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Home to pristine beaches, ancient towns whose origins have been lost to time and breathtaking nature, and which is much cheaper than virtually any competing country in the Mediterranean, Türkiye is. one of the leading destinations for digital nomads in the world.
Due to its warmer year-round weather and budget-friendliness, it attracts millions of remote workers every year, and it is set to rise even further in popularity now that the highly anticipated Digital Nomad Visa has been announced.
1If you’re thinking about this Middle Eastern gem now that a residency visa is on the horizon, you might be wondering which Turkish cities are the cheapest (and most incredible) to move to, and thanks Nomad list, We could narrow it down to five:
Bodrum
Bodrum, the pearl of the Turkish Riviera, is both a seaside resort and a nomadic center in the making.
It stretches along the Aegean Sea, a stone’s throw from the Greek island of Kos, and features a high concentration of luxury hotels and budget-friendly guesthouses.
With its whitewashed Old Town, streets decorated with bougainvillea and historic charm (Bodrum Castle was built partly with stones from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) it’s certainly not the place you want to rush by exploring.
It is probably the most expensive beach destination in Türkiye, but it still is remarkably affordable by European standards: Fully furnished Airbnbs with dedicated workspaces can be rented for as little as $972, and the total cost is $2,001 per month.
Istanbul
At number four, Istanbul has the largest city – only the largest, not the capital – and the most cosmopolitan offering in Türkiye, located on the natural maritime border between Europe and Asia and with a rich Ottoman and Byzantine heritage.
It is home to some of Turkey’s most iconic landmarks, including the monumental Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the mosque-turned-Roman cathedral, the impressive Genoese architectural feat that is the Galata Tower, and a palatial Dolmabahçe that could easily be visited. To disgrace Versailles.
Cultural aspect aside, Istanbul is as full of work-friendly cafes as it is cats, not to mention Kadıköy’s wide choice of affordable eateries on the Asian side of Kadıköy: in fact, you’ll find nomadic life here less than $1,868 per month is not only feasible, but terribly comfortable.
Alanya
Back to the Mediterranean coast, Alanya is the kind of laid-back beach town you’d escape to if the bustling yacht scene of Bodrum and the sprawling urban mess of Istanbul don’t sound too appealing to you.
It is steeped in historywith a fortified harbor and a largely car-free historic center littered with legendary mentions and gems from the Ottoman era, but a short half-hour walk from the city, the white-sand Keopatra Beach reminds you that this is still a leisure destination first order.
With its casual atmosphere, affordable restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food as cheap as $7With surprisingly affordable rent (about 60% cheaper than places like Paris and London) and monthly fees totaling $1,228, Alanya is the next digital nomad hotspot waiting to happen.
Izmir
Izmir, the largest city on the Aegean side, is a vibrant coastal metropolis with an accumulated history spanning two millennia. It is littered with Greek ruins, including the partially preserved Agora of Smyrna, and is best represented by the elegant Ottoman Bell Tower.
It’s a favorite among nomads for its temperate climate (even out of season, it’s rarely colder than 60 degrees during the day) and carefree social attitude. This is still a Muslim-majority country, but you might be surprised by the level of liberalism that you can find in Izmir.
Based on the past expenses travelers have made during a month-long stay in the city, you are expected to budget around $1,223 to move to Izmir. Low prices are observed for consumer goods, groceries, restaurants and rent, possibly helped by the severely devalued Turkish lira.
Antalya
The undisputed winner, Antalya, is southern Turkey’s strongest offering and a legendary ancient queen that once had the status of a mighty port on the eastern Mediterranean in Roman times: now it is a thriving coastal town that boasts high-rise buildings, modern architecture and combines ancient wonders.
Whether it is the picturesque, cafe-lined old town of Kaleiçior trendy Konyaaltı, with its long beach bordered by mountains and city, and modern promenade that unfolds along clear blue waters, nomads will discover that Antalya is an endless source of fascination.
Luckily for those who fall in love with it, it’s currently the cheapest major nomadic destination in Türkiye: it has the historic appeal of Greece, local cuisine as delicious and flavorful as Spain’s, and the balmy weather of Italy, and it only costs $1,186 to live per month.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
