The growth of remote workers around the world in recent years has changed the way we think about our workspaces.
As a digital nomad myself, there is nothing I love more than heading to a new destination where I can work in the mornings, explore in the afternoons, and perhaps squeeze in one last work session in the evenings before going to a fun Meetup group or Couchsurfing event with other travelers in the city. It’s a workation – a work vacation, get it?
But is there anything worse than paying rent back home and then paying again for a month’s stay in a new-to-you-city?
Or worse, how will the internet be?! We’ve all had an experience where we’ve booked a place that we think will be a fantastic work destination only to arrive and discover that the WiFi isn’t strong enough for Zoom calls, video uploads, or even sending photos to your mom on Whatsapp.
Noad Home Exchange
Noad Home Exchange was created by fellow remote workers who want to explore the world without paying double rent or missing out on work calls due to bad WiFi connections.
Creators Jonah and Austin wanted to build a community platform where people could list their homes and in exchange, take advantage of the worldwide network of other homes around the world.
How does it work?
Noad Home Exchange is a members-only platform. Depending on which membership you choose (check all the options on their homepage), you will pay a yearly fee and receive credits to use on stays around the world.
For every night that someone stays at your home, you receive two credits to use elsewhere. So the more you host, the more workations you can take.
Noad is not a direct swap website. So you don’t have to wait for someone who is interested in your home to start your workation. Instead, it’s a community where people can stay anywhere in the network and anyone else can stay in their homes.
But the biggest piece of this puzzle is that every member is also a home lender. So there is a mutual respect for each other’s homes that you don’t find on other rental websites.
Benefits of Noad Home Exchange
In order to become a member and list your home on Noad Home Exchange, you have to meet a few requirements.
The biggest piece is, of course, the ability to work remotely in your home. The WiFi in every home has been tested for speed and each home must have a viable workspace so you don’t have to head out to overpay for coworking spaces or take up a table at a cafe all day.
The website is still growing, but there are already over 25 countries in the network to choose from, including tons of amazing cities around Europe for a workation.
Sign up with this link and use the code EtExpat to receive an additional 3 credits when you join the program.
Best Noad Workation Destinations in Europe
These cities all over Europe have one or more Noad Home Exchange options that you can check out.
Whether you want to explore the beaches of Barcelona, the delicious restaurants in Milan, the fascinating history of Berlin, or somewhere a little bit more off the beaten path like Bulgaria, there are tons of great options to choose from.
There are photos of apartments on the website and sometimes even video walkthroughs so you can see exactly what each home looks like inside.
1. Lisbon
The stunning capital city of Portugal is a digital nomad’s paradise.
Delicious seafood, a historical downtown, and nearby beaches make this a destination that people want to visit all year long. During work days you can pop out for a coffee and pastel de nata and on the weekends you have endless things to do at your fingertips.
While you’re visiting Lisbon, don’t miss a trip to Belem Tower, the Lisbon Cathedral, and the National Azulejo Museum which is home to those stunning blue tiles.
There are currently two properties on Noad to choose from, this gorgeous one-bedroom near the old town and this one-bedroom close to tons of public transportation routes.
2. Barcelona
Barcelona is a Spanish city that truly has it all (although I’m biased because I love Spain).
Barcelona is a bustling city with modern amenities, but it is large enough that you can find central city neighborhoods with little to no tourists around. There are beaches, amazing things to eat in Barcelona, and some seriously fantastic nightlife.
There are endless museums and parks to explore, so many great music venues, and plenty of great cafes and book shops to explore, too. Best of all, it’s incredibly well-connected.
So whether you want to hop on a high-speed train to Madrid for a day trip or you want to grab a bus or flight to somewhere else in Spain for a quick weekend getaway, you have the entire country at your fingertips.
If you have your Noad membership, you can stay at this incredible one-bedroom right in downtown Barcelona.
Enjoy a workation in Paris, one of my favorite cities in Europe for a Workation.
3. Milan
One of my favorite cities in Italy, Milan is home to great shopping, even better restaurants, and so much history to explore.
You can work by day at this one-bedroom apartment on the edges of the city center and in the afternoons and evenings, explore the different districts of Milan. Have aperitivo along the Naviglio Grande, eat a giant bowl of risotto alla Milanese for dinner, and walk home with a delectable cup of gelato.
There are so many amazing things to do in Milan, but nothing beats climbing to the top of the Duomo, the city’s cathedral. You can walk along the rooftop and take in views of the stunning city center.
4. Amsterdam
A city that has grown so much in popularity over the years deserves some of your time (especially in the off-season when it’s not quite so busy). You might be even surprised to hear that Amsterdam is close to one of the best beaches in Europe!
Whether you want to ride bikes along the canals, see the Tulip fields up close, or sample fries with dollops of mayonnaise on top, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy when you’re not at your desk getting some work done.
Perhaps you just want to enjoy normal life here, join a local Amsterdam gym, find a favorite local coffee shop and bar, and meet up with other expats and digital nomads. Amsterdam is one of the best cities in Europe to live, so your workation here can really feel like a home away from home.
There’s the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and the wonderful Rijksmuseum, which is the national museum of the Netherlands. There are also tons of great restaurants in Amsterdam to explore by night.
It’s also a fantastic option if you grab yourself a Noad membership because at the moment there are five different apartments to choose from. Check out all of the Amsterdam apartments here.
Enjoy this Paris apartment while you are working from “home.”
5. Berlin
One of the coolest cities in Europe, this is such a fantastic city for a European Workation. It has excellent public transportation, tons of international and German food options, and great coffee shops.
It also has a heaving nightlife scene with great music, bars, and other types of parties you might be looking for after a long day of work.
But the thing I find most fascinating about Berlin is its history. There are so many different tours you can take and Berlin itineraries to explore to learn more about both the Cold War and World War II.
You can check out this centrally located Noad apartment in Berlin or this apartment that is in a quieter more residential area of the city.
6. Mallorca
Who doesn’t want to take a workation to an island paradise?
Mallorca is a stunning island in the Balearic Island group that has nearly year-round sunshine. Come in the summer to party after work or visit during the shoulder seasons to enjoy quieter beaches, less of a party scene, and more of a laid-back beach vibe instead.
Be sure to visit the Almudaina Palace, the 13th Century cathedral of Santa Maria, and get some sneakers on and head out on the trails to hike some of the beautiful lesser visited parts of the island.
If you want to be more central, you can stay in this two-bedroom home right in Palma in the trendy Santa Catalina neighborhood. Or head a bit further out of the city to this two-bedroom oasis with a swimming pool!
This Bansko apartment has tons of natural light, a great kitchen, and a solid workspace for your workation in Europe.
7. Paris
I have enjoyed several workations of my own in Paris. There are so many beautiful neighborhoods, so many places to eat, so many cafes and monuments and walks that no matter how many times you visit Paris, there is something new to see and explore.
You can eat at cheap restaurants in Paris to keep the cost down or you can self-cater by visiting local markets and buying fresh produce. You can go for a walk along the Paris Highline in the morning before working in the afternoons depending on your work schedule.
Then you can head out for a local craft beer or a glass of wine at a nearby cafe. If it’s your first trip to Paris, then of course you don’t want to miss a trip to view the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero at night.
Eat some macaroons from Lauderee, stroll down the Champs Elysee, and visit the Louvre (you might even be tempted to take a picture with your finger touching the tip of the triangle).
Stay at this central one-bedroom apartment and explore the best that Paris has to offer while also being able to work from “home.”
8. Prague
I only visited this city for the first time last year and I was instantly in love and knew I needed to return for longer. A workation in Prague is high on my list in 2024 and thanks to this apartment available on Noad I should be able to make it happen.
Some highlights for me in Prague are the Kafka Museum, the National Gallery of Prague, and the Klementinum library. There are also so many great restaurants in Prague that serve up traditional Czech food and more importantly, Czech beer!
If you spend time in Vienna on a workation, do not miss getting a hot chocolate and a sacher torte (preferably not at the same time because this became too rich rather quickly!).
9. Bansko
Want to enjoy a European workation that includes skiing every day and delicious affordable food each night?
Bansko is a mountain town located in the Pirin National Park in Southwest Bulgaria. It is quickly becoming a hub for digital nomads who want a great outdoor lifestyle at a fraction of the cost of places like Switzerland, Austria, or Italy.
If you aren’t big on skiing, you can spend the summer months in Bansko enjoying the mountain biking and hiking trails that weave through the nearby mountains. There are lakes to swim in cozy bars and cafes to relax in after a day out in the national park.
Best of all, Noad has a whopping six locations in Bankso to choose from, so you’re bound to find availability for when you want to visit. See all of the properties available here.
Photos of the apartments on Noad Exchange show you exactly where you can use as a workspace during your stay.
10. Vienna
One of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Vienna is the perfect place for a workation at any time of year. The best thing about this city is the abundance of culture.
There are dozens of museums, countless live music shows, and so many wonderful coffee shops to relax in before, during, or after a workday. There’s more than enough to fill any length of Vienna itinerary, especially when you’ll likely be spending much of your time working from your home away from home anyway.
I thoroughly enjoy the restaurants in Vienna where you can have anything from schnitzel and beer to sacher torte and rich hot chocolate.
This Noad apartment located just north of the city center along the Danube is a great base for a workation to the city.
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