Lesser-known European Digital Nomad Hotspots

In recent blog posts we have looked at various digital nomad hotspots around the globe. 

These are places in Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Africa that have gained a reputation and popularity amongst the digital nomad community. 

This time we will be looking at some of the lesser-known own or up-and-coming destinations in Europe that are slowly beginning to make waves. 

These destinations aren’t oversaturated yet and are a great bet for those who don’t want to follow the crowd but want to find a place to stay that suits their needs! Enjoy 😆

A historic city in Bulgaria, Plovdiv is gaining traction with the digital nomad community due to the low cost of living, fast internet speeds and great food on offer.

Many people have heard of Bansko, which has become the main Bulgarian digital nomad hotspot but Plovdiv is definitely a worthy contender.

Around two hours on the bus from Sofia, Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria. There are many beautiful parks situated throughout the city, and it is a very green place to stay.

The city has so many ancient Roman ruins including an amphitheatre If you are a fan of history then this is the place for you. 

Plovdiv is the oldest living city in Europe and dates back to somewhere near 4000 BC. It also has the longest shopping street in Europe. There are definitely many reasons why you should visit Plovdiv and it is a great place to spend time in.

It is a very hipster-friendly city and there are so many excellent food and entertainment options.

There are many coworking places to choose from, though there aren’t as many coliving places yet, but as it gains in popularity, we are sure this will change.

MouseHouse Coliving is attached to the Cat and Mouse Coworking space in the creative district of Kapana.

Places that hold Nomad Festivals tend to garner fans and this is one of the things that has helped to popularise Bansko as a destination.

Nis will be holding its first Nomad Festival from 9th-12th August 2024 and is set to benefit from the influx of international remote workers.

Nis is a tiny and very walkable city that is a creativity hub in Serbia. It has its own science and technology park that can be hired out for events.

The city is already popular with creatives and digital marketers from Serbia, but now it is being given a larger stage for the international digital nomad community. 

The climate in Nis is very warm in the Summer months, sometimes climbing over 30 C, which is not surprising due to its location in the Balkans. It can still reach highs of 19 in October.

Serbia isn’t part of Schengen or the European Union, which means it is perfect for nomads who need to leave the Schengen area for a while. 

There are coworking spaces aplenty in Nis, including at Think Innovation, Deli Space and The Hood Community Hub.

There are no coworking locations at present but there are very affordable hotel and apartment options that can be found online. 

The capital city of Albania, Tirana is located in the heart of the country and sits between several mountains.

The Mediterranean climate means that it has a temperate climate for most of the year, though it gets quite cold in the winter.

Tirana encompasses both the old and the new, and this combination of ancient and modern is a captivating experience. It is a modern city in so many ways, with many young people embracing the opportunities that technology presents to them.

Yet, the architecture harks back to another time and is heavily influenced by the Ottomans.

There is a thriving creative scene in Tirana and Albania more generally and it is easy to see why this beautiful location is gaining in popularity with those who can live a location-independent lifestyle.

There are many cafes that allow remote working and there are 5-10 coworking locations that can be used for a reasonable fee. 

In terms of Coliving, Nomad Island offers a beautiful 1920s villa that is centrally located and has been designed to allow for a comfortable experience for digital nomads.

They have a large focus on community building, in the same way that Evolve Coliving has in Malta, and have several different room options depending on preference and budget.

Situated on the Adriatic Coast, Kotor offers digital nomads the chance to ensconce themselves in a location that has all the amenities they need while being small enough to get to know local people.

At just 13,000 people, Kotor is a friendly and intimate base for exploring this beautiful country. 

Kotor is a place to spend some time relaxing and slowing life right down. Appreciating this beautiful place to the maximum for its stunning scenery and chilled-out way of life is a must.

There are many cafes, bars and restaurants to work from, though there aren’t any coworking spaces to date. 

The digital nomad community here is quite small for now but it is somewhere that will almost certainly gain in popularity.

Montenegro, like Serbia, is outside both the EU and Schengen, which makes it an ideal place to spend your 90 days outside Europe if you have hit your limit.

The internet in Kotor is both reliable and fast and the cuisine on offer is an eclectic mix of different European and Balkan dishes.

There aren’t any coliving spaces, but accommodation is very reasonably priced and the incredible location more than makes up for the relatively small digital nomad community at present.