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Winter in Europe is not for every digital nomad, whether it is the heavy rain and snow showers or the limited amount of daylight.
A big mistake most people make is not realizing it, well, not all of the continent is freezing this time of year.
While we certainly wouldn’t pack our bags and move to Scandinavia temporarily, many southern European cities remain perfectly sunny in the off-season, and some can even boast spring-like temperatures as early as December.
No joke.
If you love the allure of the Old World but might need some vitamin D yourself, here are 5 trendy nomad destinations on the other side of the pond where you come both the culture and the mild, if not warm, winter weather:
Catania, Italy
Catania, one of the most important cities in Sicily, Italy’s largest island historic harbor full of history full of inviting pasticcerycharming squares and winding streets where narrow clothes hang among the pastel-colored buildings, all backed by the all-too-mighty Etna.
Life revolves around a stately square, dominated by an ornate Baroque cathedral and a characteristic Elephant Fountain: it is by far the most beautiful place in the city, and the nearby Prestipino Duomo is a local favorite for breakfast with a view.
Other bustling areas include La Pescheria, a fish market where you can eat Mediterranean food in simple surroundings, and Catania harbour, full of laptop-friendly cafes.
Weather-wise, Catania is one of the warmest destinations in Italy this winter, with average daily highs of 64.4°F and lows of 55.4°F, and less rain compared to other parts of the country, making it the ideal place to spend the winter.
Puerto del Rosario, Spain
The capital of Fuerteventura, the second of the Spanish Canary Islands, Puerto del Rosario, is a relaxed coastal city is distinguished by its whitewashed houses against an azure blue Atlantic Ocean, modern harbor and bustling shopping streets.
With a high concentration of shops and eateries, Primero de Mayo is a lively pedestrian area in the heart of the city, bustling with passers-by day and night, unlike the quiet Playa Chica, a sheltered stretch of golden sand licked by crystal clear seas.
Puerto del Rosario doesn’t have as strong a café scene as other destinations on this list, but nomads are known to bring their work to the local market. panaderías no problem, as long as they order something.
We are especially fond of Arancin for the fresh food, friendly staff and $10 sangria, sold by the liter.
One thing you need to know about Fuerteventura is that, like its fellow Canary Islands, it is actually closer to the African continent than to Europe, and because it is so close to the Sahara, it enjoys balmy temperatures all year round , of highs of 69.8° and lows of 59°F.
Rhodes, Greece
A sun-drenched island in Greece’s easternmost corner, just a stone’s throw from the coast of Türkiye, Rhodes is both a cultural center and a natural oasis where you’ll find both ancient hilltop acropolises and picturesque beaches fringed by sparkling waters. .
The capital, Rhodes Town, is a compact harborside settlement that claims to be the city largest and best preserved medieval center still inhabited in Europe, while Lindos is a traditional hill town where you can only get around on foot or by donkey.
Ialysos is a busy resort strip home to numerous seafood restaurants, and if you’re keen to chat with the locals, Faliraki is a well-visited beach area packed with clubs and nightlife.
As you can see, Rhodes has a lot to offer, even in the low season: in January, the coldest month the year, on the coast it is still a pleasant 60.8°Fand it feels relatively warm when the sun is shining, with lows of 50°F in the evening.
If you’re wondering what to pack, think a casual shirt and shorts during the day, and a light sweater for al fresco dinners by the harbor.
Alicante, Spain
In mainland Spain, Alicante is where all your wintery Mediterranean fantasies come true: there is little rain, the sun shines brightly (on most days), the streets in the old town are narrow, picturesque and largely car-free, and the social scene does not disappear with the fall.
It has a great choice of cafes with English menus, free Wi-Fi and power sockets, and bookworm heaven Libraries Pynchon&Co and a ‘raw’ vegan, healthy corner Greens 42 to name a few, not to mention at least 25 conference coworking spaces, as listed by Workspace.
January is a little too chilly for swimming in the Mediterranean, as inviting as it may be, but you are still welcome to stroll the lively promenade. flanked by tall palm trees and cocktail barson weekends packed with young crowds, and explore an Instagrammable Barrio de la Santa Cruz.
The most photographed part of Alicante, this medieval maze of colorful houses has its own share of tapas bars and bohemian corners, and is the starting point for the climb to Castillo de Santa Bárbara, a Moorish-built fortress on a hill overlooking the coast.
Portimao, Portugal
Imagine a series of apartment buildings perched on ocher cliffs, bordering wide, honey-colored beaches overlooking a blue Atlantic Ocean and a charming old neighborhood dotted with historic tile-clad houses in the classic Portuguese style.
That’s our best attempt to paint a picture of Portimão, but just you to have to be there to feel the salty air, smell the intoxicating oven-ready custard tarts on display nearby pastelariasand listen to the fado players and the cheerful chatter of people as they stroll around the marina.
In a gloomy Europe, the closest you get to a summer paradise is in winter an average high temperature of 64.4°F and nighttime lows of 50°F, and you know what they say about Portugal’s southern coast: it has more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.
This makes it the sunniest region on the entire continent Portimão is in the middle of it.
Incredible weather, affordable food, cultural wealth, warm, hospitable locals… you name it! We can’t say we’re surprised it’s in the top 20 Nomads currently the most trusted ranking for digital nomad destinations worldwide, based on their popularity alone.
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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.
