Spain, one of the most popular travel destinations in Western Europe, offers a myriad of benefits for remote workers and digital nomads. The country has been ranked one of the safest in Europe with its low crime rates, plus its excellent infrastructure makes the old towns and city centers walkable and easy to get around on public transport. Spain is fast becoming a popular choice for remote workers and digital nomads, and it’s easy to see why.
Whether you’re planning to stay for a few weeks or several months and beyond, this article will give you 11 of the best places to live and work remotely in Spain.
Why Remote Workers Want to Live and Work in Spain
Though first, let’s start with why remote workers would choose to live and work in Spain compared to other countries in Europe.
Spain offers affordability, with comparatively low cost of living in Europe. It’s not the cheapest, but a digital nomad’s budget will stretch further here than it would in many other countries on the continent. AirBnB is a good place to start looking for places to stay, but if you’re planning on staying for several months or longer, you might get even better deals by finding an “in” with the locals.
The strong public education system for both locals and expats alike offers opportunities to study at affordable rates. Plus the public transport makes it easy to get around, both in the cities and between. The public transportation system is among the best in Europe, and flights to other countries tend to be cheap and quick.
Healthcare in Spain also is of high quality and it’s possible to get a good deal if you have your own private health insurance. If not, the public healthcare system is quite affordable – like in most EU countries.
Outside of the modern perks, one of Spain’s biggest upsides is the climate. The country’s geography means it has a variety of climates, generally offering warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine. What better place to enjoy the summer sun than at one of Spain’s many beautiful seaside towns?
The expat community in Spain is quite large, so you’ll be able to enjoy an active social life and meet lots of new people. You can get around Spain with English (there are also plenty of international communities speaking other languages), which is widely spoken. However, you’ll still want to learn Spanish to immerse yourself fully and make not just English-speaking friends in this beautiful country.
Important for remote workers, the internet speeds and reliability are some of the best in Europe. You’ll have no problem staying connected with fast, cheap, or even free wifi wherever you go in Spain. Okay, maybe the remote villages in the Pyrenees mountains don’t have the best internet connection – but that just means you won’t have far to go for the occasional digital detox, either.
Of course, another Spanish highlight is the great food. Spain has a wide variety of regional cuisines, with each region offering its own unique dishes. You’ll find that Spanish cuisine will blow your mind – and you won’t have to break the bank to enjoy it.
Yep, Spain offers a high quality of life and plenty of amazing wonders that make it the perfect European destination for remote working freelancers, entrepreneurs with startups, but also employees.
Let’s dive deeper into the 15 best cities for remote workers in Spain. To make it easier for you to find “your” type of city, we’ll be organizing the list according to places on the Mediterranean coast, the Atlantic north and south coasts, hinterland, and of course the islands.
Let’s start with the best cities and popular destinations on the Mediterranean coast, from north to south.
1. Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, and one of Spain’s most popular places to live. The city has gorgeous architecture, from churches to beautiful Gaudi buildings, an awesome nightlife with plenty of cafes, bars, restaurants, and clubs, as well as a fantastic climate due to its location in Mediterranean Europe.
Cost of living: Let’s be real, living in Barcelona doesn’t come cheap. To live comfortably here you’ll need to calculate at least €2,500 – 3,000 monthly.
Average rent cost: For an average one-bedroom apartment you’ll be looking at around €800 – 1,200 per month, and the same goes for a two-bedroom place, which will set you back between €1,000 – 1,700 monthly.
Digital nomad community: Many people work remotely in Barcelona, as it’s the heart of Spain in many ways. Barcelona offers a myriad of workspaces and plenty of opportunities to connect with like-minded people.
Things to do: As one of Spain’s main cultural hubs, Barcelona excels when it comes to museums, churches, art galleries, theaters, and festivals. Don’t miss the Sagrada Familia, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya or MNAC, and Gaudi’s famous Park Güell.
2. Valencia
Remote workers love Valencia for all the sunshine it has to offer. The city is also known for its vibrant nightlife and excellent gastronomy – not bad considering it’s Spain’s second-largest city.
Cost of living: You’ll need €2,000 – 2,500 monthly for a comfortable lifestyle here, but you can really stretch that budget by choosing an area like El Cabanyal near the beach.
Average rent cost: A one-bedroom apartment will set you back between €500 – 900 and a two-bedroom property around €750 – 1,300 per month.
Digital nomad community: Remote work is on the rise in Valencia. There are plenty of coworking spaces to choose from.
Things to do: Valencia is known for its outstanding cuisine, which you’ll see all over the city in traditional restaurants. Visit museums such as Mestalla Stadium Museum or L’Oceanografic, or the stunning City of Arts and Sciences. The city also sits almost right on the Mediterranean coast, which means you can easily enjoy some of the region’s famous beaches.
Valencia is a new Tribe favorite, check out our latest Chapter in this magical city.
3. Alicante
Alicante often flies under the radar but it’s a great option for remote workers. As well as being affordable, it has a thriving cultural scene with plenty of music festivals throughout the year and excellent nightlife – not to mention some of Europe’s best beaches.
Cost of living: The cost of living in Alicante is comparable to Valencia at about €2,000 per month.
Average rent cost: A one-bedroom costs between €500 – 700 monthly while a two-bedroom will set you back about €700 – 1,000 each month.
Digital nomad community: Alicante has a growing remote work scene, with plenty of coworking spaces to choose from if you’re looking for some company while you work remotely.
Things to do: Alicante is an excellent destination for all sorts of beach-goers with some of Europe’s best coastlines. The nightlife scene in this city is also one that can’t be ignored; there are many clubs and bars to choose from.
4. Málaga
Málaga offers a lower cost of living than other cities in Spain and is a great option for remote workers looking to learn Spanish. Its location on the coast also means that it’s one of the sunniest places in Europe, making it perfect for those who love outdoor activities like hiking or biking.
Cost of living: Málaga is even cheaper than Madrid. You can live comfortably here on €1,500 per month.
Average rent cost: €500 – 700 for a one-bedroom apartment, while two-bedroom apartments will cost between €600 – 800 monthly.
Digital nomad community: While a beautiful and renowned tourist hot spot, Málaga still runs a bit under the radar with remote workers – though it is growing steadily, as evidenced by plenty of coworking spaces.
Things to do: Málaga has a lot to offer when it comes to museums and galleries including the Picasso Museum or Museo de Bellas Artes de Málaga. There’s also a good nightlife scene here, with plenty of clubs and bars to choose from.
Did you realize that Spain has a “North” Coast, too? That’s right – Spain’s seaside cities aren’t limited to the balmy waters and endless sunshine of the Mediterranean. Not to forget that little spit of Atlantic ocean between Gibraltar and the Portuguese border. So let’s turn our gaze to the other ocean that surrounds the country especially in the north-west and south-west of the country: the Atlantic coasts.
5. Cádiz
Between the border to neighboring Portugal in the west and the Strait of Gibraltar, the southern-most tip of Spain lies Cádiz. A small-town port city with a long history of naval trade, Cádiz is a good option for remote workers looking to learn Spanish. The added bonus is that there’s more sunshine here than in Málaga, making it one of Spain’s sunniest cities.
Cádiz is perfect if you enjoy smaller cities with boatloads of history and love the sea. Here, there’s a beautifully quaint yet vibrant old town that reflects the centuries of history and it’s close to the water, as Cádiz is completely surrounded by the Atlantic waters.
Cost of living: Cádiz offers a similar cost of living as Málaga at €1,500 – 1,800 per month.
Average rent cost: €700-1,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, while two-bedroom apartments cost between €800 – 1,200 monthly.
Digital nomad community: Cádiz, though beloved by tourists, doesn’t really have a remote work scene – though we think it should. Especially since, paradoxically, there are actually a fair amount of coworking spaces in the area. If you love the “old city” vibe without the hustle and bustle of an actual big city, Cádiz might just be the place for you.
6. Bilbao
Spain’s northern coast on the Bay of Biscay offers roughly a thousand kilometers of Atlantic access. And Bilbao, as the de facto capital of the Basque country, is one of the best places to work remotely on this coast.
Though generally cooler and less sunny than its Mediterranean counterparts on the other side of the country, Bilbao still offers a climate that’s more temperate than much of the rest of Europe.
It’s a vibrant riverside city with a pronounced industrial past and an architecturally modern present. Old factories and shipyards stand alongside cutting-edge architectural designs, like the titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum on the revitalized waterfront. The old town is full of great bars and the food is amazing to boot.
Cost of living: It’s slightly more expensive than Madrid, with €2,800 – 3,200 needed per month for a comfortable lifestyle here.
Average rent cost: €800 – 1,400 for a one-bedroom and €1,200 – 1,800 for a two-room.
Digital nomad community: The expat community is growing steadily, with more and more foreigners discovering and appreciating the high quality of life. There are fewer coworking spaces in Bilbao than you’ll find in Barcelona or Madrid, but there’s still plenty of action to be found here.
Things to do: Bilbao is a great destination for culture seekers with many museums, as well as excellent nightlife options. Best of all? There are some fantastic beaches just outside the city limits.
Time to leave the beach bums behind and head inland, to a handful of gorgeous cities that know exactly how to make up for the fact that they’re not seaside-located.
7. Madrid
If you can’t afford Barcelona’s prices, then Madrid is a great alternative! The vibrant and diverse capital city has everything you need for a great lifestyle while boasting some of the most affordable prices in all of Spain. You’ll find plenty of clubs and bars here, plus museums galore if that’s your thing.
Cost of living: You’ll need €2,000 – 2,500 monthly for a comfortable lifestyle here.
Average rent cost: The average one-bedroom apartment will set you back between €650 – 900, and the same goes for two bedrooms which will run around €850 – 1,250 per month.
Digital nomad community: There are plenty of coworking spaces in Madrid, and plenty of remote workers too.
Things to do: Madrid offers history and culture galore with its many museums, theaters, opera houses, and cathedrals. You’ll also be spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants, bars, and not to mention copious amounts of street art!
8. Sevilla
Sevilla is a gorgeous Spanish city just a short-ish train ride away from the coast. It has an excellent cultural scene, plus it offers plenty of sunshine and warm weather year-round!
Cost of living: Sevilla is slightly more expensive than Madrid and approaches Barcelona costs with €2,500 – 3,000 per month.
Average rent cost: A one-bedroom apartment will cost between €650 – 900 per month and a two-bedroom between €850 – 1,150.
Digital nomad community: Sevilla has one of the largest remote work communities in Spain, with plenty of coworking spaces to choose from as well as many cafes that offer wifi; or you can bring your laptop to the many parks and public spaces.
Things to do: Sevilla is famous for its flamenco culture, with plenty of academies and performances to choose from. There are also lots of museums in this city including the renowned Picasso Museum or monuments like The Cathedral or Giralda Bell Tower.
9. Córdoba
Another inland jewel, the Andalusian city of Córdoba is home to a stunning old town full of winding streets and beautiful buildings. Córdoba offers a laid-back vibe and a slower pace of life while still having an impressive range of cultural attractions if that’s more your style.
Cost of living: €2,000 – 2,500 for a comfortable lifestyle with less expensive rent costs than in Madrid or Sevilla.
Average rent cost: The average one-bedroom apartment will set you back between €700 – 1,000 monthly, while two bedrooms will cost between €900 – 1,300.
Digital nomad community: Córdoba has a less active remote work scene as of yet, and there aren’t a ton of coworking spaces; there are, however, a myriad of cute, cozy, quaint coffee shops and restaurants that offer free wifi.
Things to do: This charming city is home to one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Spain and a historic old town; there are also plenty of parks, gardens, and museums. Great for people with an interest in history or architecture.
Back to the beach, but this time away from the continental mainland. There are a few islands belonging to Spain in both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, which already draw the digital nomad and remote worker crowds – and for good reason.
10. Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands consist of the two main isles Majorca and Menorca, set smack dab in the middle of the Mediterranean sea.
While both islands boast gorgeous countryside and nature, Menorca is by far the “calmer”, less party-obsessed of the two. In fact, it’s quite far off the beaten track, even for the more adventurous digital nomads – which is why “our lot” tend to flock to Majorca rather than Menorca. Specifically to Palma de Majorca, the Balearic capital.
Palma is easy to get around and boasts a wide array of restaurants, cafes, coworking spaces, and nightlife. It also has a large expat community (particularly from Germany and Britain) that’s been attracted to the island for decades now – so you’ll always find someone who speaks your language.
Cost of living: The Balearic Islands are more expensive than mainland Spain, with €3,000-3,500 needed per month in Palma, specifically, for a comfortable lifestyle.
Average rent cost: A one-bedroom apartment in Palma de Majorca will set you back between €850 – 1,000 monthly, while two bedrooms will cost between €1,200 – 1,600.
Digital nomad community: The remote work and digital nomad scene in Palma is great for those who want to live amongst like-minded people; there are plenty of coworking spaces as well as a good number of coffee shops and restaurants that offer free wifi.
Things to do: There’s no shortage of things to do on either of the Balearic Islands – from the beautiful beaches to the gorgeous countryside, there’s something here for everyone: sailing, canyoning, diving, and hiking, to start. Not to mention the clubs and beerhalls in Palma, which also make the city a tourist hotspot.
11. Canary Islands
Over the past few years, the Canary Islands have fast become one of the greatest remote worker and digital nomad hotspots in Europe. You can’t really go wrong with any of the four: Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, or Gran Canaria – though Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on (you guessed it) Gran Canaria is by far the hottest of digital nomad hotspots on the Canaries.
In fact, it’s one of WiFi Tribe’s favorite fall and spring locations in Europe, due to the comparatively warm temperatures, great outdoor scene, and its access to the rest of Europe (Madrid is just a short flight away).
Cost of living: You’ll need around €1,500-2,000 to live comfortably here.
Average rent cost: €700 – 900 on the low end for a one-bedroom apartment and up to €1,400 for two bedrooms.
Digital nomad community: As we’ve already mentioned, Las Palmas is an absolute favorite among digital nomads and remote workers looking for a warm, beachy, active, outdoorsy place to set up camp. Our love for Las Palmas is reflected in the coworking spaces and cafes we love to frequent and work from. You’ll find digital nomad meetups going on all over the place, at least once a week.
Things to do: The Canary Islands have something for everyone. From the relaxing beaches on Tenerife or Lanzarote – kitesurfing, anybody? – over the lush countryside of Lanzarote to the desert landscapes of Fuerteventura. You don’t have to pick and choose just one type of place. Rather, you have the whole array from beaches to mountain peaks at your fingertips, just a ferry ride away.
Join WiFi Tribe’s Remote Worker Community in Spain
The Tribe is no stranger to Spain’s digital nomad scene. We’ve held chapters in Barcelona and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria pre-pandemic, and hope to not only go back there again very soon but to expand our Spanish locations to others on this list very soon. Keep an eye on our Chapter calendar to see where the community is headed next – whether that’s in Europe, South America, or Southeast Asia.
