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Winter in Europe is not every digital nomad’s cup of tea, be it for the heavy rainfall and snow flurries or the limited amount of daylight.
A gross mistake most people make is failing to realize that, well, not all of the continent is freezing cold this time of year.
While we certainly wouldn’t be packing our bags and relocating temporarily to Scandinavia, lots of Southern European cities remain perfectly sunny in the off-season, with some even boasting spring-like temps as early as December.
No joke.
If you love that Old World allure, yet you could be doing with some vitamin D yourself, here are 5 trendy nomad destinations across the pond where you get both the culture and mild, if not warm, winter weather:
Catania, Italy
One of the main cities in Sicily, Italy’s largest island, Catania is a history-charged ancient port full of inviting pasticcerie, charming squares, and winding streets so narrow clothes hang between the pastel buildings, all backed by the all-too-powerful Mount Etna.
Life revolves around a stately piazza, dominated by an ornamented Baroque cathedral and a landmark Elephant Fountain: it is easily the most beautiful spot in town, and the nearby Prestipino Duomo is a local favorite for breakfast with a view.
Other buzzing areas include La Pescheria, a fish market where you can eat Mediterranean food in a no-frills environment, and the Port of Catania, lined with laptop-friendly cafés.
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 rainfall compared to other parts of the country, making it the ideal place for make it through winter.
Puerto del Rosario, Spain
The capital of Fuerteventura, the second of Spain’s Canary Islands, Puerto del Rosario, is a laid-back coastal city distinguished by its whitewashed houses against an azure Atlantic, modern harbor, and bustling shopping streets.
With a high concentration of shops and eateries, Primero de Mayo is a lively pedestrianized zone in the heart of town, busy night and day with passersby, in contrast with a peaceful 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 have been known to take their work into local panaderías without problem, as long as they’re ordering something.
We particularly love Arancino for its fresh food, friendly staff, and $10 sangria sold by the liter.
One thing you should know about Fuerteventura is that, like its fellow Canaries, it is in fact located nearer the continent of Africa than it is to Europe, and being so close to the Sahara, it enjoys balmy temperatures year-round, with highs of 69.8° and lows of 59°F.
Rhodes, Greece
A sun-drenched island in the easternmost corner of Greece, a stone’s throw away from the coast of Türkiye, Rhodes is both a cultural hub and natural oasis where you’ll find both ancient acropolises perched on hills, and scenic beaches bordered by glistening waters.
Its capital, Rhodes Town, is a compact harbor-side settlement laying claim to being the largest, and best-preserved medieval center still inhabited in Europe, whereas Lindos is a traditional hillside village where you can only get around on foot or donkey.
Ialysos is a well-frequented resort strip playing host to numerous seafood restaurants, and if you’re hoping to socialize with locals, Faliraki is a well-frequented beach area packed with clubs and entertainment venues.
As you can see, Rhodes has a lot to offer, even in the low season: in January, the coldest month of the year, the coast is still a pleasant 60.8°F, and it feels relatively warm when the sun is shining, dropping to 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 jumper for alfresco dinners by the harbor.
Alicante, Spain
Over in mainland Spain, Alicante is all your wintery Mediterranean fantasies come true: it has minimal rainfall, the shine is shining bright (on most days), the Old Town streets are narrow, picturesque and mostly car-free, and the social scene doesn’t die down with the fall.
It has a big selection of cafés with English menus, free Wifi and plugs, with bookworm heaven Librería Pynchon&Co and a ‘raw’ vegan, healthy corner greens 42 to name a couple, not to mention at least 25 convention coworking spaces, as listed by Workin.Space.
January’s a tad too breezy to be swimming in the Med, as inviting as it may be, but you’re still welcome to stroll the vibrant boardwalk, flanked by tall palm trees and cocktail bars, teeming with young crowds on the weekends, 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 it’s the starting point for ascending to Castillo de Santa Bárbara, a Moorish-built fortress set on a hill overlooking the coast.
Portimão, Portugal
Picture a string of high-rise condominiums perched on ocher cliffs adjacent to wide, honey-colored beaches facing a blue Atlantic and a charming Old Quarter littered with historic, tile-clad houses in the classic Portuguese style.
That’s our best attempt at painting a picture of Portimão, but you just have to be there to feel the salt air, smell the inebriating oven-ready custard tarts on display in nearby pastelarias, and listen to the fado players and cheerful chatter of people as they stroll down the marina.
In a gloomy Europe, it’s the closest you get to a summer paradise in winter, with an average high temperature of 64.4°F and overnight lows of 50°F, and you know what they say about Portugal’s southern coast: it has over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.
This makes it the sunniest region in all of the continent, and Portimão is right in the middle of it.
Incredible weather, affordable eats, cultural wealth, warm, hospitable locals… you name it! We can’t say we’re surprised it ranks in the top 20 of Nomads currently, the most trusted ranking for digital nomad destinations globally based on their popularity alone.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, 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 within the post.
