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?
- 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.
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
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 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.