If working remotely is on your wishlist for 2026, you’re in luck! This week, we are introducing 10 of the best digital nomad locations that aren’t overexposed or saturated. Some digital nomads work as they travel as part of a worldwide trip, or move to a new destination every few months with just a reliable laptop and a few belongings. However, some people are moving on from typical locations like Bali or Bangkok and exploring places that are less popular with fellow digital workers or tourists. From Europe to Africa and Asia, there’s sure to be a city to suit your digital nomad lifestyle.
1. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Located in the heart of Slovenia, Ljubljana is an exciting blend of German, Mediterranean, and Slovenian culture, with a medieval castle and fascinating museums. It has a stunning old town and beautiful parks, making it an ideal place for digital nomads to base themselves while working and exploring the sights. While Ljubljana is increasingly popular with tourists, the digital nomad community in this hidden gem is still relatively small. However, there are plenty of coworking spaces and cafes with stable WiFi, so you can get work done as you go. If this sounds like your next destination, Slovenia recently launched a 1-year digital nomad visa for non-EU/EEA nationals who work remotely or are self employed.
2. George Town, Malaysia
George Town is the vibrant city of the state of Penang, Malaysia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located a few hours north of Kuala Lumpur. There are temples, museums, and mosques to explore, along with artsy streets and delicious cuisine. George Town is a great choice for digital nomads due to its low living costs, cozy accommodations, and comfortable coworking spaces.
The DE Rantau Nomad Pass lets digital nomads stay in Malaysia for 3 to 12 months, renewable for another year on top, with some income and eligibility requirements
3. Da Nang, Vietnam
Da Nang is a coastal city with sandy beaches, mouth-watering street food, and amazing scenery, making it a unique choice for digital nomads. While Da Nang is more on the tamer side in terms of nightlife, it offers beautiful mountains and sights like the Lady Buddha. Digital nomads can make affordable oceanfront apartments their home for a few months, explore the city and surrounding areas with excellent transportation options, and work from cute and comfortable cafes.
Although Vietnam does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa, there are a range of visa options that could help make Da Nang your next destination.
4. Essaouira, Morocco
Situated on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Essaouira is a charming North African port town with a lot for digital nomads to explore. Essaouira boasts Portuguese, French, and Berber architecture, while surfers and beach lovers can check out local beaches Cap Sim and Sidi Kaouki. It is located around 3 hours from the bustling city of Marrakech, offering digital nomads a more relaxed vibe, along with cafes and coworking spaces for working. Those looking for a digital nomad community might not favor Essaouira, however, as it is still an up-and-coming remote working location. Although there is currently no specific digital nomad visa for Morocco, there are other visa options available.
5. Mindelo (São Vicente), Cape Verde
Cape Verde is a popular tropical destination comprising ten islands located off the coast of Senegal in West Africa. It offers a unique blend of African and Portuguese influences. São Vicente is known for its lively music scene, vibrant nightlife, and delicious restaurants, and there are lively festivals to enjoy twice a year. Cape Verde is appealing to digital nomads because of its relaxed lifestyle, budget-friendly living costs, and year-round sunshine.
Cape Verde has offered a Remote Working program designed for digital nomads since 2021. It gives remote workers from various locations up to 6 months of living and working in Cape Verde with extensions available.
6. Valparaíso, Chile
Located around 70 miles (113 km) from Santiago, Valparaíso is Chile’s main port and is renowned for its artistic vibe and beautiful architecture. The city’s colorful streets are a must-see, while its 100-year-old funicular leads to incredible ocean and city views. Although internet speeds can vary, there are lots of cafes and places to work remotely in Valparaíso with reliable internet access.
Chile does not currently offer a specific digital nomad visa, however if you are considering it as your next destination, there are other visa options available.
7. Tbilisi, Georgia
Georgia is located between Eastern Europe and West Asia, and is home to a growing number of remote workers. Tbilisi is a great alternative to other cities like Lisbon for digital nomads, delivering your fix of beautiful architecture and unique cultural experiences on a budget. It has become somewhat of a digital nomad hotspot, and local cafes and coworking spaces offer stable internet connections to support this. If you are planning on staying for a while, digital workers can even open a bank account on arrival.
There are several digital nomad-friendly visa options for those considering Tbilisi as their next stop.
8. Mérida, Mexico
Mérida is the largest city in southern Mexico, and is known as the country’s cultural capital. It has a strong Mayan influence and a population of over 1 million people, with sources citing an expat community of around 10 thousand people, largely from the United States. Mérida is considered a strong digital nomad option thanks to its reliable internet and inexpensive living costs, however it is relatively quiet and it does not offer a party lifestyle. There are some coworking spaces located in the north of the city, and digital nomads can also check out local cafes as their office for the day. While Mexico does not offer a digital nomad visa, there is a 6-month tourist visa and temporary residency available.
9. Nairobi, Kenya
Known as the start-up and tech hub of East Africa, Kenya is an excellent choice for digital nomads looking for their next destination. The country’s capital, Nairobi, has a population of 5.76 million and is a bustling metropolis boasting wildlife, pulsing music clubs, and local shops and markets. Nairobi is home to coworking spaces like The Foundry Africa and Ikigai Nairobi and coffee shops that provide a productive environment for digital nomads working remotely.
Kenya has a Digital Nomad Visa that allows remote workers or freelancers to live and work in the country for up to a year.
10. Cáceres (Extremadura), Spain
Spanish cities like Bilbao, Palma, and Barcelona have previously featured in our list of digital nomad-friendly locations before, but let us now introduce Cáceres. With wonderful architecture and tasty tapas, Cáceres is a hidden gem that is bound to delight even the most traveled digital nomad. Bordering Portugal to the west and just a few hours from Madrid, Cáceres is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a prime location for digital nomads.
The regional government has launched a new initiative to attract remote workers, and has allocated a 2 million Euro (USD $2.34 million) budget for digital nomads, freelancers, and those who are self-employed. There are some administrative hoops to jump through first though, and there is also a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa available for non-EU citizens.
2026 digital nomad destinations: the takeaway
If 2026 is your year to travel, why not choose one of the lesser known digital nomad destinations we’ve covered here? From a chilled port vibe to bustling city life, there is something for everyone. Acer’s range of lightweight Acer Swift laptops might just be the perfect travel companion, while our bags and sleeves will help keep your device protected while on the move. Happy travels!
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