Work where others holiday: the best workation destinations, co-working spaces and tips for digital nomads.
The best workation destinations are Lisbon, Madeira, Tenerife and Split in Europe, and Bali (Canggu) and Chiang Mai in Asia. Stable internet of at least 25 Mbps, co-working spaces and a suitable time zone are key. Check with your employer and a tax adviser beforehand about what is allowed under employment and tax law.
Workation -- the fusion of work and vacation -- is no longer a trend but the new reality. More and more companies allow their employees to work remotely from abroad. And more and more cities and countries are positioning themselves as workation destinations.
The appeal is obvious: a morning meeting on the beach in Bali, surfing after work in the afternoon, freshly caught fish with new friends in the evening. Those who plan smartly are more productive than in the office -- and happier anyway.
This guide shows you the six best workation destinations in the world, gives you tips on internet, taxes and insurance, and helps you successfully plan your first workation.
From Europe's co-working capital to Bali, the nomad mecca.
Europe's workation capital: fast internet, countless co-working spaces, a pleasant climate, and a vibrant digital nomad community. Plus, affordable living costs for Western Europe and a fantastic coffee and food scene.
The mecca of digital nomads: Canggu offers the highest density of co-working spaces in the world, rice and surf culture, healthy food, and unbeatable value for money. €1,000/month is enough for a good life.
Year-round temperatures of 20-25°C, EU time zone, fast internet, and no visa issues. Tenerife combines workation comfort with island vibes: working on your laptop in the morning, then heading to the beach or hiking in Teide National Park in the afternoon.
The cheapest workation spot in the world: modern co-working from €100/month, a villa for €300, and the best street food in Asia. Chiang Mai has a huge digital nomad scene with regular meetups and events.
Croatia has been offering a digital nomad visa since 2021. Split combines work with Adriatic lifestyle: historic old town, crystal-clear sea, good internet, and a growing remote work scene.
The "Island of Eternal Spring" has specifically positioned itself as a workation destination: free co-working in the Digital Nomad Village in Ponta do Sol, fast internet, mild temperatures, and spectacular nature.
The 6 destinations differ mainly in budget, travel time and best season, for example Lisbon, Bali (Canggu) and Tenerife. The table compares all values side by side.
| Destination | Budget | Flight | Internet | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | $$ | 3h | Excellent | Europe's No. 1 |
| Bali (Canggu) | $ | 14h | Good | Nomad Paradise |
| Tenerife | $$ | 4.5h | Very good | EU Time Zone |
| Chiang Mai | $ | 12h | Very good | Budget Champion |
| Split | $$ | 2h | Good | Adriatic Lifestyle |
| Madeira | $$ | 4h | Very good | Island Workation |
These 10 tips help most, above all: Test the internet beforehand, Be mindful of time zones and Co-working instead of cafes. The details for each point follow below.
Speedtest.net and Nomadlist.com show you the internet speed at your destination. Minimum for video calls: 25 Mbps download, 10 Mbps upload.
If you regularly have meetings with the team in Germany, you should choose a similar time zone. Bali (UTC+8) means a 6-hour difference – this can be challenging.
Cafes often have unstable Wi-Fi and no power outlets. Co-working spaces offer fast internet, printers, meeting rooms, and networking – from €5-10 per day.
A VPN protects you on public networks and allows access to German services. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Mullvad are reliable options.
If you are abroad for more than 183 days, you may become liable for taxes. Clarify this with a tax advisor beforehand – especially for employment situations.
The biggest danger during a workation: either working too much or just holidaying. Fixed working hours (e.g. 8am-4pm) and after-work rituals help.
An external monitor, a good keyboard, and a laptop stand make a difference. Foldable travel ergonomic sets are available from €50.
Always have a Plan B for internet: local SIM card with a data plan as a hotspot. In many countries, you can get 20 GB for under €10.
Standard travel health insurance often only applies to holidays. Providers like SafetyWing or Genki offer specific insurance for digital nomads.
Facebook groups ("Digital Nomads [Location]"), Meetup.com, and co-working events are the best ways to meet and connect with other remote workers locally.
3 free HolidayGenie tools help you plan: Budget-Rechner, Packliste and Urlaubsfinder. They run directly in your browser and complement the destination tips on this page.
Frequently asked questions
A workation combines work and vacation – you work remotely from a holiday destination. Typically you keep your regular working hours but enjoy the destination after work and at weekends. The requirements are a laptop, stable internet (at least 25 Mbps download for video calls), your employer’s consent and ideally a co-working space on site. Many companies now allow 2–4 weeks of workation per year.
Lisbon is considered Europe’s workation capital with excellent internet, many co-working spaces and a lively digital nomad community. Tenerife scores with a spring-like climate all year round and a European time zone. Bali (Canggu) offers the best value with a comfortable life from around 1,000 euros a month. Madeira has positioned itself as a workation island with the Digital Nomad Village in Ponta do Sol. Split in Croatia combines Adriatic lifestyle with good internet and a short journey.
For productive work you need at least 25 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload, especially for video calls via Zoom or Teams. Websites such as Speedtest.net and Nomadlist.com show internet speeds at your destination in advance. Co-working spaces usually offer more reliable and faster internet than cafés or apartments. As a backup, a local SIM card with a data plan as a hotspot is always recommended. A VPN adds protection on public networks.
For workations of less than 183 days a year abroad, you usually remain taxable in your home country, but clarify this with a tax adviser beforehand. Within the EU, working for your home employer is generally possible for short periods; posted-worker and social security rules (A1 certificate) may apply. Outside the EU, a work visa or a special digital nomad visa may be required – Croatia, Portugal and Indonesia offer such visas. Make sure you have suitable health insurance for working abroad.
Choose a destination in a similar time zone (e.g. Portugal or the Canary Islands) to avoid meeting conflicts. Fixed working hours and routines are crucial so you don’t slip into pure holiday mode. A co-working space for 5–10 euros a day offers more stable internet and a better working atmosphere than a café. Ergonomic accessories such as a laptop stand and external keyboard improve comfort considerably. Use the first 2–3 days to settle in and explore before your routine starts.
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If you like Workation, you may also enjoy Städtereisen, Backpacking and Nachhaltiges Reisen. For every holiday type we show the best destinations with travel season, budget and insider tips.
Discover the best places to work and travel and plan your next remote adventure.
