The 10 best cities for ‘workcations’ in 2023, revealed: digital nomads love these remote-work-friendly destinations, from Milan to Paris, Jakarta and Beijing – but where does Hong Kong rank?

Sep 3 , 2023

If you’re going to be remote working anyway, why not do it from a fabulous new city? Photo: Shutterstock

A ‘workcation’ blends work and vacation – meaning those whose jobs don’t require them to be in the office can tick off a few of those bucket list destinations while they work

IWG unveiled its list of the best cities in the world for a ‘workcation’, comparing 26 leading regions based on 9 criteria including climate, culture – and broadband speed

Covid-19 lockdowns may be over, but remote and hybrid working environments are here to stay. While there are obvious benefits to going into an office, including having the opportunity to socialise with colleagues, there are also plenty of reasons to love the “WFH” method too – like getting to do your emails from anywhere in the world.

Introducing the “workcation”, a term that refers to a mix of work and vacation, where you can meet your deadlines while soaking up backdrops like the Eiffel Tower, Amsterdam canals, or the Statue of Liberty.

Remote working emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic – and hasn’t really gone away. Photo: Shutterstock

So where’s the best place to go? IWG, the world’s largest flexible workspace operator, just released its “workcation” city rankings, comparing 26 leading cities on nine key criteria including climate, culture, transport, food and drink, happiness, broadband speed and the availability of flexible workspaces. Barcelona, Toronto and Beijing scored top marks, while Hong Kong came in 22nd place.

Here are the top 10 cities for workcations, according to IWG.

1. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona has been ranked the best place for a workcation in 2023. Photo: Shutterstock

Sunny, vibrant and steeped in history, IWG ranked Barcelona the best workcation city in the world in 2023. While this Spanish region has long been a popular spot for tourists, recent years have shown that it’s also a hit among digital nomads, as it’s relatively cheap compared to other European cities, and has the perfect mix of good food, fascinating culture – and beaches to boot.

2. Toronto, Canada

Toronto in Canada has more than 8,000 restaurants and plenty of parks to relax in after work. Photo: Unsplash

Toronto comes in at No 2 on IWG’s list for its high scores in accommodation, happiness, and its wealth of flexible workspaces. Canada’s largest city boasts plenty to see and do, from urban life to nature parks, and with over 8,000 restaurants, it’s always a bucket-list staple for adventurous workcation foodies.

3. Beijing, China

Cheap transport, incredible cultural sights and dozens of affordable hotels make Beijing an overlooked spot for a workcation. Photo: Unsplash