The best digital nomad destinations in the world have just come in. Based on a new report by Dojo, a UK-based payment provider, Italy has topped the charts. Digital nomadism has become a global trend, attracting over 35 million people to a flexible lifestyle that allows them to work from virtually anywhere.
The US alone is home to 18.1 million digital nomads showing nearly a 5% increase in numbers. A dynamic work-style that became more popular after the COVID-19 pandemic has attracted employees from across sectors.
Best cities for remote work – Criteria
Dojo analysed 237 cities, offering insights into ideal locations for remote workers seeking vibrant urban energy or tranquil coastal retreats. According to Charlie Ashworth, Senior Insights Manager at Dojo, “When choosing the best city to work from, digital nomads prioritize good visa options, internet reliability, safety, and affordability.” The study took into account digital nomad visas, internet freedom, and quality of life to determine the top cities worldwide.
Here’s a complete list of top 20 cities best suited for remote work
| Rank | City | Country |
| 1 | Genoa | Italy |
| 2 | Bari | Italy |
| 3 | Valencia | Spain |
| 4 | Quebec | Canada |
| 5 | Catania | Italy |
| 6 | Florence | Italy |
| 7 | Palermo | Italy |
| 8 | Las Palmas | Spain |
| 9 | Rome | Italy |
| 10 | Sevilla | Spain |
| 11 | Turin | Italy |
| 12 | Ottawa | Canada |
| 13 | Zaragoza | Spain |
| 14 | Madrid | Spain |
| 15 | Bilbao | Spain |
| 16 | Montreal | Canada |
| 17 | Bologna | Italy |
| 18 | Murcia | Spain |
| 19 | Oshawa | Canada |
| 20 | Hamilton | Canada |
Genoa, a stunning medieval old town, offers the new digital nomad visa. It allows freelancers, remote full-time employees, and self-employed individuals to apply. Valid for twelve months, people could witness the fastest internet speed, a security score of 27, and a quality-of-life rating of 154.78, all while maintaining an average cost of living at $800.00 monthly.
The second city too lies in Italy. Bari combines the seaside charm and the historic appeal of Italy with a relatively lower cost of living than Genoa. Valencia and Quebec lie consecutively below they have the European charm about them. Nearly 50% of the top 20 cities for digital nomads lie in Italy but the diversity comes from the cities in Spain and Canada.
Popular cities like Montreal, Rome, Ottawa and Madrid will add a sense of charm to your digital nomadism. Offering a perfect blend of connectivity, culture, and convenience for remote workers, digital nomads are spoilt for choice. Countries have now started to update visa policies offering a wider option for remote workers today.