Best Cities For Digital Nomads (Safe, Affordable, & Beginner-Friendly)

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Thinking about becoming a digital nomad and taking your remote job to Europe? These beginner-friendly cities are some of the best places in the EU for new digital nomads. These beginner-friendly places are the best cities for digital nomads in Europe. They offer strong Wi-Fi, community support, affordable living, and that slow-travel magic that’s ideal for first-time digital nomads.

Full Disclosure: I have not been to all of these places myself. The criteria for these cities is based on the criteria above.

As a beginner digital nomad, it’s critical to do the research needed to find the best, affordable EU cities for remote work. You can’t just plunk yourself down in the middle of nowhere and expect it to go well if you need specific things to get your job done.

As a solo female digital nomad, I made many mistakes in the beginning. I picked a few places that I later realized would make work nearly impossible. Thankfully, I was able to cancel them in time and reschedule better locations. But you don’t know what you don’t know. So let’s dive in to what are some of the safe cities for European remote work.

The Digital Nomad Mindset

If you are a first-timer, it’s important to acknowledge the overwhelm you will inevitably feel at first. Choosing your first base for working remotely feels like a huge decision.

Yes, it’s a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I promise, there are plenty of other things to stress about during your first time abroad.

The Digital Nomad City Criteria

For the list below, I picked these cities based on the following criteria:

1. Infrastructure – Can you get around easily without a car? Will you have access to everything you need, not just to do your job, but to live a normal life?
2. Cost – Unless you make a robust living at your job, chances are you will need to budget at least a little to make sure you don’t overspend. So I focused on more affordable areas that are within reason.
3. Safety – Are these areas considered safe for solo women overall? While crime happens everywhere, some places are definitely safer than others.
4. Community – Can you easily access expat groups and other solo travelers and digital nomads?

Before You Leave Home

For the first timer, I will say this. Give yourself a trial run. Pick somewhere locally that you can easily drive to and try staying and working there for a full week. While you do that, take notice of the things you find yourself needing. Keep track of those things. Make a list. Because that list of things is unlikely to change as you travel. Every person is different, so it’s important to take note of the things you personally need to do your job and live relatively comfortably.

A Shortlist Of What First-Time Digital Nomads Should Look For

• Reliable and fast internet
• Affordable cost of living
• Safety, especially for solo female travelers
• English accessibility or ease of language barrier
• Expat/nomad community and co-working options
• Walkability and access to nature or leisure activities
• Good public transport and airport access

The 7 Best Cities For Digital Nomads Just Starting Out In The EU

(These were chosen based on affordability, safety, solo-female-friendliness, community, and ease of setup. Note that “affordable” will be different for every person. If these cities don’t fit your budget, consider the outskirts which are typically cheaper, but still give you access.)

1. Lisbon, Portugal

This bustling city offers a rich and vibrant lifestyle and is a well-known digital nomad hub. A favorite among digital nomads for good reason. Lisbon blends stunning views, walkable neighborhoods, and a thriving remote work scene. Co-working cafés are everywhere, and English is widely spoken.

• Why it works: Vibrant nomad community, mild winters, tons of co-working spaces.
• Bonus: English widely spoken, easy day trips to beaches and Sintra.
• Watch out for: Rising rental costs and short-term housing competition.

2. Alicante, Spain

Chill beach vibes with city perks. Alicante is ideal for midlife nomads craving sunshine, slower days, and lower prices than Barcelona or Madrid. It’s small enough to feel safe but lively enough to never feel boing. While many people usually look at Valencia in this region of Spain, Alicante is quickly becoming a go-to spot for digital nomads.

• Why it works: Affordable cost of living, beach access, small-town feel with city benefits.
• Bonus: Great weather and more laid-back than Barcelona or Madrid.
• Watch out for: Housing can be competitive in summer, Spanish language skills helpful. Long-term rentals are usually found through word of mouth. They are hard to find.

3. Tallinn, Estonia


Modern, safe, and tech-savvy, Tallinn’s e-residency program and reliable infrastructure make it a great base for structured remote work. The fairytale Old Town and cozy cafés are an added bonus. If you love old-world architecture and fairy tale views, this could be the spot for you.

• Why it works: Excellent digital infrastructure (home of the e-residency), safe and quiet.
• Bonus: Cozy, storybook charm in Old Town with modern tech perks.
• Watch out for: Cold winters. Might be better in late spring to early fall for some.

4. Tirana, Albania

Tirana is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Incredibly affordable, surprisingly vibrant, and full of kind locals. Albania welcomes digital nomads with open arms. No visa needed for many, and the mountains and beaches are a dream.

• Why it works: Very low cost of living, friendly locals, beautiful nature nearby.
• Bonus: 365 day stay with no visa for many passports, rising digital nomad hot spot.
• Watch out for: Infrastructure still catching up in some areas.

5. Split, Croatia


If working steps away from the Adriatic Sea sounds dreamy, Split might be your spot. Beautiful, safe, and increasingly nomad-friendly. Just be prepared for tourist-season crowds in summer. They can get a tad overwhelming if you aren’t a “people person.”

• Why it works: Coastal beauty, Mediterranean lifestyle, increasing remote work culture.
• Bonus: Easy access to islands and summer adventures.
• Watch out for: Summer crowds, prices rise drastically June through August.

6. Valencia, Spain

A balanced blend of beach, culture, and calm, Valencia offers the charm of Spain without the chaos of Barcelona. It’s perfect for long café work sessions, food lovers, and slow travelers.

• Why it works: Slower than Barcelona, cheaper than Madrid, full of charm and walkability.
• Bonus: Plenty of expats, beautiful beaches, great food scene.
• Watch out for: Need at least basic Spanish for day-to-day life.

7. Budapest, Hungary

Historic beauty meets affordability. Budapest is ideal for nomads who want café culture, co-working spaces, and solid Wi-Fi. The artistic backdrop and cost of living make it a strong choice.

• Why it works: Stunning architecture, affordable housing, strong Wi-Fi and café culture.
• Bonus: Well-connected via train to the rest of Europe.
• Watch out for: Colder winters, learning basic Hungarian helps.

Honorable Mentions (Short List)

• Porto, Portugal
• Krakow, Poland
• Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Athens, Greece (if you can handle the heat)
• Sofia, Bulgaria (for ultra-budget travelers)

How To Choose Your First City

You might be wondering how the heck you pick a city if you’ve never left home before. I promise, this will be one of your easier choices. Here’s how to decide where you want to go:

Season – What weather do you prefer? Starting out in weather you like best is likely to give you a more favorable start. There is nothing worse than starting a journey like this in weather you hate.

Cost – Pick a city that fits your budget. Look at local rents to help pick your spot. Idealista is a great option for some countries.

Visa length – How long you WANT to stay vs. how long you can ACTUALLY stay. These can be two very different things. Make sure you have the answer to both BEFORE you go!

Personal vibe – This is the easiest part. Does the place have a vibe you like? You absolutely need that to enjoy your stay.

Consider short stays at first. As a digital nomad, you can always go back to places you enjoyed the most. think of it as sampling at a buffet before building your main meal. Don’t commit to months or residency until you’ve tried a place.

What Every Digital Nomad Needs

Travel insurance is essential. Most countries will require you to have health insurance anyway, and you wouldn’t want to travel without it anyway. There are a lot of options to choose from. Ask around in expat communities on Facebook to see what people are currently finding the most helpful.

Free Printable: Beginner-Friendly Digital Nomad Checklist

Not sure if you’re ready? Download the free checklist to see what to prepare before you go.

⭐ Download the Free Checklist: Could You Be a Digital Nomad? ⭐

Final Thoughts

The digital nomad life isn’t about rushing through Europe or any other part of the world (unless that’s what you want to do, of course). It’s about slowly creating a life that you actually want to get out of bed for every morning.

I invite you to explore my other resource for packing lists, safety tips, and even some emotional prep guides.