Blending Work and Travel Becomes the New Normal as ‘Workation’ Thrives

The swift ascent of remote work is triggering a cultural transformation, blurring the lines between work and travel. Freed from conventional offices, an increasing cohort of digital nomads is embracing the concept of “workation,” effortlessly intertwining their professional endeavours with globetrotting adventures.

According to a study conducted by ClickSlice, the foremost European destinations for workation enthusiasts in 2024 have been unveiled. Ranging from historically rich cities to sun-kissed getaways, these places provide a perfect blend of sturdy digital infrastructure, cost-effective living, and abundant opportunities for exploration amid meetings or coding sessions.

Gran Canaria leads as the best destination for remote work

Gran Canaria tops the list with an impressive remote worker score of 6.7, boasting excellent Wi-Fi, an affordable cost of living, beautiful beaches and volcanic landscapes, year-round vibrant weather, and a growing digital nomad community.

Affordable cost of living

One of the major benefits of the workation model is the potential cost savings compared to traditional urban tech hubs. The affordable living costs in destinations like Bansko(€900), Sofia(€1,050), and Budapest(€1,300) enable remote workers to maintain their career momentum while stretching their income further.

The Perfect Work-Life Balance

Local Experiences Beyond co-working spaces and fast Wi-Fi, many of these cities provide unique local experiences that can enrich the workation lifestyle. From the sunny beaches of Gran Canaria and Lagos, Portugal, to the mountain vistas of Bansko and the vibrant startup scene in Tallinn, remote workers can find communities and activities that cater to their interests and passions.

KEY FINDINGS:

• Tallinn also has relatively high internet speeds at 175 Mbps, making it a good option for digital nomads.

• Athens has the lowest internet connectivity at 70 Mbps among the cities listed.

• The sunniest destinations are Lagos (297 sunny days), Lisbon (299 sunny days), and Athens (293 sunny days), which can appeal to remote workers seeking warm climates.

• Prague has the fewest sunny days at 182, which may be less attractive for those prioritizing sunny weather.

• The most expensive locations in terms of total cost of living are Berlin (€2,800) and Valencia (€2,200).

• Lisbon, Madeira, and Tallinn sweeten the deal for remote workers by offering specialized digital nomad visas, providing legal pathways to base themselves in these locales long-term.

“Crafting an amazing workation experience comes down to finding destinations that seamlessly support and enable the digital nomad lifestyle,” said Joshua George, Founder of ClickSlice. “You need rock-solid internet connectivity, vibrant co-working hubs, and a community of like-minded wandering workers. It’s about striking that perfect symphony between work, travel, and a sense of belonging – even halfway across the world from home.”

As more and more companies adopt remote work policies, workations will become an increasingly attractive option for retaining top talent and fostering a more engaged, motivated workforce.