The best digital nomad cities in 2025
The beauty of the digital nomad lifestyle is that the world becomes your office. From beachside cafés to bustling coworking hubs in the heart of vibrant cities, where you choose to live and work shapes your entire experience. When people search for the best digital nomad cities, they’re really asking which destinations strike the right balance of reliable internet, affordability, safety, and community.
Some places simply rise above the rest. The best cities for nomads aren’t just where you can set up your laptop. They’re where friendships form easily, creativity flows, and everyday life feels like an adventure. Whether you’re drawn to thriving social scenes, rich cultural experiences, or the chance to live well on a budget, the cities that consistently attract nomads all share one thing: they make it easy to feel at home, even when you’re far away.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best digital nomad cities around the globe and uncover what makes them so appealing for remote workers who want more than just a place to log on. We share our own experience of different cities and places to stay as a nomad together with the stories from hundreds of digital nomads we’ve talked with.
This is our list of best cities for nomads
Las Palmas, Spain
Las Palmas is on the top due to several reasons. It has a perfect balance of city and island life. The beach is always right around the corner and it’s a very walkable city. There’s a thriving nomad community with events for almost every day.
The weather in Las Palmas is great year-round where daytime temperatures differ only between 20-28 degrees Celsius. During the winters the temperature stays around 20-23 and during the summer from 24 to 28.
Las Palmas is the first city on the list of best cities for digital nomads because it offers a reliable internet connection and is great for anyone working European hours. In Las Palmas, there are numerous coliving options and coworking spaces for productive days. You can also find several work cafés around the city.
It may not anymore be the most affordable city but it’s definitely worth staying at. Activities-wise you can surf and snorkel in Las Palmas, a bit further away you can also do scuba diving, hiking on the mountains and even paragliding. There’s something for everyone in Gran Canaria.
From our own experience, we can say that the nomads who come to Las Palmas, keep returning to the island!
We also have a lot of community events here on Friendchise! Check them out!
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon has long been considered one of the best digital nomad cities, and despite rising prices in recent years, it continues to hold its charm. What makes Lisbon stand out isn’t just affordability, although that used to be one of its biggest draws. It’s the city’s unique blend of culture, community, and coastal lifestyle that keeps nomads coming back.
Even as housing costs have increased, Lisbon offers something many other cities can’t replicate: a thriving international network of remote workers, a warm climate with sunshine most of the year, and a creative energy that infuses everything from its coworking spaces to its vibrant nightlife. The city is walkable, beautifully historic, and full of cozy cafés.
Lisbon provides a rare balance of modern infrastructure and old-world charm. Excellent public transport, reliable internet, and a growing number of coworking hubs make it easy to stay productive. Meanwhile, the ocean is always just a short ride away, offering weekend escapes for surfing, sailing, or simply soaking up the Atlantic breeze.
Yes, the cost of living is higher now compared to a decade ago, but many still find Lisbon more affordable than other Western European capitals. More importantly, it offers a lifestyle that feels rich in connection and possibility. For that reason, Lisbon remains one of the best cities for nomads who want to blend work with culture, friendship, and adventure.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is one of the best digital nomad cities in the world, even though it’s an island rather than a single city. What makes it so appealing is the sheer variety of lifestyles you can tap into. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a corner of Bali that feels like it was made for you.
Canggu has become the unofficial headquarters for nomads, buzzing with trendy cafés, coworking spaces, and a community of like-minded travelers. If you want a slower pace, Ubud offers a lush, jungle setting with a focus on wellness and creativity. For those craving a more local vibe, places like Sanur or even smaller beach towns provide calm, authenticity, and easy ocean access. This diversity means you can build a life that matches your rhythm, whether you’re chasing surf breaks, yoga classes, or simply quiet mornings with a laptop and good coffee.
Bali has invested heavily in becoming remote-work friendly. Internet connection is fairly reliable, coworking hubs are well-equipped, and infrastructure for digital nomads has grown significantly. While it may not match the speeds of big Western cities, it’s more than enough for most remote work setups. Pair that with affordable living costs, delicious food, and a strong international community, and it’s easy to see why Bali has become such a magnet for nomads.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
We chose Kuala Lumpur as a bit of a wild card here. It’s one of our personal favourites due to several reasons. It’s cheap and you can get a very nice apartment with all amenities, including pools and gym for the price of a cheapish flat in a European city.
Food is another highlight. Kuala Lumpur is a melting pot of Malay, Indian, and Chinese cuisine, which means you can eat incredibly well every day. Eating out is so inexpensive that you don’t even feel like cooking. From street food stalls to trendy cafés, there’s always something delicious around the corner.
But what really makes Kuala Lumpur stand out for digital nomads is its location. Strategically placed in Southeast Asia, the city is a flight hub with easy access to Bali, Thailand, Singapore, and countless other destinations. Many nomads use Kuala Lumpur as a reliable base to explore the region, enjoying the balance of modern city life with the freedom to hop on a plane whenever adventure calls.
On top of that, the city itself is well equipped for remote workers. Internet is reliable, coworking spaces are growing, and English is widely spoken, making it easy to settle in quickly. While Kuala Lumpur doesn’t always make the list of the best digital nomad cities, those who choose it often discover it’s one of the best cities for nomads who value comfort, connectivity, and cultural diversity.
Final words of best digital nomad cities
The best cities for nomads are more than just places to live and work, they’re places that shape your journey. Each destination offers its own mix of culture, community, and opportunity, but what makes them truly special is how they make you feel connected while being far from home.
Whether you’re surfing in Las Palmas, chasing sunsets in Lisbon, finding your flow in Bali, or savoring street food in Kuala Lumpur, the right city can turn remote work into a lifestyle filled with adventure.
At the end of the day, the best digital nomad city is the one where you feel both inspired and welcomed. Wherever you land, you’re never really alone, because there’s always a community waiting to share meals, stories, and new experiences.
We at Friendchise aim to make friend-making as easy as possible on your nomad journey wherever you are. Sharing the journey with other people is the thing that makes the journey special.
