The best destinations for digital nomads

One of the best things about being a digital nomad (someone who can works online from anywhere in the world) is being able to combine work and travel. So if you’re looking to use your next trip to scout out a new ‘office’, we’ve rounded up the best destinations to do just that.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai has one of the largest communities of digital nomads in the world, making it great for networking and the cafés in the central district make a dreamy work environment.

Here you’ll find comfy, cushioned armchairs and hammocks, great service, WiFi and nearby golden temples to visit should you want to take a quick walk as a break from work.

Fancy making a test trip? The Hug Home is a self-catered apartment (with that all important free WiFi) that will give you taste of digital nomadic life in Chiang Mai.

Timişoara, Romania

Timişoara is a university city in west Romania and, despite a grandiose centre, Timişoara has a laidback, relaxed approach to work and play that has inspired many digital nomads to make it their home.

It is also worth hiring a car to explore the countryside surrounding Timişoara; the self-catered Apartment Maria eases the cost of that by providing guests with free parking.

Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

Bali has long been popular with globetrotting digital nomads, but it’s only in recent years that local businesses in Canggu have started to specifically to cater to the nomad crowd. This, combined with the low cost of living, make it a great spot for a long-term stay.

Access to great WiFi and an international crowd of like-minded workers are all well and good, but visitors looking combine work and play also benefit from the traditional Indonesian focus on health, yoga, and meditation.

A classic example of both these things comes in the form of the A7 Guesthouse, which offers free, highspeed WiFi and access to Canggu Beach.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna’s welcoming digital nomad culture includes the Sektor5, a self-described ‘community of entrepreneurs’ who have set out to revolutionise the way individual workers share space. Here you’ll find everything from delicious menus and contemporary art displays to super-fast WiFi and an ongoing roster of events.

Vienna-Vintage-Apartment is only a short walk from Sektor5 and the nearby Art and Natural History Museums offer alternative places to get your creative juices flowing.

San Diego, USA

Only a few hours from San Francisco, San Diego has a famously laid-back surf culture and café scene. Meaning that visiting nomads are well set up to make professional connections, or just relax and admire the consistently-warm weather.

The highly rated Nest on Fifth apartments have their own workspaces for travellers who need to check in with clients, and great connections to the city centre for sightseeing.