The traditional nine-to-five is no longer tied to a single desk. For remote workers with the flexibility to take their laptop on the road, a workcation offers the chance to trade the daily commute for a Parisian café, a Lisbon terrace, or a London coworking space—without using annual leave. But not every city is equally prepared for the working holiday.
A new study from Compare the Market has compared destinations across Europe and beyond, weighing factors such as broadband and mobile speeds, coworking spaces, accommodation costs, attractions, and the price of a cappuccino and a beer. The results were weighted to reflect what matters most when choosing a place to blend work and leisure.
The best European cities for a workcation
Paris, France topped the ranking with an overall score of 63.4 out of 100. The French capital boasts the fastest fixed broadband download speeds in Europe, along with solid mobile speeds. It also offers an abundance of cultural attractions—museums, galleries, and landmarks—second only to Rome in the study. However, Paris falls short on affordability: accommodation and cappuccino prices are among the highest in the dataset.
Lisbon, Portugal came in second with a score of 61.2, cementing its reputation as a remote-work haven. The Portuguese capital is notably affordable: a one-month apartment rental can cost as little as €237, the cheapest in the study, and a cappuccino averages €2.55. Fast fixed broadband, sunny weather, a strong café culture, and a growing remote-working scene make Lisbon a compelling choice for those seeking a city-centre terrace instead of an office.
London, United Kingdom took third place with a score of 60.0, thanks to its excellent work infrastructure and endless post-work options. The city has 562 coworking spaces—more than twice as many as second-placed Barcelona—and recorded 4,450 TripAdvisor attractions, from museums and theatres to historic sites and markets. The catch is cost: accommodation and beer are notoriously expensive, and a cappuccino averages €4.80.
The worst European cities for a workcation
At the other end of the scale, Salzburg, Austria scored just 10 out of 100. Despite its picturesque charm as a Sound of Music filming location, the city is incredibly expensive: the cheapest one-month apartment rental costs €2,211.41, the highest in the ranking. It also has only seven coworking spaces—the fewest of any destination analysed—and internet speeds that leave much to be desired.
Munich, Germany came second to last with a score of 20. While the Bavarian city is known for efficiency, its internet speeds are disappointing: Germany has the third-slowest fixed broadband and second-slowest mobile speeds in the study. Accommodation is also pricey, with the cheapest monthly rental at €1,437.
Hamburg fared slightly better, scoring 23, but still landed among Europe's worst. Like Munich, it suffers from relatively slow internet and higher living costs. However, it does offer some positives: a one-month apartment can be found for around €889, and there are 81 coworking spaces.
For those considering a workcation, the ranking highlights a clear trade-off between connectivity, cost, and lifestyle. While Paris and Lisbon offer the best balance, cities like Salzburg and Munich may be better suited for a traditional holiday rather than a working one.
