Nomad Hotspots No One Talks About: 5 Affordable Cities with Solid WiFi and Zero Crowds

These are all great, but also completely saturated. From long waitlists for co-living spaces to the same ol’ crypto conversations at bars, shoulder-to-shoulder freelancers at every cafe, and prices that go up every year, isn’t it time we found a few new digital nomad hotspots?

If you’re looking for stable WiFi, budget-friendly living, and traveling to somewhere new (don’t forget to check if you need a visa on HandyVisas!), these are the five places that are still very much under the radar.

Krakow, Poland

Yes, Krakow may be one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe (and the former capital of Poland!), but behind its Gothic towers and medieval churches also lies one of the most vibrant tech hubs in Europe!

Big-name companies like Cisco, IBM, and Motorola are based here, along with a fast-growing startup scene supported by university talent and EU funding. All of this means high-quality Internet, a strong focus on innovation and technology, and plenty of places to work.

Popular neighborhoods like Kazimierz and Podgorze are packed with laptop-friendly spots where it’s completely normal to camp out for a few hours with a kawa (coffee) and your Google Docs open.

Living costs are still manageable compared to Western Europe, and renting a small studio in the city center ranges between 2300 to 2800 zloty ($580 and $700), while a meal at a local spot will rarely set you back more than 40 zloty ($10). Public transport is reliable and cheap, with trams connecting every part of the city.

Looking for something to do out of office (OOO)? Krakow is perfectly positioned near Zakopane, a mountain town that’s a favorite weekend escape for locals and visitors alike.

Just two hours away by train, it’s an easy getaway that offers something in every season, like hiking in spring and summer, and snow sports during winter.

Bucharest, Romania

If you’ve never considered Bucharest, you’re not alone — but perhaps it’s time to add it to your list. 

While it might not have the immediate appeal of Barcelona or Vienna, the capital of Romania offers something arguably more valuable for long-term nomads: fast internet, low rent, and a relaxed urban atmosphere.

Romania consistently ranks among the top countries in the world for internet speed, and Bucharest is no exception. Whether you’re posting on Substack, pushing code, or just glued to Zoom calls, the connection is one less thing to stress about.

What makes the city especially appealing is its proximity to nature: in just a few hours by train, you could be hiking in the Carpathians or exploring the medieval towns of Transylvania.

Krabi, Thailand

Yes, Thailand may be a digital nomad favorite, but Krabi Town remains blissfully underhyped.

Unlike Phuket or Chiang Mai, Krabi isn’t packed with Western chain restaurants and noisy beach clubs — it’s a local Thai town where locals go about their daily lives, and that’s precisely what makes it special.

You won’t find neon lights or pub crawls, but what you will find is a slower pace of life, bowls of delicious khao mok gai (chicken and rice), and reliable WiFi inside unassuming cafes.

You can rent a furnished apartment or studio with air conditioning for as little as 8,000 to 10,000 baht ($240 to $300 a month). Meals are often just 70-100 baht ($2 to $3), and a strong iced coffee costs even less (perfect when you’re on a deadline!)

When you're ready to close your laptop and enjoy the weekend, beaches like Ao Nang and Railay are just a short ride away. All in all, Krabi is a fantastic option for those who want to stay productive while still living in paradise.

Faro, Portugal

​​Most nomads who head to Portugal go straight to Lisbon or Porto… but Faro, the gateway to the Algarve, deserves more love!

This sunny coastal city offers the same charm, slower pace, and salty sea air, without the inflated rent or snobby coworking spaces. While tourists tend to breeze through on their way to the region’s flashier beach towns, Faro stands out as a solid base for anyone working remotely. It remains inexpensive, calm, and friendly, which is a rarity in popular seaside destinations in Europe.

Life here moves at a leisurely pace. Mornings might start with a work session at a cafe in the historic center, where a cup of coffee and a pastel de nata costs around 3 Euros. Come afternoon, you can wander the cobbled streets or pass through the arched gates of the Old City for a scenic break. 

Wi-Fi in Faro is reliable, with average speeds around 100 Mbps in co-living spaces and hotels. Many places stay open year-round, so even winter months are lively and full of options.

Monthly apartment rentals start around 660 Euros, and lunch at a local restaurant typically begins at 7 Euros. The city also makes a great base for exploring the Algarve, with regular trains and buses to nearby towns — and a local airport (FAO) offering budget flights to cities across Europe.

Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi might be one of the most underrated digital nomad destinations in the world — and Georgia’s generous visa policy is a big reason why. 

Citizens of over 90 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and most of Europe can live here visa-free for up to a year. No, that’s not a typo — and that alone makes it a dream base for long-term travelers.

Yet, Tbilisi’s appeal goes far beyond logistics. The city is creative, gritty, and wildly atmospheric, where crumbling balconies overlook trendy wine bars and coworking spaces sit inside converted Soviet-era buildings.

On weekends, it’s easy to hop on a marshrutka (minibus) to Batumi’s beaches, explore ancient hilltop monasteries, or go wine tasting in the rolling valleys of Kakheti. Everything feels close and connected here, so it’s no wonder why many nomads come for a month but end up staying much longer.