourself in world-class museums, art galleries, and the city’s stunning archipelago. Whether for work or leisure, Stockholm promises a memorable experience with its unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Brussels
“Brussels is the perfect city for a workcation. There are many stylish coworking places with state-of-the-art amenities, offering a conducive environment for focused work. After a productive day, you can explore the city’s rich history and admire iconic landmarks such as the Atomium. With its excellent and reliable transportation network and international appeal, Brussels provides an ideal workcation spot that balances professional commitments with cultural experiences. The WIFI network in Brussels, known as “wifi. Brussels” provides free internet access in numerous public places (parks, libraries). Also, bars, cafés and restaurants have free WIFI. Try out the world-class cuisine and the famous Belgian chocolates.” Great observations from Inge Pincket of Destination Explorer.
Athens
“Cost-effective,” said Canadian travel blogger, Margarita Ibbott from DownshiftingPRO, “that is what surprised me the most, the food was fantastic and cheap, a sim card was only €20 for 22 GB, that’s unheard of here in Canada. When my husband had to participate in a conference call, we set him put at the apartment we had rented and off I went to have a pastry and a Greek coffee near the Acropolis. Pretty sweet!”
Dublin
From Ed Coleman of Coleman Concierge “Located in the sunny southeast of Ireland, Dublin is the political and spiritual capital of the Emerald Isle that’s alluring for both work and leisure. Embracing a thriving tech ecosystem, the city offers a wealth of dynamic co-working spaces that fuel innovation. It’s the 9th most expensive city in Europe for expatriates, but worth every penny because of its spirited ambiance, steeped in a rich tapestry of history and culture. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of traditional pubs, explore the city’s literary legacy, and make road trips out into the countryside. Dublin offers thriving creativity and thrives amidst the unmistakable Irish charm.”
Helsinki
Kiia Meneses, managing director, at Taiga Times, knows what makes a great workcation. “Helsinki is definitely one of the best work-vacation cities in Europe. For a small city that has all the things you need, it’s easy to get around by foot or by public transportation (trams, metro, bus). There are plenty of co-working places that you can use for a daily fee. In addition to these co-working places, we have libraries (e.g., Oodi Central Library or the University of Helsinki Library) that have good Wi-Fi connections, quiet rooms, and shared spaces for working, and it’s all free. Moreover, almost all cafeterias have Wi-Fi and mobile data is very cheap in Helsinki (for around €20, you get unlimited data for a month), so you can go outside to one of our beautiful parks and have an outdoor office for a day.” Once you’re done, join her and her husband for a walk in the woods – it will take your breath away.
Edinburgh
Tracy Collins from UK Travel Planning thinks the Scottish capital is ideal for a workcation. Edinburgh, a hub for tech companies, offers excellent co-working locations, making it an ideal destination for professionals. However, it’s important to note that the city’s high cost of accommodations sets it apart. Despite this, Edinburgh’s vibrant tech scene, coupled with its rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture, creates a unique environment for work and inspiration. Explore the charming streets of the Old Town, indulge in the lively social scene, and connect with like-minded individuals in the city’s thriving tech community. Embrace the challenges and rewards of working in Edinburgh, where innovation and history converge in a truly unforgettable setting.
Why work at home when you can take a workcation
Jonathan Merry, CEO of MoneyTransfers.com, expressed the significance of workcations in the current remote working landscape, stating, “The rise of remote working has given people the opportunity to enjoy the luxuries of working abroad without compromising their productivity or taking excessive time off. Our ranking focuses on the factors that professionals value when working remotely, enabling us to identify the best destinations for workcations.”
Other European Cities to consider
Find the beauty (and sunny skies) in Mijas, Spain a Pueblo Blanco in Spain’s southern region of Andalusia.
Quaint Pueblos Blancos in Southern Spain – Visiting Mijas
A 45-minute drive to the beach should not keep you away from historic Ronda. Cobblestone streets, a bull ring and an amazing museum.
Best Things to Do in Ronda, Spain
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🏡 Where to Stay: Top Accommodations
🚙 Hit the Road: Car Rental Deals
🛫 Get Away: Find Flight Deals
🎒 Shop: Travel Essentials