Where Work Becomes Pleasure

28.12.23

As many of our minds are starting to slip back into thinking about getting back to the office, Abode2 explores a more appealing alternative and rounds up our top picks of winter workation destinations around the world

Winter is still very much upon us as we head into the new year, which also means that the days are staying shorter and temperatures are dropping. For many, the dreary weather and the early darkness make feeling motivated very difficult, so it comes as no surprise the so-called "workation" has become increasingly popular among Yonge professionals, combining holidays and work.

Bangtao Beach, Thailand

So, if you want to swap office walls for sandy beaches, we are here with some inspiration for relocation using recent data from Holidu, the holiday rental portal, which helped highlight cities in the world that should be best suited for a winter stay in the sun.

Let's start with some of the best options closer to home and explore the top 3 cities in Europe

Valencia - Spain

In Europe, the first-place position belongs to Valencia. The average temperature of 12.2 degrees might not be extremely high, but with an average of 250 sun hours each month between December and March, Valencia is still more than appealing for anyone in need of some Vitamin D.

The city combines modern and historical elements on a sun-drenched coastline. If you decide to relocate to Valencia for a while, you can look forward to Spanish culture and Mediterranean flair. Whether it's a stroll through the vibrant streets, eating a paella in one of the many restaurants or in one of the local markets such as the Mercado Central. Digital nomads have the opportunity to work from 42 different co-working spaces. After work, you can reward yourself with a beer for around two euros. Who wouldn't want to swap their office walls for that?

Barcelona - Spain

Another city in Spain takes second place. Explore Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, which soaks up 246 hours of sunshine in the winter months and enjoys an average temperature of 11.2°C. Visitors can expect a city full of contrasts with an impressive old town and modern buildings that blend harmoniously into the cityscape.

Barcelona scores particularly highly with its extensive selection of co-working spaces - more than 190 locations make it possible to work on-site if you don't have a permanent office. Visitors also have plenty of culinary options: pa amb tomàquet, calçots and crema catalana are just a few of the local delicacies.

Lisbon - Portugal

Lisbon takes the bronze medal in the ranking. For all those who want to escape the cold weather, Portugal's capital is the perfect destination. The average temperature between December and March is a pleasant 13.1°C, while the sunshine duration is 192 hours. But working from there is also a pleasure, as there are 113 co-working spaces in Lisbon and the average internet speed is 114 Mbps.

After work or at weekends, there is a pleather of breathtaking beaches, including: Praia do Castelo, Praia da Riviera and Praia Nova - all located on the Costa da Caparica. But there’s also plenty to see in the city centre, such as the Museu do Fado or the Museu Nacional. A simple stroll through the pretty alleyways is just as much fun, but you should be aware of the hilly nature of Lisbon.

Who rounds off the top 10 in Europe?

Madrid, Spain
Porto, Portugal
Malaga, Spain
Faro, Portugal
Seville, Spain
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Split, Croatia

Split, Croatia

For the more adventurous who may be looking further afield, here are our top 3 cities in the world

Bangkok, Thailand

The gold medal in the global ranking goes to Bangkok. Bangkok remains undefeated, having also been crowned our 2021 Best City in the World for a Workation. With an average temperature of 28.3°C between the months of December and March, it is no big surprise to see this city in first place for this winter sun ranking. Thailand's capital has more than 160 co-working offices, which are particularly suitable for remote workers.

After work, the bustling markets are a must, with countless cookshops serving delicious and inexpensive food. On days off, the imposing temples are particularly worth a visit, as are the floating markets where there is plenty of food.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hot on the heels of Bangkok is Buenos Aires. Argentina's capital is considered an important financial and cultural centre of the country, which also makes it popular with remote workers. In 2005, Buenos Aires earned the title of "City of Design" by UNESCO. Historical buildings worth seeing include the former city hall, the cathedral and the old congress hall.

In addition, there are 272 hours of sunshine from December to March and a pleasant average temperature of 23°C. If you are looking for a local office, there are almost 90 co-working spaces to choose from

Chiang Mai, Thailand

In third place is another Thai city: Chiang Mai. Located in the north of the country, the city is the largest in the region and the second largest in Thailand and is particularly popular for workations.

Surrounded by green landscapes and ancient monuments, Chiang Mai offers the ideal balance between work and leisure, as well as an average of 308 hours of monthly sunshine during winter.

Which cities round off the top 10 in the world?